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1. WHAT IS THE ADOPTION PROCESS?
PLACING A LITTER DEPOSIT:
When a litter is one week old, we will add their information to the website. This includes price, go home date, the number of pups, genders, along with the date we will be accepting deposits. Photos of the parents will be listed with this information and at 10 days of age, we will add a photo of the litter to our website as well. We do not take deposits prior to the litter turning two weeks of age and we do not keep a waiting list. There are no exceptions made to this rule.
Deposits on litters, like deposits on puppies, are first-come-first-serve. In order to be as fair as possible, deposits must be made over the phone. We will start taking calls at 9 am EST. The first person to call and place a deposit will get the first choice of the litter. The second person to call and place a litter deposit will get the second choice of the litter and so on.
Folks with litter deposits will be choosing their puppies when they turn four weeks old. Folks that are local and want to visit in person to pick out their puppy are welcome to schedule an appointment to do so. However, to ensure a smooth transition from first to second to the third choice, there are strict visit days for each choice of the litter. The folks that are not local will receive photos and videos of the available puppies to choose which puppy they want their deposit to go towards.
The family with the first choice deposit will be shown all of the puppies and they will have 24 hours (when selecting via email) or a one-hour visit (when selecting in person) to select their puppy. Then the second choice family will then be shown all of the puppies, except the puppy that was adopted by the first choice family. The second choice family will have 24 hours or a one-hour in-person visit to choose their puppy. This will continue until all the families with litter deposits have chosen their puppy. Once the families with litter deposits have selected, the remaining available puppies, if any, will be advertised on our website.
Our deposits are $500 and are non-refundable but can be transferred up to two times or held for a year. You can either give us your card information or your PayPal information over the phone to make payment. Both card and PayPal payments are subject to an additional 3% merchant fee, which would bring the total for the deposit to $515. When you place your deposit, we will also collect your contact information and schedule a day with you to pick out your puppy, either via e-mail or in-person visit.
ADOPTING PUPPIES 4 WEEKS AND OLDER:
If you decide you are ready to adopt, this first step is to place a deposit. Our deposits are $500 and are non-refundable but can be transferred up to two times or held for a year. If you are local, deposits can be made in person with cash, a personal check (only folks living in Indiana can pay with a personal check), or a cashier’s check. All checks and cashier checks must be made out to the owner, Deb Beer in order to be accepted. Please note, we cannot hold a puppy until the money is in hand confirming that the deposit has been placed. You can also place a deposit over the phone using a card, or we can invoice you on PayPal. Both card and PayPal payments are subject to an additional 3% merchant fee, which would bring the total for the deposit to $515.
ALL PUPPY ADOPTIONS:
When you place your deposit, we will collect your contact information and schedule a day with you to pick up your puppy or have your puppy flown to you (if applicable). If your puppy is old enough to go home, you will have two weeks from the date the deposit is placed to pick up your puppy. If the puppy you choose is not old enough to go home, we will hold the puppy up to, but no more than, two weeks from their go home date. If a puppy is not at least 2 pounds or is not fit to go home, we will hold them until we deem them fit, free of charge. If you cannot pick up your puppy within the two-week time frame, you must request the extended stay to be approved by management. If we agree to hold your puppy, you must pay for your puppy in full upon approval and will be subject to boarding fees.
Upon picking up the puppy, or the day before having the puppy shipped to you, the remainder of the balance for your puppy must be paid in full. We accept PayPal, Credit and Debit, and in-state (Indiana) personal checks, cashier's checks, as well as cash. Please be advised, if you choose to pick up your puppy from our facilities, we must charge a 7% sales tax on your puppy. This amount may not be included in the price given to you upon visiting or calling.
Ultimately, it is up to the Teapup Team to decide if a puppy is fit for a family. If we feel a puppy will not do well in a certain home environment, due to size, age, personality conflicts, and/or any other we will not proceed with the adoption request. We retain the right to refuse the sale of any puppy to any individual.
When a litter is one week old, we will add their information to the website. This includes price, go home date, the number of pups, genders, along with the date we will be accepting deposits. Photos of the parents will be listed with this information and at 10 days of age, we will add a photo of the litter to our website as well. We do not take deposits prior to the litter turning two weeks of age and we do not keep a waiting list. There are no exceptions made to this rule.
