Frequently Asked Questions & General Information

Calm and docile energy Affectionate, gentle, and goofy personality Protective, playful, and loyal Intelligent and friendly Excellent as an emotional support or service dog Good with children Low to non-shedding, suitable for allergy-friendly needs Available in three sizes to fit all families

BRINLEY IS EXPECTING PUPPIES! October 2024. Take home December 10th for Christmas 2024!!! The waitlist will be out in September We are expecting 30-40 lb. SPECIAL/.RARE Bernedoodle COLORS Red/Chocolate/Tri! Winnie our beautiful Merle girl, will have a standard litter 50-77 lbs. Then Paisley will follow with Tri color, mini puppies! 15-30 lbs To secure a spot on the waitlist, please let us know which litter and you desires in a puppy!

During the first few weeks, puppies are very active as they undergo crucial development stages and learn new things daily. We will introduce them to basic commands, provide them with new toys daily, and help them learn new skills. Puppies will also be exposed to new sounds and smells, beginning the process of desensitization to noises such as household appliances, children playing, traffic, barking dogs, fireworks, thunderstorms, and more. Most of our puppies come home with you litterbox trained, which makes potty training a breeze! Ask me for tricks....:)

The puppies will be raised in our home! Most female dogs in my breeding program, are my personal pets, but some of our Mom's/Dad's live in their guardian homes with another family, when they have puppies though, they are in my home. The moms all have their puppies here! I do use studs from other breeding programs to produce the best all-around dogs, however Bentley is our stud, and the mascot here at Doting Doodles :). Bentley is used as well. The moms have rooms just for themselves while with puppies, and play areas both inside, and outside, after the puppies are old enough to be outside to play. They will have ample room to run, play, and learn about outside noises. We are teaching them every day as they grow. We play games, teach them about surfaces, and sounds and scents to help them grow up secure and confident! They will be started on potty training. But they grow quickly, and before you know it, they will be ready to join your home!

Desensitizing and starting the socialization of your puppy helps them overcome challenges related to scary sounds, people, very important in building their comfort and confidence levels. This process is crucial and should be continued when you bring the puppy home, as it helps raise a well-adjusted and sound dog.

