Our Recommendations

Puppies will go home on Victors All Stages Super Premium Dog Food – Beef Meal & Brown Rice Formula. We recommend to keep the pups on this food for at least a month (to minimize stress while transitioning), this is a great food to keep your pup on for life as well!

As a quick recommendation, we think that the 42” crate is great for our standard size doodles, and 36” for medium size, 30” for mini.

Remember, boundaries are your friend when first bringing home a puppy! Utilize “puppy proofed”areas in your home, a crate, a play pen or use the tethering technique when your puppy is new to your home and potty training!

For training and walking, we do not use harnesses, as these have been shown to encourage pulling. Instead, we use slip leads and Herm Sprenger prong collars, which provide clearer communication and better leash manners. These tools, when used correctly, are safe and effective for teaching proper leash behavior and fostering a respectful walking relationship with your dog.

Regular Grooming Maintenance in between professional grooms include:

Line brushing (with detangler and a slicker brush) and using a steel comb on the coat every couple days to prevent matting. If there is matting, use a dematting comb on the problem area.

Flushing and cleaning the ears out every 2 weeks to help prevent ear infections.

Shampoo, condition, and completely blow dry every couple weeks, especially if they get in some mud or sand. This is our favorite way to keep our doodle and poodle coats mat free.

Use the clipper to give “bum” clips and the shears to trim the hair around the eyes and feet when needed. Use nail clippers when needed every couple weeks.

Your puppy will go home with his/her vet record, which will include the 7-week vet visit with 1 one round of parvo/distemper shot. Please follow the vet schedule below (unless your vet recommends otherwise), and make sure to hold your puppy as much as possible through the parking lot and vet office, try not to let your dog on the vet floor until he/she is fully vaccinated after 16 weeks.

• Vet Visit 72 hours after pick up:Per our contract, please take your new puppy to your own vet within 72 hours of picking up the puppy for a normal check-up just to establish your relationship with your vet and the new pup, and bring a fecal (the transition itself can be stressful on a puppy’s system and may activate some GI issues due to stress and a new environment).

• 10 Weeks old: Most vets recommend a round of distemper/parvo and bordetella

• 13 Weeks old: Most vets recommend a round of distemper/parvo and lepto 1

• 16 Weeks old: Most vets recommend final puppy round of distemper/parvo, lepto 2, and rabies

After this, they are good for a year!

Until your pup is fully vaccinated, it is very important not to take him/her to high traffic areas where they could pick up a virus. Parvo has been unfortunately common the last couple years, and it can get passed around very easily. The mantra we use is “keep all four off the floor.” It would be best to avoid parks (we NEVER recommend dog parks during any stage of your dogs life), high traffic shopping centers and restaurant patios. It is essential to socialize them. We suggest bringing them to family or friends homes that own vaccinated dogs, and they can safely play in backyards. You can also go to public areas if you can hold your puppy off the ground, take them in a car ride for a pup cup, put them in a cart with a blanket under them so they can still experience new things (Home Depot, Lowes, Tractor Supply, Petsmart are GREAT places to take your pups around in a cart), or a large picnic blanket that they can stay on in parks and public areas. Once they are fully vaccinated. these places are great to take them for training and socialization as well.

Also, a couple comments on healthy bone and joint development. Young puppies’ bones and joints aren’t fully formed or fused together yet. For the first couple months, be careful not to let your pup jump off of high places like sofas or beds. A good rule of thumb is to only walk 5 minutes per how many months they are; so a 4 month puppy shouldn’t go longer than a 20 minute walk. We don’t take our dogs on runs or long hikes until they are at least one year old, once their bones and joints have fully fused.

We believe training is essential for both puppies and adult dogs — it's the foundation for raising a well‑mannered, confident, and successful family companion. While training takes both time and investment, it delivers an incredible return through years of harmony and partnership.

Your puppy arrives at 8 weeks old with a strong starting point, but from here—you take the reins (with guidance). The first full year is pivotal: growth happens fast, there will be ups and downs, and you’ll navigate toddler and even “teenage” stages. By shaping your year‑long training plan, you'll be ready for regressions and empowered to reinforce positive progress.

We strongly recommend Dave Caramico – Empowered K9 Training (Phoenix/Gilbert, AZ).

Dave is the founder and head trainer of Empowered K9, one of the most respected training programs in the Valley. Voted “Best of Gilbert Dog Training” he specializes in board-and-train programs, behavior modification, puppy development, and off-leash e-collar training. His approach goes far beyond basic obedience — it’s about shaping a dog’s mindset and helping them live calmly and confidently in the real world.

Unlike treat-based training, Empowered K9 does not rely on food luring or bribing. Instead, Dave uses a balanced training philosophy rooted in clarity, consistency, and respect. Tools like the Herm Sprenger prong collar and the Educator Mini e-collar are used to create calm, reliable communication — not to punish, but to guide and reinforce desired behaviors in a way that dogs instinctively understand. This system builds trust and helps dogs achieve genuine, lasting obedience both on and off leash.

Dave only works with a few dogs at a time, ensuring each training plan is highly personalized. His 3-week board-and-train program comes with lifetime trainer support, making him an excellent long-term partner in your dog’s development.

👉 Learn more: empoweredk9.com