We make our breeder picks first, and then families choose in reservation order. If you have a gender preference, please note it on your application, as gender ratios can’t be guaranteed before birth.

We also offer premium pick positions for families who want earlier selection. Female puppies are now an additional $500 due to their limited availability. Full details and current pricing are listed on our Puppy Selection Process page.

We require AKC registration because it protects breed integrity and supports programs that benefit all dogs. AKC registration funds canine health research, training resources, lost‑dog recovery services, and community programs that help dogs live healthier, longer lives.

Registration also provides your puppy with official pedigree documentation and gives you access to AKC events, education, and optional registration packages. Full details are available on our AKC Registration page.

We handle the entire AKC registration process for you to ensure everything is completed accurately and without stress. During your application, you’ll choose the registration option that best fits your needs, from the included basic certificate to upgraded packages with pedigrees and additional items. Full AKC rights are available to approved homes for an additional fee.

Microchipping
Every puppy goes home microchipped with lifetime AKC Reunite registration included. For added safety, we place the chip subcutaneously on the left side of the neck to help prevent migration. A personalized ID tag with QR code is available as an optional upgrade.

If you’d like to review all registration options and pricing, they are listed directly on the application.

What health care, vaccinations, and preventions has my puppy received
Your puppy receives age‑appropriate veterinary care while in our program. This includes a full wellness exam by our licensed veterinarian and routine deworming on a schedule recommended for growing puppies.

We offer the first DPv (Distemper/Parvovirus) vaccine by request for an additional fee. If you choose this option, your puppy will receive one DPv vaccine before going home, and you will receive documentation for your veterinarian to complete the booster.

Every puppy also goes home microchipped with lifetime AKC Reunite registration included. You will receive a complete health record at pickup with all exam notes, deworming dates, microchip information, and any optional vaccine details.

 Your puppy goes home with a complete starter kit to make the transition smooth and stress‑free. This includes:

Go‑Home Essentials

• 4 lb. bag of their current food

• Folder with birth certificate and veterinary records

• Microchip with lifetime AKC Reunite registration

• Health exam report, deworming history, and DPv vaccine record (if you selected the vaccine option)

• Current schedule sheet

• Blanket with mom and litter scent

• The crate you selected (please ensure you have space for it at pickup)

Training Foundations

• Outdoor potty routine: We begin taking puppies outside at 4 weeks on a structured schedule, so by 7 weeks they understand the routine.

• Crate training: Starting around 5–6 weeks, puppies are introduced to crate naps and nighttime crating (if requested). By go‑home age, they are familiar with their crate, which goes home with them to ease the transition.

Health Chart

You’ll receive a complete health chart showing all care your puppy received. Puppies are dewormed at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks (and again at 10 and 12 weeks for extended‑stay puppies). A fecal exam with your veterinarian is required per your contract.

Your puppy is currently eating Dr. Gary’s Best Breed Dog Food paired with Perna-flex2 vitamins. You can find recommendations on our [Dog Food Page], or buy a 28lb starter supply directly from us when you pick up your puppy. Plus, you’ll receive a 4lb bag included!

Usually 8 weeks 

Our Golden Retriever puppies are raised right in our home — never in a kennel environment. We believe that a loving, hands‑on environment gives each puppy the best possible start. Here’s what their early weeks look like:

• Weeks 0–3: Early Care in Our Master Suite
  Puppies are born and cared for in our master suite in a whelping box/kiddie pool setup. This keeps Mom comfortable and allows us to maintain a clean, safe, and easily accessible space during these critical first weeks.

• Week 3+: Socialization in the Heart of the Home
  Once they’re a bit older, the puppies move to a secure pen in our main living area. Here, they begin experiencing the sights and sounds of everyday household life. We use blankets to create a cozy, private den where they can rest and feel secure.

• Week 3.5+: Environmental & Confidence Building
  We gently introduce the puppies to grass, different textures, and a variety of everyday noises (through controlled recordings). This helps them grow into confident, well‑adjusted companions who are ready for the world.