Eating and potty-training The most helpful thing you can do for your puppy is to place him or her on a schedule and a regular routine. This includes the puppy’s meal times and potty breaks. The rule of thumb for how long a puppy can “hold it” is the number of months old they are plus 1. So if they are 2 months old, you add 1, which means the maximum number of hours they can hold it is 3 hours. Ideally, your puppy should eat two or three times a day and should eat around ½ to whole cup each time. Use consistent set times for them to eat, since you don’t want your puppy to get in the habit of “grazing” or just nibbling a little here and there. If the puppy eats the ½ cup within the time frame you set, you can give him or her more. (Most doodles don’t overeat, so you generally don’t have to worry about overfeeding them.) However, your puppy needs to learn that when you put the food down, it is time to eat; if they choose not to eat right away or don't eat much at that feeding, pick the bowl back up and try again next feeding. Once the puppy has eaten, he or she should be let outside immediately afterward to go pee or poop. Puppy food? There are an overwhelming number of dog foods available at pet stores, big-box retailers, and even your grocery store. There is a wide range of prices and quality, and, as a general rule, the more expensive ones are of higher quality. We’ve been feeding your puppy Purina Pro Plan puppy (Lamb flavored) based on the recommendation of our vet. For convenience, it is available on Amazon or at your local pet store. If you get it from Amazon, you may want to consider getting a recurring “subscription” so it arrives at your doorstep at regular intervals and you don’t have to remember to go get more, and you normally get a discount as well! If you choose a different food, use the bag of food we give you at the pickup to gradually transition your pup to the new food by combining the two together in a gradually decreasing ratio of their current food to the new food. Crate Training/Pen Crate training is an incredibly helpful tool to assist in house-breaking your new puppy. The crate can also provide a safe place to leave your dog if you have to leave the house for a couple of hours and don’t want the puppy to make any messes or potentially do or eat something dangerous in your absence. The key for potty training purposes is to be consist in taking them out when they wake to go to the bathroom. The pup won’t want to soil his or her “den” and sleeping area, and thus will “hold it” until taken out of the crate. When you take your puppy out of the crate, go immediately outside to pee or poo, and praise your puppy once they've done their business outside! Your puppy will be living in a pen here and will know how to use a potty tray. So they will have a head start on potty training. Your crate should be the 42-inch crate with a divider. This will give them plenty of room as an adult. Not all puppies are alike! Some puppies crate well, some do better in a pen with a litter tray for accidents (like I use here) till they are totally potty trained. I've found being flexible with your puppy will create less stress for yourself and your new puppy. Some puppies learn right away, esp. if you keep them leashed, and with you at first everywhere you go (yes, inside the house) so you can read their cues they give when they are needing to go out! Some need Time... remember they are just babies so it will all come together eventually. Puppy Classes PetSmart has Dog Training Programs and is very reasonably priced, and you can participate in various levels of training. K9 off leash training is located all over the country, is more expensive, but can yield incredibly impressive results. Bentley has done 30 days board and train, and he is amazing! This breed makes excellent therapy and service dogs. They are extremely intelligent. When do I take my puppy to the vet? We ask that you take your puppy to the vet within the first 3 business days after picking him or her up from us. It is important that your puppy is established with a local vet. Although your puppy has passed a health check from our vet and has had its first round of vaccines, puppies are like newborn babies and can pick up viruses and parasites pretty easily until 12 weeks of age and fully vaccinated. Your puppy has already received a deworming treatment, and the first round of the Distemper and Parvo vaccines. Based on the recommendation of our vet, your puppy should receive the second dose of the distemper and Parvo vaccine at 10 weeks, a third dose of Distemper and Parvo vaccine at 13-14 weeks, and then a final dose and any other needed vaccines (rabies, kennel cough, etc.) at 20 weeks. If your vet chooses to follow a different vaccine schedule, that is fine as well. However, in order for the 1 year health guarantee to be effective, your puppy needs to be up-to-date on all vaccines and have been examined by and established with its own vet within the first 3 business days after pickup. Please also keep the records from those visits. In the event there were ever to be a health problem, we will ask that you email us copies of your puppies’ vet records When to let my puppy play outside or with other animals? Yes and no, until 12 weeks of age, the puppies have a fairly low immune system and haven’t yet received all their vaccinations, and they can easily catch parasites, viruses, and other diseases. Please do not leave your puppy outside and unattended. As far as being around other animals, be cautious, but as long as they are only around other healthy animals that are up to date on their vaccines, they should be ok. We like to tell families to think of their new puppy like a newborn baby. Be extra careful with them being outside, and around other animals. Even when you take them to the vet the first few times, we recommend holding them to help avoid the pup licking and sniffing the ground. Puppy