If there's any constant in breeding, it's the fact that you never stop learning. And no day is EVER the same twice. You can count on that. The first chirp from my phone came in at 6:41 this morning ... "oh no my doodle got into my purse and got my chewing gum!" Now my own dogs have gotten into plenty that they shouldn't have, but gum is a first for me. I told her to use peroxide to induce vomiting - get it out. I called my vet, and they said the same - induce vomiting. Good Doodle Mommy that she it, Kiley was already calling her vet's office too ... the vet's advice: "induce vomiting immediate ..read more

These two most recent litters, like litters past, are getting the same “I want a girl” inquiries that have become commonplace for us. It happens so frequently in fact, I recently posed the question to a Breeder Group I participate in, with the intent to discern if its just me or do other breeders experience this as well. I would say a good 80% of our prospective clients are dead set on a female pup, 10% want a male, and the remaining 10% have no gender preference. Almost all of the breeders who participated in the discussion reported the same. I always ask “Why a girl?” when interviewing fami ..read more

When pups transition from breeder to family, one of the most critical components I stress to folks - no. dietary. changes. At least not for now. The stress of puppy leaving everything he knows is real, and unfortunately can result in digestive upset. Change pupper's food and introducing rich treats right off the bat is going to put a serious kink in your house training efforts. It'll get messy and quick. If you feed it, it must be good - right? Well, we like to think so! We've been with several brands over the years, and here's the thing with dog food: it changes. And change doesn't always equ ..read more

Quarantine. Isolation. Imminent death. Parvovirus. All words that are a nightmare for any breeder to hear. My first experience with parvo was years ago when I was considering breeding but hadn't yet taken the steps to build a program. A very close friend of mine had (and still has!) a Morkie who was stricken. It came on hard and fast like a freight train - terrifying to say the least. My friend and I were very close. We worked together, played together, used the same vet, lived in the same community. I will never forget the days we sat in the vet's office holding hands, crying and praying for ..read more

In true 2020 form, Halloween will be a mighty different experience this year. I’m bummed for the kiddos, but I’m secretly kinda happy for the dogs. Is that wrong? Put yourself in your dogs paws for a sec. Strangers ringing the doorbell again and again, the door open / shut / open / shut, Littles in strange attire, masks … not exactly a calming experience for a dog.  Some dogs have the personality, maturity, and training to positively revel in the experience. My Buddy was that dog. He thought everyone was coming to see him. Like his own personal Doodle Appreciation Parade. He loved it. Bu ..read more

In a phone conversation with a prospective client this morning, I was asked if we utilize the #ENS (#earlyneurologicalstimulation) protocol. Not a question we get very often, but I was happy to answer with the affirmative. If you’re new to the term, here’s a video demonstration of what ENS looks like and why it’s so important. Giving our Littles the best start possible! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFcn8qH9M6s Be sure to visit our FAQ section on our website to find out more ..read more

I’m a Pisces. Water is my therapy, and so I love it when my dogs enjoy the water as much as I do. Whether we are swimming in a pool, sandbar chilling on the river, or in the salty Gulf, we always take precautions to keep the doodles safe and healthy. A life jacket is a good idea and will give you peace of mind. My swimmers are skilled and strong and don’t necessarily need a vest for safety reasons, but wearing one keeps them from working too hard. This means they can enjoy the water for longer periods without exhaustion. And I love the handle on the top … a huge help when I’m pulling one back ..read more

We get many calls from folks who have lost a beloved pet, and their stories always break my heart. Some want a puppy STAT ... the house is too empty, too quiet, they need a distraction from their grief. Some are the polar opposite ... they need time to grieve, and I hear this on the regular: "When he passed I swore I'd never have another pet - my heart can't take another loss like that." The latter. That was me when we lost Buddy to lymphoma last summer. I still struggle with that loss a year later. Just typing this has the tears rolling. But this is a Happy Post, so let's not go there! We are ..read more

When pups transition from breeder to family, one of the most critical components I stress to folks - no. dietary. changes. At least not for now. The stress of puppy leaving everything he knows is real, and unfortunately can result in digestive upset. Change pupper's food and introducing rich treats right off the bat is going to put a serious kink in your house training efforts. It'll get messy and quick. If you feed it, it must be good - right? Well, we like to think so! We've been with several brands over the years, and here's the thing with dog food: it changes. And change doesn't always equ ..read more

Know this - I giggled at the thought of it at first. Seriously, a drop of oil and your headache goes bye bye? A drop of oil from a plant, no less. On top of that, I've always been from the school of thought "if one works, two works better/faster" and I apply this to anything from ibuprofen to pepto to a cocktail. I have never been one of those "everything in moderation" kinda peeps. I'm all in or nothing at all. It's a fault, but I'm working on it. So to think "one drop"? .... yeah, right. To say I was skeptical of the Essential Oil craze would be an understatement, but a friend of mine dragge ..read more