There is some stigma surrounding people selling puppies during the holiday season, so what’s a breeder to do? Here are some helpful tips for selling your puppies during Christmastime.
Tips for Selling Puppies Around Christmas
If you decide to sell your puppies during the holiday season, there are a few things you can do to avoid a problematic situation and potential risks.
Vet the Owners
As a breeder, one of the most important things you should do when selling your puppies during the holidays is to vet the future owners. If someone is interested in buying one of your puppies, be sure to ask them questions that will help determine whether or not they are a good fit.
For example, you can ask the potential buyer what their holiday schedule looks like and how much it differs from their standard routine. If there’s a big contrast between the family’s regular and holiday schedules, it may not be a good idea to sell them your puppy. Some “green flags” to look out for when vetting the future owners are:
- They are retired or work from home, so someone is home most of the day
- They are existing dog owners and know how to handle a pup during the holiday season
- They do not have young children and/or don’t have hazardous Christmas decorations up
By taking the time to properly vet interested buyers, you’ll be able to make the decision whether or not to sell your puppy with confidence.
Educate the Owners
If you’ve decided that a particular person or family is a good fit for your puppy, be sure to provide them with information and support for a smooth transition. Let the owners know that you have your puppy’s best interest in mind, and that you are happy to answer any questions they may have as time goes on and they adjust to their new furry friend.
Provide a “Rain Check”
To ensure that your puppies are going to their forever homes, another option is to give the future owners a “rain check” for the puppy of their choice. In other words, instead of giving them the puppy right away, you can provide the new owner with a picture of the puppy and have them pick up the puppy after the holiday excitement is over.
Drawbacks to Selling Puppies at Christmas
The biggest potential issue with puppies being given as Christmas gifts is that some people end up returning their puppies once the holiday season is over because they realize that they aren’t ready for the responsibility. In some unfortunate cases, these puppies are given to shelters after only a short period of time. As a breeder, you don’t want to be receiving calls from families who want to return the puppy they bought as a Christmas present. On top of that, there are a few other reasons why selling during the holiday season often requires extra work:
- Seasonal hazards. Christmas decorations like ornaments, tinsel, and Christmas light wires, as well as certain holiday foods, can pose serious danger for puppies.
- Lack of structured routine. Many families’ schedules are hectic around the holidays and often don’t follow the same schedule as during the rest of the year. This could confuse puppies.
- Risk of separation anxiety. With time off work or school, people are generally home more during the holidays. Once things go back to normal, a new puppy could develop separation anxiety if they are used to people being home more often.
These are all valid reasons why breeders may need to take extra steps while selling puppies around the holidays. As a breeder striving to do what is best for your puppies, these tips will help you ensure that they are adopted by people who will provide them with a lifelong family and home.
By following these tips, you can have peace of mind in knowing that your puppies will be in the best future homes. Remember, a dog is for life, not just for Christmas!