This is a list of questions I have been working on over the years. It grows and evolves. I do not think any of these questions are deal breakers but more starting points for conversation depending on potential new home and how well you already know them. As interviewers we should spend more time listening than talking. Having been on many many interviews it has always amazed me that the interviewer will not shut up and let me sell myself. This list will at least provide you with questions so that you can sit back and listen. I hope you all will add your own favorite questions too!
I would also like to add that if you send this list to a potential home or if you methodically ask all of these questions over the phone you will scare them off. Between your application and email correspondence you may get most of these answers or at least a feel for the type of person you are talking to. I use this because it helps me remember things that are important to me while I am getting excited about someone who sounds like a great home. The last groups of questions on BSL may never be an issue for anyone but some of the questions are important to get the answers to.
Purchase and contract
Copyright 2013 Ciera Reflections. All Rights Reserved
Would you like or are you willing
to show this dog in AKC shows or coordinate to allow me to show your pup?
If you purchase this puppy
specifically for show but it does not live up to your expectations how should
we handle that?
Do you have future thoughts or
plans to breed?
Would you like to become a member
of the SBTCA?
How do you feel about Co-ownership
and or limited registration?
How do you feel about purchase and
co-own contracts?
When do you feel it is the best time
to spay/neuter or not at all?
Are you aware if for any reason
you cannot keep this dog, you should contact me?
Is it possible for me to meet and
or talk to all members of the household?
If you have an existing family dog
or dogs, can we set up a meeting so that I can see how the family dog interacts
with a puppy?
Are you able to come to get your
puppy? (I am in Northern California)
See attached contract for more
specifics
Will you ensure
that your dog is micro-chipped with your breeder’s information as well as your
own and to update the information if you move?
Quality of Life and Basic Minimum Care
How many hours will your puppy be
alone each day?
Who will be the primary care giver
for the puppy/dog?
Where would your dog stay when you
travel?
Where would your dog sleep at
night?
Where and how would your dog spend
the day?
Exercise, Training, Boredom, Socialization
Can you describe how you will
ensure your dog has enough exercise?
What type of mental and physical
activities will you provide your dog to ensure your dog does not develop
boredom or stress related problems?
Do you know that puppies and young
dogs are mentally and especially physically fragile no matter how tough and willing
they seem?
Are you familiar with critical
imprint periods for puppies?
Have you ever been to basic
obedience classes with a dog? If yes,
was it helpful? If not, why not?
Health Care, Diet, proper weight, Injury
What type of food do you feed and
how do you ensure your growing puppy and adult and senior are getting the
correct amount of nutrition?
How do you know if your puppy or
dog is not feeling well? How would you
know if it is serious enough to go to the vet?
Do you see any benefit in letting
me know of any health issues?
How do you protect your dog from weather
extremes?
Are you familiar with joint
structure and the impact that overexertion of the puppy will have on the adult
and senior?
Children and puppies and adult dogs
What are your thoughts on children
and dogs?
How do you protect your child from
being bitten?
How do you protect your dog from
overly zealous children?
How do you avoid being bitten?
Please describe proper child / dog
interaction?
What does it mean when a dog growls?
Can you name at least 5 signs of a
scared or stressed dog?
What might cause a dog to be
scared or stressed?
Home and neighborhood
Do you Own or rent?
Do you have a swimming pool?
Do you have a swimming pool?
If own can you check to see if a
Staffordshire bull terrier is excluded on your homeowner’s insurance policy or any Homeowners Association Rules?
If you rent, can you provide proof
that your landlord will allow a Staffordshire Bull Terrier? You may be required to offer renter’s
liability insurance listing the dog.
How long at your current address?
Do you have a fenced yard? If yes, what type of fencing? If no, can you describe how you will keep
your dog confined safely?
Will your dog have access to a
swimming pool? If yes, how will you
ensure your puppy is safe?
Is your home on a busy street or
intersection?
Is your home near large wilderness
areas?
BSL, Community Issues and Canine Good Citizen
Have you ever been inside a dog
shelter or volunteered at a shelter or fostered or adopted a dog from a Rescue
Group or Shelter?
Do you know what Breed Specific
Legislation is and what it means to you if you own a Stafford?
Do you plan to take your dog to
off leash dog parks?
Are you aware of what draws the
attention of Animal Control in your community?
What would you do if a neighbor complains about
your dog to you or Authorities?
Do you understand the consequences
of having your dog labeled a nuisance or dangerous dog?
Can you describe what it means to
live in a neighborhood with dog breed prejudice?
Does your insurance carrier allow
all breed of dogs?
What does your lease agreement or
HOA say about owning dogs or certain breeds?
What are your community leash and
dog laws and potentially dangerous dog classifications?
How do you properly and safely
confine your dog?
Can you explain what BSL is?
Can you verify that you do or do
not have BSL in your community or a relative’s community or neighboring
community where you and your dog may travel?
Describe how to ensure your dog
does not harass, hurt or kill another pet or livestock?
What will you
do if you are having trouble with any of the above issues?
Describe your
city or county’s definition of potentially dangerous or nuisance behavior is?
If your dog
becomes lost what steps will you have taken to ensure that you will get him or
her returned to you? What will you do
to ensure your dog is not at large again?
What will you
do if AC takes your dog and will not return it?
I have zero
tolerance for “dog at large”. If your
dog is confiscated by your city or county for “potentially dangerous behavior”
including but not limited to “being at large” are you willing to forfeit
ownership to the breeder or local rescue group so that they may follow your
city or county processes to reclaim the dog regardless of whether you feel your
rights were violated.
Here are some great resources that I find very helpful:
……and of course me!! If you get a puppy from me I will be there for anything for the entire life of the dog!
Natures Farmacy for all supplements
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