Our Guide to Puppy Preparation
We couldn't be more thrilled about the upcoming addition to your family—a furry bundle of joy who will undoubtedly fill your home with love, laughter, and wagging tails! As you eagerly anticipate bringing your new Aussiedoodle, Cavapoo, Labradoodle, or Goldendoodle into your lives, we wanted to take a moment to express our genuine excitement in assisting you with this heartwarming journey. Our passion for breeding these wonderful dogs extends to ensuring that each family is well-prepared for the adventure that lies ahead.
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With every tail wag and puppy paw, a new chapter unfolds, and we're here to help guide you through it all. From selecting the perfect puppy to offering advice on crate training, socialization, and health care, our goal is to provide you with the knowledge and support you need to create a seamless transition for your furry friend.
Frequently Asked Questions
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When do I get to select my puppy?We start temperament evaluations between 6-8 weeks of age and inform families beforehand. Puppy Selection Day is scheduled for the Saturday following their 7-8 week mark. Visitation and selections are arranged based on the order of deposit receipt. Each family will have a 30-minute window to meet and select their puppy. Contracts and requests for final payments will be sent within 48 hours after Selection Day.
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When can I pick up my puppy?Puppies typically go home on the Saturday following their 9-10 week milestone. The exact pickup day is determined by factors such as their birthdate, developmental progress, and weight. Pickup is a quick 10-15 minute porch appointment designed to facilitate a smooth transition for families bringing their new puppy home. We understand that excitement can sometimes overshadow information shared on pickup day. Therefore, we encourage families to check in after settling in and reviewing the comprehensive puppy packets we provide. We are committed to supporting families even after the puppies go home, ensuring a seamless transition and providing assistance whenever needed.
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Are all puppies the same price?Currently, all our puppies are priced at $3500, regardless of gender, size, or color. Please note that prices are subject to change.
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How do I pay for my puppy?We accept secure payments through Good Dog for the $500 Non-Refundable Reservation Fee. The remaining balance can be paid through Good Dog or in cash upon pickup. Additionally, we provide payment plans and accept credit card payments through Good Dog, with the final payment due at pickup.
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What does my puppy come with?Our Comprehensive Puppy Care Package Includes: First round of vaccines, full vet examination, and a fecal check (records included in go-home bag) Deworming at age-appropriate intervals 2-year genetic guarantee and a non-negotiable spay/neuter contract Lifetime FiNano Microchip Registration 30 days of FREE pet insurance through Trupanion (activation required prior to pickup, some restrictions apply) Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI) Confidence-building exercises with textures, play equipment, potty training, and recall training Raised using the Puppy Culture and Empowered Breeder Curriculums Socialization with dogs, puppies, and young children Desensitization to sounds, textures, and car rides Introduction to grooming skills: nail clipping, ear cleaning, bathing, and blow drying Snuggle Puppy and Blanket with familiar scents a smooth transition Sample treats and an enrichment toy Lifetime breeder support - We are here to help. 25% discount on Lifetime Membership for Baxter and Bella’s Puppy School 20% discount on your first order of PawTree
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Do you offer puppy training, boarding, or Puppy Boot Camp?Yes, we've partnered with Rebecca Clayton at Kindred Spirit Ranch to offer these services specifically tailored for our Cavapoo and Aussiedoodle families. Rebecca, whom we trust exclusively with our own dogs, has been our partner for many years. Puppy Boot Camp is structured into three weeks, allowing you to choose either the first week or the full three-week program to help your new family member transition smoothly into your home. This on-site board and train program takes place at Rebecca's home on the KSR property. Prices vary based on the duration of the stay. You'll coordinate directly with Rebecca for the training sessions, while we handle transportation to her location. Upon completion of the 3-week Stay & Train Experience, Rebecca provides a 30-minute to 1-hour training overview when you pick up your puppy from her facility.
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When do you recommend spay/neuter be done?We recommend spaying or neutering between 12-24 months of age. Recent studies emphasize the benefits of delaying spaying or neutering until puppies are over 12 months old and have gone through at least one heat cycle. Early spaying can hinder the development of necessary hormones for proper bone growth, potentially increasing the risk of conditions like hip dysplasia as well as endocrinology issues. It's important to note that all of our puppies are sold under a strict, non-negotiable spay/neuter contract. Spaying or neutering before 12 months of age and before the first heat cycle will void this contract. We require that all puppies be spayed or neutered by 24 months of age to promote their long-term health and well-being. Additional resources available upon request.