Deposits on litters, like deposits on puppies, are first-come-first-serve. In order to be as fair as possible, deposits must be made over the phone. We will start taking calls at 9 am EST. The first person to call and place a deposit will get the first choice of the litter. The second person to call and place a litter deposit will get the second choice of the litter and so on.
Folks with litter deposits will be choosing their puppies when they turn four weeks old. Folks that are local and want to visit in person to pick out their puppy are welcome to schedule an appointment to do so. However, to ensure a smooth transition from first to second to the third choice, there are strict visit days for each choice of the litter. The folks that are not local will receive photos and videos of the available puppies to choose which puppy they want their deposit to go towards.
The family with the first choice deposit will be shown all of the puppies and they will have 24 hours (when selecting via email) or a one-hour visit (when selecting in person) to select their puppy. Then the second choice family will then be shown all of the puppies, except the puppy that was adopted by the first choice family. The second choice family will have 24 hours or a one-hour in-person visit to choose their puppy. This will continue until all the families with litter deposits have chosen their puppy. Once the families with litter deposits have selected, the remaining available puppies, if any, will be advertised on our website.
Our deposits are $500 and are non-refundable but can be transferred up to two times or held for a year. You can either give us your card information or your PayPal information over the phone to make payment. Both card and PayPal payments are subject to an additional 3% merchant fee, which would bring the total for the deposit to $515. When you place your deposit, we will also collect your contact information and schedule a day with you to pick out your puppy, either via e-mail or in-person visit.
ADOPTING PUPPIES 4 WEEKS AND OLDER:
If you decide you are ready to adopt, this first step is to place a deposit. Our deposits are $500 and are non-refundable but can be transferred up to two times or held for a year. If you are local, deposits can be made in person with cash, a personal check (only folks living in Indiana can pay with a personal check), or a cashier’s check. All checks and cashier checks must be made out to the owner, Deb Beer in order to be accepted. Please note, we cannot hold a puppy until the money is in hand confirming that the deposit has been placed. You can also place a deposit over the phone using a card, or we can invoice you on PayPal. Both card and PayPal payments are subject to an additional 3% merchant fee, which would bring the total for the deposit to $515.
ALL PUPPY ADOPTIONS:
When you place your deposit, we will collect your contact information and schedule a day with you to pick up your puppy or have your puppy flown to you (if applicable). If your puppy is old enough to go home, you will have two weeks from the date the deposit is placed to pick up your puppy. If the puppy you choose is not old enough to go home, we will hold the puppy up to, but no more than, two weeks from their go home date. If a puppy is not at least 2 pounds or is not fit to go home, we will hold them until we deem them fit, free of charge. If you cannot pick up your puppy within the two-week time frame, you must request the extended stay to be approved by management. If we agree to hold your puppy, you must pay for your puppy in full upon approval and will be subject to boarding fees.
Upon picking up the puppy, or the day before having the puppy shipped to you, the remainder of the balance for your puppy must be paid in full. We accept PayPal, Credit and Debit, and in-state (Indiana) personal checks, cashier's checks, as well as cash. Please be advised, if you choose to pick up your puppy from our facilities, we must charge a 7% sales tax on your puppy. This amount may not be included in the price given to you upon visiting or calling.
Ultimately, it is up to the Teapup Team to decide if a puppy is fit for a family. If we feel a puppy will not do well in a certain home environment, due to size, age, personality conflicts, and/or any other we will not proceed with the adoption request. We retain the right to refuse the sale of any puppy to any individual.
2. HOW DOES SHIPPING A PUPPY WORK?
COVID-19 UPDATE (1/25/21):
"Due to the limited flights available and strict temperature restrictions, we are unable to offer shipping via airplanes, unfortunately. Because of this, all puppies must be picked up from our facilities or travel via vehicle. We do allow employees to drive to meet customers, but we only meet on weekends and meetups must be scheduled in advance. The farthest we travel is 300 miles one way and the driver fee is $0.75/mile round trip in addition to the cost of the puppy.
You are welcome to fly to us to pick up your puppy. However, since COVID, some airlines have changed their policies and may now have different requirements for in-cabin pet travel. When looking into your flight options, you will want to check for:
Age and weight restrictions
Rabies and vaccination requirements
Health certificate requirements
We can meet you at FWA or SBN with the puppy for an additional $100. If you want to fly into FWA or SBN and drive to us, you are welcome to do so, however, we do not have Uber or Lyft in our area, so car rental would be the only option. If you are flying into any other airport, you will need to rent a car to drive to us as we are unable to meet you at those locations. If your airline requires us to supply a health certificate for the puppy, that is an additional $100 fee. We will need to know the exact date of your flight two weeks prior to travel to make a vet appointment for the puppy. You can bring your own airline approved soft crate but if you would like to purchase one from us, that is an additional $35.
