Golden Doodle Rehome is Hard!!!

[Lynne of Fountain Falls]

A beautiful family with one 9 year old boy, and 8 year old girl contacted me about buying a puppy.  As is my policy I asked all of the usual questions and answered theirs. They fulfilled all of my requirements for being a home for one of my pups.  They visited a couple of times, played with the puppies and seemed like a perfect fit. When the time came they came to pick her up, they had pictures made, discussed their new crate and supplies, brought her a toy to chew on the way home and away they went.  I corresponded with them through email like I do all of my puppy families that care to.  They sent pictures and the usual descriptions of her sweetness etc.  Never a complaint or concern.

Then the email.  The gist being that since school started, they no longer have time for her and would like to return her.  This baby is four months old and was the one that I just couldn't put down  There is always one or two in a litter that I bond to and she was the one. Thankfully they had the good sense to return her as I require in my contract.

So here is the problem.  This sweet smart perfect goldendoodle needed a forever home.  This is a puppy that someone paid a lot of money for.  She has all the medical testing, and breeding that has taken me years to develop. After evaluating her, it was clear that she was the typical, sweet intelligent goldendoodle.  How do you look for a great home for this girl without people thinking they are doing you some kind of favor rescuing this dog that you are "trying to get someone to take". She didnt need rescuing as I would have kept her until the right placement came along. She seemed to be tainted by the idea that she had been "rejected" once before. People wanted to know what was wrong with her.  I had  people that heard about her call me and say they would take her but really didn't need another dog, or they would take her but wanted to know if they could bring her back if it didn't work out(what kind of commitment is that!!!) And my favorite question,"It isnt going to cost me anything is it".Now I want to say here that I purposely made discreet inquiries to people like my therapy dog leader to see if she could recommend someone.  But somehow the word got out.  Even the secretary at the dentist said she would "take her".  I offended quite a few people by turning down their offers to "take her off my hands".

After three weeks I did find what I feel is the perfect home.  One of my therapy dog buddies, who heard about it from our leader, called about the puppy.  I'm happy to say that the new arrangement is working beautifully. Her new family says she is so smart and sweet that she will be the youngest therapy dog ever!  I'm so relieved. 

This is the first puppy I have ever had returned but would like to be prepared if it ever happens again.  How do you convey to people that you have an amazing gift to give, not that you need a favor!  I made several people angry by turning them down even though I did it as respectfully and politely as I knew how.  Any suggestions out there would be helpful.

[Lynne of Fountain Falls]

I agree with the statement that often time freebies are not appreciated.  My problem is an ethical one.  I've already sold the dog once.  I didn't return the buyer's money.  In my contract it states that if you ever need to rehome your puppy for any reason that it is to be returned to me.  It wouldn't be right to resell the puppy but as has already been stated, some people just don't value free as much as expensive.  I have thought about this a lot and would like to see what you guys think of this.( Let me say that to this date I have never had a puppy with a health issue. One had a skin rash but that is about it. I kept this puppy and evaluated it for a week before I even tried to find her a home.  She is about as perfect as a dog could be.)   I think if this happens again I will require payment that will become a donation to my local humane society or other dog rescue place.  She will be advertised and only after I've talked to people will I let them know the circumstance.  Even a third of what I usually charge could really help our local shelter. That will weed out the "freebies" people. 

As to the family that gave her up: At least they were honest enough and cared enough to admit that they were not giving her what she needed.  My problem with them was their decision to buy a dog in the first place.  All is well that ends well.  Penney pup is happy, her new brother Brady, a standard poodle is happy and her new parents love having her in the family.  Just lessons to be learned for the future.  

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I think the donation idea is a great one. I am not really sorry for being hard on the family. It just seems like we are hearing more and more stories of people who cannot give a dog the time it needs once they have kids, etc. It just seems to me four months is not even giving it a chance. With that said, yes, you are right, and Penney pup is happy and that is what really matters. Good luck in the future!!!

