Wow! 2019 really flew by. As we sit here and reflect on the year behind us in preparation for the holiday season and the coming of 2020, we wanted to take a moment and share some things that happened with Midwest Bernedoodles this year. As with many things in life, the best laid plans don’t always pan out. 2019 may not have been the year we had originally set our sights on, but we are beyond excited for what 2020 might have in store!

Mother Nature Has Her Way Of Doing Things

When we kicked off 2019, we were excited about the early spring and late summer litters we had planned. Our reservation lists were packed, and we were ready to connect puppy parents all over the country with their beloved babies. Unfortunately, however, we could not plan for one thing: Mother Nature.

We were devastated to hear that two of our momma’s pregnancies did not take. It was not only a devastating blow to us and our momma dogs, but also to the adopters on our wait list. For this reason, we decided to hold off on accepting reservations until we could conform pregnancies were successful. And then another heartbreaking incident- our momma who did have puppies had an unexpectedly small litter. Sometimes these things just happen, especially with first time mommies. We held onto one of the females to use later in our breeding program, and adopted out the baby boy (who you all know as Jax! He is quite famous on our page!).

Finding the Light in the Face of Adversity

Our family is so invested in the dogs in our program. Each and every one of them feel like family to us. When we have issues with pregnancy or one of our mommas fails to conceive, it is gut-wrenching. We knew that rather than put our ladies through another try, that it was in their best interest that we spay them and help them find loving, forever homes. Our dogs are dogs first, puppy parents second. When parenthood isn’t their calling, we take every measure possible to find them the best place to retire.

But what does this mean for our program? Never fear, we are taking the right steps we need to advance our program. We have two F1B Bernedoodles, S’mores and Molly, who will begin their health testing shortly to make sure they are compatible matches for our program.

Moving Forward!

With all of this said, we hope that you can hang tight with us as we launch into 2020. There are so many exciting things on our horizon, but the most exciting thing is that we will get to pair families with their best friends. Thank you for your understanding and patience with us this year. The health and well-being of our dogs is number one, so we had to put our puppy plans on the backburner while we tended to the amazing dogs in our program. But now its onward and upward for Midwest Bernedoodles! And we can’t wait to take you along the ride!

Halloween is such an exciting time of year. Ghosties, ghouls and, of course, plenty of candy! While this can be a super fun time of year for you and your kiddos, there are some practices you should put into habit to keep your pet safe. Here are some Halloween tips to make sure that this Halloween isn’t hiding some extra tricks up its sleeve.

Keep the Candy for the Kids

As tempting as it can be to share snacks with our furry friends, candy is a definite no-no in a doggy diet. Did you know that chocolate, even in small doses, can be lethal to your pet? Many candies are loaded with the artificial sweetener xylitol, which is also poisonous to dogs. Xylitol can lead to a dangerous drop in blood sugar, causing stomach upset, liver failure or seizures! And as if the concerns of toxicity weren’t scary enough, hard candies can be choke hazards for your pet as well.

If you have kiddos in the house, be sure to sit them down and explain how important it is that they do not sneak sweet treats to your dog. Always store your candy supply in an area where you dog can not reach them (and for safe measure, putting them in a container with a lid is always a good idea!).

Watch the Door

If your house is a hot-spot for eager trick-or-treaters, it may be best to place your pet in another room or tucked away safely in their kennel. Door darting is a nasty habit and can be heartbreaking if your doggy manages to escape while you are filling up buckets with delicious treats.

Dogs who may not be fully socialized yet may also be frightened by the frequent doorbells, visitors and strange costumes. All of this could lead to high stress-levels in your pooch, which can sometimes bring out some less-than-desirable behaviors. As fun as it might be to include your pup in on the festivities, he or she may actually be happier taking a nap in another room.

If your dog will be joining you for the fun, be sure they are easily identifiable with a collar and name tag. As most trick-or-treating is done at night, we recommend a glow in the dark collar so that if he or she does happen to escape, they are easily seen in the dark.

Dangerous Decor

Halloween means spooky decor and fun costumes, all of which can be tricky to navigate if you have a dog in your home. Be sure that all wires are tucked away and out of reach, we don’t want your pet thinking that they would make fun chew toys! Other potential hazards include jack-o-lanterns with candles inside as your pet might knock them over and start a fire and edible decorations such as pumpkins or cornstalks could lead to stomach sensitivity.