We recently started working with a grounds transportation company that can pick the puppy up from us and take them directly to your home. They pick up on Fridays and deliver Saturday evenings into Sunday morning. The average price for this is $500 - $600 but the exact cost is dependent on your location. We are scheduling grounds transport roughly two weeks out so that is something to keep in mind."
SHIPPING PUPPIES 9 WEEKS AND OLDER:
We have been shipping puppies for many years and find it to be a very simple and effective way of getting a puppy to its new forever home. We ship every Friday and our most frequently used airports are South Bend, IN and Fort Wayne, IN, however, we ship from Chicago, IL about 4 times a year. The airlines we can use are United, Delta, and American airlines.
We book the flight two weeks prior to the puppy's predetermined shipping date. Each airline has its own restrictions on how close to the travel date the flight can be booked, so we advise customers to let us know they would like their puppy shipped about two weeks in advance. We can fly into most US international airports, but because each airport has its own hours and restrictions, we may not be able to fly your puppy into your first choice airport, especially during very cold or very hot months.
The Monday prior to travel, we e-mail the customer with all the information they will need to receive the puppy. This information includes arrival/departure times, flight and confirmation numbers, etc. The Tuesday prior to travel, the puppy will visit our veterinarian to receive one last examination and the health certificate they need to fly. Wednesday or Thursday prior to travel, we will reach out to you to ensure you received your flight details and to collect the final payment, if needed.
The pup is sent home with all of their paperwork (exams, vaccination record, registration papers, etc) and all things in a typical Teapup welcome pack, secured directly on top of the puppy's crate. Puppies fly in their own individual airline approved travel crate for the customer to keep. Directly attached to the crate will be a food and water dish filled with food and ice chips for the pup's convenience during travel. They will also have potty pads on the bottom of their crate, as well as shredded paper to cover any potty accidents they may have during their travels.
After time to potty and play, the puppy will be checked into their flight. The puppy travels in pressure, temperature, and altitude controlled cargo center in the plane. This area is designated for safe animal travel and has specific airline handlers. If your puppy has a layover, they will be offered more food and water if needed at that time. If layover times permit, your puppy will also be offered a potty break and a chance to stretch their little legs.
Upon arrival at their destination, the puppy will be unloaded from the plane. You will need your driver's license as proof of ID to claim your puppy. Once they verify your information with what is in their system, you will be ready to take your puppy home!
We work very closely with the airlines and have much confidence in their ability to give our puppies the best treatment. They continuously go above and beyond what is asked of them to ensure our puppies have everything they could want or need during their travels to their new family.
At this time there is no airline that offers flights for snub-nosed breeds or snub-nosed breed mixes. This includes Shih Tzu's, and any mix that includes Shih Tzu. If you purchase this breed you will need to pick up from Syracuse, IN, or call us to discuss the possibility of delivery or meeting.
US Domestic shipping fee: $475 (one puppy)*
*If you are interested in receiving two puppies into your family, ask about a discounted shipping fee!
**We can ship to Alaska, but cannot ship to Canada
3. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE LIMITED AND FULL PRICE?
Our purebred puppies are all priced with limited registration, which means that they are being adopted into a non-breeding, pet only home. The puppy will still be able to participate in some AKC events, such as agility and obedience, but the puppy will not be able to be shown in conformation competitions nor will be able to have registered puppies in the future. Most Teapup pups go home with limited registration, as they are adopted to be beloved family pets. On select puppies, full registration is available for an additional fee (typically $250). If you are looking to breed or show in the future, contact us about the specifics on each puppy! All mixed-breed puppies are registered with AKC's Canine Partners Program. This means that even though the puppy is not a purebred, they do come from two purebred parents.