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What is MDR1 and how will it affect our puppy?MDR1 (Multi-Drug Resistance 1) is a genetic marker prevalent in over 70% of shepherd and working dog breeds, including Australian Shepherds. This genetic trait causes sensitivity to certain medications, particularly in Australian Shepherds, and can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, nausea, and in severe cases, symptoms resembling parvo. At McDoodles of Texas, we prioritize caution and treat all our Aussies and Aussiedoodles as potentially affected by MDR1. As a result, we avoid administering Ivermectin to our dogs, as it can be particularly harsh on their systems. For more information on MDR1 and its implications, please visit Collie Chatter.
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What should I use for heartworm and flea/tick preventative?Always consult with your vet first. We recommend using Synergy or Revolution, topical flea and heartworm preventatives that have been shown to be safer, especially for dogs with MDR1 drug sensitivities. These products DO NOT CONTAIN Ivermectin, which is known to be unsafe for Aussies and other MDR1-sensitive breeds. For more information on safer alternatives, visit Collie Chatter, our trusted resource. We advise against using any all-in-one oral heartworm/flea preventative combinations, as they have been associated with seizures and digestive issues in dogs. Please note, using an all-in-one or oral prescription flea treatment will VOID your warranty. See below for a list of some of these products and the FDA warning. The FDA is alerting! pet owners & veterinarians of the potential for neurologic adverse events in dogs and cats when treated with Flea & Tick drugs that are in the isoxazoline class: Bravecto (fluralaner) tablets for dogs Bravecto (fluralaner) topical solution for cats and dogs Bravecto Plus (fluralaner and moxidectin) topical solution for cats Bravecto 1-month (fluralaner) tablets for dogs Credelio (lotilaner) tablets for dogs and cats Negard (afoxolaner) tablets for dogs Simparica (sarolaner) tablets for dogs Simparica Trio (sarolaner, moxidectin and pyrantel) tablets for dogs The use of any of the above products will potentially make your dog sick causing symptoms such as diarrhea and sensitive stomoahc and will void your health warranty.
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Can we visit the puppies?Hello, we are thrilled that you are interested in one of our puppies. As a small in home breeder we take special care to protect our puppies from Parvo and other contagions. We have a strict biohazard protocol in place limiting visitors to those with approved applications that have placed a deposit. Visits occur twice, once for selection day and once at pick up. We hope you understand that we want to keep both the puppy you might pick and the other puppies in our care safe. We are happy to facetime so that you can see the puppies. Please let me know if there is a time that might work for you to chat by phone or FaceTime. Thank you for your interest in one of our puppies. We take special care to protect our puppies from Parvo and other contagions as small home breeders. As part of our strict biohazard protocol, we only allow visitors with approved applications and a deposit. Visitors are welcome twice, once on selection day and once at pick up. It is important to us that the puppy you pick is kept safe, as well as all the other puppies we are taking care of. We appreciate your help in keeping our puppies safe. If you would like to see the puppies, we are happy to FaceTime with you. If you have a time that works for you, please let me know.
Training
Boot Camp is broken down into 3 different weeks. You can bring your puppy for just the first week or you can bring them for weeks 1, 2, and 3. With this program, we make your new family members transition into a home a positive one with our 1, 2 or 3-week stay. This is an on-sight board and train program in the trainers home, located here on KSR property.
Power of 3
These are must watch videos for new puppy owners, experienced or novice. Ensure your puppy is empowered, balanced and fulfilled! Be sure to watch all 3 videos BEFORE you bring your puppy home.
Part 1: Hand Feeding
Part 2: Sit on the Dog (leash)
Part 3: Tether Training
Nutrition
Let's Talk About Grooming
It's never too early to talk about grooming. Our Aussiedoodles tend to have low maintenance, minimal shedding coats. That said, like all Doodles, they need daily brushing and grooming that should start from the day you bring your puppy home. This can be as simple as just a few minutes while you are sitting together several times a day to longer sessions as they grow.
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We start all of our pups on grooming introducing them to nail trims every 3-4 days, baths, the blow dryer and brushing. Grooming is not something pups are born to love and it takes practice to get them comfortable. We recommend making a routine out of it, possibly as part of your evening bedtime routine.
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Here is a link one of our favorite YouTube videos with tips and suggestions for grooming your Doodle. We love Joanna and her real life videos and tips. She's definitely worth ​subscribing​ to, we certainly do. You can find some of our favorite grooming supplies on our ​Amazon Lists.