Please take a few minutes to read through our policies to learn how we do things and help us effectively meet our goal of providing you with a healthy, happy pup. If you would like a copy of our contract, please request one via email.

POLICIES

CARING FOR OUR FURRY FAMILY MEMBERS

• We do not keep our dogs in kennels, but in large fenced in areas from which we frequently free them to go on walks or run around our yard. Our yard protector and family pet Lucy (a spayed Rhodesian Ridgeback) stays out in our yard at all times (except when its cold and she comes inside to sleep because she is claustrophobic and doesn't like the dog house).

• We give them as few chemicals as possible. We try to use natural ways such as nematodes to keep down the fleas and ticks, and we spray the dogs with a natural flea repellent made from essential oils to chase off any remaining pests. Our methods are constantly evolving as we strive to find the best natural methods for caring for our pets.

RAISING OUR PUPS

• Our puppies are born and raised for the first 2 weeks inside our home so that we can keep a constant, watchful eye on both the puppies and mama.

• At around two weeks, they start moving about more and move to our whelping house where they have an indoor area as well as an outdoor area accessed through a doggy door. There is a sleeping area, a feeding area, and a potty area with straw to begin teaching them where to go potty.

• Between 3 and 4 weeks, we move the potty area right outside the door and designate it with straw and leaves so that they start learning to go potty outside. It is amazing how quickly they learn!

• Also at around 3 weeks, we start giving them puppy food twice daily, softened with warm broth to supplement the milk they get from mama.

• They are dewormed around 5 weeks, unless they are showing signs of worms prior to that time.

• We do not remove dew claws, nor dock tails. I do not like removing parts of puppies.

• We no longer do puppy vaccinations. After much research and consultations with different vets, we feel that it is unsafe and unnecessary to begin vaccinations before 8 weeks and really recommend waiting until 12 weeks. We will give you more literature on the harmful effects of over-vaccination and our recommendations when you take your puppy home.

• We strive to "socialize" our puppies to the best of our ability. They are held, petted, and played with on a daily basis by our whole family. They are exposed to loud noises, other dogs, cats, birds, squirrels, and are allowed to run and play and explore their surroundings daily.

CHOOSING YOUR PUPPY AND TAKING HIM HOME

• We want you to be very involved in the selection of your new family member; however, that is very difficult when you may never even meet him until he comes to you. Therefore, we have implemented a process we feel works wonderfully. We spend a great deal of time watching and noting how the puppies interact with each other and us. To further vet their temperaments, at 7 weeks we test them using the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test. We couple this information with what we know about you based on what you have told us and also questions you have answered on our adoption application. We then go down the list, starting with the first person with which we spoke and discuss our recommendations as to which puppy or puppies would best suit your family.

• We allow our puppies to go to their new home at 8 weeks of age. We will hold your puppy longer for a fee of $10 per week and any vet bills incurred.

• To hold your puppy, we require a deposit of $300, This deposit is nonrefundable but is transferable to another litter at any point in the future.

• The price of our puppies is $1600. This amount must be paid in full by 8 weeks of age. We accept paypal.

• We love to travel and are happy to deliver or meet you with your new pup. A minimum delivery fee of $50 is due in advance and can be mailed to us by check. The total amount of delivery will be assessed on a case by case basis to insure the coverage of gas and expenses. We only allow our puppies to fly accompanied by a person. If you are unable to pick up your puppy, meet us part way, or we are unable to deliver to you, we employ a pet delivery service that will hand deliver your little one to your front door. Your Choice Pet Transport is a company run by veteran Mark England. He will ensure your puppy finds his way to his new home with all the comfort and attention he deserves.

• We no longer require our puppies to be spayed or neutered due to research that shows it could cause complications. Instead, we ask that you do NOT de-sex your dog until at least one year of age, preferably two.

• If for any reason you find yourself no longer able to keep your puppy, we will gladly take him back and find a new home for him. PLEASE, NEVER send one of our babies to an animal shelter.