KickinAuss
Miniature American Shepherds
Frequently Asked Questions
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When can I bring my puppy home?
Your puppy can go to your home at 8 weeks of age.
At 5-6 weeks the puppy is given a neopar shot , a beginning parvo shot. Then 8 weeks the first of its 3 sets shots, a 5 way, the second one will due at 12 weeks, and the 3rd at 16 weeks. ( the second and third should be given by your vet.
Worming is done at 3 weeks, Pyrantel , 5 weeks Pyrantel and 7.5 weeks , Safeguard.
They will have have a worming and go home check by my vet at 7.5 weeks. About the same time their eyes are examined by a animal eye specialist. All of this will be included in their paperwork.
What training has my 8 week old puppy had?
What does my puppy come home with?
Your puppy will come when called. “Puppy puppy”
Your puppy is trained to use a litter box and a doggy door, some crate training.
Leash and crate training provided upon request at additional charge.
Your puppy will come with a care package that includes dog food (a few days’ supply), treats, toys, a blanket that smells like their sibling’s, a slip lead, health record, limited AKC registration and an AKC Reunite microchip. This chip I will have registered in your name before the puppy leaves my property.
8 weeks of socializing lessons and beginner obedience with intro to agility are included with a puppy. If you can take advantage of this offer fabulous!
What food is my puppy used to?
Your puppy and its Dam are fed Pawtree dog food. This is a highly digestible nutritionally dense, holistic food. A food that has very little filler. Pawtree recipes are formulated with no corn, no wheat, and no soy. Also, no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, or poultry by-products.
Changing your puppy’s food can disrupt the development of the digestive system of your puppy causing discomfort and illness as well as compromise the immune system of your young puppy. You will be sent a link to order food and required to order prior to your puppy arriving home at 8 weeks. Allow a good week or more for your food to be delivered.
After your puppy settles in and its stress level has leveled out (after the first month) if you wish you may introduce gradually a new food. Do not feed “puppy food”. It is too rich for puppies. As long as the food is a good quality dog food, adult is fine.
How do I prepare to bring my puppy home?
Bringing a puppy home can be exciting and stressful at the same time. I hope the following information can help you reduce the stress part by being prepared to welcome a new puppy or dog.
Making sure your home is disinfected should be a main priority. Especially for PARVO! I would recommend using Rescue. It’s a peroxide-based one-step disinfectant cleaner. Kills viruses quicker than bleach and penetrates organics. I would recommend getting the “ready to use” and not the gallon concentrate, unless you have a lot of areas to clean. I like to carry the wipes in my car for the steering wheel, handles and pedals. I order mine from Animal Revival Health and Amazon.
Parvo is a sickness that can kill a puppy in 24 hours. The bacteria is not able to be seen. It can come into your puppy's environment on your feet, your shoes, your clothes, or hands. If you have been where other dogs have walked, you can carry it home.
With that in mind. Until your puppy has its first two shots it’s little feet should not touch the ground where other dogs have been. After the second shot it can walk where little dog traffic is. No dog parks or heavy dog areas (such as pet stores) until the 3rd shot.
When crate shopping, keep in mind that the crate should be small in the beginning. Size small and medium are the best. Most medium size crates come with a removable divider. The idea is to create enough space for the puppy to be comfortable, without having too much extra room. Having just enough room will encourage your puppy to hold their bowels in between potty breaks. When your puppy has extra space, they are more likely to potty in the crate.
There is an endless number of beds to choose from. I recommend having a few. Since these dogs have a heavy coat, be careful when choosing a bed for the crate, they may get too hot. You will find that they like cold hard surfaces like tile, cement, wood floors etc. You may need to put a fan by the crate depending on the time of year and temperature you like to keep your home.
I would recommend getting a “slow feeder bowl”. These are great for preventing the puppy from inhaling their food. It also teaches them problem solving and patience. There are lots of great slow feeders to choose from.
A collar should not be left on without supervision. And there is a special way to train your puppy to walk on a leash. (Please refer to my puppy book, being written now ) or come to my classes. I love slip leads and one is included in your puppy package. With a “slip lead”. I also like a martingale collar.
NO HARNESSES! I can’t stress this enough!!!
Why is my registration limited to non-breeding?
I have spent many years researching the MAS breed to develop healthy, happy dogs. Breeding dogs is not for the novice owner and should not be done "for the experience" or just because relatives want a puppy. In some cases, I will allow breeding rights, but this will always be done on a co-own with strict terms.
What size will my puppy be when full grown?
