I've placed a deposit...what's next?
If you've placed a deposit for a puppy who is not born yet, be sure to keep a close eye on the website and Facebook page for updates. We will update heats, breedings, births, photos, and videos of the puppies on these sites.
Please refrain from excessive communication. Keep in mind that we communicate with many families for each expected litter. We typically have 40+ reservations at any given time. That means we are potentially communicating with 40 different families as needed. We recommend starting an email and keeping it as a draft while adding to it as you think of questions. Unless there is a pressing matter, we are comfortable with an email once per week with questions or concerns that are not addressed on the website or Facebook page. Excessive communication can be overwhelming and can allow for miscommunication.
Also, keep in mind that we can only estimate the timing of heat cycles/births/deliveries. We post all updates as they occur. Please do not email/message/etc asking if there has been progress. Progress will be posted.
When do we get to pick our puppy?
Families will pick their puppies out in order of deposit placed. We will notify you when The other families ahead of you on the waiting list have picked and it is your turn. Selections must be made no later than five weeks of age. At 5 weeks of age, we will post a description of each puppy with their pictures and videos. At this point we will request that each family sends us a list of puppies in order of most preferred to least preferred. For example, if you are number 5 on the waiting list, you should know who your top 5 choices are in order from most preferred to least preferred. We will request this list be sent to us promptly. Once we receive each list, we will post a final list that will inform everyone of which puppy they are receiving. Everyone on the waiting list will be anxiously waiting for the final list to be posted.
The puppies are evaluated by a licensed veterinarian at approximately six weeks of age. If we have an unlikely situation in which a puppy is unsuitable for a new home, the picking process may have to be restarted with that puppy removed from in the process. For instance, if the person in the number four spot has picked a puppy that happens to have a health condition that will affect its quality of life, the first three spots that have been picked will remain the same. Spots four, five, six, etc. will pick again in order of deposit received using the process listed above.
Can I visit my puppy before I take it home?
We strictly prohibit visitors. We are terrified of communicable viruses and diseases. A visitor may innocently and unknowingly introduce a new virus to our dogs and puppies simply by bringing it in on the bottom of their shoes. It's impossible to prevent exposure. We also don't want to stress our mamma dogs and expecting mamma dogs. The only necessary visit is when it is time to pick your puppy up at 8 weeks old. We know this is incredibly difficult for families. We know you are anxious to meet your new puppy! Therefore, dedicate hours on end to send pictures and videos to families. This is in your puppy's best interest :)
Health care...
We administer coccidia and worm prevention starting at 2 weeks of age. We do this once every two weeks until they are 4 weeks old. We administer a daily regimen of SafeGuard dewormer during the last week the puppies are with us to rid them of/protect against multiple types of worms as well as Girardia. We mix Corid in their drinking water to prevent Coccidia. We administer Nobivac Canine 1-DAPPv. Our veterinarian examines our puppies between 5 and 6 weeks old. You will need to make a wellcheck appointment with your veterinarian within 72 hours of taking possession of your new puppy. Without this veterinarian visit, your health guarantee will be void. We want your veterinarian to confirm that we have provided you with a healthy puppy. Your veterinarian will also advise a schedule for booster shots, rabies, shot, heartworm prevention, and more. It is very important that you follow their direction. Puppies are susceptible to multiple viruses and diseases. We are fortunate to have the resources to prevent harm.
We will microchip your puppy before it goes home with you. We provide a lifetime registration for your microchip.
NuVet Health Supplements...
