Frequently Asked Questions
Thank you for checking out Dewey Creek Farm Goldens!
We are a small family-run breeding program with only a few breeding dogs, our dogs live indoors and outdoors and spend their days with us. They are part of the family. Our goal is to breed litters with excellent health and temperament. Each female is evaluated before breeding for good health and weight, and even after they are finished breeding, our dogs continue to be loved and cared for as family pets.
Bringing home a new puppy is SO fun and exciting! Please also remember that owning a puppy is a commitment of approximately 10-14 years, the life of your dog. It is extremely rewarding, but requires time, regular care, exercise, and vet visits.
What do you breed?
We breed AKC Golden Retrievers. All Golden Retrievers originate from Scotland in 1868, when Lord Tweedmouth bred his gold-colored, wavy-coated sporting dog Nous to a liver-colored water spaniel, resulting in the first litter of Golden Retrievers. Goldens Retrievers now range in shades of light to dark gold, and are a popular breed all over the world. The females will grow to be about 55-65lbs, males about 65-75lbs. They have friendly personalities, are good family dogs, playful, easily trainable, love attention, and some make great therapy or service dogs. They typically love water and many have natural retrieving instincts.
We are a small family-run breeding program with only a few breeding dogs, our dogs live indoors and outdoors and spend their days with us. They are part of the family. Our goal is to breed litters with excellent health and temperament. Each female is evaluated before breeding for good health and weight, and even after they are finished breeding, our dogs continue to be loved and cared for as family pets.
Bringing home a new puppy is SO fun and exciting! Please also remember that owning a puppy is a commitment of approximately 10-14 years, the life of your dog. It is extremely rewarding, but requires time, regular care, exercise, and vet visits.
What do you breed?
We breed AKC Golden Retrievers. All Golden Retrievers originate from Scotland in 1868, when Lord Tweedmouth bred his gold-colored, wavy-coated sporting dog Nous to a liver-colored water spaniel, resulting in the first litter of Golden Retrievers. Goldens Retrievers now range in shades of light to dark gold, and are a popular breed all over the world. The females will grow to be about 55-65lbs, males about 65-75lbs. They have friendly personalities, are good family dogs, playful, easily trainable, love attention, and some make great therapy or service dogs. They typically love water and many have natural retrieving instincts.
About us!
Our first puppy we ever had was Bella, a mutt of unknown breeding from a farm that had a 'surprise' litter. Half the litter had died from being run over by cars, and the mama and puppies, while not abused, were malnourished and thin and had mostly been fed table scraps. The pups were pot-bellied from worms and had not received any dewormer. We took our puppy home, and within 6 months we discovered our puppy had hip dysplasia. We were already emotionally attached to her so opted to fork out the money on her hip surgeries, which were very expensive. Our "free" puppy ended up costing as much as a well-bred puppy would have! She was the best dog in temperament, and well worth the investment, but she still suffered from weak hips all her life.
This is why we breed our dogs the way we do! We test for genetic faults and diseases, we give necessary deworming, vet evaluations, and good nutrition. We do our best to keep the pups safe from exposure to illness like parvo, and we give them age appropriate socialization. We consider it insurance and an investment in the breed to put forth the time, energy, and money to breed healthy pups from the start. We stand behind our puppies -- It is our goal to be a resource of help and information for our puppies' families. If you ever come to a place in life that you need to re-home your dog, we would be happy to help you find a home or take it back. We don’t want any of our puppies to ever end up in a shelter, and we will do what we can to help. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to contact us!
Our first puppy we ever had was Bella, a mutt of unknown breeding from a farm that had a 'surprise' litter. Half the litter had died from being run over by cars, and the mama and puppies, while not abused, were malnourished and thin and had mostly been fed table scraps. The pups were pot-bellied from worms and had not received any dewormer. We took our puppy home, and within 6 months we discovered our puppy had hip dysplasia. We were already emotionally attached to her so opted to fork out the money on her hip surgeries, which were very expensive. Our "free" puppy ended up costing as much as a well-bred puppy would have! She was the best dog in temperament, and well worth the investment, but she still suffered from weak hips all her life.
