selling dogs?

Question

how on earth do people selling on their dog privately who care about their dog, have a genuine reason for selling, reassure themselves they are selling to a good home?
I have no intention of selling our dog- we've only had him a week, but the family we bought him from didn't care for him properly- we have found that out from the vet, and the fact that he flinches if we put our hand up to his head to rub it. Clearly they just wanted the first person with the appropriate sum of cash to take their dog, but how would you check a dog went to a 'good home' as some ads state they require?
Just interested.

Answer 1

Sometimes circumstances change beyond anyone's control, and a dog may need to be re-homed. And yes, sometimes it's a matter of the all mighty dollar and whoever can come up with it first.

Getting references (with one being a vet) and checking those references. Doing a home check to ensure there is adequate room for the dog. Checking the health of any pets they may already have and their vet records. If they have other dogs, are their nails trimmed or long, part of the family or strictly outdoor dogs?

WRITTEN CONTRACT that if they can no longer keep or care for the dog it must come back to me. (rescue your own)

Answer 2

When we have had litters in the past I check the potential new home and owners. I also have a puppy contract which states that the pup cannot be sold on or given away, it must come back to me if they no longer want that dog.

Sadly some people just dont realise how much time, love, care and money it takes to look after a dog (and all pets) so after a while they just get rid. My dogs are part of my family.

Answer 3

I know a lot of great breeders that actually will go to the home that the potential owners live first to see if it is appropriate. Some will get references and make you sign a contract saying you won't breed the dog or if you ever give it up it goes directly back to the breeder. The people that don't do this are just interested in the money and don't really care about the dogs.

Answer 4

There is no way to know for sure. When I sold my puppies I spent a little time with the buyer hoping to get an idea what kind of people they were. I won't ever breed dogs again, mostly because there are already too many, but also because too many people see pets as disposable when they are no longer convenient to keep or if they become a problem.

Some people trying to do the right thing actually write a contract giving themselves the right to do a follow up visit but I don't think it is legally enforceable.

Answer 5

Good breeders have contracts, and are more than willing to give out references of other dogs they have sold. They will probably ask you for references (at least two or three), as they are giving up a pet of theirs and want it to have a good home!

Sometimes it is difficult, because even after all of these things have been checked out, the breeders are still abusing their animals, but checking references and making sure there is a contract and they are checking YOU out means they are at least somewhat responsible.

Answer 6

in alot of cases that's just wishful thinking. most folks don't check up on it; they wouldn't want to know if their pet actually went to a good home or not; they just hope they did; there's no telling the circumstances that cause folks to give up their pets; it's easy to judge them but you should figure they might have a good reason and at least, in many cases, maybe they are not just going to a good home, but a better one.