Lick mats are a fun, flavorful, and focused feeding tool that transforms snack time into zen time! Here’s why every dog parent should have one in their toolbox:
🔹 Soothes Anxious Moments: Licking has a soothing, calming effect that helps your dog feel secure during anxious situations. Try it during fireworks or house parties.
🔹 Slows Down Mealtime: Your pup will absorb nutrients from their food better while avoiding gulping down air, which can lead to bloating or upset tummies.
🔹 Sneaky Nutrition Boost: This is a great way to get your dog to eat their vegetables and supplements! Mix them with something you know they will find appealing and they won’t be able to help themselves 🙃
🔹 Mental Stimulation: Whether it’s a busy workday or a stormy night, a lick mat keeps boredom at bay.
✨ Bonus: Help your pup hold still when you need to trim their nails by prepping and freezing a lick mat to keep them busy.
👉 DM me the word “LICK” and I’ll send you 20 healthy ideas to use on your pup’s lick mat!
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Let’s talk puppy fever: it’s easy to think multiplying the fluff = multiplying the fun. But here’s the truth: raising more than one puppy multiplies the challenges exponentially.
Here’s why it’s better to take it one paw at a time 🐾:
1️⃣ Bonding: Puppies raised together may love each other more than they bond with you. But YOU should be their #1!
2️⃣ Training: Teaching one puppy focus and obedience takes a lot of patience. The additional distractions will derail your progress while they pick up misbehaviors from one another.
3️⃣ Stress: It’s already a full-time job to raise one well-adjusted dog.
4️⃣ Behavioral Issues: Ever heard of littermate syndrome? It’s real, and it’s messy—jealousy, anxiety, and sibling fights galore.
5️⃣ Expenses: There’s a lot more to consider that the up front costs (especially if you are offered a 2 for 1 deal). From food to vet bills, grooming and more, it can be quite a hit all at once.
Love the idea of having two? Wait a year or two. Your first puppy will be well-trained and be in a place to even help guide the next one! Trust me, the patience pays off. A happy, healthy, and well-adjusted dog starts with giving them your all—one at a time.
✈️ Share this post to help others avoid the chaos!
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Mom doesn’t want a dogs—-so they thought! So fun to see these Christmas surprises. Check out my stories for more 🌟
When it comes to vet care, you deserve more than a rushed appointment and a prescription pad. You deserve a partnership. A vet who listens to your concerns, respects your natural and proactive approach, and works with you to make the best decisions for your dog’s unique needs.
I’ve learned that the best vets don’t dismiss your instincts or your efforts to feed better food, avoid unnecessary chemicals, or use supplements for prevention. Instead, they encourage it because they see the results in your dog’s health—shiny coats, happy tummies, and wagging tails.
If your vet makes you feel empowered, supported, and respected, you’re not just lucky—you’re valued. And if you’re still searching for a vet like this, don’t settle. The right partner in your dog’s health journey will celebrate what you’re doing right, not criticize you for choosing differently.
Because your dog isn’t “just a pet.” They’re family. And their care deserves thoughtful collaboration and mutual respect. 🐶❤️
Have you found a vet like this? Let’s celebrate them below—or share what you’re looking for in the perfect partner in pet health!
✈️ Share to encourage other pet parents not to settle on sub par service
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Have you ever wondered if the “last pick” puppy is somehow flawed? Or assumed that first pick automatically means “best”? 🐾
Let me share a little secret as a breeder who knows these pups inside and out: personal preference and mood of the pup during the visit is what most people’s pick is based on.
This weekend, while my family was visiting, they asked me again and again; Why has this one not been chosen?” I realized this isn’t just a family curiosity—so many people wonder the same thing. Is there an unseen flaw?
Here’s the truth: First picks are often the hardest for people to make! Families feel overwhelmed, unsure, and often overlook the puppies who don’t immediately seek attention. But here’s the thing—those puppies aren’t aloof or shy. They’re bonded to ME because I’ve been their safe place. Once they’re in YOUR arms and you’ve had time to build trust, their love and loyalty will shift to you💛. Many overlook this ideal quality because they don’t know what to look for.
