Guidelines for Screening Prospective Adopters

Below is a list of things you should ask anyone calling you about your dog. You want the best possible placement for your dog, and want to ensure his happiness in his new home, and for this reason, you should ask questions, to help you decide if this person is the right owner for your dog.

• Have you owned Boykins before?
  
  
• Do you have dogs now? What kind? Male or Female? Do they get along with other dogs?
  
  
• Do you have children? Ages? Have they been around dogs and do they know how to act appropriately around a dog?
  
  
• Do you live in an apartment or house? In the city or country? Do you rent? If renting, do you have your landlord's permission to have a dog?
  
  
• Do you have a fenced yard? Will you be walking this dog? How will you handle his toilet duties?
  
  
• Is someone going to be home during the day with this dog? How long will the dog be alone?
  
  
• Do you have cats?
  
  
• Could I please have a reference? (Call these references before the adopters come out, ask if they think this person would be a good owner for your dog, and check the answers from this list against what the references say.)
  
  
• Who is the vet you use now? (Call the vet, ask them how this person cared for animals that were brought in. Did they appear to be in good health? Were they current on all shots? Did they appear to care about their animals?)
  
  
• Why do you want a Boykin Spaniel?
  
  
• What do you intend to do with this dog? Companion/Pet? Hunting? Obedience? Agility? Guard Dog? Other?
  
  
• Where will this dog be spending the days? Nights?
  
  
• Do you own a crate?
  
  

If you get a bad feeling over the phone about someone who is calling about your dog, then tell them you have someone else also interested in your dog and you will have to check references before proceeding.

If someone comes out and you feel that they just will not get along with your dog, if your dog is tensing up and does not seem comfortable with this person, then by all means, do not let your dog leave with them. Trust your dog's judgment!

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