Puppy Placements

At the point of visits and before placement decisions in any litter, I hope I can ask for your grace because this is topic is on my heart at this point with each litter born on our farm. 

When we first start talking about applications, and an upcoming litter, I am upfront about not placing puppies based on markings or on color, but on temperament.  The markings of a dog might not make for a lifetime placement. The temperament of a dog will factor in so much more, in any placement of an Evening Song pup.

As I watch the litter grow, I am taking note of bossiness, submission, how the pups individually react to loud noises, stress, or commotion, how they react to other dogs, or kids, or being scooped up by an unfamiliar person, or how they might cringe or boldly charge forward as a new area is discovered. If they are content to stay back by my chair, or charge forth with their mother, that comes into consideration. 

When you come to visit, I am observing which puppies might be drawn to you, or which puppies are indifferent. Sometimes a pup will snuggle in on your lap or camp out under your chair. A pup who hangs off of a toddler's pant leg despite correction will gain a mental note, as well as the pup who settles nicely next to that same toddler's leg an takes a nap. I play out scenarios in my mind, for different pups in different placements. 

There are typically more than one pup in any litter who could be a good match to any given request, IF color and markings are not the deciding factor. In any litter that we place here at Evening Song, temperament will be evaluated as a match for any potential farm or family, before color and markings are taken into account. 

I will be honest with you before and again after your visit and during the phone call to discuss things about which pup or pups might be good considerations for what you've described, and also which pups I cannot consider for your farm or family.

There will be always some pups who draw every single person in, with their looks and photos and outgoing personalities, but those pups would not do well in all of the potential working or active suburban homes as a permanent placement.

The usual process that has worked well in the past, is:

Week 4 and 5 are for visits for those who have sent in deposits. Week 6 is for any visits that could not happen earlier, and for the phone calls to each family that has sent a deposit.  I will answer any of your questions, and also discuss different pups.  I'll ask for your first, second, and third choice from the list of pups who seem suited to what you've described in your application and subsequent communication or phone calls. 

The same consideration is given to each family, before I settle in to make sense of the pieces of the puzzle.

By the end of week 7, (which seems extremely long and tedious for the waiting part) each family has been able to accept or reject the pup that seems best suited to what they've written on their application and noted in visits and phone calls.

It is complicated, and exhausting at times, but also very rewarding. I do try to be fair and upfront at every step of this process. I value the relationships that are formed through this process as well, and give as much consideration as possible to each pup, each family, and each placement.

It is rare that I've had to give a deposit back, but it is something I offer, as we get into the placement stage.

If you ever feel that the right pup for you is not in this litter, or that you are not happy with the pups I'm suggesting based on our communication and visits, please let me know and your check will be returned to you.  Also, if we cannot mutually agree on a pup from the litter, I will return your deposit and not hold it for a future litter.

Before the pups are 8 weeks old, usually all have definite placements. If not, it is because I am looking for a fairly specific placement for a pup that is either pick of the litter, or needing an experienced English Shepherd placement.

My goal is that each pup has a forever home, a placement that feels right from the time we discuss which puppy is right for you.