New owner is irresponsible and unreasonable

[paintedpony]

I placed a pup 3 days ago. New owner called around lunch yesterday singing the pups praise and thanking me for the new member of their family only to begin a barrage of phone calls and email late last night demanding a refund because the pup bit her neighbor's child when the child attempted to pull the pup from underneath bed.

Now, I do guarantee my pups... I have never had anyone have a problem with the soundness of one. Yes, over the years I have come across people that in retrospect should not be given the responsibility of caring for any other living being as they seem to have more than enough difficulty caring for themselves. This owner seemed adequate... I explained that the pup would need time for adjustment as she had never been alone (without her siblings).

My question for you is: If I do take this pup back, I do not plan to give her 100% refund. Do you think it fair for me to be compensated for my time and aggrivation?

[Kadoro]

Yes I do think it is fair.

Do you have a contract of sale your new owners sign? If so does this state anything in regards to returns?

If a dog/puppy is returned due to ill health or personal problems maybe I would consider a full return of money, but with what you have explained i wouldn't be offering a full refund. Although my concern would be that if you dont have a detailed contract of sale then the owner may just sell the puppy on to someone else. To cover their costs.

All situations are different and it is up to you personally to decide. What do you think the owners will do if you dont offer a full refund and do you think the pup is in any danger at all?

[OnyxsMom]

People like this are tricky. Looking at it from a distance, she wants to return a puppy, who nipped her neighbours daughter, for trying to PULL it out from under a bed? Thats just dumb. First, puppies nip. Second. Would she like it if you pulled her out of her hiding spot by her leg? Probably not.

I think in a situation like this I would definately take the puppy back, as she is obviously clueless, and talk to her about the refund. Unless you have in writing that you agree'd on a refund percentage, then she will likely never settle. It might be in your best interest to just refund the money and get the pup back.

[SevenSins]

Originally Posted by paintedpony

I placed a pup 3 days ago. New owner called around lunch yesterday singing the pups praise and thanking me for the new member of their family only to begin a barrage of phone calls and email late last night demanding a refund because the pup bit her neighbor's child when the child attempted to pull the pup from underneath bed.

Now, I do guarantee my pups... I have never had anyone have a problem with the soundness of one. Yes, over the years I have come across people that in retrospect should not be given the responsibility of caring for any other living being as they seem to have more than enough difficulty caring for themselves. This owner seemed adequate... I explained that the pup would need time for adjustment as she had never been alone (without her siblings).

My question for you is: If I do take this pup back, I do not plan to give her 100% refund. Do you think it fair for me to be compensated for my time and aggrivation?

No, what I think you should do is stop intentionally breeding mutts, stop thinking about your profit margin for a second and give the uneducated dolt you sold a puppy to her money back in exchange for the dog, spay the puppy so that the next dolt doesn't breed even more mutts, and actually research where the dog is going the next time you flip her. The person you sold this dog to obviously doesn't know the first thing about puppy behavior, which means not only did the buyer not do their homework but YOU as a breeder are irresponsible. And you believe you're deserving of compensation for your precious time and "aggravation" because YOU didn't make sure the person was already educated in the most basic knowledge before you took their money and handed them a dog? Normally I would say that since you didn't bother to make sure they were educated about basic puppy behavior you probably didn't make sure they were educated about the breed either, but you don't have a breed.

[paintedpony]

Contract is pretty basic... new owner take pup to vet within 48 hours with pup guranteed health to be sound. If vet were to discover genetic or life threatening problem pup to be replaced with healthy pup when available. Contract does not have idiot clause to cover a return because she let the neighbor's kid come in chase and then corner the pup under the bed then yank on it. I attempted to call her last night when I came in to the multiple messages but got no answer... She also does not answer this morning. It's not that I want the pup back, but at this point with them seemingly writing the pup off, have doubts as to where the pup might end up. They in a matter of a few hours went from "We just love this little girl!" to a message that said: "Call me, I have to have a refund! This is just not working out! This pup is a total wreck!"

[Hudsons~Mom]

Originally Posted by OnyxsMom

People like this are tricky. Looking at it from a distance, she wants to return a puppy, who nipped her neighbours daughter, for trying to PULL it out from under a bed? Thats just dumb. First, puppies nip. Second. Would she like it if you pulled her out of her hiding spot by her leg? Probably not.

I think in a situation like this I would definately take the puppy back, as she is obviously clueless, and talk to her about the refund. Unless you have in writing that you agree'd on a refund percentage, then she will likely never settle. It might be in your best interest to just refund the money and get the pup back.

I agree 100%....the owner is clueless and should not have a puppy in the first place if this is how she is going to react....and it would be easier just to refund her whole money...these are some of the problems you run into when breeding...you have to give back money and take a puppy back....good luck

[SevenSins]

Originally Posted by paintedpony

Contract is pretty basic...

As most mutt/fad breeders' contracts are.

new owner take pup to vet within 48 hours with pup guranteed health to be sound. If vet were to discover genetic or life threatening problem pup to be replaced with healthy pup when available.

Really, and how do you tell within 48 hours that a pup has a genetic condition such as hip dysplasia which can't be tested for until the dog is two years old? Cardiac? Thyroid? Most genetic problems don't show up that young, and most BYBs unfortunately know that.

Contract does not have idiot clause

No, it was YOUR job to do your best to figure out if the person was an "idiot" before you sold them the dog!

It's not that I want the pup back

No doubt about that.

[Dax]

In my opinion - Money should not be your concern but the welfare of the pup you placed. Give them back the full amount if it means getting the puppy out of there asap.

Call it an expensive lesson in doing a better pre-placement interview.

[paintedpony]

MMMM... SevenSins.. Bite first and don't bother to ask about details hmmm. And an avitar of a Pit... Not that you care, but did talk extensively with the then prospective owner, she wanted a second dog and brought the dog she claimed to have raised from a pup with her to pick out the new pup...but what she said and what she then did obviously aren't the samething... She said she understood that the pup would need time to adjust to her new home but then did not protect the pup from the neighbor's kid. As to your thinking that I am only concerned about my profit margin.... you in your quick to judge attitude missed the point.... This owner in my opinion should not get all her money back so she will not just go and grab up another pup and throw it into her household and then take it back to whereever when it does what any pup would do. And yes I am very aggravated that she didn't protect the pup.

[Kadoro]

I suggest a change of contract first. Not only to protect yourself but to protect these poor animals, I have one contract with my pup that states if I have any difficulties then I will return my dog to the breeder and NOT sell or pass it on to anyone else. As a resposible breeder you should be prepared to take that puppy straight back without thinking about it.

As I wrote before i do think you are within your right to not give a full refund, you will need to pay for a check up at the vets etc when you pick up the puppy. But beings your contract doesnt state anything in regards to rubbish owners and complete idiots returning the puppy then a full refund will mean the dogs best interests are being met by yourself.

How much research do you do into new owners before selling these puppies on?