Mini American Shepherds normally are of medium size (13-18 inches) and weight can vary depending on bone density or how much you feed them. Some MAS are finer boned than others and weigh less. MAS are medium energy level (although some are higher drive) and are very easy to train due to their desire to please. If left without training or regular exercise, MAS dogs may develop bad habits. It is up to us as owners to make sure puppy and adult MAS have a balanced lifestyle of exercise, play, love, nutrition, and health care that includes routine vaccinations.
What should I expect with shedding?
MAS puppies will shed their puppy coat by the time they are a year old. You may not notice the puppy coat shedding as much as the seasonal shedding that occurs with adult MAS. With routine grooming (using a rake to remove the undercoat) you will see little shedding. Routine grooming should be done monthly and include toenails and teeth care.
Has my puppy been exposed to other pets and people?
There is a mama cat that eats and sleeps with all my puppies, so they love kitties.
And the puppies have two older grandmas who teach the puppies good manners. And they get to meet many older dogs.
I have many visitors to meet my puppies as they grow up. Big people, little people, people with hats and beards. Children and young people however you should always supervise the puppy when around children or other pets.
What health testing had been done regarding my puppy?
The Sire and Dam of your puppy will have been thoroughly tested for Aussie related diseases including PRA/PRCD, MDR1, HC, CEA, DM, OFA Hips and Eye certs.
As mentioned in another section the puppies have their eyes checked about 7.5 weeks. Your contract will cover a lifetime guarantee against certain diseases.
What are some things covered in the contract?
There is a contract or guarantee that is basically lifetime. It guarantees certain diseases won’t occur in your puppy. Spaying or neutering is covered in the contract as to when it should be done and not before. The contract is null and void if the puppy is done before the stated time.
Another significant part of the contract is the fact that I the breeder has first right of refusal If for some reason the puppy or older dog can’t be kept by the original family. If a home meets the breeder’s satisfaction as being a good home that’s great.
Why does my puppy have two color of eyes?
Complete Heterochromia in dogs or people is a beautiful but rare genetic mutation with NO health related issues. It is considered a variation in eye color of the iris and has no affect on vision. There are many versions of Heterochromia including: Sectoral Heterochromia Also known as partial heterochromia. One of part of the iris is different in color from the remaining part of the eye. Central Heterochromia There are different colors radiating from the pupil giving an impression of spikes of colors. Acquired Heterochromia Usually due to inflammation or injury. It may be due to the use of certain eye drops. Some eye drops change eye color or damage the iris. The presence of some brain tumors may alter the color of the iris. This may show effects in one or both eyes.
Will AKC Registration on my puppy be solely in my name?
Yes.
What happens if I can no longer care for or want my dog?
As the breeder I will assist you in re-homing or placing your dog. As the owner you are responsible to properly socialize and train the dog as well as seek Professional or medical attention for all issues including medical and behavioral. If you want to return a dog due to behavior problems or a medical condition not covered by my health warranty, I will assist you in placing the dog BUT there WILL be a fee involved. Fee will vary due to costs I incur to retrain your dog or to have your dog evaluated, treated or trained. Minimum rehoming fee of $250.00. There will be NO refund of any purchase price paid for your dog/puppy or any costs incurred until a complete evaluation is made and your dog/puppy is re-homed
. As part of the Veterinarian check up, As the new owner of the puppy, it is your responsibility to see that the needs of your dog including socialization, training and nutrition are met to a satisfactory level according to my standard of care. A Veterinarian report/statement may be required to return puppy/dog including VF test and I reserve the right to require this before returning the dog/puppy to me. Warranty may include a new puppy of similar size, breeding, color or sex. Refund or exchange is at my sole discretion. I will assist in returning the dog to me but shipping or travel expenses will apply and you will be required to pay these fees up front before any return process is started. All registration and paperwork will be signed back into my sole name before any return.
Will I be required to show my puppy/dog?
I try not to place puppies in pet homes that I want shown but will occasionally place a puppy with the expectation of breeding that puppy. Each case is individually dealt with.
Will my deposit guarantee that I will get the puppy I want?
I breed MAS dogs to improve the breed. Each litter is carefully planned with the expectation of improvement. I do not need to keep every dog in the litter for breeding, usually only one or two out of the litter. My breeding program takes precedence over placing companion pets and this is noted in my deposit contract that if the puppy choose is not available due to my keeping said puppy, you will be entitled to a 100% refund or your deposit can carry over to the next litter and you will be placed first on that list depending on previous deposits for that litter. I place puppies in order of receipt of deposit whether it is a show/breed or companion home. If after you place a deposit with me reserving a puppy and you the Buyer decide that you no longer want to purchase a puppy from me, your deposit is non-refundable due to the inconvenience of holding a puppy for you that could have been placed in another home.