FAQ

Many people want to buy collars, leashes, crates, etc., before they come to pick up their pups. We think this is a good idea and we recommend that you do not take your puppy into a pet store until they've had three rounds of shots. A good basic list of items to have on hand includes: 

Adjustable Collar, Name Tag, 6 Foot Leash, Food and Water bowls, Food Storage Bin, Good Quality Puppy Food, Crate, 4-5 Inexpensive Bath Towels, Several Types of Toys, Slicker Brush, Chew Treats, Training Treats

This is always a question that is asked but the answer is much simpler than you might think. I suggest that you bring a towel or two, just in case of an 'accident' by the puppy, and someone to hold him/her on the trip home. You will likely have no shortage of volunteers for this job :) Most make it home without incident, but the towel will be ready in case they do not :) Puppies do experience some trauma when leaving their littermates. It is a bit of a shock to them and they need all the snuggling and reassurance they can get! 

Putting them in a crate is too impersonal and you can expect them to howl all the way home. They are lonely since they are used to having multiple other siblings to play with at a moment's notice up until that time. When you hold them, or place them on the floorboard where you can reach them to reassure them, then the trip is less frightening to them. The close contact on the trip also allows for bonding to take place with the puppy, and whoever is holding them. This is a good thing. This helps prevent as much trauma as possible and actually secures his dependence upon you or your family right away.

 Early socialization is not just important but crucial! Between the age of 3 days old and 16 weeks is when puppies are most excepting of new experiences and objects. Puppies in this phase are like little sponges, soaking up information about the world and learning what is and isn’t safe. It is our job to teach them that the world is a safe place. Our puppies are handled and played with daily, beginning with ENS training  and Puppy Culture practices starting on day 3 until the day they go home. We encourage our families to continue many socialization practices after they take their puppy home. We are intentional in the way we socialize and play with our puppies to help them learn that people and other dogs are safe and loving. They are raised with children in the home and are socialized to people of all ages as well as other dogs of all sizes while they are with us. We want to create confident puppies that are not afraid of new people, dogs or situations. With lots of love and patience, we help your puppy learn that the world is a great place to be a dog! 

 All my life I have owned dogs, males and females, in my opinion one is not better than another. I believe that training and socialization make a bigger difference than gender. Our females are just as lovable as our males, and the males are just as trainable as our females.