4. WHAT TYPE OF GUARANTEE DO YOUR PUPPIES HAVE?
We estimate to the best of our ability the size, color, and hair types of our puppies based on their parents. We simply cannot guarantee your pup will mature to a specific size, have a particular coat type, or stay a specific color. Prior to going home, our puppies are vaccinated against the following: Parvovirus, Distemper, Adenovirus, Kennel Cough, Parainfluenza, Leptospirosis (age-dependent), and Rabies (age-dependent). Our puppies are also de-wormed weekly from one week to seven weeks old with Pyrantel-50 and Panacur is given at 8 and 12 weeks of age.
The puppy MUST be examined by a veterinarian within seven (7) days for this guarantee to be valid. Your new puppy is guaranteed against viral diseases up to seven (7) days beyond the date that the puppy is taken home. If the veterinarian finds abnormal results in the exam (apart from any imperfection that was made known to the new owner at the time of sale), the breeder (Teapup) must be contacted within 72 hours and copies of the vet report(s) supplied to the Breeder. After this is provided, the Breeder (Teapup) will offer a reimbursement or solution based on the veterinarian’s findings. In case of a puppy’s death within the seven (7) day period, an autopsy must be arranged and paid for by the New Owner, and findings must be submitted to the Breeder before any exchange will be made.
Your new puppy is also guaranteed up to, and no more than, one (1) year from purchase date against major genetic defects, effecting the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, etc. If the examining veterinarian concludes that the puppy has a serious genetic illness, the Breeder must be notified and proper documentation provided to the Breeder by the veterinarian. The breeder may require a second opinion depending on the findings. Once all is received and reviewed, the New Owner will have the option to bring the puppy back in exchange for another puppy of equal or lesser value, OR a reimbursement (whether in part or in full) will be provided at the Breeder’s discretion. At no time will your credit exceed the purchase price of your puppy. The Breeder is not responsible for any veterinarian bills you incur with your new puppy.
The Breeder can assume no responsibility for this puppy after leaving the premises for any medical expense, death, allergies, training difficulties, behavior issues, etc, though we are dedicated to the well-being of the puppy both before and after it goes to its new home. We CANNOT guarantee a puppy for breeding or showing purposes, even when sold with full registration. We will give our professional opinion on whether a puppy may or may not be breeding/show quality, but it cannot be guaranteed.
This guarantee DOES NOT INCLUDE the following: Hypoglycemia, Colds/Upper Respiratory Infection, Coccidia, Giardia, and Other Minor Illnesses. If your puppy begins showing signs of hypoglycemia as outlined in the puppy pack, the breeder must be notified immediately to help find solutions. At no time will the breeder give reimbursement for a puppy diagnosed with or treated for hypoglycemia.
This guarantee may or may not have been read or pointed out to you before you take your new puppy home. The guarantee is printed on the bottom of each receipt, which is sent home with each puppy. We recommend that you take the time to read over all of the above information!
The puppy MUST be examined by a veterinarian within seven (7) days for this guarantee to be valid. Your new puppy is guaranteed against viral diseases up to seven (7) days beyond the date that the puppy is taken home. If the veterinarian finds abnormal results in the exam (apart from any imperfection that was made known to the new owner at the time of sale), the breeder (Teapup) must be contacted within 72 hours and copies of the vet report(s) supplied to the Breeder. After this is provided, the Breeder (Teapup) will offer a reimbursement or solution based on the veterinarian’s findings. In case of a puppy’s death within the seven (7) day period, an autopsy must be arranged and paid for by the New Owner, and findings must be submitted to the Breeder before any exchange will be made.
Your new puppy is also guaranteed up to, and no more than, one (1) year from purchase date against major genetic defects, effecting the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, etc. If the examining veterinarian concludes that the puppy has a serious genetic illness, the Breeder must be notified and proper documentation provided to the Breeder by the veterinarian. The breeder may require a second opinion depending on the findings. Once all is received and reviewed, the New Owner will have the option to bring the puppy back in exchange for another puppy of equal or lesser value, OR a reimbursement (whether in part or in full) will be provided at the Breeder’s discretion. At no time will your credit exceed the purchase price of your puppy. The Breeder is not responsible for any veterinarian bills you incur with your new puppy.
The Breeder can assume no responsibility for this puppy after leaving the premises for any medical expense, death, allergies, training difficulties, behavior issues, etc, though we are dedicated to the well-being of the puppy both before and after it goes to its new home. We CANNOT guarantee a puppy for breeding or showing purposes, even when sold with full registration. We will give our professional opinion on whether a puppy may or may not be breeding/show quality, but it cannot be guaranteed.