As fun as it is to dress our furry friend up for Halloween, it can sometimes cause undue stress on our pet. If your dog has never worn puppy attire before, Halloween may not be the day to give it a go. Some dogs don’t like the confinement that comes with wearing clothing. If your pet is accustomed to pet apparel, make sure your costume of choice is well-fitted, does not have any parts that your pet could chew and choke on, and be sure to let them try the costume on before the stress of the big night arrives!

One of the biggest things we preach to our adopters is proper early socialization of your new addition! But how is the best way to socialize your pup without over-exposing them? We’ve outlined our favorite socialization methods for you in this week’s blog!

Make the Most of these Early Weeks

Your puppy is at his/her most moldable phase between seven and twelve weeks. It is during this time-period that you should expose your new addition to as many things as possible in a positive way. We kickstart all of our puppies with great socialization skills and introduction to a variety of experiences, but it is your job as a new puppy parent to continue that training!

First things first, always take into consideration your puppy’s health first. When you take your new pooch home, they will not be fully vaccinated against harmful diseases such as Parvo. For that reason, we suggest not introducing your puppy to places with high canine traffic until your vet has cleared them. That does not mean, however, that your puppy has to stay locked up at home! We love taking puppies to places like Lowes or other dog-friendly retail stores. Your puppy can ride along in the cart or be carried in your arms and still see a ton of new people and stimuli throughout their visit.

Once your puppy has received his/her final vaccination, you can begin introducing them to areas with higher dog-traffic such as pet stores and dog parks. Ideally, they will have been exposed to a multitude of scenarios that will keep them calm during these initial visits, but remember it is easy for your pet to grow overwhelmed. Always listen to your pet and never force them into something that obviously makes them uncomfortable. As we said earlier, these first few months are the months were your puppy’s personality will take shape. You never want them to grow up in a state of worry, but rather in a positive and welcoming atmosphere!

Be the Happy Medium

Seeing new things and going new places can be scary for your puppy! It is important that you are always the person your puppy can go to when they are nervous. Understand your puppy’s body language and respect them when they say, “hey, this is kind of scary!” It is okay for something to make your puppy cautious. From that point, it is your job to show them that they have nothing to be scared of.

Keep socialization exercises positive and always reward your puppy for good behavior. If your puppy grows wary and hides behind you, that is okay! Comfort them and allow them to grow comfortable with what is making them nervous on their own terms. For example, if you take your puppy to Lowes as we suggested earlier and they are scared of the moving shopping carts, allow your puppy the chance to sniff and inspect the cart on his/her own terms. Rather than drag them on, let them stop and give the cart a once over to establish that it is not as scary as they think!

Practice Makes Perfect

You can work on socialization in the comfort of your own home, as well, but that should never be the entire source of your puppy’s exposure. We like to encourage “homework,” especially if your puppy was overwhelmed by something outside of the home. Great things to prepare your puppy for are blow-dryers or hairbrushes, which they will encounter at the groomer. Handle their feet daily so it isn’t so scary the first time they have their nails trimmed.

You can let your puppy see water in a puddle in your yard, cars in your driveway and much more! When your puppy is with us, we play this CD every night to expose them to “spooky sounds” they will encounter in their daily lives.

Things to See

There are a variety of things you should introduce your puppy too as he/she develops mentally. Some of those include:

• Handling your puppy daily including their ears, eyes, muzzle, and paws.
• Exposing your puppy to a variety of environments such as rural and urban areas!
• Bikes, scooters, skateboards, shopping carts, etc.
• People and other pets who are not in your household.
• Children of all ages (but of course be sure the children understand and respect the boundaries you set forth with your puppy! Never let them tug or pull on any part of your puppy).
• Take your puppy for car rides and let them adjust to the moving vehicle.
• While you never want to over-bathe your puppy, they should be introduced to baths early on!

We highly encourage dog-parents to work with a certified dog trainer, especially when socializing your new addition! If you are local to our area, we are happy to refer you to a qualified trainer that we trust. For those who are long-distance, we are happy to help you review your options and find the best fit for you and your pet!

