Our babies mean the world to us. We focus strongly on the foundations; temperament, health, and conformation are foremost in our minds. The result, beautiful, well-rounded puppies that can thrive with their families in any situation.
Puppy Adoption Process
The adoption process can be long and daunting, but placing puppies in the best situation is our top priority.
Puppy Application
Every adoption begins with the application. No puppy is placed without an application on file and references.
Puppy Waitlist
Our waitlist is constantly growing. The average wait time for a puppy is approximately 6 months to 1 year. Those on the waitlist will be notified about all upcoming litter information.
What It Means to Be a B&S Golden
Health Begins Before They’re Born
Science shows that the health, temperament, and even personality of a puppy are all affected by the life and surroundings of the bitch before birth. Our adult dogs are a part of the family and we are part of their pack. They have the run of the house, sleep in our beds, they get premium vet care, and proper nutrition. The health of the puppies is always at the foreground, even before they are born.
Vets Help
Both parents have had OFA clearances, genetic testing, and a vet physical before we even consider breeding. We work closely with our vet and believe that healthy dogs produce healthy puppies. Our stance is that nature will be nature, but it never hurts to lend it a helping hand.
Supplements
We provide Breeder’s Edge supplements to our breeding dogs throughout the year. To ensure our new borns get all the nutrition they need we give breeding females multivitamins, prenatal vitamins, and postnatal vitamins.
We Have to Stay Clean
The risk of infection is a constant worry. Viruses such as Parvo can decimate an entire litter. We sanitize using Sniper Hospital disinfectant and Kennasol multiple times a day to keep down the risk of infection.
A Great Puppy Has to Have a Great Start.
Every puppy begins their life in the quiet of our bedroom where mom is most comfortable. For the first two weeks, we weigh everyone daily and monitor 24 hours a day. Daily individual cuddle sessions are where we play with mouths, ears, feet, bellies, and tails. We use absorbable pads to keep the puppies clean and dry. We also use non-slip gripper pads over the pads to give them appropriate traction to help prevent joint issues in the future.
Neonatal Period
To give our babies the best start possible we follow the Puppy Culture Protocol. We begin Dr. Batagglia’s Early Neurological Stimulation Protocol at 3 days old which continues until puppies are 16 days old.
Puppies Begin to Become Puppies
At 2 weeks, the puppies begin to toddle around and their eyes are open. This is a big transition period! We begin to offer formula to supplement their nutrition and begin the weening process. We also introduce litter to the whelping box. At this time, puppies begin to interact with our older dogs, giving mom a much-needed break.
Puppy Socialization Begins
At 3 weeks old, puppies are exposed to startling sounds; books dropping, fireworks, vacuums, blow dryers, clanking pans, etc. This helps them to develop a good startle recovery reaction during a time when they do not have the developmental capacity to develop actual fear. They are introduced to a new smell each day, different tactile objects, and we begin to have close family and friends visit.
Puppies Start Training
Clicker training is introduced slowly beginning at 4 weeks of age. As the puppies age, we begin to exercise their frustration muscles. As adult dogs, frustration can lead to aggression; therefore, helping babies learn how to navigate and think through frustration gives them the foundation to do so as adults without the need to lash out.
Meeting New Friends
Throughout the puppy’s life, they will meet many new people and new dogs along the way. During puppyhood, we have the benefit of shaping those future meetings by ensuring safe positive interactions with dogs of every size, color, and breed where the puppies can feel in control.
Picking Up Your Puppy
When Can Our Puppies Go to Their New Home?
We release puppies to their new homes at 10 weeks old. This is for two reasons. So that we can ensure each baby has had the appropriate amount of time with mom and littermates and also to avoid a large trauma during the first fear stage which ends at 9 weeks. Families are welcome to pick up on-site. We DO NOT ship as it is unnecessary stress on a young dog. We are located in Alden, N.Y. about 15 miles east of Buffalo. There are many accommodations for our out-of-town families. We can help direct you to the closest ones.
First Weeks At Home
The first few weeks are going to be an adjustment for both you and your puppy and should be spent at home. If you have a vacation planned for pick-up time it is better to postpone. We do not charge board to keep them a little longer. However, we do charge for any vetting that is required at cost. Do not ever take a young puppy to a boarding facility.
What Our Puppies Come With
Our puppies are sent home having had a full physical by a licensed veterinarian, a health certificate, age-appropriate vaccinations, started on Simparica Trio month heartworm/flea & tick prevention, limited AKC registration application, pre-registered AKCReunite microchip, 1-year health guarantee, and a goody bag that includes a blanket for scent, a plushy, a KONG Jumbler Ball, food, “Your Golden Retriever Puppy: month by month” by Terry Albert, Deb Eldrege DVM., and Alan Gunther, “On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals” by Turid Rugaas. You also get lifelong breeder access. I am happily available to answer questions, help find dog professionals in the area, or just geek out over your new furbaby whenever you need me.
Price
As someone once told me, you either put money in at the beginning or you put it in at the end. We put A LOT of time and effort into each puppy who passes through B&S Goldens, and the price reflects that. Currently, the price per puppy is $3000 with a $500 due at reservation.