Frequently Asked Questions

They get a 6wk vaccine and then 3wks after that I have them scheduled for the 9wk vaccines. They don’t leave until after that appointment, at 10wks old, pending they are doing well and we feel they are ready.

We send a puppy pack with each pup. This will include some food, a small puppy/baby blanket that I have rubbed over mom and siblings, a toy, their paperwork, etc.

I feed Purina ProPlan Small Breed puppy.  I do mix in Purina One puppy and Puppy Chow throughout those few weeks. I do that, because, in my opinion, it helps with less stomach sensitivities. It may not but if I have to change food in an emergency situation for any reason or choose to give a special “treat” they have fewer upset stomachs from it. Emergency mentioned is referring to, like out of town and run out of food…not as easy to find all ProPlan varieties but Walmart and grocery stores normally have Purina One and Puppy Chow. Now that’s what I start them on because the small breed is tiny kibble. Before they leave, I will have been mixing in the ProPlan puppy salmon (sensitive skin & stomach). My adults are all on that variety. I feed that since I have Chinese Cresteds that are prone to skin issues, as a breed, and the salmon has the extra oils, so they do better.  It makes it easier for me with two breeds to just feed the same, since they all do well on it. 

The AKC breed standard states that, “The Miniature Poodle is 15 inches or under at the highest point of the shoulders, with a minimum height in excess of 10 inches.” Now that’s the standard…doesn’t mean you won’t occasionally get over or undersized.  

After they leave the whelping box, which is after 3wks, they begin sleeping in a crate with mom overnight. We begin taking outside at 7wks to potty. That gives the first vaccine time to be in their system. Some say the 6wk vaccines are a throwaway and not necessary but since we don’t know for a fact when the protection from mom stops, I like to do it. This will help put them well on their way before going home; however, new surroundings, new routines, new family, etc. will require patience and time to get the puppy on your schedule, so be prepared for some cleanups at first. Just be consistent and you’ll succeed. 😊 During this time, I begin separating the pups in crates. This will help them to adjust to sleeping alone, but I still have mom and possibly siblings, so expect the first few nights to be the hardest with crating. 

I did rescue work for 20yrs, so I am adamant about exposing to anything I can. I usually have kids and teenagers to come over to help socialize pups. My feelings are that a puppy’s world turns upside down the day he/she leaves mom and siblings. There is absolutely no reason for a puppy to have to get used to a vacuum or rattling pots/pans or normal household sounds. I feel that is my responsibility to introduce them to as much as I can before they leave. This allows them to only have to adjust to their new family and surroundings. 

I will be watching conformation primarily. I have a dear friend, who has been my mentor along the way, that will come over and help to assess the conformation. I, also, will be training how to stand on the table and taking pics along the way. This way I can work with other conformation exhibitors to get their feelings. I want the closest I can get to a perfect poodle. Now we all know that there is NO PERFECT dog. They may be perfect for us as pets, but, when it comes to showing, we are looking for the one that closest meets the standard. I love an outgoing personality…that LOOK AT ME personality. That’s something that some show dogs have, but others don’t. I won’t even consider one for the show ring that doesn’t have that temperament. This is another reason why I love my vet and his staff. They are fantastic in allowing me to really let the pups have fun and make it a positive experience. Too many people never take their pups to the vet except to get shots, which isn’t very fun, so the pups grow up associating a vet’s office with pain and negativity. I don’t want that. By doing this, I have another opportunity to see their personalities shine away from home. 

Absolutely! We will always welcome one back so that a more suitable home can be found; however, we do not provide any type of refund. 

Health guarantees are really becoming a difficult thing to do, just because so many environmental factors are being discovered to influence certain things. Like with hips, if a new owner is allowing their puppies to jump on and off furniture, beds, decks, etc., the hips can be affected. If someone takes a 5-month-old puppy out running with them…. I’m not talking about playing in the backyard, but running, like a mile or more, that’s hard on a growing pup’s joints. Things like that can affect. Nutrition…if not provided with proper nutrition, it can affect growing. With that said, I stand behind my pups for a lifetime. I do the health testing and do everything in my power to only produce healthy pups. I will be there to offer guidance and assistance anytime you need it. I started doing this because I grew up with purebreds and I lost a couple of dogs, very dear to my heart, at young ages, due to bad breeding. My goal is to help other families to not go through that pain. Due to this, I ask everyone to please let me know if something does arise. I can’t improve my breeding program if I’m not made aware of any issues that arise.  

More than anything, I want you to provide a lifelong loving home to your pup. I put my heart into these babies and every single time one leaves, that puppy takes a piece of my heart with him. I ask that you work closely with your vet to determine the proper vaccines and preventatives. I do highly recommend taking puppy classes with your pup to continue the necessary socializing and basic manners. I would love to see every single one of our pups out there in the show ring or in some type of performance, but not everyone wants to do that, which is why we choose the pup we feel is best for the family. I do ask that the pup be registered with my kennel name, Erisse, in it. I have registered names picked out as I do like to do litter themes, but once you’ve decided for sure, then bring a name with you at pick up and we will register while you’re here. That way you know it’s done, and I cover the cost of that. If you have a hard time choosing, I will have one ready, but that is simply the registered name…call name is entirely your choice. 😊 Last, but far from least, please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. I will be the first person to admit that I don’t know everything, but I will do everything I can to help you get an answer or assistance. During pick up, plan to be here for a little bit of time, because we go through the registration process plus I walk you through how to register the microchip. Once again, I cover the cost on that. 

Please do provide updates! You are not required to message all the time, but periodically. I love seeing and hearing updates. Even if it’s just a yearly birthday msg or whatever. More importantly, let me know of any health issues that show up, even later in life. Hopefully, you’ll never have any, but just like with humans…we never know when one of us will get sick or have a reaction to something. It happens, but, once again, I can’t improve if I don’t know. 

Pets are sold on limited registration, no exceptions. Show and performance homes are approved on case by case basis and must be referred by someone I know.