Just like with babies, your new puppy is going to need a balanced diet to help them grow big and strong! Picking out the diet your puppy will follow is a crucial part of the preparation process. Today we are going to discuss some dietary do’s and don’ts, plus address some myths commonly associated with dogs and their dinner.

The Decision

We all have preferences when it comes to food. Think about it, you probably reach for the same brand of potato chips every time you are in the grocery store, right? Just like you, your dog is going to have a preference when it comes to their diet. As your dog’s owner, it is up to you to provide them with a diet that not only suits their needs, but also their tastebuds.

But what dog food is best? There is a lot of room for personal preference here. We will start by saying we 100% believe all dietary changes, especially extreme ones, should be coordinated with your veterinary professional. As your puppy grows, their nutritional needs will change. In the earlier stages, your puppy is going to need lots of nutrients to help them grow up to be happy and healthy. Your puppy should be on a puppy food diet for at least six months. Smaller dogs may need to stay on puppy food until twelve months of age. Your vet will be able to help you decide when you can make that transition.

A Steady Transition

Whether you are switching your puppy to a different puppy food than what we have fed them or you are moving them to adult food, the process needs to be slow and steady. Quick dietary changes can be hard on your dog’s tummy and cause digestive upset. Severe digestive upset can lead to dehydration and can make your puppy very sick.

The best way to transition your puppy’s diet is in small increments. Begin by blending small amounts of the new food in with their current diet. As each day progresses, increase the amount of their new food. We recommend this process span out over seven days, so by the eighth day your puppy is eating solely your food of choice.

Kibbles or Cans?

You have two mainstream options when it comes to selecting the type of food your dog will eat: kibbles or cans. For the most part, this comes down to personal preference, but there are positives and negatives to each selection.

Kibbles tend to offer more diverse dietary options and are more affordable than canned dog food. Kibbles come in a variety of sizes, so be sure to buy one that is appropriate for your dog. Smaller dogs will have a very hard time chewing on large, dense kibbles, while bigger dogs will scarf down kibbles that are too small which poses a choke hazard. The reason why many people opt for canned food over kibbles is that their dog has a hard time chewing their food, but you can always moisten kibbles with water or chicken broth!

Canned food is more expensive than kibbles, but it is a lot easier for smaller dogs, young puppies or older dogs to consume. Canned food can upset sensitive stomachs, so it is important to make sure you are buying an appropriate blend for your dog’s stage of life. Larger dogs may require more than one can (as the can sizes are quite small) to have a full meal, making this the least cost-effective option of the two.

Snacks to Avoid

We love our dogs so much that it is easy to want to share our snacks with them. Not only can human foods be harmful to your four-legged friend, but they can lead to increased weight-gain which is hard on their bodies. Next time your pup gives you those sweet, begging eyes as you munch on your snacks, consider these hazards:

• Choke Hazards: Rib bones splinter and can become lodged in the esophagus, bread expands when moist, candy, fruits, etc.
• Toxic Foods: Chocolate, onions/garlic, nuts, grapes, cherries and candy can all be toxic to your dog!
• Other Dangers: Salt can lead to seizures, coffee can increase heart rate resulting in seizures, alcohol can lead to alcohol poisoning, and dairy as most dogs are lactose intolerant!

In short, make sure you are picking a food that is full of the nutrients your growing dog needs. Make sure the food you decide to feed is easily accessible for those last-minute, late-night dog food runs! And try to avoid sharing snacks with your pooch, as many human foods can be dangerous for your pooch.

Wouldn’t it be SO much fun if we could read our dogs’ minds? While there is a communication barrier between humans and dogs, that doesn’t mean we can’t speak their language! In fact, if you pay close attention you can see exactly what your dog is thinking. Dogs are very expressive and rely heavily on body language to speak not only to other dogs, but to their human families as well. So what is your pup trying to tell you? Read on to find out!

“I Am SO Happy!”

If your dog is happy, you will know it immediately! A happy dog will appear relaxed and pleasant, oftentimes they will even appear to “smile” with a slightly open jaw! If your dog is happy, their ears will be up and focused on you. Another tell-tale sign of a happy pooch is an eagerly wagging tail! A playful pup may crouch down and invite you to play or get a case of the “zoomies” while they run around with bursts of energy.

