Who was in the wrong?

Question

My husband and I have moved to a new city and have made friends with a couple our age who have two young boys. Our Boxers had puppies and they decided they wanted one. They've talked about the puppy for weeks and when they came to pick the puppy up, they didn't want to pay for it. I gave them a discount on the dog at $150 (I have a lot of money in my puppies with shots and health care, etc. and I believe I was right to ask for something from them if they wanted one of my dogs.) Anyway, they've had the dog for two weeks and have driven it all over the place. She left the dog in her car while she went into a store and the dog pooped and ruined her seats. Now she wants me to take the dog back and give her money back to her. I don't know what that dog has come into contact with and I don't want it around my healthy puppies. I told her I'd try to sell the dog for her but that I couldn't take it back. Now they're angry with us. Who was in the right?

They assumed there would be no charge for the puppy because we're friends. And when she asked for her money back, she said "I know we're good friends." First of all, we're not good friends, if you'll read one of my other questions, you'll see why. She doesn't want the puppy because she doesn't like to clean up puppy poop. (That comes with housebreaking a new puppy and most logical people are aware of this.) I don't breed dogs, this is my dog's first litter and her last.

They seemed like they would do well with a new puppy and were able to give him a good home, or I wouldn't have sold it to them. I just don't think it's right that they are taking advantage of our friendship this way. My husband got her husband out of the dead-end job and got him a great job with his company and they've not even so much as thanked him for it. I really think they're users and that's why they didn't have any couple friends when we met them.

Again, I am not a breeder. My two boxers are my pets and this is the only litter they've had and it is the last they're going to have.

Answer 1

I think the reason they want to return the dog "pooping on the car seat" is one of the lamest excuses I have ever heard. Being a pet owner requires RESPONSIBILITY, which they do not have.

Personally, I would refund the money, and tell them to stick it where the sun doesn't shine. The dog would be better off with you. Evidently they aren't ready for the responsibilty of a pet. Take the dog back--you said you gave them a big discount anyway. Can't you re-sell it and make more than the $150.00 you charged them?

If the puppy hasn't come into contact with other dogs/pets, I wouldn't be afraid to take it back. But, if you are still skeptical, take it to the vet for a quick exam.

Answer 2

You are both wrong. Never sell a pup to someone because they are friends. I would take the dog back. Tell her it has to be vet certified before you will. You must be the bigger person here and do what is best for the dog. She will have to pay the vet. You can keep the money and they wont be your friends anymore (doesn't sound like they really are anyway) or you can return the money and write them off your list of friends. They really don't consider you as a friend anyhow. They are selfish and you and the dog are better off without them. Find a loving home for this pup. God only knows what it is going through. Breeding is very complex and selling is even worse. You have to cover all of the bases. People will try and get over on you. Puppies for most people are an impulse buy. That is why any responsible breeder has to have all of the facts of sale in writing

Answer 3

If the puppy was one of my breeding, I would take it back after SHE had it vet checked and provided me with a health record from HER vet. If you spent money on shots etc, there isn't too much left for the puppy to get maybe rabies and a worming. I doubt it has been exposed to very much that would hurt it, don't you? Be Honest now. I would want to make sure that the pup was in a good situation while I was trying to find it a new home. The best place I could think of would be my home. How old is the puppy? How many do you have left at home? I would give the b&@% her money back, take my puppy and have no more to do with them. They sound like real loosers.
Good luck.

Answer 4

I would take the puppy back and consider this a lesson learned. I would not want these idiots anywhere near one of my puppies. This is your business. You should set up a contract when you sell one of your puppies. Let them know exactly what your rules about refunds are. You can get good examples on the net. Also in the future be more upfront about prices when it comes to "friends". It seemed like this transaction was a little awkward from the get go. Let them know that you put money into the pets. It is standard practice for breeders to take puppies to the vet for shots and their deworming. That is an expense for you. This person did not sound like a friend, more like a user. They obviously had no clue what it takes to be a good pet owner.