This guarantee DOES NOT INCLUDE the following: Hypoglycemia, Colds/Upper Respiratory Infection, Coccidia, Giardia, and Other Minor Illnesses. If your puppy begins showing signs of hypoglycemia as outlined in the puppy pack, the breeder must be notified immediately to help find solutions. At no time will the breeder give reimbursement for a puppy diagnosed with or treated for hypoglycemia.
This guarantee may or may not have been read or pointed out to you before you take your new puppy home. The guarantee is printed on the bottom of each receipt, which is sent home with each puppy. We recommend that you take the time to read over all of the above information!
5.CAN YOU HOLD A PUPPY FOR ME?
Unfortunately, we are not able to hold a puppy for any duration of time without a deposit. We do understand that you may need time to think about such a large decision, and we appreciate that you do so! Unfortunately too many times, after time to think, customers have decided that a certain puppy is not the right one for them. Every minute of holding a puppy may lead to the puppy missing out on a wonderful family who is very interested in receiving them. If you are ready to adopt, a deposit is absolutely required. This deposit will hold the puppy up to two weeks after their go home date.
6. WHAT DETERMINES THE PRICE OF EACH PUPPY?
1. The cost involved in raising puppies has increased, and in order to continue doing what we love, we have to make adjustments as needed. From the cost of food to toys to bedding to vaccines, and everything in between, is factored into the price we ask for our puppies. We proudly carry a full time staff year round to ensure our puppies and dogs get all the dedication and attention they deserve. Working so closely with our vet also comes at its own price. Not only do we ensure that the puppies are happy and healthy here, we send them home with their own individual puppy pack to ensure that their happiness and healthiness continues on throughout their transition into their new home.
2. We have finally recognized that it is okay to ask the price that a puppy is worth. It has been difficult in the past to ask a higher price because we "feel bad" and want to be accommodating to new puppy owners. We still do! Yet we recognize that we must have the opportunity to ask the price that our puppies are worth, which is determined by several things including the following: their own excellent quality; the time, care, and commitment that we put into raising each puppy; our dedication to ensuring the best of care for the parents; and providing the best possible living quarters and play areas for our dogs and puppies. We have found that customers purchasing our puppies are more likely to be financially able to supply all the wants and needs (because there are many!) that a puppy will need over the course of their lifetime.
3. Lastly it is our duty to remain not only compliant with state and federal laws, but one (or two or three) steps above the standard they set forth. In order to do so, we make renovations as needed to ensure the safety, cleanliness, and beauty of our dog's and puppies' living quarters. In this respect, we have recently remodeled and updated our facilities to comply with the new USDA regulations. We also must pay licensing/membership fees to USDA, AKC, BOAH, ICAW, KMA, just to name a few. You can find these certificates and licenses on display at our facilities.
2. We have finally recognized that it is okay to ask the price that a puppy is worth. It has been difficult in the past to ask a higher price because we "feel bad" and want to be accommodating to new puppy owners. We still do! Yet we recognize that we must have the opportunity to ask the price that our puppies are worth, which is determined by several things including the following: their own excellent quality; the time, care, and commitment that we put into raising each puppy; our dedication to ensuring the best of care for the parents; and providing the best possible living quarters and play areas for our dogs and puppies. We have found that customers purchasing our puppies are more likely to be financially able to supply all the wants and needs (because there are many!) that a puppy will need over the course of their lifetime.
3. Lastly it is our duty to remain not only compliant with state and federal laws, but one (or two or three) steps above the standard they set forth. In order to do so, we make renovations as needed to ensure the safety, cleanliness, and beauty of our dog's and puppies' living quarters. In this respect, we have recently remodeled and updated our facilities to comply with the new USDA regulations. We also must pay licensing/membership fees to USDA, AKC, BOAH, ICAW, KMA, just to name a few. You can find these certificates and licenses on display at our facilities.
7. SHOULD I GET A MALE OR FEMALE?
This tends to be one of the top questions asked by many new potential puppy owners. As far as puppies go, the general rule is that female dogs tend to be more independent and reserved. While they are are still loving and loyal to their owners, they do not require all the affection that a male dog might desire. Male dogs tend to be more affectionate and attentive. In some cases, temperament will be determined by the dog's personality and not their gender. If you are not going to breed your dog, we do highly suggest having your dog spayed or neutered, which in turn will help "mellow out" your dog's temperament.
