Our Process
You've joined our waitlist... now what?!
Welcoming a puppy is an exciting journey, and we believe clear communication and thoughtful preparation are key to creating the best possible experience-- for both puppies and families. Below is an overview of what to expected after your application has been approved and you are placed on our waiting list.
Before Puppies Are Born
Once your adoption application is approved, we'll connect with you to learn more about your family, lifestyle, and preferences (such as size, temperament, and timing). Based on that conversation, we'll discuss which upcoming litters may be a good fit.
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At that point, you'll be invited to submit a reservation fee, which secures your place on our master waiting list. We try our best to never take more applications for specific litters than we have puppies, so we only take a few reservations for each litter prior to birth, and then if extra puppies are born we will open the litter for reservations again-- first to those on the master waiting list who may want a puppy sooner than they originally thought, and then to the general public.
While you're waiting, you can expect:
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Occasional updates about upcoming litters
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Regular behind-the-scenes content on our social media
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Transparency if plans or timelines shift
After Puppies Are Born: Weeks 0-3
Once puppies arrive, families on the waiting list are contacted in order to confirm whether they'd like their reservation applied to that litter or prefer to remain on the list for a future one.
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During the first few weeks of life, puppies are in a critical developmental stage. While they may look like tiny potatoes, a lot is happening behind the scenes.
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During this stage, we focus on:
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Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) to support stress resilience and nervous system development.
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Early Scent Introduction (ESI) to gently expose puppies to novel scents.
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Careful monitoring of weight gain, health, and early milestones.
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Keeping mom and puppies in a calm, low-stress environment
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Families confirmed on the litter will begin receiving weekly email updates with photos, and we also share daily content on social media for anyone who enjoys following along more closely.
After Puppies Are Born: Weeks 4-6
As puppies grow, their world expands-- and so does our curriculum.
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During this phase, we actively implement Puppy Culture-based practices, which include:
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Gradual exposure to new surfaces, sounds, and environments
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Confidence-building exercises and problem-solving activities
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Introduction to crates, grooming, and handling
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Beginning potty and cleanliness habits
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Age-appropriate socialization with people and novelty
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This is also when personalities begin to emerge. Puppies become more interactive, curious, and expressive-- but their temperaments are still developing.
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Families continue to receive:
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Weekly emailed photo updates
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Consistent social media updates and videos
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Guidance on what's coming next and how to prepare
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At 6-7 weeks of age, puppies complete a professional temperament evaluation with our trainer. This evaluation-- combined with your preferences and our day-to-day observations-- allows us to thoughtfully match each puppy with the home best suited to them. We do not allow families to "pick puppies" at birth. Instead, we prioritize lifelong success by matching puppies based on temperament, energy level, and compatibility.
Getting Ready for Go-Home: Weeks 7-8
Puppies are able to go home the Saturday after they turn 8 weeks of age, once they are developmentally ready. We will occasionally let a puppy go home mid-week once they have turned 8 weeks old in some circumstances (mostly dependent on a family's work schedule), but really prefer that they go home early in the day on a weekend so families have dedicated time to welcome their puppy home.
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In the final weeks, we focus on:
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Preparing puppies for the transition to their new homes
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Reinforcing confidence, independence, and recovery from mild stress
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Continued socialization and handling
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Final health checks and first vaccinations
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Families will receive:
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Go-home details and pickup coordination
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Guidance on the transition period
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Ongoing support and education
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If at any point the timing or fit doesn't feel quite right-- for you or for us-- your reservation can always be applied to a future litter. Our priority is never speed; it's making the right match.