Step 04

First of all, we want to thank you for getting this far. It tells us that you’re serious about wanting a Crockett Doodles puppy. We’re just as excited as you are about pairing you with the puppy you’ve been waiting for!

We took note of all the preferences you listed in your application. You have now been placed at the bottom of our active Waiting List, where you will begin the climb to the top of the list with every litter that is adopted to their forever homes. Most families are matched with their ideal puppy within 3-6 months. You should know that if you are wanting a smaller sized puppy, you may need to wait a little longer. Smaller puppies tend to have smaller numbers in their litters. We know this feels like a long time to wait! It’s hard for us to wait, too!

One of our most frequently asked questions is “When will we get our puppy?” How we wish we could answer that one for you! Unfortunately, we simply do not know. We cannot predict an exact date because even though we know the parent dogs well and know when they are expecting, the number of pups, their genders, their colors, and their coat types are unknown until a litter is actually born. Our Guardian Homes also need to spend a few weeks with their puppies to get to know their personalities. Very often families on our Waiting List are registered for more than one breed or size, so the Waiting List is constantly moving and changing based on when puppies are born that meet the criteria of a family.

We want to make sure you’re aware of something. The greater your flexibility, the greater the likelihood that you will be matched more quickly with a puppy. In other words, the more specific your desired puppy as noted on your application (male/female, colors, size, etc.), the longer it will take for that exact pup to be born. Remember, you are more than welcome to update your preferences! Simply log into your account to update your preferences and your changes will be automatically updated to reflect your new preferences for our Matching Team.

Please don’t think we have forgotten you! We haven’t! Waiting is definitely the hardest and longest part about this process. So while you wait, it’s a good idea to invest some time into getting ready for your puppy’s arrival. Think of it as getting the nursery ready for a new baby. It might be helpful to check out Nathan’s shopping list of recommendations for dog owners. It covers everything you might need, from leashes to toys to books to read.

Safety  Think through how you will keep your puppy safe. Remember, having a puppy is in many ways like having a toddler. Electrical cords, some house plants, and glass figurines can be fatal to an active puppy. Think about where your puppy will exercise. Do you need a fence? Are your stairs so steep that a new puppy may need a baby gate to keep them from falling until they’re bigger? Where will your puppy sleep? Where will your puppy be crated when you leave the house during the day? You may want to go ahead and purchase a crate based on the size your preferred puppy will be as a grown adult dog. Many people find it’s helpful to purchase two crates: one for sleeping in the bedroom with you, and one out in the living area of a home where the puppy can see the family activity, but is safely contained. 

Training  Do some research on training your puppy. It’s an important investment into your future! There are many excellent training videos online or at your local library. Visit your pet store and look at the books they offer on the subject. You may want to train your puppy yourself, or you may want to get help from a professional. There are many local establishments who offer puppy training and obedience classes for dogs. We highly recommend you visit some of these classes near you and decide which one is the right fit for your personality. We’ve found that unhappy pet owners who complain about their out-of-control dogs often simply haven’t put the proper amount of time into training their dog. Their dog isn’t happy about this either. You will do both you and your dog a favor if you’re ready and committed to their training process – even before they’re born. 

Choose a Veterinarian  Research and even visit nearby veterinarians. Don’t hesitate to ask questions. Ask your friends with pets for their recommendations, and become familiar with the vaccinations and annual care your growing puppy will need in its future.

Food  Learn what your dog should and should NOT eat. Please be aware that there are many human foods a dog’s stomach just cannot digest. Some human foods are even poisonous to dogs! Familiarize yourself with this list. Also, do a little research on dog food to educate yourself on the reason the ingredients in the food your growing puppy eats will drastically impact their health and longevity.

We are often asked “What dog food do you recommend?”

We’ve tried several top quality foods and have landed on TLC puppy and dog food. TLC is a fabulous choice for quality, value, and service (they ship fresh food for free to your door). Click the logo to the left to get a $5 off coupon.

If you haven’t checked out our shopping page resource, now would be a good time to prepare for when your puppy comes home with you. It’s never too early!