This is why we breed our dogs the way we do! We test for genetic faults and diseases, we give necessary deworming, vet evaluations, and good nutrition. We do our best to keep the pups safe from exposure to illness like parvo, and we give them age appropriate socialization. We consider it insurance and an investment in the breed to put forth the time, energy, and money to breed healthy pups from the start. We stand behind our puppies -- It is our goal to be a resource of help and information for our puppies' families. If you ever come to a place in life that you need to re-home your dog, we would be happy to help you find a home or take it back. We don’t want any of our puppies to ever end up in a shelter, and we will do what we can to help. If you ever have any questions, please feel free to contact us!
|
Bella, our first dog, we really loved her! |
|
What health testing do your dogs have?
Pennhip (hips) and OFA hips, elbows, eyes, heart
Embark DNA genetic disease panel: PRA-PRCD, PRA1, PRA2, NCL, DM, MD, ICT, DEB, OI (none of our puppies are affected by these)
Pennhip (hips) and OFA hips, elbows, eyes, heart
Embark DNA genetic disease panel: PRA-PRCD, PRA1, PRA2, NCL, DM, MD, ICT, DEB, OI (none of our puppies are affected by these)
What do your puppies come with?
AKC Limited Registration (no breeding rights)
microchip
veterinarian exam and first vaccinations at 7 weeks
deworming at 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks
a 'puppy care pack' - includes puppy collar, small bag food, blanket with the litter's scent, toy, information
Puppy Culture (socialization program), ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation), ESI (Early Scent Introduction)
beginning basic training
started on potty training
breeder support
How do I pick my puppy?
We match families based on our weeks of observing the puppies and their development, the family’s lifestyle and needs/experience, and the temperament testing we do at 7 weeks. I take input from each family on their preference in the litter, but I do not just take people’s money and give them the puppy they want, it is a more involved and relational process.
Can I visit my puppy?
In order to protect our mamas and puppies from illness coming in off the farm or added stress (which can lead to illness) we try to limit visitors. We host puppy visit days as part of their socialization process, for those who have reserved a puppy from the litter. We post litter updates and photos under our 'updates' tab here on our website. Please contact us to schedule a visit.
Will you ship my puppy?
No, I’m sorry we do not ship, but you are welcome to fly in, meet us and our dogs, pick up your puppy at 8 weeks old, and fly home with your puppy. This will be safer and less traumatic for your puppy to fly in cabin instead of shipping in cargo.
What else will my puppy need after I bring it home?
-puppy harness and leash
-Puppy food - we feed our puppies Royal Canin Puppy dry food
-Chew toys - we like Chuck-it balls, Kong toys, or hard Nylabones/ Benebones/ Barkbones - do not give your puppy cooked bones or any toy that could be chewed and swallowed, this can result in impaction or other digestive injury
-A crate with towels, blanket, or kennel pad
-A fenced yard
-grooming slicker brush, rake brush, and comb, nailclippers or dremel
-Schedule a New Puppy Wellness Exam with your Veterinarian within 4 days of bringing home, to ensure your puppy is in good health. This is insurance for you, and for us as the breeders.
-Age appropriate vaccinations and Rabies vaccine at 15/16weeks.
Helpful Tips:
If you rent your home, please confirm that your landlord approves owning a full-sized dog in that home.
Find a veterinarian you like before bringing your puppy home.
Please DO NOT take your puppy to heavily trafficked areas (including dog parks) until he/she has had their full course of vaccinations, including rabies at the age of 16 weeks.
We sell our puppies on a spay/neuter contract, meaning you will need to spay or neuter puppy to help prevent unplanned breedings.
Babies and young children should be supervised with a family dog or puppy, no matter how trustworthy the dog is. Spend time showing your children how to play appropriately with the dog. This is for your children's safety, as well as your dog's.