The families with my last pick puppies often become close friends. They send the most complimentary messages and show so much gratitude for being blessed with such a special pup, while their relationship with their furry forever friend is pure magic! They are some of my biggest cheerleaders and help me remember the value of what I do when things get hard.
Another thing to keep in mind regarding picks: Size, coat type, and color preferences can play a huge role in decision-making—and they’re entirely personal! Whether you envision a small, curly-coated companion or a bigger, wavy-coated snuggle buddy, those details are all about YOUR taste. They say absolutely nothing about a puppy’s temperament, trainability, or health.
So, when you’re picking a puppy, let go of the “first pick = best” myth. Focus on the core qualities of the puppy, not the number. Your perfect match is waiting. 🐶
🎯 Tag someone who’s picking their future pup—
Puppy play is so much more than what it looks like on the surface—it’s about learning social cues, teamwork, and resilience.
🐾 In their final week together, puppies are:
• Testing boundaries with each other (and learning respect).
• Practicing how to recover from frustration when they lose out on a toy.
• Building confidence as they engage in friendly competition.
• Learning to share space, which lays the foundation for adaptability in their forever homes.
Watching them, you’ll see moments of negotiation, playful mischief, and even problem-solving. Every tug-of-war and chase isn’t just fun—it’s growth.
💡 These lessons help your puppy become the well-mannered, adaptable companion you’ll treasure for years to come. It’s proof that the chaos is worth it!
👉 Did you know that litter play could have this much impact on your future dog’s behavior?
🎯 Tag a fellow dog lover who’d appreciate the beauty of this puppy play.
♥️ Tap the heart if you saw Gloria’s adorable leap
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Does your puppy’s excitement turn into chaos? Teaching Manding can transform that energy into calm, polite behavior! 🐾
Here’s how you can start practicing Manding at home:
1. Wait for Calm: Watch for your puppy to sit naturally—no commands needed.
2. Reward Immediately: As soon as their bottom hits the floor, reward them with a treat or praise.
3. Repeat Consistently: Every time your puppy sits to “ask,” you’re reinforcing calm behavior.
4. Ignore Chaos: If your pup jumps, barks, or bites, don’t engage. Turn your back, fold your arms or simply wait for the calm sit.
Why we train this:
🐕 Reduces Chaos: Stops barking, jumping, and nipping in their tracks.
🐕 Builds Confidence: Puppies learn they can “ask” calmly and still get what they need.
🐕 Strengthens Bond: You and your puppy communicate clearly, building trust and connection.
Manding lays the foundation for a polite, well-mannered companion who’s a joy to live with! 🌟
Have you tried Manding with your pup? Let me know how it’s going or if you’re ready to start!
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Research shows that up to 35% of a dog’s personality is heritable, and the rest is shaped by their early experiences. This means the environment they’re raised in and how their mama interacts with them plays a critical role in shaping their future.
✨ A calm, confident mama like Elsie doesn’t just raise puppies—she raises future best friends who are adaptable, loving, and ready to thrive in their new homes.
➡️ Weeks 1–4: Elsie’s sole focus is her pups. In a quiet, safe space, she keeps them warm, fed, and secure. Her gentle presence helps their little nervous systems develop confidence right from the start.
Research shows that puppies raised in calm, low-stress environments are less likely to develop anxiety later in life. Elsie’s nurturing presence during these first weeks creates a sense of safety and stability that sets the foundation for confidence.
➡️ Weeks 5–6: According to studies, puppies with attentive mothers are better at navigating new environments and handling stress as adults. Elsie leads her pups during their first outdoor explorations, teaching them how to handle the world with curiosity and trust.
Our goal? To raise dogs who don’t just fit into your family but elevate it with their love and confidence.
💛 Double tap to celebrate the magic of mama dogs like Elsie!
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7 weeks old today. Precious mini double doodle. 15 lbs fully grown. I can’t wait to see who’s heart she is meant for!
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Puppy mills: Cramp dogs into tiny cages with no room to move, often stacked on top of each other.