If you already have a male or a female, a dog of the opposite sex is generally the best choice. If you already have a male dog, he is likely to be more accepting of a female and you are likely to have fewer dominance issues. However, if you opt to have two males, they can often co-exist peacefully and may even become friends. If you already have a female dog, she is likely to be more accepting of a male, as most males tend to be submissive.
If you already have a male or a female, a dog of the opposite sex is generally the best choice. If you already have a male dog, he is likely to be more accepting of a female and you are likely to have fewer dominance issues. However, if you opt to have two males, they can often co-exist peacefully and may even become friends. If you already have a female dog, she is likely to be more accepting of a male, as most males tend to be submissive.
8. WHAT FORMS OF PAYMENT DO YOU ACCEPT?
We accept all major credit and debit cards, PayPal, in-state (Indiana) personal checks, cashier's checks, and cash. All checks must be made out to the owner, Deb Beer, or they will not be accepted. Beginning February 2015, all card and PayPal payments will be subject to an additional 3% merchant fee. Payments made via PayPal must be in response to an invoice sent by us.
9. WHAT COMES WITH MY NEW PUPPY?
All Teapup pups will go home with a one year health guarantee and will be up-to-date on vaccinations, dewormings, examinations, and will also micro-chipped! A Teapup puppy is sent to its new forever home with a receiving toy and blanket, a sample of Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy food and Zuke's Mini Natural treats, and a puppy tooth brush. All vaccination and health records will be sent home with the puppy as well. Each puppy also gets prepaid AKC registration (purebred) or AKC Canine Partners (mixed breeds), a puppy guide book created just for new Teapup families, a potty training schedule, a feeding chart, and free lifetime enrollment for the puppy's microchip. We also enroll each puppy into AKC's Puppy Protection Package, which includes a complimentary office visit at a veterinarian in the AKC network, enrollment into AKC Lost Dog Recovery Program and the AKC GoodDog! Helpline, a year subscription to the AKC Family Dog magazine, and an AKC puppy guidebook.
*For those interested in a more 'eco-friendly' option, we now offer flash drives containing the information in a go home puppy pack. Customers interested in hard copy paperwork will still be able to receive it in place of the flash drive when picking up their puppy.
*For those interested in a more 'eco-friendly' option, we now offer flash drives containing the information in a go home puppy pack. Customers interested in hard copy paperwork will still be able to receive it in place of the flash drive when picking up their puppy.
10. CAN I TAKE MY PUPPY HOME EARLY?
Sadly, the answer is NO. The earliest any and all puppies can go home is 9 weeks of age. This is not a negotiable date. In some cases, for smaller puppies in particular, you will not be able to take your puppy home until they are at least 2 pounds, which may be well after 9 weeks of age. In order to give our puppies the best possible start in life, we must keep them in their home with us where we can oversee their safety, comfortability, and health overall as they grow. We will not allow puppies to join their new families until we are confident in a puppy's ability to eat, grow, and play on their own while in their new environment. With our puppies' health and best interest in mind, it is ultimately up to Teapup to decided when a puppy is fit to go home.
11. WHAT KIND OF FOOD SHOULD I FEED MY DOG?
All our puppies are eating Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy Food which is made specifically for small breed puppies. If you would like to switch your puppy to a different type of food after they get home, we suggest mixing it half and half with the food and gradually weaning off the Eukanuba. We send home a feeding chart with each puppy so our customers can be confident in how much their puppy should be eating. During the first few days of having your new puppy, as they adjust to their new homes, they may not eat the total amount their feeding chart says they should be. If your puppy is eating consistently, this will not be an issue. Within a week, the puppy should regain their full appetite. You must ensure that your puppy is eating! Going a full day without food will cause your puppies glucose levels to drop and they will likely become hypoglycemic. If you are concerned about how little your puppy is eating, you may place small amounts of canned food, boiled chicken, or meat-based baby food on top of the hard food. This will entice the puppy to eat, however these foods have a higher fat content and should not be fed unless you are trying to get your puppy to gain weight or eat more. Maple syrup can be given in addition to the food to boost the puppy's glucose levels. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to call us!