Puppies need regular exercise, whether it be a walk or jog, throwing a ball, or a fenced yard to roam and play in freely. They do enjoy and need daily interaction and training. But be careful that you don't overdo it. Too much or too strenuous exercise can harm growing joints and cause long-term issues like hip dysplasia. Please talk with your veterinarian on age appropriate exercise.
Remember your puppy is still growing. He/She will need lots of sleep. Like a human child they can become overstimulated or stressed when tired and/or hungry.
Having a fenced yard will give your dog a safe place to play and be outside without having to have eyes on him at all times. Be prepared to spend time teaching your puppy the boundaries of its yard, especially if it’s not fenced.
Be careful not leave the dog alone in a vehicle if the outdoor temperature is over 65 degrees.
Prevent your dog from having access to toxic materials.
What do I feed my puppy?
Feed a highly-rated, good quality puppy food until at least 10 months, then gradually switch to an adult dog food. Do not feed a grain-free food as studies have shown that a grain-free diet can contribute to heart disease called Dilated Cardiomyopathy. We feed our puppies and adult dogs Royal Canin brand dog foods.
How often should I feed my puppy?
Your puppy should be fed 3 times a day(Morning, Afternoon & Evening) You can decrease to 2 feedings per day at around 5-6 months of age. For best potty training results, do not feed after 6 pm.
Potty training tips-
Be Patient! The key thing to house training your puppy is to BE CONSISTENT, and LOTS OF PRAISE. Take your puppy outside to go potty after waking form sleep and 20 min after eating/drinking, preferably to the same location in the yard. Give him a command “go potty” or whatever you choose to say (everyone in the family should be on board with the same commands for every thing you teach your puppy). PRAISE him when he does it! Take him outside every 1 1/2 hours or more often if he doesn’t go when you take him out, for the first few weeks. Take him out in the middle of the night to crate train so he won’t soil his bedding or the floor. It’s tiring, but it WILL pay off sooner than later with fewer accidents! A puppy does not have full bladder control until around 16 weeks, so accidents can happen. Do not scold your puppy if he goes potty inside, clap your hands to distract him in the act, pick him up and take him immediately outside. Place soiled cleaning material in outside potty area, let your puppy sniff and then praise them. Rubbing his nose in his mess in the house DOES NOT WORK. Consistency and positive reinforcement for doing it outside will work. (Be mindful of their cues. Whining. Circling. Scratching at the door. After eating, drinking, waking from sleep, etc.)
Crate Training:
Choose a well-ventilated crate that is large enough for your puppy to stand up, lie down, and turn around. Remember that your puppy’s crate will have to grow as he does, so purchase a crate that is appropriate for your dog’s expected full-grown size, and use a divider to make the crate smaller for the time being.
Why size matters: A crate that’s too small will be uncomfortable for your dog, but a crate that’s too large may give your dog the space he needs to have an accident without it ruining his bedding. This behavior might encourage future accidents in the crate and around the home.
The most important part of crate training is making sure your puppy always associates it with a positive experience.
Start by lining it with blankets and place a few toys inside to make it cozy. You can also cover it with a lightweight blanket to mimic a “den” environment. Make sure it is still ventilated and not too hot if you do this.
Bring your puppy to the crate for naps and quiet-time breaks so that he can “unwind” from family chaos. Start in increments of 10 minutes and work up to longer periods. Offer treats when he goes inside, and distraction toys, like a stuffed KONG.
Every time you take the puppy out of the crate, take him for a walk so he can eliminate. He’ll get used to the idea that potty time comes after crate time. Remember to praise him after he goes to the bathroom outside.
It’s also helpful to keep puppies in the crate overnight. They may cry the first night or two—in most cases, they are simply adjusting to home without their mom and litter mates. Most puppies should be able to sleep through the night without a potty break by 4 months of age, but if you’re in doubt, take him outside.
Never leave a puppy in his crate all day; he needs several bathroom breaks, as well as play and feeding times. Even though he won’t want to soil his sleeping area, if he is in there for extremely long stretches, he just might. (He can’t help it!) And if he does, it is because his owner has neglected his responsibility, not because the dog has misbehaved.
Never use the crate as punishment. Your dog should see his “room” as a place where only happy, peaceful things happen.
