Dog Owners, Families and the General State of the World we Live in

So Much Has Changed Since COVID

So much has changed since COVID. I’m not sure if the pandemic itself caused this shift, but it certainly seems to have accelerated it. Our culture’s growing need for instant gratification has carried over into the world of dog ownership.

Today, we see many people who want a puppy right now. They often skip the research because they believe they already know enough—or at least think they do. I call this the “Insta-Family” mindset. They want the cute pictures with a new puppy but haven’t really thought through what that looks like for their family long-term.

They often don’t research the breed, the grooming needs, or even the breeder. And that has consequences.

The Rise of Puppy Mills and Backyard Breeders

Puppy mills are thriving—and they’ve gotten much better at looking appealing. They now post professional-quality videos and Reels (some real, some stolen) that make their operations look legitimate. Backyard breeders are also on the rise—these are people who simply pair two “cute doodle-ish” dogs together and call it good. Sometimes the results are fine, but often they’re disastrous.

Why? Because key factors like temperament, health, and lineage aren’t considered. These breeders may produce puppies quickly, but not responsibly—and that creates problems for families and for those of us doing things the right way.

Our Communication and Boundaries

I also want to share a reality about communication. I may not always respond to messages right away. I could be training puppies, at church, working, or simply having dinner with my family. In our home, we don’t let phones or business run our lives.

Recently, someone reached out about a puppy. I responded quickly but explained that I was at church and would follow up in two hours. When I did, she replied abruptly that she had already found another puppy since I “didn’t have time.” Honestly—that was a bullet dodged. Those are not the kind of owners we’re looking for. I want our puppies placed with families who value patience, thoughtfulness, and connection.

Evaluating What We Do

We’ve spent time evaluating what’s important to us and what our non-negotiables are. As part of this, we’re reducing the cost of our puppies—but that also means adjusting some of what we include.

What We’ve Changed:

• We no longer offer puppy packs due to the rising costs.
• We no longer microchip puppies; many owners never update the chip, making it ineffective. This will now be each owner’s responsibility.
• We have stopped dewclaw removal, due to both cost and ongoing debates about the procedure.
• We no longer perform every form of extensive testing (hips, eyes, heart, elbows), though we still do all genetic testing and thorough veterinary exams.
• We’ve scaled back our socialization and temperament testing programs; these took significant time and cost without matching benefit. Puppies still receive daily handling and exposure but without detailed records or spreadsheets. NO temperament testing sheets are available. I can, however, discuss what we have noticed when you are there to select your puppy.

What Hasn’t Changed — Our Non-Negotiables

• Health & Temperament: We will never compromise here. Every breeding dog must be healthy, well-tempered, and from a solid line.
• Quality Nutrition: I’ll continue to recommend only the food we feed here. Due to liability and owner expectations, I can no longer suggest alternative brands. If you choose a different food, that transition will be your responsibility. We do give a sample of food for the transition.
• Litter Training: We’ll continue litter training, though not at the same intensity as before. My office is with my dogs in our puppy area so they still get time, just not the level of time as before.
• Socialization: Still a priority, but simplified. Puppies will be exposed to a variety of experiences, noises, textures and people, just without the formal reports.

In Closing

Our goal has never changed—to raise healthy, well-adjusted puppies and connect them with thoughtful, committed families. We’ve simply had to adapt to a world that moves faster and expects more instant results.

To those who take the time to read, research, and build relationships: thank you. You are the kind of owners we love to work with.

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