Looks like we have to sell our puppy :(

[bounty5]

We got her at the beginning of the summer at a time when my husband worked mainly from home. Our circumstances are now changed, so looks like we have to sell her. I think we've considered all possibilities of holding onto her. But in case there is an angle that I have overlooked, I am appealing to mum's net... We've asked family and friends to look after her during the week and holidays (I work in a college, term-time only so am free in holidays), but no-one is able to take on the long term commitment. We tried 'borrow-my-doggy' - but that would be a bit patchy, unreliable, not fair on her and stressful for us. So we've found a buyer and met up with them... Assuming they are interested, she will spend a final weekend with us, then on Sunday it will be goodbye! Any last minute ideas before we take the plunge?? Or since a sale is looking likely, I would like to know if anyone has been through this before. My 12 year old will be especially upset - does anyone have any inspirational words that will help us through this difficult time?

Jeez, I actually have no words.

The fact you haven't even mentioned re-homing just "selling" and "buyer" is fucking shocking.

You should be very ashamed of yourself.

Poor puppy, it won't know if it's coming or going. You are really irresponsible getting the dog in the first place. I hope it goes to a lovely home.

Poor pup doesn’t deserve this, or you as a frankly cold, selfish, vacuous owner.

For her sake, it is now your responsibility to home her with a decent, caring family.

Please- for the sake of other dogs- never seek to home a dog again. They are not objects to get rid off if the arrangement doesn’t work out. They are dear, precious creature with feelings that need and deserve love and respect.

This is revolting.

What about a regular dog walking company?

This is so sad, sounds like you didn't consider the implications of getting an animal at all!

• of, not off

If you have the capital available build a decent run and kennel for it outside, it may even yield a return boarding other people's dogs.

Umm, no-one is there during the day!! How on earth could they car ever for other people’s dogs when they can’t even care for their own?

I came here to give you an earful but I can see my fellow MNers are doing it quite well! Carry on!

OP sorry to be harsh but people like you wind me up.
As others have said, please don't sell the pup. Rehome it or return it to the breeder. It should never be about money and only what's best for the dog, which isn't an advert on gumtree.

The Breeder should always be your first contact, assuming you used a reputable one they will take the puppy back.

ALWAYS go back to the breeder first! You may not get all (or any) of your money back, but a good breeder will certainly accept your dog back and makes sure she is re-homed properly.

Why can you not expect all of your money back?
a) your puppy is now older - that makes her more difficult to sell
b) your puppy has learned behaviours in you home which may not suit another owner - that makes her more difficult to sell
c) your puppy may have to be kept separate from the breeder's other dog/dogs - that means she is costing the breeder money
d) your puppy may have to be advertised - again, this may incur a cost
e) your puppy's paperwork will have to be transferred - there is always a fee for this

However, any loving owner would put the welfare of the puppy ahead of their pocket and be prepared to take the hit. After all, YOU are the ones who have changed your circumstances - you haven't had the puppy very long - you obviously didn't think your dog ownership through.

If the breeder can't/won't take her, then go to a rescue. They will be better placed to ensure that she gets a good permanent home.

Personally, I would never pass on a dog or cat of ANY age without knowing EXACTLY where they were going and how and where they would be living. There are too many people breeding indiscriminately these days, or taking on animals on a whim and just passing them on when they get fed up etc. This leads to terrified, confused animals being passed from hand to hand.

That aside you could get a dog walker every day term time only. There is also doggy daycare.

You could use the option above if you really want to keep your puppy. I suspect you have just realised that a baby animal is just as much hard work as a baby human, and are regretting getting her. I hope I'm wrong, but I know that I would go to any lengths to keep my dogs within my family - they sre family.

Dog walkers? Doggy day care?

Why sell the dog?
So you don't lose out too much?
So you can recoup the costs of vet bills, food, bedding etc?

I'm also assuming you've thought no dog walker/daycare because of cost?

Just give the dog back to the breeder (assuming you went to a legitimate one).
Take dog to the dogs trust.

Be responsible.

I couldn't bear to re-home my dog. She's like a child to me, just another member of the family. My ndn has her when we go away or if I'm out all day. No inspirational words, I'm afraid. Can't believe you're doing this.

FFS.

Poor dog. Please ask if the breeder will take her back. Hopefully they will, and will make sure to sell her to someone with a bit of nous and a sense of responsibility this time.

Your breeder, if reputable, would have made it very clear that if for any reason you didn't keep the dog you would be obliged to give it back to the breeder. I'm afraid you sound like you are just worrying about covering your cost of the initial payment of the puppy. You should prioritise that the puppy gets the best possible outcome.
You really should look into dog daycare, they may well come and collect so you won't have to try and fit that in before work. When your puppy is a year old you can then look into dog walking. We use one once a week and she picks up a couple of others on the way and so they are out of the house for at least 2 hours with the pick ups and drop offs. BUT a puppy cannot yet walk this far so you need some sort of dog daycare until the puppy is a year old. I have a feeling you may not want to pay for all this though?
If you cannot pay for proper care then you really need to rehome sensibly, definitely NOT sell the puppy.

All the options you list are free options. You could get proper care for your pup if you were prepared to pay for the services offered by daycare/dogsitters/dog walkers. From your OP it seems you don't want to pay and want to recoup the price you paid for the pup and that is shameful. Either pay to have the animal properly cared for, speak to the breeder about returning the pup or look for a reputable rescue and fund their costs whilst they search for a decent home for your puppy.

Where is Op? Is this just designed to annoy everyone and get a reaction?

The fact that you see it as acceptable to get rid of a puppy at all (there are really very few situations in which rehoming your dog is actually the best/only option) shows that you didn't understand the commitment in getting her in the first place.

YOU need help to get through this 'difficult time'? I'll save my sympathy for the dog who'll have to go through a distressing separation from the home and family she's settled with, and who might end up in an even shittier situation, depending on who you sell her to (no doubt the first person who offers you a decent price).

If you absolutely can no longer keep puppy - the breeder should be your first port of call.

Agreed, MsHomeSlice, poor kid.

I’d keep the dog, sell the kid as I am not maternal but love dogs.

Joke. Kind of not.

I bought a dog that had already been through 2 owners by her first birthday. Luckily she had not been mistreated, just not loved quite enough, and didn't fit into the previous owners' lifestyles. She adapted easily and happily to living with us for the next 15 years and brought us so much pleasure. So, from that point of view, selling your puppy, providing you are checking out her prospective owner, isn't a terrible thing. But please check very carefully to make sure she isn't going to a puppy farm.

As PPs have said, assuming you got your puppy from a reputable breeder, the breeder should take her back - that may even have been a term in your contract when you bought her, so please check that out first.

My family had to give away our family dog when we were growing up. In their case, sadly there was no possibly of keeping her, and she went to live with a family member. I was only slightly younger than your dd, and I was heartbroken. In your case, please also consider what messages you are giving your dd about the responsibilities of pet ownership.

Doggy day care, dog walkers and dog sitters are widely available. Unlike 'borrow my doggie' or relying on favours from family and friends, this will cost money, but you should also be able to find someone who can continue your dog's training, and who is properly insured to look after your dog.

Another who would say go back to the breeder first. Wouldn't sell a dog on unless it was to an actual friend or family member.