Be patient, learning takes time. If you follow the above advice and are consistent, your puppy will learn to love his crate and see it as a safe place.
AKC Limited Registration (no breeding rights)
microchip
veterinarian exam and first vaccinations at 7 weeks
deworming at 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks
a 'puppy care pack' - includes puppy collar, small bag food, blanket with the litter's scent, toy, information
Puppy Culture (socialization program), ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation), ESI (Early Scent Introduction)
beginning basic training
started on potty training
breeder support
How do I pick my puppy?
We match families based on our weeks of observing the puppies and their development, the family’s lifestyle and needs/experience, and the temperament testing we do at 7 weeks. I take input from each family on their preference in the litter, but I do not just take people’s money and give them the puppy they want, it is a more involved and relational process.
Can I visit my puppy?
In order to protect our mamas and puppies from illness coming in off the farm or added stress (which can lead to illness) we try to limit visitors. We host puppy visit days as part of their socialization process, for those who have reserved a puppy from the litter. We post litter updates and photos under our 'updates' tab here on our website. Please contact us to schedule a visit.
Will you ship my puppy?
No, I’m sorry we do not ship, but you are welcome to fly in, meet us and our dogs, pick up your puppy at 8 weeks old, and fly home with your puppy. This will be safer and less traumatic for your puppy to fly in cabin instead of shipping in cargo.
What else will my puppy need after I bring it home?
-puppy harness and leash
-Puppy food - we feed our puppies Royal Canin Puppy dry food
-Chew toys - we like Chuck-it balls, Kong toys, or hard Nylabones/ Benebones/ Barkbones - do not give your puppy cooked bones or any toy that could be chewed and swallowed, this can result in impaction or other digestive injury
-A crate with towels, blanket, or kennel pad
-A fenced yard
-grooming slicker brush, rake brush, and comb, nailclippers or dremel
-Schedule a New Puppy Wellness Exam with your Veterinarian within 4 days of bringing home, to ensure your puppy is in good health. This is insurance for you, and for us as the breeders.
-Age appropriate vaccinations and Rabies vaccine at 15/16weeks.
Helpful Tips:
If you rent your home, please confirm that your landlord approves owning a full-sized dog in that home.
Find a veterinarian you like before bringing your puppy home.
Please DO NOT take your puppy to heavily trafficked areas (including dog parks) until he/she has had their full course of vaccinations, including rabies at the age of 16 weeks.
We sell our puppies on a spay/neuter contract, meaning you will need to spay or neuter puppy to help prevent unplanned breedings.
Babies and young children should be supervised with a family dog or puppy, no matter how trustworthy the dog is. Spend time showing your children how to play appropriately with the dog. This is for your children's safety, as well as your dog's.
Puppies need regular exercise, whether it be a walk or jog, throwing a ball, or a fenced yard to roam and play in freely. They do enjoy and need daily interaction and training. But be careful that you don't overdo it. Too much or too strenuous exercise can harm growing joints and cause long-term issues like hip dysplasia. Please talk with your veterinarian on age appropriate exercise.
Remember your puppy is still growing. He/She will need lots of sleep. Like a human child they can become overstimulated or stressed when tired and/or hungry.
Having a fenced yard will give your dog a safe place to play and be outside without having to have eyes on him at all times. Be prepared to spend time teaching your puppy the boundaries of its yard, especially if it’s not fenced.
Be careful not leave the dog alone in a vehicle if the outdoor temperature is over 65 degrees.
Prevent your dog from having access to toxic materials.
What do I feed my puppy?
Feed a highly-rated, good quality puppy food until at least 10 months, then gradually switch to an adult dog food. Do not feed a grain-free food as studies have shown that a grain-free diet can contribute to heart disease called Dilated Cardiomyopathy. We feed our puppies and adult dogs Royal Canin brand dog foods.
How often should I feed my puppy?
Your puppy should be fed 3 times a day(Morning, Afternoon & Evening) You can decrease to 2 feedings per day at around 5-6 months of age. For best potty training results, do not feed after 6 pm.
