Are the Reservation fee or PIF fully refundable?

 

Our reservation fee and our Paid in Full are non-refundable.

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Are we allowed to come to visit and choose our puppy in person?

 

Not at this time.

 

We have "puppy pick up" at designated locations. Creswell Bakery is our most common as it allows families to get some delicious food and treats before hitting the road again. 

 

We do this so we try and limit disease/risk to puppies as much as we possibly can.

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We do a lot of Instagram to show families our puppies' temperaments to help guide them in the picking process.

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What do puppies come with?

 

Puppies go home with:

• a folder of their Veterinary records, and helpful reading material.

• puppies leave appropriately vaccinated (never Lepto)

• Microchipped

• Dewormed

• leather collar

• bully stick

• sample bag of NUTRISOURCE LARGE BREED PUPPY

• Sample of Nuvet powder or wafers

• blanket

• toy 

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What brand of food do we feed?
We feed Nutrisource Large Breed Puppy Chicken Meal & Rice Recipe.        

  

How much and when should I feed?
We feed first thing in the morning.

At breakfast we allow puppies to eat their fill (put down roughly 2-3 cups). Whatever they don't eat, pick back up.

We feed dinner at 4pm. This is a smaller meal. 1-1 ½ cups. This will allow ample time for the puppy to digest and go potty before bedtime in the kennel.

💡 PRO TIP for training: using breakfast time to do a training session using the food as reward, then whatever kibble is left over -  set in a dish for the puppy to eat from.

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When should I switch from puppy food to adult food?
We recommend switching from puppy food to adult food at 6 months. 

 

Should I pull up water?
No, we don’t recommend ever picking up water.  Puppies need to stay as hydrated as possible.

At the same time, don't let the puppy chug a bunch of water right before they go into the kennel at night, or you will need to spend more time outside. 

 

What kind of treats should I get?

Boiled chicken breast is a first choice and a healthy option. We also love any kind of treats with the least amount of ingredients possible or whole food ingredients with no preservatives.

Our favorites are freeze-dried one-ingredient treats. Some of our go to treats are
 

• Pure Bite’s chicken or beef liver

• Instinct Raw Boost Mixers Gut Health Pumpkin

• Boss Dog ProPuffs
  
  In addition we love Bully Sticks.
  
  Nature Gnaws or Cadet Brand Bully sticks from Costco are great.
  
  No rawhides or Nylabones. 
  
  A Kong stuffed with frozen plain non fat yogurt or a small amount of peanut butter.  

 

What vitamins should I buy?

We use Nuvet Plus K-9 Powder or Wafers.

I recommend powder and just throw a pinch on top of the breakfast meal. If you get wafers we use ¼ wafer (No matter what the bottle says). Use order code  28220. 
 

What kind of crate should I buy?

Any brand of PLASTIC kennel. Not wire. Wire kennels pose a safety hazard for learning puppies.

Plastic kennel size recommendations (They can vary by brand):

• Mini litters: Medium 20-22 inch height kennel

• Medium litters: Large 24-26 inch height kennel

• Standard litters: Extra large 26-28 inch height kennel

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What should be in the kennel at night?

A towel or thin blanket (we provide a thin blanket in our go home bags that is perfect for the kennel).

No crate mats or dog beds. This will cause them to overheat and cry more in return. With a towel they can choose to lay on it to sleep on it or push it to the side if they are hot.

 

Where should I have my kennel located?
Away from the bedroom.

We keep the puppies in the laundry room or by the back door (convenient for when they get out of the crate as it is right there for a potty trip).

They sleep better without hearing you rustling around and getting up for bathroom breaks during the night. Also this is great practice to avoid separation anxiety. Puppies need to learn it is ok to be away from you for extended periods of time.

💡 PRO TIP: Facing a little Fan towards their kennel helps with sleeping at night.

 

Should I use potty pads?
No! We do not use potty pads inside the kennel or house.

We don't want to associate going to the bathroom with being in the house.

💡 PRO TIP: if you live in an apartment or highrise, we recommend you get a grass pad and put it on your patio/porch.

What do I do if I catch my puppy going to the bathroom in the house?
If they are actively in the act, loudly say “NO”, you can also add a clap. Immediately take them outside.

