Placing a non-refundable deposite without really knowing pups
 

Hey! So I was curious....I myself been pretty freaked out about placing a deposit on a puppy because I have an ideal personality I am looking for. I was afraid to put a deposit on a puppy and it end up being not what I am looking for in terms of personality....only, by then it will be too late because most deposits are non-refundable. How do you guys deal with this? I am pretty much crossing my fingers that this pup will be what I am looking for. If not I may end up wasting quite a bit of money :[ Also for those of you who have a specific look you want in a pup but have to place a non-refunable deposit on a puppy really early on (first few weeks) how do you go deal with that also?

I get that you can judge by parents but you never really know what you will get.

P.s if you're curious, I want a laid back, mellow, docile personality. Don't know if I will get it, but praying! :hands:

Is this even possible with yorkies? :eyetearss

Sorry but I had to giggle on the laid back, mellow, docile personality. Are you sure you want a yorkie? :D

As for the deposit I can understand your concern. I too accepted a deposit on one of my males and wondered if "he" would be like what the new owners would want. I would hate for them not to love him because he wasn't what they wanted in the long run.

Very good question. I wonder if maybe you should post this question in the breeders section. I too would like to know what they would do. Return the deposit or maybe keep a portion because there would be more time and money invested in the puppy. I will keep up with this post.

Layla is a beauty. I was lucky because that is Buster's personality. I am thinking of getting another as a companion for him and I am concerned about him being overwhelmed by the personallity of the new puppy. I will be interested in hearing what others say.
PS I forgot to say he also has those moments when he is a terrorier!

lol! I have definitely met a mellow yorkie before.

I mean I guess I just assumed I wouldn't get my money back and would end up with no puppy. I didn't ask, ironically. I asked almost everything else. :facepalm:

If I wanted a certain personality, I would look to adopt an adult rescue from a group that keeps their pups long enough to evaluate them.

I don't see how anyone can guarantee the personality of a puppy. I could be wrong on that, but each puppy I have had has turned out to be quite different as adults. There again, I have only dealt with a few puppies.

I believe you will fall in love with your pup no matter what, and I believe the way you raise a pup can influence personality to a certain extent by modifying behavior.

I agree with LadyJane that the closest you can get to a guarantee on personality and looks is to adopt an adult, or, I would add, a pup close to being an adult. My second, Teddy, was almost 8 months old when I brought him home and his breeder described his personality and habits perfectly.

One way to possibly get the pup you want is to deal with a breeder that temperament tests their dogs.

I never accept a deposit on a pup until the possible owners come and see the pup. However, by that time I have a feel for the families personalities.

I will only get an older puppy/adult as I want a certain look. I have seen so many that are being rehomed that I know if I waited I would get what I was looking for.

I don't know if any yorkie breeders do this because yorkie tend to not have a little that looks all alike but when I bought my Standard Poodle years ago the breeder didn't let anyone pick out their dog. She said she watches them grow up and knows their personality. She said she knows which one would be a good watch dog because they run to the door first and bark. She said she knows which one is the first to jump on the other dogs and start wrestling. She said she knows which one lets all the other dogs eat and then eats last. I told her I wanted a non-dominate female and she said Cassie would let the other puppies eat first and then eat and she was the exact personality I was asking for. BUT that said her dog all pretty much looked exactly the same and so did the mom and the dad. They were the exact same color, etc. so you wouldn't see one and say you wanted one over the other. She said she found when she let people come over and pick them out they would say "oh that one came over to me first" or "that one looked at me" and she said that's not a way to pick a dog.

I thought it was a brillant way to put the right dog with the right family.

I think the personality of the puppy can be greatly shaped by the owner and how the puppy is raised. I too wanted a puppy with a more mellow kind of personality so I have worked very hard on trying to mold him that way. I believe if you raise a dog in a calm environment, no voice raising, certainly no hitting for discipline along with obedience training at a young age to acheive behaviors like not bolting out the door, jumping on people, etc you should be okay. Memphis is 8 months old, I take him out with me to see customers (I am in sales) and he will sit calmly in his travel crate while I work, sometimes for 3 hours at a stretch and never make a peep. I can then take him out for a walk and he's not running around like a nut job but walking in the fashion in which he's been trained. My customers always point out how well behaved he is which I believe is 90% training and 10% the personality the dog was born with. In a nutshell, I you will get the personality you are looking for if you put the work in to it.

