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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Bought a dog - person wants it back..aibu?

459 replies

mrsdaz · 17/04/2021 15:19

I bought a dog 2 days ago from a lovely lady who was finding it hard to manage him due to working full time etc.

Agreed sale on Tuesday, collected him Thursday evening. All well. She has been in touch since by text to see how he is.

Yesterday got a text saying she's missing the dog and would have him back in a heartbeat.

Today I've had a text message from her daughter asking for the dog back. Plus subsequent phone call that I didn't answer.

Aibu to keep the dog? He's so happy and isn't pining for previous home etc. He will be with someone all the time rather than alone all day and has a companion dog here.

Who would give the dog back?

OP posts:
MovingtoLancaster · 18/04/2021 19:44

See if she's serious. Add a zero to the price.

Toomuchtrouble4me · 18/04/2021 19:54

I think I’d sell him back to her but I’m not a dog owner so probably not qualified to comment. If just feel a bit sorry for her, maybe she’s lonely.

Barmychick · 18/04/2021 19:58

sounds like he's better off with you

Ddot · 18/04/2021 19:59

If you cant keep your dog you find a loving family to take it, not sell to a stranger. That dog is lucky (I hope to have found a good family) this time. Please please do not take back, if you decide you cant keep, take him to shelter were the new owner will be vetted.

hibbledibble · 18/04/2021 20:09

Poor little dog. This is why I'm so against lockdown puppy purchases. A lot of puppies are now being rehomed, as owners are returning to work and/or realising how hard work they are.

I agree with everyone else, don't return the dog, and cut all communication.

AngelDelightUk · 18/04/2021 20:09

Update his chip, do not give him back, then block her number

neveradullmoment99 · 18/04/2021 20:17

@WeAllHaveWings

Shes had a better offer. Tell them sorry the sale is complete and you feel you can give the dog a good home so will be keeping him. Any further contact block them.

enjoy your new pup.

OMG this, absolutely!
CrikeyPeg · 18/04/2021 20:18

Oh gosh @mrsdaz - I hope you've updated his chip details. If not, get on to it smartly in case she puts, or may have already, a stolen/missing alert on the chip.

neveradullmoment99 · 18/04/2021 20:18

Just text her and say sorry, the chip has been changed and it is your dog now. Sorry.

RaspberryCola · 18/04/2021 20:23

Congrats on your new dog!

I don’t enjoy the puppy stage, they’re hard and tiring and 24/7 effort. My mum is a dog trainer so we had an advantage there, I grew up around dogs, and even I found our puppy tricky. But you put up with it. And then you’re rewarded for that effort with a happy, healthy, clever little family member.

That’s fact it wasn’t housebroken at 9 months is a red flag for me too. I’m sorry she feels like she made a bad decision but you don’t ‘accidentally’ sell a dog!!

CrankyFrankie · 18/04/2021 20:29

Am I being horribly cynical for thinking they’ve probably had a better offer £?

SchadenfreudePersonified · 18/04/2021 20:29

Lots of dogs are not reliably, solidly housetrained at that age

Whilst this is true, most dogs of any age will, if anything, regress in their toilet training when they change homes and families, just because of stress.

The fact that this dog has improved suggests that the original owner either didn't bother or used inappropriate and inconsistent training methods.

Bertiebiscuit · 18/04/2021 20:36

Absolutely NOT - they do not have the best interests of the dog at heart - it is better off with you in its new home - tell this person to leave you alone as the dog is yours now

loveyoudoll · 18/04/2021 20:37

This happened to me. We bought and collected the dog. They couldn't look after him, he wasn't exercised regularly and not socialised well.
He settled it so well with us and didn't pine at all.
Then they started asking for the dog back, messages, Facebook, emails.
I was kind and patient initially but then blocked as I got sick of it. We were going to take him to visit if we were going that way but decided not to in the end.

One thing you need to consider is if there was a puppy contract with the breeder. There is often a clause that says the dog has to be returned to them in the event they can't be kept. I don't know how enforceable they are legally but I'd want to know.

CakeWarrior · 18/04/2021 20:37

Did this happen on facebook selling page or marketplace? If so i would also block her there and also on phone, as i have a feeling she will post your profile pic with a some sort of misleading message such as " taken my dog - watch out for her!" type post. Absolutely do not return. Sounds like daughter has visited mom, asked her said dog is, mother has told her she sold him and daughter has gone mad as she could have made more money. That poor pooch will be gone for much more £££ within a week if you return the poor thing x

MrsExpo · 18/04/2021 21:01

Absolutely not. If you agreed a price and paid in full then you own the dog and are under no obligation to hand him back. Do not give this poor animal back to these unreliable people.

As others have said, I hope they don’t know your address. If they do, take care ....

Lilymossflower · 18/04/2021 21:07

Thank goodness she dousnt have your adress ! Change his chip details asap and keep him no more talking to the ex owner. It was an agreement and it's done she can't change her mind and dog has better life with you

EarthSight · 18/04/2021 21:08

Give him back!

Can't believe you're even asking this. The dog is happy but a lot of dogs love meeting strangers. You've known him for 2 days. Unless you have serious doubts as to his wellbeing and safety, give him back.

GreyhoundG1rl · 18/04/2021 21:10

@EarthSight

Give him back!

Can't believe you're even asking this. The dog is happy but a lot of dogs love meeting strangers. You've known him for 2 days. Unless you have serious doubts as to his wellbeing and safety, give him back.

His owner flogged him to a complete stranger 😂. I'd have very serious doubts indeed about his well-being.
londonrach · 18/04/2021 21:13

Just make sure you get chip changed to you ASAP. Dont return dog as will just be resold on and better with you. Block previous owner

LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood · 18/04/2021 21:14

My guess is she has found someone who will pay the full £500 for him.

willowisps · 18/04/2021 21:15

Keep the dog lady

I think it's the dog that OP is hoping to keep. The lady can do one.

Dullardmullard · 18/04/2021 21:16

So have you changed the details of his chip

This is someone that doesn’t give a shit about the dog because there was no settling in period and not knowing your address

Now you say the dog has a passport and other things is the dog KC registered if so look and see if it’s been changed it her name or is still in the breeders name.

If in breeders name call them to say where he is as a matter of curtsy and if they want you to sign a contract do it as then the dog becomes yours

the previous owner would get sort shrift that’s for sure if me as I am a KC breeder and do contracts and vet homes etc.

In fact I’d be fuming.

Ddot · 18/04/2021 21:27

You bought the dog, it is now your duty to ensure he is looked after. If you give him back and she sells to someone else, could you live with not knowing if it is safe. Maybe I'm soft but I couldn't.

YoBeaches · 18/04/2021 21:28

@LadyMacbethWasMisunderstood

My guess is she has found someone who will pay the full £500 for him.
Have to say this crossed my mind too. Could even be a rouse if there is any doubt about the history for the dog with that owner.
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