Answer 5

first of all you had the right to ask for something for the pup. next thing is that when you sold the pup did you state that there would be a warranty on the pup for a certain amount of days. did you do a bill of sale when you sold this pup to your neighbor. did you explain to her that when they get a puppy that they will have to train it to go out side to potty and all the other careing things that they will have to do when they get a new puppy. now with them having the pup for 2 weeks you have the right to tell her that you can't take the pup back because of her owning it for that long and that if something is wrong with the puppy it will get the rest of your litter sick. did they keep up on the shots for the puppy because if they didn't there is a chance that the pup can come in contact with anything to get him sick.

i breed golden retrievers and i always tell the new owners everything about my puppies like: there is a warranty for 48 hrs on the pup, not to take the pup anywhere till the puppy has had all of his shots(at 20 weeks), i let them know what food that i am feeding, to make sure that they have the time to care for the pup when they get home making sure that they are not just getting the pup and then they leave it in the house all day without no one home. the best thing to do is to let them know that you can't take the pup because of health reasons and that they need to take the puppy to the vet, because you are no longer responsible for the puppy, and the reason is that they had the pup for 2 weeks. tell them that they should have taken the dog to the vet when they got him, that is what most breeders do when they sell a dog it is to cover themselves if anything is wrong with the dog. if they do that within the 48hrs as a breeder you have to take the pup back but if she has had the dog longer then that it is her responsibility for the care of the dog now not yours. but remember that when you sell your pups give a 48hrs warranty that will cover your end of the sale. let the people kow that when they get one to take it to the vet within the 48hrs anything after that is their responsibility. good luck

Answer 6

You have learned a very valuable lesson the hard way - breeding dogs is no picnic! Be glad if this is the ONLY owner you have issues with before it is all over. I wish people would research & ask breeders & vets their opinion BEFORE they bring more pups into this world.

It is your responsibilty to do your best to ensure this & any other dog you bought in the world a proper home. This is why reputable breeders interview prospective owners & do not sell to just anyone who wants one: they want to ensure a good, responsible owner for their pups. They also take back any dog of theirs to re-home if it doesn't work out. The dog is not going to 'contaminate' the others if you deal with the situation properly. Boxer rescues takes in dogs & pups from all over & take the proper precautions to avoid exposure to ones already there till they have been vaccinated, wormed, and health checked by a vet. You will need to follow the same procedures.

Sorry to be harsh, but I have seen these situations repeated so many times it gets to a person (case in point: http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/justonelitter.html ) . In closing, I say BRAVO on your decision to spay your pet next - that is the responsible thing to do.

Answer 7

Hmm, .
You were giving them a dog with the shots already? That's actually pretty nice of you IMHO. But, they sound like dingbats and for the sake of the puppy, you should probably take him back. Anyone who takes a puppy to the store and leaves them in a car....I'd have to wonder about anyway. The dog pooping back there isn't your fault.

They sound not too smart or responsible. If you care about the pups, give them their money back, take the puppy and find a more responsible home for him. Screw 'em if they're mad at you too. They sound flakey. IMHO.

And I agree with the above, check out potential adopters, that's YOUR responsibility if you plan on continuing to breed. Your responsibility to the lives you're bringing into the world. Again, JMHO.

Answer 8

You're going to get a lot of similar answers on this one - - - sounds like you're in the right, provided all the facts are here.

Anything that a dog does after sold (minus health problems you may have known about) is the buyer's fault. Would they want to return the boxer if their child was allergic? Maybe, but that's not your responsibility.

Sounds like your "friends" may not be so great after all. Keep the boxer's needs first in your mind, please. This doesn't sound like a family that will find it a good home.

If you're giving up any other pups, prepare some paperwork for you and the buyer to sign to avoid this in the future, and agree and sign a contract that includes price, as well.

Answer 9

Most breeders would rather take a puppy back, rather than see it in an "unhealthy" situation.

You are not out anything if you return the money. If you have good puppies, you're going to be able to resell the puppy for the full price, rather than the discounted one.

Bottom line, you made a decsion to breed your dog. You have a reponsibility to make sure that the puppies are placed into stable homes.

If you absolutely don't want the puppy for fear of "contamination", surrender it to a Boxer Rescue group so that it will have a good home quickly.

Answer 10

You need to take the dog back, your friend sound lika real peice of work, but a breeder should always take their puppies back and make sure they go to good homes and care that they do. About the money, just give it back, Im sure you can get 150 from the next person and hopefully youll find a better home.