Toy Breeds: The Coach bag of Dog Breeding

Toy breeds are often the targets of bad breeding practices.

I feel even worse for those who are reputable breeders of these breeds and market online and have to fight the fine line of attracting visitors, but try to attract those who are serious about dog ownerships and not just want the next cute thing.

I have seen too many cases of people purchasing these dogs like they purchase coach bags, as if it is the fashion item of season, only to not be able to fully care for it in the long run.

But did you know are branding and visual ways you can do set your kennel set itself apart?

Disclaimers on “teacups”
This is important! Make sure to always address this important issue on your site and educate your visitors. The visitors who are only looking for “teacups” will usually be deterred after reading this on your site. Hopefully they will feel educated and want a dog from a breeder who is as responsible as you are!

Est. adult weight
Now this causes some debate. I advise against putting the est. adult weight. I feel this is a slick way to promote a dog as “teacup” without actually writing the words “teacup” on the site. Some believe they can accurately estimate the adult weight, while others say it’s just not always possible. My opinion is that I wouldn’t do it.


Pictures
When picturing your puppy, do not place them next to soup cans or soda cans or tuna cans or any other cans! Again, that is a very slick way of promoting a dog as “teacup” without actually saying “teacup”. Also, try not do post pictures of celebrities and their super small dogs. If you must, try to find those that are tasteful (no Paris Hilton ones) and use sparingly.

I know that many do like smaller dogs, however I have came across several breeders who are trying not to attract buyers who are specifically into “teacups”. Little steps with your marketing and branding of the site can do wonders. It’s not always the things you say, it’s the things you don’t say that often make the difference when attracting the right owners.

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Making sure Your Puppies Stay with a Family FOREVER

There is no sure fire way to ensure your puppies go with homes that will keep them forever. Its unfortunate that some families give way or drop their dogs off at shelters. for various reasons

Here are some of the top reasons why people send their dogs to other families or pet shelters:

* My girlfriend doesn’t like him
* I’m getting new carpet in my house
* Won’t stay off the furniture
* Has fleas
* Got pregnant
* Moving
* Dog barks

Many of these can be solved by training and educating your families. Something many breeders fail to do is follow up with families once they bring a puppy home. I understand running a kennel, marketing and following up can be a bit of a task.

Here are some hints to help with the process:

Create a training guide for potential families and place it on your site or make a brochure.
Research breed-specific issues owners have with new puppies and supply a solution and put it in a weekly email to your customers as a newsletter item.

Try to call your customers
Call at two, six, and eight months after they take puppy home as a follow up. Make sure to ask them if they have any questions or need some advice learning how to adjust to their newest member.

Find a local dog trainer
See if they want to offer their services at a discounted rate to your customers. Put a coupon in the welcome kit and send a follow up email about the trainer and their rates.

Sell dog-training books on your site
Work with a dog trainer and post training videos on your site. Bonus- find a trainer who already post training videos and request to post it on your site.

Stream a puppy cam?
Do a training or general q&a session once a month and invite a trainer. Email previous families and let me know they can send in questions that can be addressed!

This may not solve all the problems, but by opening up the line of communication, this may counter act problems that arise once your puppy comes home to its new family.

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