CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW BERNER PUPPY!

For your convenience, we have compiled a list of answers to FAQ's for your reference.
​(Contact List FAQ's below.)

  1. DEWCLAWS:  Berners have dewclaws on both front and hind legs.  Some pups have double dewclaws, where a second digit is present along side the first.  We remove all dewclaws present before each pup turns 5 days old.  While every effort is made to ensure complete amputation of each digit, we do not guarantee regrowth will not occur.  Dewclaw regrowth is not uncommon.  Optional surgery to remove regrown dewclaw(s) is available through your vet and can generally be done, at your request, during the spay/neuter surgery.
  2. FEEDING:  Your puppy is used to having kibble and fresh water free choice from the time they get up in the morning until they go to bed.  If you choose to feed your puppy on a schedule (could be easier for house training) they will need 3 – 4 feedings a day until they can handle a bigger meal.  Then, you slowly decrease the number of feedings, while increasing the amount per feeding as they get older/bigger.  Avoid food bolting (gulping or wolfing down their meal) as this can lead to bloat.  (Hint:  Adding water to and/or soaking the food can slow bolting behavior.) 
  3. FOOD:  Your puppy is eating Canidae All Life Stages Multi-Protein dry kibble.  It will be best for you to have this food on hand when you bring your puppy home.  It is recommended to make any dietary changes very slowly.  Puppy foods are generally not recommended as the high protein causes the puppies to grow too fast, which can lend to joint issues.
  4. GROOMING:  For dogs with fuller coats (like Whisky) we use a shedding rake.  For dogs with a smooth, less full coat, we use an inexpensive hair brush.
  5. PAPERWORK:  Your puppy will come with their AKC registration paperwork and vaccination information when you pick them up.  PLEASE DO NOT LOSE THIS PAPERWORK!  All paperwork and packaging is original and is not replaceable.
  6. PARASITES:  Parasites happen – all dogs have them in their system – and stress, like the stress of going to a new home and/or feed changes and/or schedule changes, can cause their immune system to weaken giving parasites the opportunity to thrive.  If your puppy experiences watery/bloody diarrhea they need to be seen by a vet.  We have started your pup on their worming program and schedule.  Re-infestation happens - it is up to you to continue a worming schedule/plan with your pup.
  7. POTTY TRAINING:  We highly recommend crate training.
  8. STERILIZATION:  Current recommendations for large breed dogs is to wait until 12-24 months of age to spay or castrate.  There are as many opinions on this topic as people, and you will find research to support or disprove each.  Each family needs to make decisions based on their own preferences, circumstances, and in conjunction with advice from their vet.  Please seek the advice of your vet.  Every dog is different and may or may not display some or any of these behaviors as nature intended:  
    1. Points to consider for female dogs:  the longer you wait, the more heat cycles she will have.  With each cycle be prepared to deal with bloody discharge, odors, licking, possible behavioral changes (more needy/less needy, 'humping' other animals, etc.), keeping separate from intact male dogs. 
    2. Points to consider for male dogs:  the longer you wait, they may be more prone to territory marking - inside and outside, possible behavioral changes, 'humping' other animals, etc.  They will also need to be kept separate from intact female dogs you don't intend to breed. 
  9. TRAINING:  Socialize!  Socialize!  Socialize!  Expose them to everything and everyone.  From day one, do not accept behavior you do not wish to deal with when they are bigger - training starts the moment you bring your pup home.  Hyper-vigilance and consistency are your friend!
  10. TOYS:  Your puppy has been playing with full sized tennis balls and LARGE (8"-10") rawhide retriever rolls (found on Amazon or sometimes Costco.)  Choose all natural products, when possible, and avoid products that come from China - there have been many recalls due to severe reactions and deaths from chemicals/toxins found in products from this area.  Please do your research!
  11. VACCINATIONS:  Puppy vaccines are given in a series of three.  Your puppy will have its first vaccine, generally given around 7 weeks of age.  Vaccine #2 is due approximately 4 weeks after the first and #3 is due approximately 4 weeks after the second.  The first rabies vaccination is typically given at or after 6 months of age.
  12. WORMING:  Your puppy has been wormed at least twice – emails with specific details go out to owners at the time of worming.  They have also received sulfadimethoxine in their water to treat for coccidia.
    1. We generally use Nemex-2 for the first worming and is usually given around 3 weeks of age.
    2. We generally use Bayer Quad Wormer for the second worming and is usually given two weeks after the first worming.
 
The information contained here is given as a courtesy; it in no way replaces advice from a licensed veterinarian. 

CONTACT LIST FAQ'S

  1. WHAT DOES BEING ON THE CONTACT LIST MEAN?  Being on the contact list means priority notification of new litters prior to any other notices, advertisements, or communications to the general public.  Those on the contact list receive an email the next time a litter is announced.  The contact list is a courtesy.  It does not guarantee you a puppy.
  2. IS THERE AN OBLIGATION TO BEING ADDED TO THE CONTACT LIST?  No, there is no obligation for being added to the contact list.
  3. WHAT HAPPENS IF WE ARE NOT READY FOR A PUP AT THIS TIME AND WANT TO REMAIN ON THE CONTACT LIST?  No problem!  Simply reply to the notification email and request to be be placed back on the list.
  4. WHEN IS THE NOTIFICATION EMAIL SENT?  Typically, the notification email will go out AFTER the litter has completed the ENS, dewclaws have been removed, and eyes are open.  Confirmation of a litter is made at our sole discretion and will NOT be made to any individual person until the notification email has gone out.
  5. ONCE NOTIFCATION OF A NEW LITTER IS MADE, HOW DO WE RESERVE A PUPPY?  A non-refundable $250 deposit is required to hold a puppy.  Deposits are taken on specific puppies only.  Labeled pictures of each puppy will be available on the Berner page of the website.  Once you have chosen a puppy, visit the PAYMENT page and place a deposit using one of the virtual payment choices.  Hyperlinks will be included in the notification email.  Puppies are available first come/first serve based on receipt of a deposit.  **Verbal commitments/inquiries/etc. do NOT constitute a deposit in hand.**  The website is updated as quickly as we can get the information updated.    
  6. WHAT HAPPENS IF A DUPLICATE DEPOSIT IS PLACED ON THE SAME PUPPY?  In the event a second deposit is received on a puppy, the deposit dated and time stamped after the first deposit will be offered the choice of a different available puppy or a refund.  If all puppies have deposits, a refund will be given.
  7. WHERE IS THE BEST PLACE TO CHECK FOR UPDATES?  The Berner page of the website will have the most current information.
  8. DO YOU HAVE A LITTER ON THE WAY?/DO YOU HAVE A CONFIRMED BREEDING?  Aside from providing a general timeframe for the next planned litter on the Berner page of the website, we ONLY confirm puppies after they have been born, at our sole discretion, and after our notification email has been sent to the contact list.  We DO NOT confirm breedings, potential litters, or litters that have not been announced via our contact list notification email.
  9. ARE IN-PERSON VISITS ALLOWED?  Pups will be available for in-person visits after they are 4 weeks of age and at our sole discretion.
  10. HOW QUICKLY ARE YOUR PUPPIES TYPICALLY PLACED?  There is immense interest in our pups.  Litters typically find their forever homes very quickly, in most cases, prior to 4 weeks of age.  The current record is 28 minutes from the initial notification email.  The website is updated as quickly as we can get the information published.