One of the saddest moments for a breeder is always the day when the puppies head off for their new homes. However, this is also one of the most rewarding days. Sure the breeder is going to miss the puppies he has bonded with for the last seven to ten weeks but knowing he has selected an excellent home for the puppies helps to ease this sadness and gives the breeder a great feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction. However, once the puppies walk out the door, they are not completely out of the breeders’ lives. Some breeders will receive periodic updates on the growth, well being and accomplishments of the puppies. However, other breeders will receive nothing but complaints about the puppy from the day it arrives in its new home. For these breeders dealing with disputes over the puppies can be very stressful but it is also a fact of life all breeders must deal with. This article will provide some advice for dealing with these types of disputes.
The importance of a well written and legally blinding contract cannot be stressed enough. Other breeders with more experience as well as lawyers can be very helpful in the process of developing the contract language. The lawyer will be useful for the purpose of ensuring the language of the contract is binding and not able to be misinterpreted. The lawyer will also help to make sure the contract does not contradict any state laws relevant to the sale of puppies. Other breeders can help in creating the contract by ensuring common health concerns are included and providing guidance on what types of items in to include in the contract. The contract should be developed long before buyers are even placed on the puppy list. Potential buyers should also be provided with the contracts well in advance of the purchase of the puppy to ensure they are fully aware of the terms of the contract.
One of the most heartbreaking concerns for both the owner and the breeder includes a serious illness, or even death, of the puppy. The contract documents should include provisions for how these types of situations will be handled. A responsible breeder will provide quality care to the puppies and should be aware of any life threatening health risks. Puppies with these types of health risks should not be sold. However, there is always the possibility for serious problems to either be missed or to develop rapidly after the sale of the puppy. If the contract carefully spells out how this issue will be handled, it should not be too difficult of a situation. However, if the contract details are not clear and state laws do not apply to the situation it might be worthwhile to employ the services of a mediator to assist in the negotiations. This is especially helpful if the buyer is irate and difficult to deal with.
When all else feels, a responsible breeder should be willing to do whatever is best for the puppy in a particular situation. Whether the best option is to take back the puppy and provide a refund or the best option is to leave the puppy in the new home and offer other types of compensation, the breeder should be willing do whatever it takes to ensure the puppy is happy and healthy. Puppy buyers may complain about a number of things including, but not limited to, too much shedding, not potty training quickly enough or even fur that is not soft enough. The contract for the puppy may not necessarily have provisions for taking back the puppy and providing a refund for the reasons specified by the buyer but in the long run it will likely be better for the puppy to return to the breeder.
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