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Puppy FAQs
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Pick of Litter
Pick of litter is a term used by breeders for centuries - it's not a real accurate term, as there is really no such thing. There is our #1 pick for us, which may be different than another breeder's #1 pick for them, or your #1 pick for you. What it boils down to is that your "pick of litter" is the puppy that is best suited to your needs - period.
Puppies are evaluated on their own balance and structure and how they put the whole package together. Temperament plays a key factor in suitability as well as the overall conformation of the pup. We will endeavor to help you pick the perfect pup from the litter that best suits YOUR OWN PERSONAL FAMILY. If we feel that you are picking a pup that won't suit your situation, we will tell you. Our #1 priority is the happiness of that little life that you are being entrusted with, and to that end we will do our best to make the correct matches for you and for our puppy.
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How do I reserve my place in line for a puppy?
When we know that a litter is indeed on its way, we will notify everyone on our waiting list, and will begin accepting deposits to reserve places in the picking order. Picking order is determined by order of deposits received. We will only accept so many deposits, at one time, but will tell you upon inquiry just where we are in that process.
We do not limit deposits to one specific litter, as we realize the perfect pup for you may not be in that particular litter, or they may just not "hit you" just right. Deposits are for a general pick list, not a specific litter pick list. We do not have many litters per year - we may have one, we may have three, but we don't believe in having someone wait on one litter list and finding out what was available wasn't exactly what they wanted, and having them start on another litter all over again.
Now by that same token, if you specify that you only want a red puppy, then I won't count you among the people for an all blue litter (or vise versa), or for the opposite sex of what you're looking for.
Once it is your turn to pick, you may pick from whatever we have available at that time. If there is nothing you like out of the current litter, then you can pass on that litter and wait for the next, but you will be in your same place in line for the next litter - you do NOT go to the back of the line, so to speak.
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When will puppies be available to choose from?
Sometime between birth and about 2 weeks old, we will hold approximately one or two from the litter for later evaluation for ourselves, or we may hold none at all. It just depends when they come out, if they look like they will be what we were wanting for us or not. Once we make the determination which we are going to hold back for ourselves, then the remaining puppies will be available to choose from in deposit order. There is no set time or age when we do this, but we like to make these choices as early as we can, so that you can make your picks as early as you can.
We take pictures of puppies at birth, and every week of age after until they go to their new families. we will send out pictures weekly so that you can see either the available pups, or your puppy as it grows if you have already chosen.
We do like to have picks made as soon as possible, so that everyone waiting for the litter can also make their picks, and we can get the paperwork to AKC going, so that we have everything in order by the time they are picked up.
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When can puppies go to their new homes?
Puppies are able to be picked up from our home between 7 and 8 weeks of age. The balance of puppy is due in cash at time of pick up. Please note - we do not ship puppies - puppies must be picked up from our home in person, so that you can meet the parents and we can meet you before you take your puppy home.
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What should we do to prepare to bring puppy home?
We suggest that you make arrangements with your vet to examine your new puppy within 7 days of arrival to you, so that you can get a schedule layed out for vaccinations, etc, and to schedule the spay or neuter, which we require done by 24 months.
Puppy proof your house! Just like bringing a new human baby home, you will need a bed, and playpen, lots of safe chew toys and a good nights sleep! I would recommend getting a good carpet cleaner spray, and an exercise pen (dog version of a playpen). This will last you for the life of your new puppy, and you will find it comes in handy for much more than just puppy-hood. They are great for family visiting with their dogs until their dogs get to know your dog(s). Or for containing while you are working on a project, etc. We have even found them handy for human toddlers when they have forgotten their human playpen at home!
Do your homework on what food you want to feed your puppy, and get a bag of it to start mixing their starter bag with so that you are blending into your new food. Any quality puppy food will do - try to avoid real high protein, as this can lead to growth and weight bearing problems.
If you need a list of puppy proofing, please check out our Puppy Pack for more ideas.
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What will we take home with puppy?
Puppies will be wormed, vaccinated, microchipped and hearing tested prior to going to their new homes. They will have a go-home bag with enough puppy food to get them switched to whatever you choose to feed them, toys, cookies, training treats, bottled water, poop bags, wet wipes, their paperwork, puppy pack and the photo/informational CD to get you started with your new family member.
All of your puppy's pictures will be put on their CD for you along with parent pictures, health certificate copies, puppy pack copy, just basically as much info and resources as we can put there for you.
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What about socializing and obedience?
As soon as they are able, puppies are packed around, hauled into town, to work, trotted out to do chores, the works, as much as we can do with them to expose them to the sights and sounds of this big old world. It is your responsibility to continue this work in their socialization process. A dog that sits home and goes nowhere, will not only be unhappy, it will not be able to function as a valued member of its society. An unsocialized dog WILL be a problem for the vet, or for boarding, meeting with friends or for just generally going anywhere, as it won't know how to behave, may be aggressive or terrified of their surroundings. Proper socialization and guidance from the start is critical. If you are not sure how or what to do to get started with socialization, please contact us at any time to help you with pointers and ideas of great places to socialize throughout your new dog's life.
Obedience training is also very critical. If you are not comfortable starting this yourself, find a good trainer that will train you both. Our personal recommendation would be to start out with puppy kindergarten immediately, then move on to an obedience club, where you can meet a lot of other dog people having fun with their dogs. ACDs who are not obedience trained and and are not given firm fair guidelines will become a problem child.
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What about Doggy Daycare?
We LOVE Doggy Day Care !! Our recommendation is to find a reputable doggy daycare that you can take your puppy to a couple days a week and drop them off - that is priceless! This is something that I would recommend be started very early - shortly after they come home. You will, however, need to have their next shot from your local vet prior to signing up for daycare. I also recommend the daycares where the puppies play communally, not in seperate runs - seperate runs do nothing for them - that's just kenneling.
Our doggy daycare here is a gem! we take them, drop them off a couple times a week, and they get to play communally with other dogs of their same size and compatability, and they have a BALL! They come home so tired that we get a great quiet evening as they are zonked out on their bed for the rest of the night, and they learn how to play with other dogs. It's not always the same mix at DDC, as different dogs have different days, and some parents mix it up, but they learn how to meet new dogs, how to interact properly and without sending the wrong signals. It's a lot of fun for them, and a nice break for you.
Our DDC will tell us when we pick them up, how they did that day, how they are interacting, what challenges they have met, and what behaviors they are seeing that they may not show with us. We drop them off in the morning on the way to work, and pick them up on the way home. They are usually snoring by the time I get around to my side of the car to get in, but it's a happy kind of tired, and they get SO excited to go into daycare! Tails wagging tongues slapping - they know they are here to play with their friends both old and new.
The other advantage to DDC is that when you have to leave out of town, you can call and have them dropped off for boarding if you can't take them with you, and they will know where they are at, and are going to be having fun while you're gone instead of miserable wondering where you are.
Puppies have to have a vet's certification that they have their bordatella and DHLPP vaccine in them for at least two to three weeks before going - so plan ahead!
Please note that DDC is by no means a replacement for any training that you need to do - it is simply a socialization tool, and a great break for you a couple times a week.
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