Puppy's Play Pen

Feeding:

 

When you purchase a puppy from us, you will receive a starter amount of puppy food. This
should be mixed with whatever new food that you decide to feed your baby, or you can
order food from us on a monthly basis.  We currently use Diamond Naturals Small/Medium Breed-Chicken and Rice Formula dry food for our moms and puppies.

We recommend a 26% or higher animal based protein puppy food. Make sure that you’re
not feeding something that states a grain or 'meal' as the first ingredient. Contrary to marketing information, your new baby is a carnivore and cannot assimilate the grains as well as animal protein.  Either he will tend to weigh more than he should, or he will have an
excess of fecal matter. (Okay, lots of poo.)

Also, make sure that you’re not feeding animal by-products. For example, if the feed lists
chicken byproduct as the first ingredient, it could be ground up beaks and feathers.  There isn’t a bit of nutritional value in these items.

Don’t be fooled by the expense of the food.  Not all expensive foods are good, and not all
inexpensive foods are bad.  Do make sure that you study the label so you buy the best
nutrition possible for your baby.

We feed all our adults and puppies a high protein content food to ensure they stay
healthy.  Our dogs and puppies have 24/7 access to food and water to eat and drink at all times.

​

​

​

 

Weight:

Estimated weight charts exist for the purpose of ‘guesstimating’ the adult weight of your
puppy. I have seen pups grow in a way that skews the charts. Just like humans, puppies
grow at different rates. Some kids hit their stride early, others are late bloomers. You
really cannot be sure of adult weight until the pup reaches 6 months old. Then you would
have a fairly accurate idea of what she will weigh as an adult.

I’ve kept back a little girl that I thought would weigh 6 pounds as an adult. I wanted her
bloodlines for my breeding program. But at 10 months old, she weighed only 3.25
pounds. I would never breed a girl that tiny, so I placed her with a woman that treats her
like a princess.

I have also had a little boy born one ounce. I thought he’d be lucky to ever hit 4 pounds.
He ended up maturing at 5.5 pounds. I just received a report from a couple that have a
little boy of mine. He doubled his weight in one month.

After 15 years of raising these critters, I would be very clear that adult weights are only
estimates and I would never guarantee an estimate unless the pup is over 6 months old.
Also, weight does have a great deal to do with what you feed your pup. Lots of high
calorie treats and a sedentary lifestyle will add to the weight of your dog.

If you want to keep them in proper weight and condition, feed them properly and make
sure that they receive proper exercise.

​

​

​

 

​

Housebreaking:

 

Your new puppy has had experience in our home with the housebreaking process. He
will be kenneled at night and put on paper in the morning when he is let out. Most of the
puppies raised here never set foot outside as the weather is quite temperamental. You
will need to make sure that you follow up with consistent patterns with your new baby.

Use newspaper or pee pads as you like, and take him out 20 minutes after every meal
he consumes. Always take him to the same spot, and praise him lavishly for doing the
job correctly. Do keep in mind that he will not distinguish between the newspaper that it's
okay to pee on, or the homework that is inadvertently left on the floor. In which case, it
really is better to say the dog ate your homework than to explain yellow stains on it!

​

​

 

​

Shipping: 

We are unable to fly puppies alone with the airlines ('ship') to new destinations due to COVID restrictions and PetSafe airline programs being suspended.  See our Policies page on updated shipping abilities.

(Per our previous shipping abilities, BUT ARE CURRENTLY NOT APPLICABLE:
Your pup will receive extra carbs daily to help with the shipping stress. We will ship as
close to your location as you are willing to pay for. The least expensive option isn’t always
the most convenient option. However, whenever possible, we try to use
United Airlines. They have developed the ‘Pet Safe’ program that no other airline
matches.  But, not all United flights have the pet safe ability, so it’s not always possible to
book your baby with them. They do tend to be the least expensive as well, though in the
past year they increased their price substantially.

Contrary to popular opinion, breeders do not ‘make money’ on shipping costs. The
airlines charge $450-$600. In addition, there is the cost of the health certificate,
rabies vaccination if over 12 weeks of age, shipping approved kennel, and travel to and
from the airport. We expect the buyer to assume all costs associated with shipping. 
Please understand that we charge only the actual costs, not an inflated price.
WE CHARGE A FLAT RATE OF $500 IF PUPPY IS UNDER 10 LBS WITH THE KENNEL AT TIME OF SHIPPING.
If the puppy can be picked up in person, there is no additional
shipping cost.  If puppy includes shipping cost in price, shipping is
deducted from the price.)

​

 

​

Adjustment:

 

When your puppy arrives, she could be a bit shy at your home, although plenty of people
have said that my pups shoot out of the kennel and make themselves quite at home from
the very beginning. If your new baby doesn’t follow that behavior, be patient. She needs
some time to adjust to the new living arrangement. She needs to feel her way around to
understand her place in the new ‘pack.’  Likely it won't take a great deal of time for that
adjustment to be made.

This adjustment period can be eased with things that she is familiar with. She will have
familiar smells in her kennel; make this her ‘safe’ place for the next couple of months.
Use it to crate train her as well. (covered under housebreaking) She is used to soft sided
beds and hand tied flannel blankets (yes, I do spoil my kiddos).  Also, provide her with
plenty of toys to keep her interest.  At home, she has rubber toys, tug of war toys, and a
variety of companions to play with. She will want to be engaged in play. Humor her.

​

​

​

Vaccinations:

 

Between six and sixteen weeks of age, puppies start to lose the disease protection they
received from their mothers and become able to form their own immunity to disease.  
Unfortunately, it's hard to tell exactly when this will happen.  

General vaccinations include protection from Distemper, Adenovirus type 2,
Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza, with variations including Leptospirosis and Bordetella. A typical 5-way shot includes Distemper, Adenovirus type 2, Parvovirus, and Parainfluenza.  This shot is usually given as the first shot, around 6 weeks of age.  The next vaccination is a Parvovirus vaccination by itself, usually 10 days after the first vaccination.  Ten days later, another 5-way shot is given.  

Once the puppy reaches his/her new home, a veterinary examination is key.  The vet will
recommend whatever vaccinations are needed next.  Typically, a shot at 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 6 months, and a rabies vaccination at a year old is what is recommended.