Desert Double Doodles: Offer spacious areas for our dogs and puppies to run, play, and explore, building their confidence and joy.
Puppy mills: Deprive dogs of human interaction, leaving them emotionally void and fearful.
Desert Double Doodles: Prioritize developmentally appropriate handling, daily human interaction and nurturing. Our puppies are loved, held, and socialized to feel secure and connected.
Puppy mills: Mass-produce puppies with no care for their health, emotional well-being, or future.
Desert Double Doodles: Carefully plan 1-3 litters per year, ensuring each mama and puppy gets the individual care and attention they deserve.
Puppy mills: Sell to rescues, pet stores, in auctions, flea markets and anonymously online, leaving owners uneducated and unsupported.
📖 A 2022 investigative report by the Washington Post revealed that some rescues pay thousands of dollars to buy dogs from puppy mills, providing direct financial incentives for mills to continue mass-producing puppies.
📖 The Humane Society reports that 99% of pet store puppies come from puppy mills, where owners have no direct relationship with the breeder, leading to misinformation and poor long-term outcomes for dogs.
Desert Double Doodles: Personally vet every family, develop a lifelong relationship, and provide ongoing support.
Puppy mills: Disregard physical and emotional health, creating long-term issues for the dog and family.
Desert Double Doodles: Focus on health, temperament, and early training, ensuring a solid foundation for our puppies to thrive.
Puppy mills: Hide their operations, often in terrible conditions.
Desert Double Doodles: Offer transparency, invite questions, and share every step of our process, so you know exactly where your puppy is coming from.
When you invest in a puppy from a responsible breeder, you’re investing in health, longevity, and a beautiful p
Weaning isn’t about cutting ties; it’s about creating space for growth. We aim to have puppies weaned at 6 weeks, many mother dogs naturally begin showing signs they’re ready to step back, but Elsie takes some stronger boundaries as she has a strong mothering drive to give too much of herself to her puppies at her own expense.
Weaning builds resilience in the puppies, teaches them to self-soothe, and helps them transition to solid food. We want their defective systems to be fully acclimated by the time they go home.
We handle this process with the utmost care and compassion. We gradually reduce nursing sessions over the course of a week and utilize peppermint essential oils applications to encourage her milk supply to diminish. This helps her avoid discomfort and risks for mastitis.
Elsie gets anxious when we don’t let her in with her puppies at every opportunity. I use a calming essential oil blend as well as a daily CBD chew. We also offer plenty of distractions and affection as she makes this transition.
Of corse, providing high-quality food and supplements to replenish her body is part of the process as well. Elsie has maintained weight and is already regaining her energy. It is fun to watch her enjoy a good game of fetch again!
❤️ Double tap to show Elsie some love and encouragement
⬇️ Comment below if you use essential oils on your pets
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We all know the value of self soothing for our own mental health and wellbeing. Dogs need this skill too and a crate, similar to an infant’s crib can be just the tool to begin teaching our puppies this vital skill.
After 2 days of positive crate conditioning, we’re introducing short sessions with the door closed, paired with a littermate. And yes, some puppies holler or whine—it’s part of the process. They reacted the same way the first time I took them outside, and now they race to the door every chance they get!
Here’s the truth about whining:
❌ It doesn’t mean they are in distress or being emotionally scarred.
✅ It does mean they’re adjusting to something new and learning to navigate frustration—a vital skill for life.
How developing self-soothing skills benefits your dog long-term:
✨ Less stress: Puppies who learn to self-soothe adapt better to change, new environments, and unexpected situations.
✨ Better behavior: They’re less likely to develop anxiety-based habits like barking or destructive chewing.
✨ Peaceful companions: Whether at home, traveling, or visiting the vet, these dogs remain calm and collected.
When we coddle and swoop in every time our pup whines, we communicate that the world is a scary place and they need us to keep them safe. Thus fueling anxiety and dependency.
Crate training builds resilience, confidence, and trust. It’s a gift to your puppy that helps them thrive, whether they’re facing a thunderstorm, meeting new people, or simply winding down for the night.
🫶🏻 Share this post to help someone who is wavering in their conviction with crate training.
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