FINDING THE BEST COMPANION HOME FOR PUPPIES
by CESE RESNICK
H ow do you measure suc- cess in placing puppies? I never knew that my many years in corporate uman Resources and operating my own management and career counsel- ing practice would help me in my dog show venture. Many years ago, in my past life, I was in Human Resources Management with Fortune 500 com- panies. The first thing you learn is a very effective way to both identify and employ the best candidate for the vacant job position. The method involves a series of steps or “gates”, through a list of questions that help to identify both strengths and weaknesses. What happens when a breeder has a litter and picks the most promising puppy from that litter? Unless it is a singleton litter, you eventually will face the issue of plac- ing the remainder of the puppies in loving homes. As a reputable breeder, you most certainly want the best homes for your puppies. There are a number of resources to help place these inno- cent little creatures. If you are a mem- ber of a breed club, they might have a “Breeder Referral” list or a person responsible for helping puppy buyers hook up with a responsible breeder. There is also the AKC Breeder referral list. If you are a Breeder of Merit, you can list your litter on the AKC Mar- ketplace for free. There is usually an informal network of breeders in your particular breed which you can use to announce your puppies, and in return, assist other network breeders in finding potential homes for their litters. If you have a website, you are able to put information there, consisting of not
only information about you and your puppies, but adorable pictures which most people find irresistible. I also keep a potential puppy list of inquiries. If you keep this list, you can go back and contact these people to see if they are still interested. Last, but not least, there is word of mouth, which I find quite reliable. In the process of finding excellent homes, I find myself tracing back to my old tried and true ways of discerning an excellent home from a list of interested people. In the Human Resources inter- viewing process, these are referred to as “knock out questions”. First, I find out exactly what this person is inter- ested in. Some interests could be a male or female, puppy or young adult, highly active dog or a passive, quiet soul. Next, my questions focus on the people and their environment. Do they have children; if so, how many and ages? Are they living in an apartment or home with a yard? If they have a yard, is the yard fenced with slats close enough to keep a puppy confined? What kind of home do they have; two story with steep stairs or a one level home? Do they have any other pets and if so, breed, age and are they neutered? If a person passes these knock out questions, we continue onto a more formal selective interview. Questions as to the sincerity of homing, loving and caring for a puppy begin. I am very interested to see if this potential home is familiar with the breed, so questions and discussions regarding the posi- tive and negative issues with Chin are discussed. What is their timing as to acquiring a puppy? Are they willing to wait for a healthy puppy or do they
want a puppy right now? If you don’t have one available, will they just move on to the next breeder? I am also very careful to assess and match the pup- pies and their temperaments with their potential homes. As we continue the discussions, I take that time to explain how my timing regarding weaning, socializ- ing and health necessities are done. That would involve the time it takes to wean a puppy, socialize and also begin inoculations. The next step is about a pet/com- panion contract. If you don’t have one, get one. This will spell out in writing both the breeder’s assurances and the potential owner’s obligation. We review the contract in detail so there aren’t any misunderstandings for either party. If all goes well here, we move on. The final step is the most rewarding. The day the new owner/family comes to get their puppy. I have a packet all ready. In their packet will be: the AKC Registration papers, health records, signed contracts by both parties, a bag of special chewys, a favorite toy and a list of places to get them. Next they will also receive a small container of food and a sample of the puppy’s special treats. Most people have already pur- chased the same food, but I include it in their puppy bag. Next is a business card with my contact information. The new parents now have a breeder. They are told if they have any questions, day or night I am available to assist them in their new life with their new addition. I have been able to successfully place many puppies by using this step by step interviewing and placement process. The measure of success is sim- ple: Through the process, you establish yourself as a trusted resource and are rewarded by the happy faces, pictures and thank you notes from new proud parents, not only on their first day, but days and years after!
“I AM ALSO VERY CAREFUL TO ASSESS AND MATCH THE PUPPIES AND THEIR TEMPERAMENTS WITH THEIR POTENTIAL HOMES.”
54 • T op N otch T oys , M arch 2017
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