My first time ever accepting a deposit is when the owners came to meet him first. But, I would like to ask, if a breeder puts the puppy for sale when they are young and not ready to leave the litter and they go through this change in personality and appearance and then the potential new owners are not satisfied with them what would you do? Give the deposit back or force them to take the puppy? Give a portion of the deposit back because there will be additional cost to keep them or what? I am just wondering and curious if there is a stipulation in anyone's deposit contracts on here covering this.

I was thinking the same thing. Sophia has a very laid back, mellow and SWEET personality. I was really hoping for a similar personality when I got Peyton.

The first Peyton's breeder had him and his sister. I actually went to visit and probably purchase the girl, but she was such a little spitfire, I knew she would not mesh with Sophia. I was right. I am in contact with her owner and they said she is even more so now....bosses all the other dogs around! Lol!

I also think how the dogs in the breeders home behave sets the stage at least early on. At my breeders home there were 5 adult Yorkies. They were all sweet and well behaved. Not a single bark from any of them, and I was there for about two hours!

The second time I visited Peyton was when I took him home. He was a little shy of 12 weeks. The other two boys were a lot more wild and playful than he
was. He was cuddly and a little shy. I just knew I had the right baby boy for our family. Of course he is all puppy and plays and growls, but his genuine disposition is calm and sweet.

If you are dealing with a really understanding breeder, then I think they would let you place a deposit and perhaps transfer it to a different pup if needed.

The best advice is getting one that is older. Then you can e so much more sure of personality. Best of luck to you.

Thanks everyone :)

I always thought you could judge how a puppy's personality would turn out... I noticed that those that are very very playful turn out to be more wild. Those who are reserved and shy end up being more calm. That's just what I thought. I am hoping if worse comes to worse that my breeder will understand. Only time will tell, I guess.

I agree with Ladyjane and Maximo. If you are looking for a certain personality, you need to get a Yorkie that is older. Many reputable breeders hold show potential puppies until they are "teenagers", but place them as pets of their bite goes off, they are too laid back for the ring, etc.

Rescue is also a perfect place to adopt a Yorkie. Their personalities are carefully evaluated before they are placed to make sure they are a perfect match with their new home.

Not sure what you mean by putting the pup for sale. I don't advertise and people that want my dogs are either repeat buyers, or have been referred to me by another breeder/exhibitor......but, either way they've been on my waiting list for a long time.

Maybe my situation works a bit different since I never conduct a breeding unless I'm looking for my next show dog. And I have homes waiting way in advance. These new homes know that my pup are not going to ever leave my home prior to 16 weeks of age at the earliest....they also know that I'm assessing the litter for me first. They aren't allowed to the home until I've made my pick.

My contract reads deposit of such and such is not refundable should the new owners back out, it is fully understood by them when they enter into the agreement These are breathing living creatures.....not a couch.

Now should something happen with the pup from the time they pick the pup out and the time it is due to go home, the deposit is refunded.

But, to answer your question....I guess I can't, because I've never had someone change their mind. But, when people make a deposit of 50%, believe me they've thought long and hard about their choice.

I would consider my Yorkie (6 months) to be laid back, easygoing, and independent. He is very tolerant when I carry him, poke and prod him with grooming implements, doesn't fuss when left alone for up to 4 hours at a time, etc. But I worked with him from the time I got him to get him used to those things, and at first he bit and didn't like it. After a while he just accepted it. On the other hand, he is not much of a lap dog.

My dad has a Yorkie that is amazingly athletic and has severe separation anxiety, but also follows him around like an Australian Shepherd or another "velcro" type of dog.

My aunt has one that was given to her as a gift, it is extremely dominant and hyper and misbehaves constantly.

I tried to pick mine based on observing the litter and looking for one in the middle of the pack in terms of dominance. But honestly, it's hard for me to tell individual Yorkie puppies apart if they are from the same litter. If I ever get another I will try to get a slightly older one, from a breeder that can describe the personality to me.

My sister's golden retriever's breeder did this, as well. She took the time to get to know the families and she chose which puppy went home w/ which family. All I can say is that her choice worked out very well for my sister.

Yes, I am saying I put one puppy up for sale. I don't know how someone like me would breed a dog and all of a sudden have a line of people wanting my pups because I have never bred before. I am not that experienced and do not have plans to be so. Does not everyone start somewhere? I wanted another from my little momma and the sire I chose.

