How Do You Screen Puppy Buyers?

[Elaine]

Over the years I have tried different approaches to determine if the individual puppy and the potential home are a good match. People come in all different flavors, with a myriad of unique goals and experiences. I have found that there isn’t one specific profile that fits all. No one ever gets it right 100% of the time… but I am thrilled with the people who have our dogs. If there is one common thread among them it is simply that they are people of integrity and honor. They have life experiences that say they are able to make a life-long commitment and that their word is their bond. I trust and respect these people. So, I screen for people who have a track record of honor and integrity, which is solid foundation to build upon. IF you don’t have these qualities, you have chaos.

Should add, I’ve gotten a bit jaded and cranky over the years… a word here or there can really set me off. Last night, while we were watching the Academy Awards some nice young kid called about our dogs… he’d never owned a Doberman, never shown, thought he wanted to do both, was full of enthusiasm… wanted to come see them all… I said, “I’m not running a petting zoo,” and he hung up. Not one of my finer moments! :o Later, when I reflected on the call, I remembered myself, decades ago… that I would go and visit every kennel or breeder possible to learn about a breed I was interested in… I was once that kid. Now I have no patience for him (So kid, if you're out there somewhere, I apologize... )

For those who've done it, or are in the process, what criteria do you use? For those who have yet to breed, but intend to in the future, how do you intend to screen your puppy buyers?

Do you use a questionnaire? If so, what are you asking about? Is previous experience in the breed important? If so, what kind of experience? Would you sell to a novice owner? Would you sell a show prospect to a non-show home, and if so, under what circumstances?

[andyhilt27]

Last night, while we were watching the Academy Awards some nice young kid called about our dogs… he’d never owned a Doberman, never shown, thought he wanted to do both, was full of enthusiasm… wanted to come see them all… I said, “I’m not running a petting zoo,” and he hung up. Not one of my finer moments! :o Later, when I reflected on the call, I remembered myself, decades ago… that I would go and visit every kennel or breeder possible to learn about a breed I was interested in… I was once that kid. Now I have no patience for him (So kid, if you're out there somewhere, I apologize... )


that was me...I was pranking you:D

[Elaine]

Andy, you always make me laugh... :D

[andyhilt27]

Andy, you always make me laugh... :D


Always?????

[doberdogsfd]

Either at you or with you Andy, but we are laughing! :)

Cheryl

[doberdogsfd]

Through this entire process with our litter, Bob and I have had some wonderful people come into our liives.
We also have had the other end of the experience.
Overall the screening process I believe should be tailor made to you and what you expect.
There are foundational things that need to be looked at and answered of course.

For us, we start with a conversations and trying to get to know people over the phone a bit. Typically our inquireis are coming via email at this time,so there is also that initial email. One would be amazed at how much can be learned from a few lines in an email.
Nothing however, takes the place of some good conversations between folks. There is typically common ground and it can be found with dialogue if everyone is willing to have it and share of themsleves.

So, several conversations, a meeting in person . If it is someone that has been around the Dobe Ring or Fancy for a bit, I like to see if we have people we know in common. I do use those people as refrences if I trust and respect them. I know when I phoned Elaine about Vaako, we realized we knew many of the same people. I have been around for sometime, so she was able to ask others about me and Bob. Which I like. I think anyone that resists having those questions asked, there is something not right.

I do have a questionairre for the folks to fill out and return. We find when people can sit and relax at home and think about stuff, it allows them to answer freely and I also love to see the answer to my last question,
" Would you be willing to be finger printed and submit a DNA sample?" .
Most of our people have gotten the biggest laugh out of it...realizing we are kidding! :D

In the end, someone with honor and integrity sticks with it and lets us see the real them. They are transparent and open to all kinds of stuff. As I believe as breeders, we need to be also. We need to realize an educated puppy owner is going to want to meet you, see your place and see mom and dad if available. That is all good with us.

We have a lovely couple that has waited for 18 months for a Vaako Emma baby. They met us and the dogs in NY State when Vaako met Diego for the first time. Vaako was 6 monhs old.
They have a couple of adorable Min Pins and send photos of them to us regularly.:) They decided their lovely home in town was not enough space so they purchased a cabin in the woods for a vaction home for their Vaako Emma baby they would have one day. They bought an Expedition like ours and have been planning for the day their new puppy arrives since Vaako and Emma first met them.
Over the last 18 months we have spent time getting to know these folks and are more then happy to call them friends.

I wish everyone a Tina and Ray for their puppies.

So, a few calls, some visits, questions, references and most of all, if you feel it isn't right, it isn't. My instincts regarding humans has served me well for my enitre life, I listen to myself and trust what I am feeling.

I am sure Bob may have his thoughts he will add, these are mine.
Cheryl

[Sheila]

Like Cheryl and Bob, I receive emails and phone calls re puppies and over the years, at least on telephone I can initially get that "feeling" of whether I want to have further contact with the individual. Email is a little harder but as Cheryl said, one can read between the lines.
If I am comfortable with the caller/writer we normally chat several more times and I arrange for them to visit me, meet the dobes and I can size up from interaction a lot about the prospective buyers.
I have a puppy contract with about twenty questions such as if sold on non breeding contract are you prepared to provide proof of spay/neutering within 18 months, or if for any reason you are unable to keep the dobe no matter at what age it may be, are you willing to return it to me. Usually they peruse this contract at home and we discuss it more at length if any questions on their second visit which may be at my home or if distance is feasible at their home. It is after this visit I decide whether I will place a puppy with them and if so I take a deposit at that time.
When puppy is picked up to go home I provide the owners with a booklet with numerous articles on caring for puppy and continuing health care. If the owner wishes he/she may bring puppy back for as many ear tapings as necessary. Also at this visit we fill out necessary CKC paperwork and they sign my formal contract which is not very different from the puppy one.
My desire is place puppies in homes where I would feel comfortable having the owners as good acquaintances or friends. In other words we have common goals, perhaps some similar interests and share much the same philosophy about the care and well being of the dobe.
I make it very clear that we will continue to be in contact since my time is included in the sale and they must agree with that since I want to know how that dobe fares in its future. Most of my buyers from the last two litters have honoured my wishes and they phone, email and send pictures of their dobes so I can see then as they mature. Some of them visit on a regular basis with their dobe and are always welcomed.
I have had numberous inquiries so far about this litter and some seem like possibilities and then there are the others<G> I may be selling a female to buyers of a male from my last litter three years ago. Charming couple who live in Toronto, no children, and who are devoted to Guinness. I am hoping this occurs since they are top notch!

Sheila