Potty training tips-
Be Patient! The key thing to house training your puppy is to BE CONSISTENT, and LOTS OF PRAISE. Take your puppy outside to go potty after waking form sleep and 20 min after eating/drinking, preferably to the same location in the yard. Give him a command “go potty” or whatever you choose to say (everyone in the family should be on board with the same commands for every thing you teach your puppy). PRAISE him when he does it! Take him outside every 1 1/2 hours or more often if he doesn’t go when you take him out, for the first few weeks. Take him out in the middle of the night to crate train so he won’t soil his bedding or the floor. It’s tiring, but it WILL pay off sooner than later with fewer accidents! A puppy does not have full bladder control until around 16 weeks, so accidents can happen. Do not scold your puppy if he goes potty inside, clap your hands to distract him in the act, pick him up and take him immediately outside. Place soiled cleaning material in outside potty area, let your puppy sniff and then praise them. Rubbing his nose in his mess in the house DOES NOT WORK. Consistency and positive reinforcement for doing it outside will work. (Be mindful of their cues. Whining. Circling. Scratching at the door. After eating, drinking, waking from sleep, etc.)
Crate Training:
Choose a well-ventilated crate that is large enough for your puppy to stand up, lie down, and turn around. Remember that your puppy’s crate will have to grow as he does, so purchase a crate that is appropriate for your dog’s expected full-grown size, and use a divider to make the crate smaller for the time being.
Why size matters: A crate that’s too small will be uncomfortable for your dog, but a crate that’s too large may give your dog the space he needs to have an accident without it ruining his bedding. This behavior might encourage future accidents in the crate and around the home.
The most important part of crate training is making sure your puppy always associates it with a positive experience.
Start by lining it with blankets and place a few toys inside to make it cozy. You can also cover it with a lightweight blanket to mimic a “den” environment. Make sure it is still ventilated and not too hot if you do this.
Bring your puppy to the crate for naps and quiet-time breaks so that he can “unwind” from family chaos. Start in increments of 10 minutes and work up to longer periods. Offer treats when he goes inside, and distraction toys, like a stuffed KONG.
Every time you take the puppy out of the crate, take him for a walk so he can eliminate. He’ll get used to the idea that potty time comes after crate time. Remember to praise him after he goes to the bathroom outside.
It’s also helpful to keep puppies in the crate overnight. They may cry the first night or two—in most cases, they are simply adjusting to home without their mom and litter mates. Most puppies should be able to sleep through the night without a potty break by 4 months of age, but if you’re in doubt, take him outside.
Never leave a puppy in his crate all day; he needs several bathroom breaks, as well as play and feeding times. Even though he won’t want to soil his sleeping area, if he is in there for extremely long stretches, he just might. (He can’t help it!) And if he does, it is because his owner has neglected his responsibility, not because the dog has misbehaved.
Never use the crate as punishment. Your dog should see his “room” as a place where only happy, peaceful things happen.
Be patient, learning takes time. If you follow the above advice and are consistent, your puppy will learn to love his crate and see it as a safe place.
Basic Training: We recommend joining a puppy class, or finding a reputable trainer or kennel that offers puppy classes for basic puppy training. This will pay off in the years ahead! Finding play times with other puppies is also beneficial. Puppy classes can be a safe place for their socialization, they are less likely to be overwhelmed and intimidated if there are puppies their same age and size, and the trainers there help facilitate and teach you to train your puppy within that environment. A lot of trainers offer free puppy classes for new pups. If I could suggest ONE thing you should teach your puppy right off the bat, it would be to teach "COME" when you call him! You can feed his meals to him 1 kibble at a time when you call and he comes, by carrying a baggie of food around with you, or leaving his food dish in a convenient place like the kitchen counter, and every time you pass by call your pup and feed a kibble. Then you are giving the command to come 100 times throughout the day, and he will learn VERY quickly! Be sure to praise immediately when your puppy does something you’ve told him to do, or if you correct it and it responds well. Puppies need the immediate connection with whatever they’ve done.
