Selling puppies is neither easy, nor difficult if you put passion and know how to do the things. If you breed puppies because you love dogs and don’t get trapped in the money-making process, you’ll succeed to sell even the puppies that nobody seems to want.
At PremierPups, we do much more than just sell puppies. We have small breed puppies for sale, but for us, it is about the entire experience, from start to finish. Below are some steps you should keep in mind if you are in this business and want to be successful.
1. Know the Prices
You should know the market value of the breeds you are selling. Puppy market may fluctuate during long periods of time because people tend to choose dog breeds and colors according to the fashion at the time they want to buy.
2. Know the Competition
Pay attention to your competition. If there is no competition at the time you are selling your puppies, you may take advantage of it and charge the full price for them. If you already have a serious competition, you need to drop your price slightly.
Generally, the highest demand is for female pups because they are used for breeding and they are more appreciated for their temperament and behavior than male pups.
If you don’t succeed to sell a puppy in about 2 months, you should think about giving a discount on him. Avoid selling puppies with serious defects. Minor defects are acceptable, and puppies with minor issues can be sold at full price. Puppies with other defects that need to be corrected at the vet, should be discounted to cover the veterinary fees needed to fix those defects.
3. Advertise Your Puppies Before They Are Ready for Adoption
A puppy cannot be sold before he is eight weeks old. On the other hand, after this period, a puppy loses his appeal and value in the marketplace. That’s why breeders allow buyers to choose the pups they want several weeks they are ready to go to their new homes. You may charge a non-refundable deposit to hold the pup for the customer and uphold their commitment to the purchase.
4. Socialize Your Puppies Properly
The socialization process is essential between 8 to 12 weeks of puppies’ ages. Make sure you have time to socialize every pup you have so they become well-rounded dogs. Delays in adoption may have a negative effect on their psychological health. Furthermore, not socializing your puppies may lead to suspicious or fearful puppies. Poorly socialized dogs don’t act in a friendly manner, so they are not likely to be chosen by people or they don’t adjust well to their new families because they have behavioral problems.
5. Analyze Your Puppies’ Personalities
Take a careful look at your pups’ personalities. Every pup has his own personality, and this is what makes them unique. Knowing each pup individually allows you to offer your customers the best puppies they can ever purchase and that suit best their needs. This can be one of the strengths that differentiate you from your competitors.
6. Prepare the Puppies Before Selling Them
Make sure you deworm your puppies and keep their immunization records for distemper, coronavirus, parvovirus, hepatitis etc. Take all your puppies to the vet for general health checks before selling them.
Avoid feeding your puppies too much before people’s arrival because they will be likely to sleep instead of being active and playful. Bath and groom them before presenting to potential customers.
Use colorful accessories such as collars that make them look attractive and different. This way, customers can easily identify their favorites.
Allow your potential customers to see the parents of the puppies, so they get assured they are healthy and in a good shape.
It is important to know what type of food is better for your puppies according to the breed. You can give each new owner some food supplies for their puppies to make the transition easier. They will appreciate your effort.
7. Advertise Your Puppies
Before deciding how to promote your pups, ask people that are waiting for your pups if they are interested to get one. Your clients can be good advocates that recommend you to other people.
Puppies are most attractive between 4 and 8 weeks, that’s why it is recommended to have them sold by the time they get 8 weeks. Promote them before they are 8 weeks old to ensure you have several weeks to find the most appropriate buyers. Start spreading the news when they are 3 weeks old to give buyers some time to find you.
If you need to advertise, you may go for advertising listing in local kennel clubs or canine organizations. Other options are dog sales websites, classified newspaper advertisements, and Facebook pages. If you decide to create a Facebook page, you can ask your customers to post photos with their puppies as a way to endorse you.
Use professional pictures of the puppies and exclude photos in the bathtub, whelping box, crate or in your arms. Make sure you post each puppy individually, so the customers know exactly what to choose.
Google Ads is another great tool used to sell puppies. The adverts show up when people search for specific keywords you have bid on according to the breeds you sell.
Furthermore, Google Ads allow you to show advertisements only to people living in the locations you want to sell your puppies.
Think about the benefits people have if they buy puppies from you and write them down, to convince them. The most frequent are:
Early Socialization – Socialization has a great impact on the puppies’ temperament and personality. Tell people how important socialization is for their new pup and let them know that your puppies are raised as part of your family.
Personality – Emphasize on your puppies’ personality and let people know you can recommend to them the ones that best suits them.
Price – Choose prices that are relevant for the breeds you sell and let people know that those are the correct price. If you have discounts, emphasize them on your adverts.
The breed – Emphasize on the quality of the breeds and on their strengths. Include details about how you created well-rounded puppies.
Health checks – Make sure you check the parents before breeding to reduce the risks of genetic diseases. Also, check each pup before selling.
Guarantee – Give your customers a full money back promise for a specific period to guarantee that the puppies you sell are free of genetic issues.
8. Select Your Customers
Select customers who can offer your puppies the best life they can have. Avoid letting your puppies go to large breeding kennels where they are used for breeding. Choose buyers that are active and can offer their puppies an active life. If they are busy and work, make sure they have other pets to avoid placing a puppy in a home where he stays alone all day long. Ask your customers about the kind of home they have and offer them all the information they need to take care of their new puppy accordingly.
9. Offer Your Puppies the Best Living Conditions
Make sure space, where you keep the puppies, is clean. Give your puppies fresh food and water so that they can be in a good shape, both physically and mentally. Keep in mind that a good impression matters, but above all, your purpose is that your puppies stay healthy and happy.
10. Be Amiable and Confident
Make your potential customers feel welcome, be kind and amiable, answer any question they have so they feel they can trust you. Let them interact with your puppies and decide which one suits them best. Don’t forget that the word-of-mouth is the best way to gain confidence and new customers.
Feeling confident is important because you make the potential customers feeling confident too about purchasing their new puppy from you.
11. Organize Your Puppies’ Stuff and Use a Written Contract
Make sure you know the laws in the state where you sell your puppies and create a written contract signed by both parts.
Keep all the papers for your puppies, including puppy care information, AKC papers, shot records, and breed information.
12. Use Safe Payment Methods
Include PayPal in the payment methods you use because it offers protection both to the purchaser and the seller. For local purchasers, you can use cash or checks if you have a contract.
Conclusion
Keep recordings of each potential buyer so you can know exactly what you have discussed and can give them confidence as a breeder. This way, you know where your puppies go and let your customers know that you care for your puppies. You can also contact the purchasers to check if their new puppies are adjusting well in their new homes. Each puppy has its unique charm and beauty and if you use all these guidelines, you will undoubtedly sell all of them. Furthermore, your reputation will develop, and your business will flourish.