grooming? We love that our Doodles are low- to non-shedding dogs, but their coats do require grooming. Most Doodles visit the groomer about once every 3-4 months. Rely on your groomer for basic maintenance tips for brushing, trimming nails, cleaning ears. When you go to the groomer, bring a picture to show them of the look you have in mind. When should I spay or neuter? Our pups are sold as family pets and not for breeding purposes. We ask that you have your puppy spayed or neutered between 12 and 14 months old. Spaying or neutering before 6-months-old can interfere with normal growth patterns. At the puppy pick-up, you’ll sign a contract agreeing to this requirement. We ask that when you have your pup spayed or neutered, you email us a scanned copy of the vet’s invoice to kristi@dotingdoodles.com so we have verification the procedure was done. If the veterinarian feels the puppy should wait longer to be fixed?! Just let us know! We want what's best for your puppy based on the recommendation of your vet. Flying puppy home? Are you planning on flying home with your new baby? Traveling with a puppy can be a nice experience, but it requires careful planning and preparation. If you intend to have your puppy accompany you as a carry-on under your seat, here are some valuable tips to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey for both you and your furry friend. Check Airline Policies: Before booking your flight, check the specific policies of the airline you'll be using for pet travel. Each airline has its own rules and regulations regarding pet travel in the cabin. Make sure your chosen airline allows small pets in the cabin and understand their requirements, such as crate size and documentation. Comfortable Carrier: Invest in a comfortable and well-ventilated pet carrier that meets the airline's size and safety requirements. Your puppy should be able to stand, turn around, and lie down comfortably in the carrier. Familiarize your pet with the carrier at home to reduce anxiety during the flight. Adequate Supplies: Pack essential supplies in your carry-on bag, including food, water, and your puppy's favorite toys or comfort items. Ensure that you have enough supplies to last the duration of your flight and any potential delays. Pre-Flight Exercise: Give your puppy some exercise before your flight. A tired dog is more likely to relax during the journey. Some playtime can help burn off excess energy. Bathroom Breaks: Take your puppy for a bathroom break shortly before entering the airport. Most airports have designated pet relief areas. Ensure that your pet is empty before boarding. In-Flight Comfort: During the flight, keep your puppy's carrier under the seat in front of you and secure it as instructed by the airline staff. Comfort your puppy with soothing words and gentle pats if they become anxious. Avoid feeding your pet during the flight to prevent motion sickness. Traveling with a puppy can be unpredictable. Be prepared for possible accidents, whining, or restlessness. Stay patient and understanding throughout the journey. Research Your Destination: Before you travel, research your destination to find pet-friendly accommodations and nearby parks or walking areas. Ensure that your puppy will be comfortable and safe once you are onboard. Driving puppy home! Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting and heartwarming experience, and one of the first adventures you'll share is the drive back to your home. To ensure a safe and comfortable journey for your furry friend, here are some essential tips for driving with your new puppy in the car. Trip Preparation: Before hitting the road, make sure your puppy is well-fed, has had a bathroom break, and is properly hydrated. This will help reduce the likelihood of accidents during the trip. Plan for Rest Stops: Puppies have shorter attention spans and need more frequent breaks than adult dogs. Plan for regular rest stops every 1-2 hours to allow your puppy to stretch their legs, relieve themselves, and have a drink of water. Secure the Puppy: Whether you're using a harness or crate, ensure that your puppy is securely fastened in the car. This prevents them from becoming a distraction to the driver and keeps them safe in case of sudden stops or accidents. Keep the Environment Comfortable: Maintain a comfortable and climate-controlled environment inside the car. Avoid exposing your puppy to extreme temperatures, and use sunshades or covers to shield them from direct sunlight. Avoid Feeding on the Road: While it's important to keep your puppy hydrated during the trip, avoid feeding them while the car is in motion. Motion sickness is common in puppies, and a full stomach can make it worse. Offer small sips of water instead. Provide Entertainment: To keep your puppy occupied and distracted, bring along their favorite toys or chew treats. These can help reduce anxiety and keep them from getting bored during the journey. Be Patient and Calm: Puppies may whine or become restless during the drive, especially if it's their first time in a car. Stay patient and avoid scolding your puppy. Provide comfort and soothing words to reassure them. Do not put your puppy down in public places while traveling. Bring puppy pads, and wipes to keep your puppy from picking up a virus while ttaveling. Payment Options. When you arrive to pick up your puppy or before delivery, we ask that you pay the balance owed in one of 4 ways: (1) Zelle- Please check days in advanced if there is a cap per day on your account. There is often a limit of $2500 per day. So, depending on your cap you may need to make multiple payments ahead if you use Zelle. (2) Venmo (3) Certified check, sometimes also known as a cashier's check (no personal checks, please). You can address it to addressed to Blue Ridge Bernedoodles. (4) Cash The remaining balance is due upon pick up or delivery otherwise your puppy will not be able to go home.