I do not question that if something happened to the puppy that the deposit be returned.. but if it is not a "couch" then why would you keep their money or force them to take the pup? The owners decided or have a circumstance that needs to be dealt with and as a reputable breeder it should be taken into consideration. All I wanted to know was do you keep the deposit and the puppy or return 1/2 of the deposit and try to find a home for it. Not everyone up here has a line of people waiting. I only asked because I am sure it can happen. Please...no direspect intended!

We went to visit Zhoie at 8 weeks, she was much more reserved than 2 of the other pups. There were 2 girls & 2 boys in the litter. The born was a girl, 2nd was boy, 3rd was Zhoie and 4th the last boy.

On our first visit to see Zhoie she was 8 wks, the 1st girl was very active, last boy was the same. Zhoie and the 2nd boy played together but both were more low key. The 1st girl was dominant to them all. Actually, to the point mama would come over and push her away and at times, lay her down and lay her leg across her chest. She was a spitfire for sure.

Zhoie came home very well mannered, mellow and laid back. She is still that way and she was 2 yr in Jan. At times, I have worried something must be wrong, but I've been told it's just her.

As laid back as she is....when other dogs are around, she instantly takes charge and dominates. The transormation just blows me away, she is not like that at home at all, I don't get why she has to be the leader and so mellow at home.

Good luck in finding what will fit with you and your family.

My prayers are for a Zhoie!!

Didn't take it as disrespect.......And yes, we all have to start somewhere.

When I started I asked the same questions of my mentor. But, then I didn't start out breeding, that didn't come until later. But, her answer was to me and I think I've said this before...."doing it the way I'm teaching you, it'll all fall into place".

I can only answer the question based on my experiences, how I was taught As I said I never take a deposit until a pup has been temperament testeed and has been picked. The contract has been in the new families hands prior to this (my contracts are with the pup's welfare and best interest in the forefront and not about me). They've had plenty of time to read it.

Ah! The owner had personal responsibilties that's another case you refund the money, you don't want a hardship for your pup or the new familhy....and you take each situation case by case.

No, the pup would not go with someone that didn't want it, geez that's asking for your pup to be put in rescue......but, if it was just a matter of changing their minds....that is another issue....My contract reads non-refundable deposit. You have to take into consideration the time it takes to reinterview to find another suitable home for the pup. So, that non-refundable deposit is put into place to protect the pup as well as yourself. You can only bend over backwards so far to be fair......

I agree...

Your Zhoie is fine....just a bit more layback. Her sister was the Alpha and Zhoie wasn't....Zhoie is comfortable at home, she knows she rules, it's her domain.....when she's around other dogs she has decided she has to show the other dogs who is boss.......

Isn't it just a matter of moving onto the next person on the waiting list? Aren't the potential buyers prescreened before they go on the list so as not to waste their time waiting for something that may never happen?

Yea, the issue of them changing their mind is a concern. I changed my mind(no it was my DH) about letting the male go, He fell in love with him but a deposit contract was already signed. So I had no choice but to let him go to another home...BTW I keep up with them through emails, picture text and invites to their house. It was heartbreaking. To be honest I want to breed my Elsa 1 more time. I want another from her and I am not looking for a profit but another baby.

This brings me to another question:rolleyes: iF you use a sire and they have pick of the litter, how far do you go? Paying for the dock of the tails. all shots till they leave, worming. Should the sire owner pay for anything?

Thank you Mary, that does ease my mind coming from you. :)

Thank you the compliment. :)

I have to admit, I was worried about getting my 1st yorkie, but the timing was right as my 2 older dogs were fading (mini-pin & chi, both 14.5) and I couldn't not be without a dog in the house. I spent a few months and bought every yorkie book available for weeks, since my office is in my home, I knew I had better be up on training her. I think the greatest thing I learned from reading was....never encourage barking and I have not. Never, ever do I say something like, asking her to speak for her food or who is at the door, etc.....and it has worked for me. Which is a real blessing as I'm on the phone 75 percent of my day.

Heck, who am I kidding everything came from those books and the knowledgeable people her on YT! So glad I found this site!

Aw...thanks :)

I mean it! I am really, really hoping.

Thank you for that. I want to instill this in my new baby and in Layla. She barks a lot and that's a gigantic problem because my boyfriends mother works from home as you do...and there is a big conflict in this aspect. We can't ever leave her home if she is working and that makes it impossible for us to freely do things. I don't think a dog should be able to hold you back from going to a place because of behavioral issues. So we want to work on correcting her behavior as well as instill it in our newest addition.