If you find an accident, clean it up and try adding more frequent trips outside. We never scold a puppy for accidents that have already happened.

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Setting Boundaries in the house: 

We never allow jumping, mouthing at hands, clothes or the body.

We do not allow puppies on furniture. Even though your puppy is little now these habits will be less and less cute as they grow.

If you wouldn't want a 70 pound dog doing it,  you don't want your puppy doing it.

Setting boundaries promotes a positive relationship and reduces the chances of problematic behavior in the future.

If you watch dogs in a natural setting you will see them set boundaries with each other all the time.

For example, if you watch dogs playing together, if one gets a little too rough, the other is likely to assert itself and put a pause to the game. You may see a growl, snarl, “nip” or correction. When play resumes, the first dog will be careful to respect the boundaries set by the other. 

 

Monitoring the behavior between Puppy and Children:

Puppies will mimic the behavior around them.

If kids play by running around, puppies will follow suit. This play is ok but needs to be monitored closely. As a parent you must be a referee. This play can lead to mouthing. You must intervene and correct this behavior.

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How do I correct my puppy?

You want to have a correction noise and word.

At LK Bernese we use a sharp inhale noise through the mouth/teeth. You could alternatively use a clap.

Our correction words are “No” and “Enough.”

Puppy will learn your correction noise and words. If you see your puppy doing an unwanted behavior you can use your correction noise or word. 

If the puppy does not stop the behavior with your noise or word this needs to be followed up by a physical correction.

We use hands for loving and feet for correction. Using your foot to tap your puppy can be a correction. You can also use the scruff of the neck. A tap or touch is the same thing a mom or other dog would do to correct when boundaries are not  being respected. 

 

What is a reward?
Most people think of a reward as only a treat or cookie.

Reward is also talk, touch and eye contact.

When you see bad behavior remember to not talk or touch the puppy.

For example, if your puppy is jumping, you do not talk, touch or make eye contact. First put the puppy into a command (Sit command is great), WAIT for the puppy to hold this command for a minimum of 5 seconds, then reward! 

We love chest pets as a reward. This is an uplifting reward. You will see a puppy come over in a proud and confident chest raised stance. 

 

How often should I bathe?
Bathe sparingly.

You want to keep the natural oils on the skin and not dry out the coat. During training we will bathe once a week.

Once a puppy is socialized and respectful for baths, we space them out. 

Your puppy should already be on a 3-4 week schedule with your groomer, this isn't only for baths but to maintain their socializations towards being dropped off with someone else, put on a table etc,... also groomers can catch any areas you may be missing after your daily brushing.

 

What kind of shampoo should I use?
We love Earth Bath Ultra- Mild Puppy shampoo.

For whitening we love Farnam Vetrolin White N’ Brite (to be used sparingly on white areas only). 

How often should I use the blower?
For training use the blower at least every other day.

Blow out your puppy using no heat. It’s great for training but will also keep your house clean! It's a great practice to blow out puppies' feet when coming back into the house.

When using the blower keep the nozzle close to the skin and use slow sweeping motions.

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Should I buy a professional grooming blow dryer and what brand?

Yes, buy the blower! Any brand is great. I would recommend one that has an adjustable dial so you can choose the velocity. Check out our Product Recommendations page

 

What brand of brush should I use?
We use the Chris Christensen Big G Slicker.

It has long pins that penetrate deep into their thicker long coat. The pins and cushion are flexible and help combat tough tangles and mats. 

 

How often should I brush my puppy?
Everyday.

I brush at the end of the day when I'm watching tv. Make sure you thoroughly brush the backs of the legs, armpits, and behind the ears. 

 

Should I brush my puppy's teeth?
Yes.
You can use any kind of toothbrush, it doesn't need to be a dog toothbrush.

We use a small glass with half Listerine and half water and dip the toothbrush. Listerine will actually freshen the breath better than most dog toothpaste. 

 

Should I crate my puppy in the car?
I don't.

I prefer to teach my puppies to be confident riding in the car without being crated. I don’t allow them to run back and forth and be wild. I teach them to remain in one seat or on the floorboard. 

Do you recommend puppy puzzles?
Yes, mental stimulation is huge!

Puppy puzzles, snuffle mats, or playing hide and go seek are all fun ways to work the brain.

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