• Going Home at 7–8 Weeks
  By the time they leave for their new families, our puppies have been well‑socialized, lovingly handled, and thoughtfully prepared for their next chapter.

We don’t use a traditional 7‑week temperament test. Research shows that one‑time tests at this age are not reliable predictors of adult behavior because puppies are still rapidly developing and often change once they settle into their new home.

Instead, I rely on daily, hands‑on observation. I spend hours with the puppies every day and get a very accurate sense of who is naturally calm, confident, sensitive, or energetic.

During this developmental window, we focus on practical skills that truly matter for a smooth transition home — crate comfort, predictable routines, early potty habits, and confident eating and sleeping patterns. Your puppy goes home with a strong foundation, and we encourage families to continue training and enroll in a positive‑reinforcement puppy class after pickup.

 We offer several crate‑training options based on how long your puppy stays with us and how much structure you want established before going home. All puppies receive age‑appropriate crate introduction, and the crate they train in goes home with them for a smoother transition.

Our options range from a simple 5‑day crate introduction to full day‑and‑night crate training for puppies staying until 10, 12, or 16 weeks. Longer stays allow for more advanced skills, such as entering the crate with treats, settling more quickly, and maintaining predictable routines.

Crate training is one of the most helpful parts of our program — it supports potty training, builds confidence, and helps your puppy adjust smoothly to their new home.

For full details on each option, please see our Crate Training Program page.

Because our puppies are raised inside our home, we do not allow in‑person visits at any time. Having unfamiliar people enter the home can create stress for our moms, and that stress affects their ability to care for their puppies. It also causes our other dogs to become alert and anxious, which disrupts the calm environment our moms and babies need.

Young puppies are also extremely vulnerable to illness. Even a quick visit can bring in germs on shoes or clothing, and their immune systems are not strong enough to handle that exposure. Protecting the health and well‑being of every puppy — including yours — is our top priority.

To help you stay connected, we provide photos, videos, and updates throughout the process. And if you want help choosing the right puppy, we are always happy to guide you. We spend hours with the puppies every day and understand their developing personalities, but it’s important to remember that they are still very young — and your home environment, training, and lifestyle will shape who your puppy becomes.

Families meet their puppy in person at pickup, when it is safe for both the puppies and our moms.

All of our puppies are sold with AKC Limited Registration, which means they are placed as family companions and are not eligible for breeding or for registering litters with the AKC. Limited Registration still allows participation in a wide range of AKC events such as Obedience, Rally, Agility, CGC, Therapy Dog work, and more.
Full registration is not offered except in rare, pre‑approved situations.

No — we are not a puppy mill, kennel, or backyard breeder. Our puppies are raised inside our home, never in a kennel environment. We are hands‑on with every litter, and our moms and puppies live as part of our family. We focus on health, structure, temperament, and early development to give each puppy the best possible start.

We provide a comprehensive congenital health guarantee for our puppies. Each puppy is examined by our veterinarian before going home and is guaranteed to be healthy to the best of our knowledge at the time of sale. Our guarantee covers terminal congenital or hereditary defects within the covered timeframe, as outlined in our contract. Conditions caused by injury, neglect, over‑exercise, or improper care are not covered. Full details are provided in our purchase contract, which every family receives before reserving a puppy.

We accept Zelle as our primary payment method. Additional payment options may be available for approved families and are outlined during the reservation process.

Yes — families are welcome to pay through Good Dog if they prefer. Please note that Good Dog adds their own processing fees to the total. We outline all payment options after approval.

Yes

Both males and females make wonderful family companions. The differences between them are often overstated, and personality varies more by individual puppy than by gender. We encourage families to focus on temperament, lifestyle fit, and the qualities that matter most to them. If you’re unsure, we’re always happy to help guide you based on your family’s needs and the puppies’ developing personalities.