Why I recommend NuVet Plus - As a quality breeder, my highest priority is the health of the dogs I breed. Part of that responsibility includes doing everything possible to assure their wellbeing after they go to a new home. While all quality dog foods will provide everything needed to sustain life, virtually all of them are cooked during the manufacturing process. The heat from cooking causes much of the nutrients to be lost during the process. NuVet Plus is cold processed allowing all of the benefits of its rich nutrients to be retained, giving your new puppy an extra layer of protection, especially during the most critical first year of life. Additionally, when puppies nurse, they rely on their mother’s colostrum (highly nutritious milk produced right after birth) for the antibodies they need to fight foreign substances. However, the maternal antibodies’ effectiveness declines as the puppy’s immune system begins to mature. By 8 weeks, your puppy’s immune system is at a vulnerable point and will soon be challenged on multiple fronts. When a puppy is moved away from its mother and siblings to live with its new family, the immune system is weakened by the stress of adoption and exposure to bacteria and viruses in its new home. These are pathogens for which the puppy’s body has not yet developed antibodies, and it is widely recognized that the immune system is less effective in times of stress. So starting NuVet Plus now is important to helping your puppy grow into a healthy adult. The vaccine series is also started during this time period. Vaccines are most effective if the immune system can respond properly. If the immune system is distracted by combating free radicals and it does not receive the nutrients required to keep it strong during times of stress, the health of the puppy is at risk. The best way to stay healthy during this critical time is to provide the nutritional support required for proper immune system function.
It’s very important to keep in mind that your puppy’s joints are not yet mature. Their joints slowly come together and secure in their proper position once they are grown. But, until then, it’s very important to take very good care of their joints. You can do this by limited jumping, running, climbing, horse play, etc. Also, NuJoint Plus is a fantastic supplement that supports proper joint development. Larger dogs have a higher risk of hip dysplasia. Smaller dogs have a higher risk of patella luxation. We do orthopedic testing on our parent dogs to greatly reduce this risk. But, it’s still important to be mindful of their growth process and support it in any way that you can.
About NuVet Plus - NuVet Plus is a synergistic combination of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals known to boost immune system function. All of NuVet Labs’ ingredients are sourced in the United States, manufactured in a human-grade U.S. FDA registered pharmaceutical laboratory, and cold processed to maximize the potency of the nutrients. NuVet Labs has been in business since 1997 and has never had a product recall. By including NuVet Plus® into your puppy’s daily diet, you can be confident that you are providing the nutrients required for optimal immune system performance. Additional information may be found on the NuVet Labs website www.nuvet.com.
You can watch a very informative video about NuVet supplements by clicking the following link...
https://player.vimeo.com/video/180076051?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0
Our favorite products are the NuVet K-9 Wafers and NuJoint Plus Wafers. You can order products by clicking the following link...
https://www.nuvet.com/86446
What do I need...
It is wise to be prepared for your puppy to come home with you! We recommend purchasing a small or medium pet crate. In our opinion, 18 x 30 is the perfect size to start your new puppy in. We recommend crate training. It's not a good idea to leave your puppy free in your home while you are away-even for half an hour. Puppies may ingest dangerous objects or chew on things that you prefer they don't chew on. A crate is very helpful while you are housetraining your new puppy.
We also recommend purchasing a baby gate. During the housebreaking process, you should restrict the area that your new puppy has to roam. With too much freedom, a new puppy is likely to potty in places that it shouldn't. While we housetrain older puppies here at Dogwood Doodelbugs, we like to confine the puppy to a single room while it is not under direct supervision. We place a potty pad in this area so that it is available in the event that the puppy feels the urge to potty before it's next trip outside. The only other things we recommend having available to the puppy in this area are food, water, and indestructible toys. A bed is a nice thing to have available as long as the puppy isn't left unsupervised for a long period of time. Our puppies have amazing temperaments, but the temptation to chew is strong for a teething puppy! Dog beds are stuffed. If ingested, the stuffing can easily block a portion of your new puppy's digestive system. This could potentially be fatal. It's better to prevent than to treat :)
We recommend Kong chew toys. Puppies love to chew. They will be teething for months. Chew toys feel great on their little gums. Kong chew toys are very reputable for being indestructible. Toys with stuffing and squeakers can be dangers. Puppies may ingest stuffing, squeakers, and other parts of toys. It's important not to leave your puppy unattended for this reason. Ingestion of these objects may cause an obstruction in the puppy's intestines. This is extremely dangerous. If your puppy does ingest something like this, call your veterinarian IMMEDIATELY. This can result in death.