[Cindy M, Zachary & the Frenchies]

I don't believe in second guessing people who believe that they can't keep their dogs as long as they place the dog in a safe place to find a new home, which your family did. I don't think a dog benefits from being in a home that is not committed to it. As to selling/giving away. I agree, it seems a bit wrong to sell the pup twice.However these are valuable dogs, and I don't know that someone should expect to get one for free just because she is 4 months old. I also think that people tend to appreciate thing a bit more when they are not free. I know that some breeders return any money that they make on the resale to the original owners - minus their expenses. Or you can, as you said donate the money to the local shelter or a rescue organization.

[Lynn D.]

You were correct that those who have that "take her off of your hands" mentality wasn't the right situation for this beautiful pup.

You didn't set out to make these people upset with you! Since it's your job to advocate for this dog your goal was to do what was right for the dog, NOT for others. WAY TOO GO!!!! for sticking to what is right.

IMO, I would still charge full price for a rehome. Wether you choose to make the qualified family pay it is up to you. As said before, it would weed out the dummyheads.

You could also say you will put those people on "the list" then see how many come through with an application and your other requirements. My guess is not many when they see you are SERIOUS.

She sure is a cutie!! I can see why you bonded with her.

[Donna K & Quincy]

I was recently told by someone about a friend of theirs who have a 1 year old goldendoodle that is wild and spends most of it's time in a crate and that the owners are regretting getting it. I told this lady that if they would like to rehome the doodle to let them know that I am willing to take it and keep it myself or at least find it the very best home possible. I would not want to see it end up as one of those "we don't have time for the dog ads". I can't stop thinking about this poor dog and am actually thinking about more actively trying to contact the owners myself. It will take a little detective work but it can be done. Do you think this would be wrong?

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Donna, I hope you try and find this dog. This sounds sad to me. Good luck!

[Lynn D.]

If it were me in your shoes, finding that dog is all I would be able to think about. Good luck.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Donna, I am sure you have good instincts about this.  Follow your heart.  You can contact doodle rescue to help you.

We have some wonderful neighbors who are just not really dog people.  They  got a husky pup and are going nuts because of the digging, jumping, nipping, out-of-control behavior - sound familiar???? The have had the dog about 6 or 7 months, it is coming up to its first birthday.  They have done NO training and the children and women in the family are basically afraid.  I gave them the name of my trainer and HOPE they will follow through.  Talk about being unprepared for a dog......

[Janice Hammond]

I am always astounded when people select and take a puppy home and then essentially abandon it when they feel that time is short.Have they not bonded to this puppy? She is so beautiful.It actally makes the chills run down my spine to think of ever having to  go home and not having "my girl" there to meet and greet me.

Since the family that returned her have children what message does that send to them.Do the kids now think that animal can just be tossed away.

This is a very distressing situation and I think you handled it magnificently.

 

[Kyoko]

What a cutie!!!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Welcome to the world of rescue! We get that same mind set all the time. Some people get really ticked off when they don't meet the minimum of requirements to be eligible for adoption. They can't believe that we won't let them take a dog off our hands just because they want one. Really??

Lynne - you did the right thing! You just wanted to make sure that that little girl pup went to her forever home and not to be uprooted again because someone wanted to do her a 'favor'. Fantastic that you stuck to your guns!!!

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Many years ago I was rejected in my adoption for a cat.   I had purchased a Russian Blue Kitten for my husband and I wanted to " do the right thing" by rescuing a cat next.  That was my first mistake.  Do the right thing is not always a good mindset.  I am leery of anyone saying this now. The right thing for my conscious is not always the right thing for the animal or my family.

The cat up for adoption was rescued from an animal lab.  It was a rare silver American Shorthair. I was in love with the idea but ...

The man at the rescue refused to let me adopt the cat saying I had small children.  NO CHILDREN.   Little did I know, this would have been  horrible for my family and horrible for this poor disturbed and nervous cat. 

I was offended.  So offended he did not think "I, of all wonderful pet owners, would have been good for this cat"  How dare he think this.  Well he was right.  It just took me many years to understand what he saying and why he rejected me.

Good for you to have the insight for the puppy and the adoptive families.   Thank you for taking the time to make sure everyone involved would be safe and happy.  

Breeder--You've done a good job   :)