What sets us apart from other breeders.
Every breeder has their stories and process. Here is ours – We are a family that loves the companionship of dogs as well as the margin they add to our lives. Dogs require us to slow down, relax, be on time, pay attention, honor nature, and get our regular exercise. They are a privilege, not a luxury. We try to be as transparent as possible in the way we hand raise our puppies and take care of our dogs. They are our in-home companions, not in our backyard locked up like chickens. We are always evolving and educating ourselves to get better but we know this, there is a major problem with puppy mills and puppy farms in America and we want to be the difference. When we were looking for our own dogs, it seemed IMPOSSIBLE to find an honest and honorable breeder but they are out there, just sometimes hard to find! We start our puppies on curriculum for therapy and service dogs (including work of Scott and Fuller), as well as the PUPPY CULTURE PROGRAM and the BADASS BREEDER WAY. We are constantly learning from long-time ethical breeders, and following AKC standards. Here is a snapshot of what we have implemented in our home program so far as well as performing daily linen changes, and daily cleaning/sanitation of puppy and dog area.
Week 1
Focus on Dam care (check temp, mastitis prevention, keep clean, special diet, and careful attention to make sure she’s recovering well); ensure puppies are on a warm/dry floor, and begin ENS/ESI exercises on day 3. Dew claw removal on day 4 on all puppies, and proper tail docking on standard poodle puppies.
Week 2
Making sure everyone is gaining weight and continuing our ENS/ESI. End this week with mama and puppies getting their first deworming session. We still handle them minimally as they are blind/deaf at this point and depend on their scent to get to mama for milk supply.
Week 3
Puppies are starting to open their eyes and hear sounds. We finish our neurological exercises at this point and start holding them very gently and frequently. They are still kept in a very warm and dry environment at this point. Puppy pee pads are placed in the same spot every day & night to begin their “potty training process.” First nail trim.
Week 4
This is their fear week and we try to avoid anything that would instill fear into them including avoiding loud sounds, new objects, or new people. No one handles them at this point other than my husband and I. They receive their second deworming medication this week.
Week 5
Weaning process begins from solely mama’s milk to puppy mush made of goat’s milk, coconut oil and small amounts of high quality puppy food. We also start introducing puppies to foreign objects and sounds. Sounds are introduced during meal time to instill a pleasant experience. Second nail trim.
Week 6
We begin taking puppies outside to play and potty multiple times a day. They begin crate training this week as well as receive their final deworming medicine. First practice groom session takes place this week.
Week 7
BIG WEEK! Vet visit with first shots and health clearance. Friends of ours perform the Vohard aptitude test on our puppies, we continue with potty training introduction and crate training introduction. Puppy picking order begins.
Week 8
Final week of socializing in our home and family. We prep everything for go-home day and continue with crate-training and potty training introduction. They have their final practice groom session and nail trim.
Go Home Day
Most exhausting and rewarding day ever! When you are officially united with your puppy. Your puppy will come home with a folder with care instructions, LOTS of paperwork (including family lineage, a vet report, training materials), a food starter bag, mama scent blanket, and a toy to start your new adventure with your new furry family member!
In the event that we have puppies here beyond 8 weeks, they begin puppy kindergarten in our home. This includes crate training, extensive potty training, extensive socialization, learning “sit” and “come.” We also take them for their second round of vaccines to our vet, they get started on heart-worm medication, and we continue socialization with new people and experiences.
“We have had nothing but an unbelievable experience with Natalya and Larry. Our puppy, Sophie is extraordinary. Natalya goes above and beyond to ensure your puppy is as prepared to take home as possible. We felt so comfortable knowing they were in a great home for the first 8 weeks of their lives. Natalya keeps you updated on the puppies development from the moment they are born until you take them home. Theo & Rosie, the parents from our litter, are beautiful dogs and are also clearly well taken care of as family pets of Natalya and Larry. We don’t have enough good things to say about this breeder!”
Dakota
“We had been looking for the perfect Goldendoodle pup for over two years before we found Abner Creek Doodles and it was well worth our wait!”
“Everything about this small family-owned breeder exceeded our expectations. The attention to detail in every step of the way is unsurpassed, from early socialization (e.g., ESI and ENS), incredible communication (even before the pups were born) and even temperament testing (i.e., Volhard) to ensure each pup is matched with their perfect forever family. Not to mentioned, you are kept updated on everything all along and are sent home with a super comprehensive and thoughtful puppy package that sets you up for absolute success.”
Nathalia
Abner Creek Poodles & Doodles 