We recommend that you purchase a medium size pet bed. We purchase ours from Groupon. They have a wide selection of orthopedic pet beds available at very reasonable prices. We recommend the beds that have a removable and washable cover. Waterproof is also a nice feature.
When you come to pick your puppy up, you will need to be prepared for the ride home. Many of our families will have several hours to drive. We want the travel experience to be as easy as possible for you and your new furbaby. We have found that Rubbermaid totes are a great thing to bring when you come of pick your puppy up. While the puppies are here with us, they are transported all over the house in Rubbermaid totes(without a lid of course). We carry them in these totes from room to room for bath time, pictures, vaccines, and more. If you bring along a similar tote, the puppy should feel a sense of familiarity. Your new puppy will likely ride very well in your lap. But, in the event you'd like to place your puppy elsewhere in your vehicle, a tote within reach is a great idea. We recommend lining the bottom of the tote with towels(bath/beach/etc). This will make for a comfy bed for your puppy. Bring extra towels. They are handy to have for accidents and for car sickness. We expect the puppies to travel well, but there is always a possibility of an unpleasant surprise.
What we send home with your puppy...
-Vaccination and health care history
-Blanket with scent of mamma and littermates
-Sandwich bag of food
-Collar
-Leash
-Microchip information for registration
-Signed health guarantee
Here is the link to some products we recommend...
http://www.dogwooddoodlebugs.com/recommended-products-and-supplies.html
This is a great type of set-up to use while you are home during the house breaking period. This is our bathroom. We place the puppy we are house breaking in here when we aren’t able to keep a close eye on them.
We recommend keeping the crate close to the door you intend to take the puppy out of while house breaking. This gives the puppy a better chance of making it out the door without an accident.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CARE OF YOUR PUPPY’S GROWING BODY…
This is something everyone should see. This xray is of a 2 week old puppy.
When you get your 8/10 week old puppies, please keep this image in mind. Their bones do not even touch yet. They plod around so cutely with big floppy paws and wobbly movement because their joints are entirely made up of muscle, tendons, ligaments with skin covering. Nothing is fitting tightly together or has a true socket yet.
When you run them excessively or don't restrict their exercise to stop them from overdoing it during this period you don't give them a chance to grow properly. Every big jump or excited bouncing run causes impacts between the bones. In reasonable amounts this is not problematic and is the normal wear and tear that every animal will engage in.
But when you're letting puppy jump up and down off the lounge or bed, take them for long walks/hikes, you are damaging that forming joint. When you let the puppy scramble on tile with no traction you are damaging the joint.
You only get the chance to grow them once. A well built body is something that comes from excellent breeding and a great upbringing-BOTH, not just one.
Once grown - around 12-18 months depending on their breed, you will have the rest of their life to spend playing and engaging in higher impact exercise. So keep it calm while they're still little baby puppies and give the gift that can only be given once.
Credit: Laura L.
When you get your 8/10 week old puppies, please keep this image in mind. Their bones do not even touch yet. They plod around so cutely with big floppy paws and wobbly movement because their joints are entirely made up of muscle, tendons, ligaments with skin covering. Nothing is fitting tightly together or has a true socket yet.
When you run them excessively or don't restrict their exercise to stop them from overdoing it during this period you don't give them a chance to grow properly. Every big jump or excited bouncing run causes impacts between the bones. In reasonable amounts this is not problematic and is the normal wear and tear that every animal will engage in.
But when you're letting puppy jump up and down off the lounge or bed, take them for long walks/hikes, you are damaging that forming joint. When you let the puppy scramble on tile with no traction you are damaging the joint.
You only get the chance to grow them once. A well built body is something that comes from excellent breeding and a great upbringing-BOTH, not just one.
Once grown - around 12-18 months depending on their breed, you will have the rest of their life to spend playing and engaging in higher impact exercise. So keep it calm while they're still little baby puppies and give the gift that can only be given once.
Credit: Laura L.