Happy dogs will be excited to have your attention. They may even roll over on their belly for scratches or nudge your hand to ask for more petting! A happy dog will never hunker down when approached (unless they are preparing to pounce like we mentioned before!).

“This Makes Me a Little Uncomfortable…”

If your dog is nervous about a new scenario, they will be quick to tell you. A worried dog will hunker down in a submissive manner. They will most likely avoid eye contact and place their ears back flat against their head. You won’t see that “grin” that your dog sports when he/she is happy. Instead, they will have a worried expression in their face that is easy to read. They may hide behind you or lay down on their back with their face to the side. Heavy panting (not followed by exercise) is often associated with stress, as well as dogs who are pacing back and forth.

Most of the time, if your pup is telling you this then they are being rushed into a new or uncomfortable situation. You never want to rush your dog into something that is worrisome for them. That is how fear-induced aggression can express itself. Rather, reassure your dog in a soothing voice and slowly introduce them to the stimuli that is making them nervous. You will watch your dog’s expression slowly relax as they become comfortable with their surroundings.

“I Am Not Happy About This.”

In most cases, it takes a lot for a dog to resort to aggression. In fact, dogs often give us plenty of warning signs until they reach this stage. It is important to understand the two types of aggression when trying to decipher why your dog is upset.

First up is fearful aggression. This one is easy to determine as your dog has told you clearly that they are uncomfortable about a situation before they reach this point. Fear-induced aggression should be treated with caution. Your dog will go from submissive and anxious to showing signs of anger. Most likely the hair will be raised on their back, they will wrinkle their nose and show a flash of their teeth. In the case of fearful aggression, your dog most likely feels threatened but does not intend on backing down from what has made them nervous. It is important to handle dogs who show these signs carefully, as they can react out of fear.

Dogs who display signs of dominant aggression often think they are the top of the pack. If you have other dogs in the home, they are trying to establish themselves as the leader. It is important to note, however, that a dog’s pack isn’t always made up of other canines. Your dog will view you as part of their pack, so a dominant dog may show some of these signs towards you. Dogs displaying signs of dominant aggression will stand very erect and be focused on intimidating the subject they are trying to establish dominance over. These dogs will show their teeth and give off a deep, throaty growl. In a non-threatening way, you need to remind your dog of his/her place in your household’s pack. For either type of fear, we highly recommend utilizing the skills of a licensed dog trainer.

As your new puppy grows and develops, they will have to overcome a LOT of new stimuli which will shape their personality. Just like with humans, some dogs are more friendly, while others are more shy. You should understand the way your dog talks to you, and always respect their boundaries as they learn more about the world!

Adopting a puppy is a life commitment! It is important that you do your research and invest in a puppy who your family can enjoy for many years to come. At Midwest Bernedoodles, we don’t see our puppies as dogs; we see them puppies as family members. For that reason, we have invested a lot of time and energy into best-practices that ensure our puppies are top-knotch. We understand that our puppies may seem like a hefty investment for some families. Check out all the benefits that come with adopting from Midwest Bernedoodles!

We Stand Behind the Health of Our Puppies

There are countless horror stories about families falling in love with a puppy, only to find out later that they carry a debilitating disease. We are committed to providing you a puppy free of disease or defect that would compromise their quality of life. Because of that, we offer a two-year life-threatening disorder guarantee on all puppies adopted from our program.

So how can we guarantee that your puppy will be free of genetic disorders? We start by investing in quality breeding stock which have been health-tested. All of our males and females have been evaluated by the OFA for hips and elbows, in addition to any other applicable disorders relative to the parent breed.

When you pick up your new addition, you will receive a copy of their entire medical record. All puppies will be up-to-date on age-appropriate vaccinations and wormings at the time of pick up.

Getting a Head Start

The first few weeks of your puppy’s life are imperative for puppy development! That is why we go the extra mile to ensure your puppy has been properly exposed to a variety of life scenarios. We introduce your puppy to crate-training and early socialization practices to help make their transition to your home smooth.

