FAQ's about Started and Semi-Started Pups

What all does the pup learn?  By the time they are about 5 months old they will have basic manners, listen and obey; they will also be house and crate trained and will have learned to "ring the bells" hanging by the door when they need to go out.  They'll know: sit, stay, down, come, heel, off (no jumping-up on people or furniture), leave it, drop it, on your bed, in your crate, hurry-up (eliminate on command), go get it (retrieve), as well as some fun tricks.  A few have been taught to go get the newspaper at the request of the owner.  They can be ready as early as 16 weeks, but usually it's closer to 18 weeks.  If they are ready at 18 weeks, but you need us to keep them a bit longer, we'll check with their trainer.  If she is able, then she would be happy to do that for a nominal boarding fee of $10 for each additional day .   

How much are Started Pups and what all is included?  $3500 .  A healthy pup, it's gentle training, all shots, examinations and micro-chip, a crate, bed, The Dog Father's Perfect Dog training cds with training collar and kit, "door bells", favorite toys and a 26 month written health guarantee.

How can we secure one?  Send in a deposit check.  It helps distinguish those that say they are interested from those that really are.  The date the check is received also determines the pick order and keeps things fair.  If you are picking a young pup before it goes to it's foster home for training, you would pay half at that time and then the rest when you pick up the pup in about 10 weeks.  Should you change your mind for any reason, your deposit is always fully-refundable.

Can I pick a pup, name it and then have it trained?  Yes, if you are fortunate enough to get a pup early enough in the process. If not, the trainers will come up with a name that is hopefully acceptable or it can easily be changed also.

Can you tell me about the trainers? They are each from wonderful families and they all love dogs; especially Labs.  They are personal friends or family. They each have teen-aged daughters that enjoy and are actually quite good at what they do.  The pups go to their foster homes starting at about 7-8 weeks and live inside their home as part of that family until their training is complete at around 4 - 5 months.

Can we come visit our pup from time to time?  Yes, anytime.  We just ask that you respect the time it takes out of the trainer's day:)

Can we take him to the park or home for visits?  Yes, once their shots are complete (16 wks) and they are no longer in danger of picking up Parvo.

Can we have him neutered or her spayed before picking them up?  Yes, Only if you are willing to wait until they are 18 wks to pick up; then we can arrange to have that done when they are 16 wks and pass along the cost.  It usually costs about $200 for the boys and $250 for girls.

What can we do to prepare for our pup?  You will want to watch the dvd as a family before bringing your pup home.  That way you will be able to use commands that are familiar to him/her and  understand the reasons behind the training method.   Though the guy on the dvd seems a bit harsh sometimes; I think it's because he isn't working with a Lab.  They are usually so eager to please and in my opinion don't need to be treated harshly.  Still, it's an excellent method that is not treat-based.  Once home, the pup will have to learn your tone and voice and you will need to establish your authority.  You'll need to follow-through with maintaining the training your pup has received or they will develop bad habits and relearn that they can get away with inappropriate behavior at your house.  It's all about consistency; just like with our kids:)

What should the first days at their new home look like?  I tell new "parents" to do what school teachers do at the beginning of a new school year; start out tough and then ease up rather than visa versa.  There will still be lots of opportunities to show your new pup love, but don't give into the temptation of allowing any behavior as a pup that you wouldn't want to see in your adult dog.  In other words, keep the end goal in mind.  If you don't want an adult dog on the furniture or in your bed, or barking in it's crate when it just want out, or scratching at the door when it wants in, or begging at the dinner table, then don't let it happen as a pup. They have been taught to understand and obey "no", so don't be afraid to use it as soon as they get to your home.

What's the best way to get them acquainted with their new house?  I recommend that you limit your pup to just one room at first; the one that has the door they will use to go out and it should have their bells hanging from the knob.  For the first week or so, he should spend whatever time you can not actually be with him in his crate.  At this point they can now hold their bladder and bowels for several hours, so you should be the one to decide when you take them out.  (except for first thing in the morning:)  I would do that every hour or two at first.  Head immediately to the door, tell them to "ring the bells" with their nose, say "good boy" and take him straight to the place you want him to eliminate.  Do this simple task over and over until the path to the door and elimination spot is well known.  Once that is accomplished, you can slowly add another adjoining room to their domain every several days or so.  If there is a part of the house you don't want them in, just tell them "no... out!" and if the boundaries are not clear, you may need to "draw a line in the sand" by putting a piece of painter's masking tape on the floor temporarily.   No need to yell unless you want to train your dog to only respond to your raised voice.  Just say it in a pleasant voice and if he doesn't obey the first time, gently correct him using his collar until he understands.

Semi-Started:

I'd like to obedience train myself, but hate all the accidents and getting up at night.  Do you ever offer Semi-Started pups?  Yes, we sometimes do and for those who want to do most of the training themselves, it's a great way to save some money and get your pup sooner.  Semi-started pups usually are ready for their homes between 10-13 weeks.   By then, they will have had their crate training started and can usually make it through the night without needing to go out.  They also are mostly content in their crate and no longer cry/whine.  Most will have been taught sit, stay, and "leave it" by then.  They will have had all wormings, some of their shots as well as a microchip, but it would be up to their new owners to finish their needed vaccinations as well as altering (spay or neuter).  Their price is $3000 which includes:  A healthy pup, some basic obedience training, a good amount of crate training, some shots, a micro-chip, crate, fleece bed, The Dog Father's Perfect Dog training dvds with training collar and kit, "door bells", favorite toys and a 26 month written health guarantee. 


Started or baby?  Those with deposits on started pups may get moved up in the pick in front of those wanting babies; unless I don't have enough trainers available.  Let me explain.  If I have trainers that want to start our pups, and I have families that want their pup started, then those pups and families will get priority. If there are more pups available than there are trainers to train them, than those pups will be made available as 7 wk old babies.  Pups that are started are guaranteed a wonderful life because someone has invested in their training and that's the ultimate goal for each of my dogs.  Some seasons the trainers are too busy with school, so all or at least most of the pups will be available as babies.  I hope that makes sense.  Thanks for understanding:)