Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions
Q. Why do I have to take my shoes off and wash my hands when I arrive at your home to meet a puppy ?
A. This is to ensure that you do not carry any diseases such as parvo into the house as the puppies have not been vaccinated.
Q. Why do you feed your puppies foods other than puppy kibble?
A. it is important that puppies have a varied diet, to expose them to different tastes, textures and flavours. So long as they are suitable for a dog.
Q. Why do you give your puppies Goats milk?
A. Goats milk is highly nutritious and is very digestible for young puppies. NEVER GIVE COWS MILK TO A PUPPY, dogs cannot digest LACTOSE which is present in cow’s milk.
Q. What is the Misty Methods of house training?
A. Separate Zones: Whelping pen/enclosure is divided into separate, dedicated areas for sleeping/bedding, playing/eating, and a selected potty area positioned as far from the bed and sleeping area as possible
Q. What is Volhard aptitude test?
A. This is a 10-step evaluation and is done precisely at 49 which is 7 weeks. This helps with matching puppies to families. It consists of: Social attraction/following/restraint/social dominance/elevation dominance/retrieving/touch sensitivity/sound sensitivity/ sight sensitivity and stability.
Q. What is the difference between DNA testing and health testing?
A. DNA testing precisely analyses a dog's genetic code and to pinpoint hidden genetic risks, this is achieved by taking a cheek swab to identify inherited gene mutations.
Health testing is a broader clinical process that combines those genetic results with physical examinations, X-rays, and specialist screenings to check for structural diseases and eye tests e.g. BVA Eye Scheme used to detect hereditary and non-hereditary eye conditions.
Q. Why do you DNA colour test your dogs.
ALL OUR GIRLS ARE DNA AND HEALTH TESTED PRIOR TO BEING BRED. ALL STUDS USED ARE TESTED TO THE SAME STANDARD.
A. In dachshunds to check for hidden dapple (Merle) , this can be devastating for puppies who inherit double dapple and potentially be blind, deaf or both. Our other cocker spaniel is DNA tested so that she does not produce sable coloured puppies, which are beautiful but not breed standard.
Q. What are the different sounds you use for desensitisation? And why is it important
A. Around 3 weeks old when puppies can hear and see much better. We start this process so puppies are exposed to lots of different sounds. These include radio, vacuum cleaner, household sounds fireworks, thunder, strong winds and rain. Also, city traffic and many more. So puppies are not phased or fearful and become more rounded and relaxed in different surroundings.
Q. Why do you let your puppies go outside?
A. Weather and age appropriate all our puppies go outside and are observed at all times for their safety, this helps puppies experiencing different textures, temperatures , sounds and weather to gain confidence. It also helps with house training as puppies get used to going outside to toilet and a young age.
Q. Why do I have to wait 24 hours after my puppies had its first vaccination to collect them?
A. This to ensure that your pup has had no adverse reaction to the vaccine, so I can monitor them before they travel to their new homes.
Q. Why do you only use a vet to microchip your puppies?
A. This is to ensure that it is done by a medically trained professional, also that there is traceability and finally NO HIDDEN COSTS e.g. extra payment to register your puppy to the company used to chip your pup. We pay for the chip and the admin payments not the owner.
Q. Are puppies checked over when they have their vaccine and chip?
A. Yes – they are thoroughly checked for any health concerns these include coat, hernias, heart (murmur) eye, ears and testicles (males) also confirmation.
Q. Why do you produce an owners information pack?
A. This is to evidence that your puppies parents' lineage and are fit and healthy for breeding. Also, other important information such as your puppies breed, nutrition, heritage, hygiene, safety, RKC certificates, DAN and Health testing evidence, do’s and don’ts. Settling in your puppy and lots more.