12. CAN I GET UPDATED PHOTOS/INFORMATION?
No worries! Our website is updated daily so that you may have the most recent information available. Puppies also get updated photos taken every two weeks, so if you haven't seen new photos in a while, they are probably on the way. We do take requests, though, just in case you're hoping to see a different angle. If you have recently adopted your puppy and would like updates, let us know. We will gladly send you photos and videos every two weeks so that you can watch your companion grow before your eyes.
13. WHAT IS Teapup?
We are a family owned professional dog kennel working hard for 31 years at perfecting the art of raising healthy, happy puppies. Beyond raising healthy puppies, we are caretakers actively involved in making sure that our dogs and puppies are in the best of health, and we watch and study our bloodlines to ensure that future generations are free of health issues. We are trainers, clean-up crew, and laundry attendants. We are groomers keeping our dogs and puppies groomed every 2-4 weeks. We are photographers spending hours upon hours with camera in hand, ready to catch the perfect picture of our puppies. We are website designers, secretaries, and marketing agents. We are salespeople, assisting new puppy owners to help them find the perfect companion for their lifestyle. We are purchasing agents, constantly buying new supplies, looking for the best products for our living, loving animals. We are lobbyists, keenly aware of legislation, and doing everything in our power to ensure the best quality of life for all of our beloved dogs and puppies and we do what we can to ensure that the rights of dog owners are maintained. We are teachers, making sure that our employees work to the best of their ability, that they care as much about our dogs as we do, and that they know and understand the importance of even the 'little' daily chores. Also sharing as much knowledge with our customers as possible. Our personal favorite, we are puppy players, taking time out to do the most important thing; sit down and play with some cute puppies!
14. WHAT SHOULD I BRING WITH ME WHEN I PICK UP MY PUPPY?
When the day comes to pick up your puppy, we recommend that you bring a few items with you. While most people opt to hold their puppy while they drive, it would still be a good idea to bring a travel crate with you. We recommend a crate that will be big enough for you puppy to stand up, turn around, and lay down. Some folks opt to bring a topless box with them instead of a crate which is a great alternative.
If you plan on making stops on your way home, we also advise bringing a leash and a collar or harness. For puppies under 12 weeks a size extra-small will fit best. Typically, a cat leash has a smaller, lighter clasp that will be easier for the puppies to tote around.
A small dish for water may be a good idea for pit stops made along the way. Small baggies to clean up after your puppy after potty breaks may be needed as well. If you are traveling 3 hours or less, you likely will not need to stop for your puppy if you give them time to potty before hand.
If you plan on making stops on your way home, we also advise bringing a leash and a collar or harness. For puppies under 12 weeks a size extra-small will fit best. Typically, a cat leash has a smaller, lighter clasp that will be easier for the puppies to tote around.
A small dish for water may be a good idea for pit stops made along the way. Small baggies to clean up after your puppy after potty breaks may be needed as well. If you are traveling 3 hours or less, you likely will not need to stop for your puppy if you give them time to potty before hand.
15. WHAT KIND OF TREATS AND TOYS SHOULD I GET FOR MY PUPPY?
We recommend Zuke's Mini Naturals treats, because they are small and delectable to the puppies which comes in handy during the training process. We suggest the chicken flavor but there are a variety of flavors and your puppy will most certainly have their own opinions on their favorites.
As your puppy ages, harder treats are great for your teething pooch as puppies are more inclined to chew on hard objects during the teething process to help remove their baby teeth. Dental treats are great for encouraging dental health by removing plaque and keeping your dog's breath fresh.
Young puppies tend to love plush toys that squeak as it encourages their playful nature. As they age you may find they also enjoy ropes to tug on, tennis balls to chase and chew on, and cow hooves to gnaw on, as it helps with their teething and keeping their mouth clean.
As your puppy ages, harder treats are great for your teething pooch as puppies are more inclined to chew on hard objects during the teething process to help remove their baby teeth. Dental treats are great for encouraging dental health by removing plaque and keeping your dog's breath fresh.
Young puppies tend to love plush toys that squeak as it encourages their playful nature. As they age you may find they also enjoy ropes to tug on, tennis balls to chase and chew on, and cow hooves to gnaw on, as it helps with their teething and keeping their mouth clean.
16. WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT GROOMING?
We love the hypo-allergenic non-shedding dogs because they are wonderful for allergy sufferers and it is easier to maintain a level of cleanliness in your home. The hair of a non-shedding dog is like humans - it will grow continuously and when brushing, some hair may naturally fall out. The ear hair of a non-shedding dog must be "plucked" or removed because it will not naturally fall out. If this hair is not removed on a regular basis, it will grow in excess and hold in dirt potentially causing your dog to get ear infections.
