FAQs
Why the emphasis on puppy development protocols?
Current research is showing that we have an incredible opportunity to influence a dog for their entire lifetime.
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While we can’t create a puppy who is fearless, by exposing them to situations at the correct time, we can influence their development to such a point that they are resilient to fear. The puppies are more willing to try new things and will recover faster from adverse events. Not only will these coping mechanisms result in a better behaved puppy; ultimately the puppy will suffer less stress over it’s lifetime and should live a longer life.
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If you want to see the work we do on a week-by-week basis, click here.
What are we looking for in our owners?
Every owner is different just like every dog is different. Here are a few things we think are good for both!
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1. Time and patience. A puppy requires lots of patience and willingness from their owner to love and teach them basic obedience.
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2. Financially ready. Dogs are a lifelong commitment and do not come cheap. A bag of premium dog food is necessary to keep a dog at peak health and can easily run you $50 and up per bag. Dogs also require yearly vet checkups and monthly heartworm prevention. Please do your research and determine if a dog will fit into your budget.
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3. An active and ongoing relationship with us. Although not required, we love to receive updates. We support our owners for the dog's entire lifetime. You are part of our family!
Why are purebred Cavaliers so expensive?
The cost of raising puppies varies from breeder to breeder. Many are fabulous, some choose to cut corners.
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Some breeders choose to limit or skip the recommended health testing of the parents.
Some limit the amount of medical care the puppies receive.
Some compromise on the quality of the puppies living conditions.
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Like other quality breeders, we don’t compromise on the care of our dogs, our moms and puppies get the best care from pregnancy to the time they go to their forever homes. The thousands of hours we put into our dogs and puppies are a labor of love.
When are puppies ready to go home?
A puppy’s body isn’t the only thing growing in the first 10 weeks. Their little brains are growing too!
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Puppies are being fed a barrage of information through their eyes, ears, and skin, all new things they have never seen, heard or felt before. In this process, they are learning about their world. They are learning that humans are good, food is good, even new places and objects are pretty good!
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They are also developing their emotions. They are learning to be happy, to be sad, to be frustrated, to be mad and to be afraid.
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Unfortunately, their development is not in a linear fashion. During the first 10 weeks, they enter some developmental “fear periods” where their brains tell them that world is a very, very scary place. One of these fear periods happens between week 7 and week 8. We don’t know exactly when a puppy will go through it or how bad it will be, but we know that the puppy will wake up one morning inexplicably wary of it’s surroundings. This fear period lasts a few days; this is not the time to make major changes in routine or expose the puppy to new things. If a puppy suffers an adverse event during this time, their fear reaction can last their entire life. By keeping the puppies with the security of their littermates throughout the fear period, we ensure that they are not exposed to any sudden sounds or new scary experiences.
Our goal is to have brave outgoing puppies that are ready to take on the world with their new families.
What is the application process?
If you think you and your family are ready, our Process is outlined HERE.
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During the process you will be asked a lot of questions about your life, your experiences with dogs and what you are expecting/planning for a new puppy. It is also a great time for you to ask questions of us.
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Our goal is to ensure that every puppy goes to the home that is right for them, and that one of our puppies is right for you. For us a well suited home is one where the dog will meet the owner’s expectations, and the owners will provide a home that matches the dog’s personality and natural skills.
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Starting the Puppy Placement Process does NOT guarantee you a puppy but will enable you to be considered for one; we NEVER take deposits or sell puppies to people who have not successfully gone through our application process.
Please take into account travel when applying that we never fly puppies unaccompanied (or “Cargo”) to their new homes.
How do you care for your dogs?
Every one of our dogs is a member of the family and lives with us in our home. The dogs enjoy a lifetime of the very best food, accommodation, veterinary care and enrichment that we can provide.
Who are your dogs registered with?
Our dogs are registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC)
Do you ship puppies?
No. New owners consider the purchase of a puppy from us as significant as adopting a child. We would not want a child shipped unaccompanied in cargo either!
Do you sell breeding rights?
We will consider selling with breeding rights to approved breeders only.
How do I get on the Waiting List?
The process is outlined here: The Adoption Process
Is the waiting list fee refundable? What if I get a puppy from someone else?
In most cases, the fee is not refundable. We are not looking for someone who joins multiple waiting lists just to get a puppy faster. We are looking for someone we can have a long term relationship with. A lot of time and effort goes into raising our puppies and we would like you to choose us because we are the right breeder for you, not because we will have a puppy for you sooner. The breeder/owner relationship is something we value greatly and for that reason, we ask for a commitment from you from the beginning.
How will I know where I am on the waiting list?
You can view the waiting list here.
Why does Pleasant Meadows charge a deposit?
For more information on why we charge a non-refundable deposit, CLICK HERE.