Paying for Your Puppy at Selection

“A well bred puppy is not an impulse purchase, it’s an intentional investment.”

Responsible breeding programs across the industry structure payment timelines to ensure commitment, stability, and fairness for both puppies and families. Organizations such as the American Kennel Club (AKC), GoodDog Responsible Breeding Program, and Puppy Culture emphasize that ethical placement begins long before puppies go home and requires commitment from both breeder and buyer.

Paying for your puppy during the first week is one of the best decisions you can make for your experience and for your puppy. Our contract does state that payment is due at the time of selection, which is typically around one to two weeks old. This early payment secures your spot immediately, which means no one can pass you on the list or choose ahead of you. It officially locks in your puppy, so there is never any concern about someone else falling in love with the same one.

Professionally, if someone is not in a position to comfortably afford their puppy at the time of selection, it may not be the right season to bring one home. A well bred puppy is an investment. Our puppies are full panel health tested through their parents, thoughtfully paired, raw fed, raised in our home, started on crate and potty training, introduced to basic commands, and already know their name before they ever leave us. 

That level of intentionality, time, and early development matters. I am obligated to pour an enormous amount of time, structure, financial investment, and daily hands on commitment into every single puppy long before they ever go home. Because of that, I expect the same level of commitment from the families who choose them. This is not a casual process on either side. This is a living, breathing, soul with teeth and zero life experience. I don’t take that lightly. 

We encourage first week payment because it protects the puppies and keeps the entire process smooth and fair for every family involved. In the past, we have had situations where families paid only the deposit, chose their puppy, asked many questions, received eight weeks of updates and videos, and then decided at the very last minute that they no longer wanted the puppy. This is extremely unfair to the puppy, my time, and to the families who were next in line. By finalizing payment during the first week, it prevents those emotional last minute situations and keeps everything organized, fair, secure, and stress free for everyone.

Of course, life happens, and we completely understand that rare unexpected situations can come up. In those one off cases, if it is truly best for the puppy not to go home at that time, we always do what is right for the puppy. These situations are very uncommon, and our first week payment structure ensures that the puppies and the committed families are protected from last minute changes that could have been avoided.

Early payment also allows you to fully enjoy the journey. You get to fall in love and watch your puppy grow and learn through weekly updates and videos with complete peace of mind knowing that your puppy is officially yours. It gives your family time to fully prepare and gather supplies because you know exactly which puppy is coming home.

By the time pickup day arrives, everything is already handled. You can simply enjoy the moment you finally meet your baby.

This process is in place because it protects our puppies and the families who are fully committed to them. If this structure feels uncomfortable or does not align with what you are looking for, we completely respect that, but we may not be the right breeder for you. Our goal is long term alignment, not just a transaction. 

If you have any questions about this process, I am always happy to answer any questions.

Resources:

American Kennel Club (AKC), Responsible Breeder Practices

American Kennel Club, Puppy Buyer Information and Breeder Responsibilities

AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. Breeder Program Guidelines

The Puppy Culture Program, Ethical Breeder and Buyer Commitment Standards

GoodDog Responsible Breeding Standards

GoodDog Buyer Education and Reservation Policies

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior (AVSAB), Early Puppy Development and Placement Responsibility

Humane Society of the United States, Responsible Pet Acquisition Guidance

Canadian Kennel Club, Code of Practice for Breeders

International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), Puppy Placement Ethics

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Animal Welfare Act Breeder Responsibility Standards