By Emily Roach, Paws in Work guest blogger.

What questions should I ask a potential owner?

It’s important to gather as much information as possible from potential owners so you can establish whether their lifestyles suit the needs of the puppy. For example, if you have a litter of a highly energetic breed such as the Springer Spaniel, it won’t be appropriate for them to go home with someone who doesn’t have ample outdoor space or doesn’t enjoy spending time outdoors. Here are some other questions you could ask someone who’s interested in the litter:

• Have you owned a dog before?
• Why are you interested in this litter and what do you know about the breed?
• Who will take the main responsibility of owning the puppy?
• Do you have any other pets, if so, do they get along well with dogs?
• Will the puppy have access to an enclosed outdoor space?
• Who do you live with?
• Have you considered the financial needs of a puppy e.g., vet bills, insurance, food, toys, training classes, boarding facilities etc…?
• How would you describe your lifestyle?
• Do you work from home? If not, who will care for the puppy during work hours?

What should I know about the puppies’ new home?

By asking the questions above, you’ll have a clear idea of the format of the pup’s potential new home. It’s important to establish outdoor space initially in relation to the breed’s exercise needs. Asking who else lives at the property will decipher whether you’re happy for the pup to go to a home with other pets or children. You could also find out where the puppy will sleep and whether they plan to crate train the puppy.

When can I let people visit my litter?

There’s no exact rule for when you can allow people to visit the pups. Puppy socialisation is very important but equally, the pups need to be thriving and obtaining enough nutrition from their mother’s milk. The mother may also feel stressed if people come to visit the puppies too early. Some breeders prefer to wait until the pups are at the stage of exploring their surroundings which is at 5-6 weeks, others may want to wait until 7 weeks of age. If you wish to show prospective owners the puppies at an earlier stage, video calls and photos are a sensible option.

Who chooses who?

You may wish to work in a methodical manner of asking potential owners their preference of gender and colouring. Additionally, it’s good to observe people with the litter of pups, usually the puppies will take a shine to a person and vice versa. This can help you see who suits which puppy based on their brief encounter.

Can I say no to someone who wants a puppy?

It’s important to make sure you’re 100% comfortable with who your pups could be going home with. It’s totally acceptable for you to decline people who enquire about your litter. If you aren’t satisfied with how they’ve answered your questions or the way they’ve interacted with the puppies, then you have every right to refuse ownership.

Become a breeding partner with us.

We work with some fantastic breeders who allow their gorgeous pups to get top-notch socialisation through our puppy therapy sessions. We expose the pups to many new faces and scenarios to gear them up for their new forever homes. It’s very important that all pups are well-socialised as soon as they leave the comfort of their litter which is usually between 8-10 weeks of age. Our puppy therapy events more than cover the requirements of puppy socialisation in one week alone; we also make sure that the pups are always safe and happy.

Email us at breeders@pawsinwork.com if you’re interested in becoming a breeder partner with us. We look forward to working with you and your pups!