Picking a puppy that's right for you

We prefer the wire fold down crates for training in our home and the plastic dome ones for travelling.  When bringing your pup home in a vehicle, we would recommend securing the pup in a crate, or being held by your co-pilot.  For the home crate, we usually start with a 24” crate and move up in size. The 36” wire crate is usually big enough for our adult doodles and they are available with a divider, so you could start with this and adjust as your pup grows. 

We recommend you invest in an exercise pen, baby gate and/or folding room dividers.  Now, before your pup comes home and while you have the time, evaluate your room space and decide what you need to contain your pup.  Your pup will want to be in the same room with you.  We section off our home to make an area smaller to assist with potty training.  If we are in the kitchen, so is our pup. That way, we are aware if they starts sniffing about, and can run our pup outside to potty.

TIP: Winners has great dividers in their pet section, and they are dog friendly!  A great place to bring your pup for socialization and training.    

Our preferred kibble, and the one your pup will be on when they go home to you, is TLC. We did our research and tested it out with our own dogs for a full year and we highly recommend it. We love it for many reasons but here are a few:

• It is Canadian made with all ingredients sourced in Canada, except the lamb and mussels, which are from New Zealand. 
• You won’t find it in a store, they ship directly to your door, for free! 
• The price point is great! 
• TLC has NEVER had a recall on any of their pet food.

Here is the link https://tlcpetfood.com/nutrition/zoesdoodles. Use this coupon code to save an additional $5 (one time use only). If you are part of a present litter, I will enter your name and email into their system, and they should send a reminder to you a week or more before your puppy comes home. 

You will need a brush (either pin or slicker), metal comb, small rounded tip scissors and nail clippers. Your pup has had their nails trimmed weekly starting at 2 weeks of age.  We use human nail clippers to start with and go to the dog nail clippers around 3-4 months of age.

Finding a good groomer is important but routine brushing and trims are vital for keeping your pup safe and healthy between grooms. We use grooming as a bonding time for our pups. When we settle in for a family movie, we move to the floor and spend the time touching and stroking our doodles. 

Chose a quiet time in your day for you and your pup. If they initially want to play with the brush, just smooth down their hair with the backside of the brush and always leave it on a positive note.  

I urge you to keep this weekly routine of personal care for your puppy and to book an early 'introduction to the groomer' appointment. Most groomers really appreciate this initial time to ensure your puppy has a good experience creating the foundation for positive future relationships.

Probiotics or 100% pure canned pumpkin is a great source of fiber and creates consistency in a doodle’s bowel movement.  We recommend one spoonful mixed with kibble twice a day for a puppy with diarrhea. 

TIP: We freeze it in ice cube trays (like baby food) and store them in the freezer until we need some.  

Insurance, a great idea especially for the puppy stage or first year.  As a breeder, we have an agreement with Trupanion, where they will provide you with 30 days of pet insurance, completely free to you!  We will enter in your contact information and all you have to do is activate it within 24 hours of picking up your puppy, either before or after.  You do not have to provide a credit card or payment information.  You receive a  free month and one reminder to sign up, which is your choice.  

We understand the excitement on puppy pickup day, so having the important stuff all taken care prior, can give you (and us) peace of mind and allow you to fully embrace the joy and excitement of your new family member.