What You need to Know Before Adopting a Candle Hill Shepherd
We have done all in our power to improve your pet's chances of thriving in every way, including:
1. Excellent Pedigrees, registered with the AKC.
2. All breeding pairs have had their hips x-rayed and certified free of dysplasia by OFA, A-stamp, Penn-Hip or by other documentation and we have researched our dog's pedigrees for hip health. We continually work to keep in touch with puppy families so that we can be aware if a genetic health issue arises. We expect your pup's hips to be genetically sound, as confirmation your pup comes with a hip guarantee.
5. Pregnancy care has been optimized in every way we can including premium nutrition and most importantly heavy doses of love, play & a safe, fun environment to be sure that your pet's mother was happy & contented during pregnancy, whelping & the pup's life before being sent to your home. The attitude of the dam during this time directly transfers to the pup, making it very significant that your pup's dam is contented.
6. Whelping and puppy rearing takes place in our home with clean facilities including indoor nursery.
7. Puppy care will include neurological stimulation following the proven methods of "Developing High Achievers" also known as the Super Dog Program. Research shows that where 35% of a dog's performance is genetic, this method has greatly enhanced the other 65% and has proven to make a huge difference in the achievement of the dogs so reared.
8. Puppy care has been optimized by New Skete methods including music, toys, play, a full schedule of puppy exercises, grooming, socialization & problem solving exercises. Our children take pride in gently and thoughtfully handling the pups to make them well rounded canine citizens.
9. We will help you along the way in any way we can, including periodic e-newsletters, help with training, health & grooming questions & pass along any helpful non-private info about how other adoptive families are handling various situations with their adopted German Shepherd.
10. It is very important to us to assess whether we are reaching our goals in our breeding program in the quality of dogs we produce. To do this, we rely heavily upon, you, our puppy families to give us feedback on how your puppy is doing. If you become one of our puppy families, we will expect you to keep in touch with the understanding that emails sent to us, updating your pet, may be sent on to others unless you specifically ask to keep it private.
11. We highly recommend that you read Shelby Marlo's "New Art of Dog Training" and the Monks of New Skete books "The Art of Raising a Puppy" & "How to be Your Dog's Best Friend" before picking up your puppy.
12. Your pup is helped in the transition to your home if you send something that has your scent on it. We will put this near your pup allowing your pup to get to know you before you meet. People have told us that their pup recognized them when they went to pick the pup up at the airport. Now how cool is that?
13. Our puppies come to you microchipped and with the first of the puppy series of three vaccinations.
14. Realizing the sad number of unwanted pets in shelters across America, puppies will be given Limited registration with the AKC, allowing participation in AKC events, but limiting breeding rights. Please check with the breeder to find out what will be required to have this lifted.
15. It is important to us that your puppy or dog is happy in the new home you provide. If for some reason you are unable to keep your pet, though we are unable to provide any refund, we will provide a loving home for your pet if you wish to return him or her to us.
16. We have done our part in giving your pup the best start, the rest is up to you.
Questions to ask yourself before acquiring a German Shepherd Dog:
1. Am I committed to keep this dog for life, long after it is an adorable little bundle of fur? If circumstances occur in which I can no longer provide good care for my pet, am I willing to send it back to the breeder where it will be cared for there or placed in a loving home? Yes I am_____
2. Am I prepared to deal with a high energy and intelligent dog who is looking for activity and is not a couch potato? Yes I am _____
2. Do I have the time and energy and a giving nature to attend obedience classes with my pup and to consistently supply socialization, exercise, and tons of nurture and love well after my pup is no longer a cute little ball of fur? Yes I do_____
3. Do I have the patience, for the health of my dog, to resist allowing my pup to jump, run as in jogging with me over long distances or running beside my bicycle, or experience rough play with other dogs, such as body banging during that first year? Sports such as flyball and frisbee which require the dog to leap into the air should also be avoided until the bones are fully developed. Will I be determined to be conscientious to use common sense to preserve my dog's hip health? Yes I do and yes I will_________
3. Do I own my own home and live in a situation that is stable enough to provide a good home to this pup over the next twelve to fourteen years and beyond? Yes I do __________
4. Am I willing to give the time required to regularly groom my pet, including coat, ear, and teeth brushing? Yes I am __________
5. Am I willing to provide regular exercise for my dog? Yes I am______
6. Am I willing to incur the expense required for regular vet care, immunizations, and hip x-rays as well as emergency care when required?
7. Am I willing to pay what it costs to provide top quality food for my pet? Yes I am ________
8. Do I have a fenced in yard or kennel run where I can let my pup be free to be a dog, a place where he is safe from cars, people, and other animals? Do I understand that I cannot let my dog outside unsupervised at any time without the safety of a fence? Yes I do _______
9. When I run into a problem with my dog, am I the sort of person who will have the thoughtfulness to try to understand things from a canine point of view, seeking help from those who understand dogs, reading to learn more, and consulting with the breeder? Yes I will ________