We use Early Neurological Stimulation to expose your puppy to human-handling as early as three days of age. This practice has been proven to positively impact your puppy’s brain development and set them on the track for success. We are also big believers in the Puppy Culture Program for continued training and exposure practices. This week-by-week program is developed to help your puppy mature in a confident manner.

In addition to all of these bonuses, we use lots of puzzles and enrichment activities to keep your puppy mentally stimulated as they develop! A confident puppy will grow into a happy dog, and we pride ourselves on raising puppies that will thrive in their new homes.

Parents We Are Proud Of

When it comes to raising puppies, we don’t just pick any dogs to be our moms and dads. As we mentioned earlier, all of our parent stock undergo rigorous health-testing to ensure only quality genetics are being passed along. But, we don’t stop there. Mental health is also very important to us when choosing breeding stock. That is why we only pick breeding dogs with solid temperaments and wonderful personalities.

All of our parent dogs live normal lives in homes with families just like yours! We are not a “kennel.” Our breeding dogs enjoy long walks and cuddling on the couch with their best friend, just like your future puppy will! This is an important part of our program as we strive to keep our dogs members of the family first and breeding dogs second.

A Lifetime Connection

We hope you see us as more than your puppy’s breeder. For almost all of our previous adopters, we are a lifelong friend and resource as your puppy ages. We have spent years developing our program and picking practices that benefit the puppies and their future families. We send all of our puppies home with a bag full of educational books, a scented blanket that smells like mom so they can settle easy in their new homes and tons of other resources!

Local families will receive recommendations on veterinarians, groomers, trainers and more! We are just an email away with any questions you may have as your puppy ages. From potty-training to preparing your home for puppy and more, we love to share our best-practices with our adoptive families. When you purchase a puppy from Midwest Bernedoodles, you are joining a family! As you can tell by our Mission Statement, we spare no expense in time, energy or money to raise awesome puppies!

 

Bernedoodles are big, Bernedoodles are beautiful and Bernedoodles are fluffy! The Bernedoodle’s striking coat will require a bit of maintenance to keep them clean and comfortable. Today we talk about basic grooming tips to keep your new addition looking his/her best at all times!

Preparing Pups for Grooming

The first step in grooming your puppy is preparing them for the grooming process. Your pup needs to be properly desensitized to a variety of stimuli such as running water, blow dryers and having their paws handled. It is important that you introduce your puppy to these experiences early on and in a kind manner so that they only associate these practices with positive experiences.

Many puppies are afraid of the sound of running water, so try to have your sink or tub pre-filled prior to bathing your puppy. Be gentle with bathing your puppy and reward positive behavior with lots of love and praise. Do not be rough to your puppy in the bath or scold them for being afraid. Remember, this time in your puppy’s development is where fear can lead to anxiety later in life.

Another experience that may be strange to your puppy is brushing. Your Bernedoodle’s coat will benefit from daily brushing to prevent matts. Your puppy will probably be unsure of what to think about having their hair brushed. Again, make the experience a positive one so that your new furry friend isn’t afraid every time they see you bring out the brush!

Having their nails clipped is an unusual experience for all dogs, so it is best to prepare them early. Practice handling your puppy’s paws every day and increase the amount of time in which you hold their paws still slowly. If you have never clipped a dog’s nails before, we do not advise that you do so without first receiving instruction from a licensed groomer or your vet. “Quicking” a dog’s nails is a painful experience and can leave a young puppy scarred for life.

Your Grooming Checklist

In between professional grooming sessions, your Bernedoodle will require some maintenance care at home. The biggest one is daily maintenance of their coat. Bernedoodles have a hair coat, which means they are little-to-non shedding, however that can lead to matting of their coat over time if not properly maintained. Brush your Bernedoodle daily with a brush or comb. We love and highly recommend the Greyhound Comb! 

Your Bernedoodle may need bathing in between grooming appointments, but be careful not to over bathe! Most people think their pooch needs a bath once a week, however, too many baths can lead to dry, itchy and uncomfortable skin. Only bathe your dog as he/she needs it. If your puppy does suffer from dry skin (especially in the colder months) we recommend using a tea tree shampoo to soothe them! Always look for any unusual bumps, cuts or rashes when bathing your dog.

First Trip to the Groomer!