Here at Teapup your puppy will be exposed to having their nails trimmed, their rear end hair trimmed, and the hair by their eyes trimmed starting at the age of 2 weeks old. Starting at 4 weeks of age, your puppy will be exposed to being bathed, hand dried, and brushed. They will also have the hair trimmed between their pads, along with their ears cleaned and ear hair removed. Puppies will be bathed and groomed every 2 to 4 weeks depending on their individual needs. In most cases, except for the Miniature Schnauzer breed, your puppy will not have any other hair on their body actually "groomed" or cut. Their hair will be allowed to grow at its own rate, and they will continue to get fluffier (and adorable) as time passes.
Miniature Schnauzer pups will receive their first Schnauzer puppy cut anywhere from 6-8 weeks of age. You may notice some older puppies of other breeds have had their first official haircut. This could be for a variety of reasons, but it is most likely we felt trimming them would give them more of a "puppy" look and bring out their natural cuteness.
Your puppy will have a full "Spa Day" the day before or the day of going home to ensure they are looking and smelling their best for their new family. Once a puppy goes to its home, we recommend bathing every 4 to 6 weeks. Bathing them at a more frequent rate could make the natural oil levels of their skin to decrease causing dry skin which may become irritable to the puppy. We recommend an oatmeal-based shampoo, which is very soothing on the skin, as well as conditioner (in small amounts) to keep your puppy's coat shiny and beautiful.
For our dogs and puppies, we use wire combs which works best for detangling and preventing static. Brushing your dog on a regular basis is recommended to keep them tangle free and more likely to enjoy their time being brushed and groomed. Trimming nails on a regular basis is also recommended to keep your pooch in good health and as comfortable as possible.
Many customers want to know what kind of cut to tell their groomer to give their dog or puppy. For our Schnauzer and Westies, we simply recommend the standard cut for their breeds. For all our other breeds we recommend a "puppy cut" which means all the hair will be roughly cut to the same length.
Here at Teapup your puppy will be exposed to having their nails trimmed, their rear end hair trimmed, and the hair by their eyes trimmed starting at the age of 2 weeks old. Starting at 4 weeks of age, your puppy will be exposed to being bathed, hand dried, and brushed. They will also have the hair trimmed between their pads, along with their ears cleaned and ear hair removed. Puppies will be bathed and groomed every 2 to 4 weeks depending on their individual needs. In most cases, except for the Miniature Schnauzer breed, your puppy will not have any other hair on their body actually "groomed" or cut. Their hair will be allowed to grow at its own rate, and they will continue to get fluffier (and adorable) as time passes.
Miniature Schnauzer pups will receive their first Schnauzer puppy cut anywhere from 6-8 weeks of age. You may notice some older puppies of other breeds have had their first official haircut. This could be for a variety of reasons, but it is most likely we felt trimming them would give them more of a "puppy" look and bring out their natural cuteness.
Your puppy will have a full "Spa Day" the day before or the day of going home to ensure they are looking and smelling their best for their new family. Once a puppy goes to its home, we recommend bathing every 4 to 6 weeks. Bathing them at a more frequent rate could make the natural oil levels of their skin to decrease causing dry skin which may become irritable to the puppy. We recommend an oatmeal-based shampoo, which is very soothing on the skin, as well as conditioner (in small amounts) to keep your puppy's coat shiny and beautiful.
For our dogs and puppies, we use wire combs which works best for detangling and preventing static. Brushing your dog on a regular basis is recommended to keep them tangle free and more likely to enjoy their time being brushed and groomed. Trimming nails on a regular basis is also recommended to keep your pooch in good health and as comfortable as possible.
Many customers want to know what kind of cut to tell their groomer to give their dog or puppy. For our Schnauzer and Westies, we simply recommend the standard cut for their breeds. For all our other breeds we recommend a "puppy cut" which means all the hair will be roughly cut to the same length.
17. CAN I BRING MY DOG WITH ME TO PICK OUT A NEW PUPPY?
While we understand that your current furry family member is going to need to approve of your newest addition, we unfortunately cannot allow outside canine visitors. To protect and safeguard the health and wellbeing of our puppies, we no longer allow visitors to bring their dogs.