How to tell breeder we've decided to wait without sounding like a flake? (breeders, kids)
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DH and I had been looking into getting a dog. We'd talked extensively about it and we were both on board. He encouraged me to contact breeders and find out about getting a puppy, and so I did. We were set to go and look at puppies this weekend, but as the days got closer, I could tell he was pulling back. He finally admitted that he isn't ready. He's not writing it off completely, just wants to wait until at least the fall, possibly next year. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with having started a new job so he's feeling pressure there and maybe the addition of a puppy to an already chaotic household (we have two young kids) would put him over the edge right now.
Anyway, I'm wondering how to tell the breeder we've decided to hold off without sounding like a complete flake? I was enthusiastic when I contacted her because I was excited and thought DH was too. I'm afraid that by now telling her we're not ready, she's going to think I'm completely wishy-washy and unfit for future consideration.
Just tell them you've decided to wait to get a puppy until next year, but would like to come out and meet the ***** and sire to get a feel for the parents, see the puppies that are currently available, and you would like to discuss how he determines good genetics/researches pedigrees.
Now you become a dog afficionado instead of a flake, and you may learn some important things to consider that will help you when you are both ready to get your dog.
Excellent advice and that was what I wanted to do, but the breeder is over 2 hours away and DH doesn't want to subject himself or the kids to 5+ hours in the car (roundtrip) when we're not actually getting a puppy. I see his point, but not sure his the breeder will see it.
Just tell them you're not ready. A good breeder would appreciate that as most would not want their dogs placed in the wrong environment. No harm no foul.
Excellent advice and that was what I wanted to do, but the breeder is over 2 hours away and DH doesn't want to subject himself or the kids to 5+ hours in the car (roundtrip) when we're not actually getting a puppy. I see his point, but not sure his the breeder will see it.
Then just one of you go, or drop the kids off with the folks and make it a date for you and hubby (if my wife throws in a movie and sex, I will even go antiquing ). Don't blame your hubby for not being that thrilled with 5 hours in a car with kids to see puppies your're not taking home I wouldn't want to make that trip either!
Excellent advice and that was what I wanted to do, but the breeder is over 2 hours away and DH doesn't want to subject himself or the kids to 5+ hours in the car (roundtrip) when we're not actually getting a puppy. I see his point, but not sure his the breeder will see it.
I agree with your Hubby....Don't even consider driving all that way to waste the breeders time just because....That is pure silly.
Call and simply be honest....You've decided to hold off. Thank them for their time...And, maybe you'll check with them at a future date. Then hang up.....end of story. This is a business transaction...at least for the breeder.
Then go spend the day with your kids somewhere nice and relax...
DH and I had been looking into getting a dog. We'd talked extensively about it and we were both on board. He encouraged me to contact breeders and find out about getting a puppy, and so I did. We were set to go and look at puppies this weekend, but as the days got closer, I could tell he was pulling back. He finally admitted that he isn't ready. He's not writing it off completely, just wants to wait until at least the fall, possibly next year. I'm sure a lot of it has to do with having started a new job so he's feeling pressure there and maybe the addition of a puppy to an already chaotic household (we have two young kids) would put him over the edge right now.
Anyway, I'm wondering how to tell the breeder we've decided to hold off without sounding like a complete flake? I was enthusiastic when I contacted her because I was excited and thought DH was too. I'm afraid that by now telling her we're not ready, she's going to think I'm completely wishy-washy and unfit for future consideration.
A good breeder will want you to hold off under those circumstances and will likely consider you an even better puppy home than she did before for doing so. A good breeder's goal is not to sell puppies but to place her pups in the best forever homes possible with the best chance of a great match and a lifelong relationship. That requires honesty on the part of both puppy buyer and breeder. So don't try to cover up your reasons. Tell her your hubby isn't ready and why.
If she gets mad or thinks you're wishy-washy then she isn't a good breeder and you should look elsewhere. And consider the experience a valuable lesson.
Thank you for all the replies. I'm hoping I'm making a bigger deal out of this than she will. We've talked a lot and she really scrutinizes the people who get her puppies. Even if we were on board with getting one now, there would be no guarantee we would make the cut as she is interviewing several families with only a few puppies available. That's how serious she is about her dogs! I just worry she'll think, "Well, they decided they didn't want a puppy once; what's to say they won't decide they don't want a puppy after they have one?" When in reality of course that's a whole different situation. I guess I just have to be honest and hope for the best.
I agree with your Hubby....Don't even consider driving all that way to waste the breeders time just because....That is pure silly.
Call and simply be honest....You've decided to hold off. Thank them for their time...And, maybe you'll check with them at a future date. Then hang up.....end of story. This is a business transaction...at least for the breeder.
Then go spend the day with your kids somewhere nice and relax...
I don't know, I think a trip to the breeder could be very valuable for the couple. Also, if a breeder thinks I am wasting his/her time by wanting to meet the ***** and sire, see the operation, and look at/discuss lineage, well, then that's just not a breeder I would use.
Different strokes, I guess.
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). Don't blame your hubby for not being that thrilled with 5 hours in a car with kids to see puppies your're not taking home 
I wouldn't want to make that trip either!