Once your pup has been fully vaccinated (around 14-16 weeks) it is time for their first trip to the groomer! Even if you do not want your pup to receive a full groom at this time, we think it is very important to take your pup to the groomer anyway. Even if it is just for a quick bath and blow-dry, the earlier you can expose them to this practice, the more likely they are to acclimate to it without fear. We suggest taking your pup to the groomer every 3-4 weeks for a professional bath and blow-dry.

Now it’s time for puppy’s first haircut! It is important to go with photos in mind of what you would like your pooch to look like. If your puppy has an active, outdoorsy lifestyle, shorter cuts may keep him/her happier! If you prefer a longer coat, remember that your upkeep is going to be much greater! Your groomer will be able to suggest to you different clipping options best suited for you and your Bernedoodle. Professional grooming should be done every 4-6 weeks, with regular at-home maintenance in between.

If you are ready to add a Midwest Bernedoodle to your family, please visit our available puppies page for updates on upcoming litters and open reservations. If you have any questions, feel free to check us out on Facebook or shoot us an email. We look forward to helping pair you with your new best friend!

With the arrival of our first puppies, many families are excitedly making preparations for their fluffy friend! With so many things to think of, it is easy to feel like something is getting left off of the list. We have compiled a checklist of must-haves and to-dos that will make life easier when bringing home your new pup.

The Necessities

First things first, you need to purchase all of the basics that your puppy will require. Think about what you need: food to eat, a place to sleep and everything to keep you happy and healthy in between! All of our puppies will come with a sample of Purina Pro Plan (which is what we recommend and feed to our dogs), however you can make the switch if you would prefer. You need to select an age-appropriate diet for your puppy as they grow. A balanced diet is VERY important during the growing stages. As you transition to your food of choice, you will want to blend it slowly with Purina Pro Plan and wean them off of the food they are acclimated to. This prevents upset bellies! If you have any questions regarding your pup’s diet, we recommend consulting with your vet.

Once your puppy has a fully belly, he/she is going to want to take a nap! We wholeheartedly believe in the importance of crate training. Because of that, we begin the crate training process before your puppy leaves to join your family. To maintain their training, it is important that you invest in a crate for your puppy to call “home.” We recommend the heavy-duty wire crates as they are very durable. You need to purchase a crate that fits your pup’s size. To keep from having to purchase multiple crates as your puppy grows, you can purchase a large crate with a divider and adjust it to fit your pup. A crate that is too large will invite your puppy to potty in one corner. A crate that is too small will be uncomfortable for your new friend! You need a crate that is just right in size!

Other items you will need to purchase are food and water bowls, exercise pens or baby gates, a collar complete with an ID tag and leash, and any at-home grooming necessities.

Professional Services

Another important item on your puppy preparation checklist is to determine which puppy professionals you will use! Veterinarians are first that come to mind, but equally as important are dog trainers, dog groomers, and doggy day care or boarding facilities.

If you live nearby, we can happily provide you with references to professionals we know and trust. If you are starting out on your own, try consulting with your coworkers, family and friends. See who they use and trust. Always use certified and licensed individuals and don’t be afraid to ask for client references. You will rely on these professionals to care for your pup throughout his or her life, it is important that you can trust them!

Toys and More!

This is the fun part about preparing for your new pup! Think about your puppy as a newborn child when buying toys. Avoid toys with small, moving parts that could easily become a choke hazard.

Your puppy will LOVE to chew! This habit may lead to frustration in the house, but you can curb it by picking up toys that your pup would prefer to chew on rather than your favorite pair of slippers. We love Kong toys as they are virtually indestructible and many of them have the ability to hide treats inside of them. This is a super fun game for your dog!

Invest in high-quality, interactive toys that will keep your puppy occupied throughout the day. Puzzles, toys with treats hidden inside, or chewing bones are all great ways to keep your dog entertained. Just like kiddos, anything can become a toy if it is within eye-sight of your new puppy. If you love it, be sure to store it out of sight so it doesn’t become your pup’s new favorite toy.

As you wait for your new arrival, stock up on all the necessities! If you have yet to commit to a puppy, be sure to check out our upcoming and available litters page to see if your new friend awaits you. We would love to help pair you with your lifelong pet!