Friday, December 19, 2025

2026 Puppy Colors

 If you're wanting a Cockapoo puppy with some dark colors in their coat 2026 will be your last chance with us! River and Clover are our only two dogs that have Merle and mixed colors in their bloodlines. River is a Chocolate, Tan, and White Cocker Spaniel who carries the Merle gene. Clover is a Blue Merle Cocker Spaniel with "Blue," Black, Tan, and White in her coat and Blue and Brown eyes. They are the only two of our current dogs that have the potential to produce Merle, Chocolate, Parti, or Black puppies and they often have litters with several different colors in them. 



In 2026 both River and Clover will be spayed after having one last litter. We only breed the girls for a short time before spaying them so that they can then become fetch playing couch potatoes with no parental responsibilities! This means that 2026 will be the last chance for multi-colored puppies. Our remaining crew will continue to mostly produce Red, Apricot, and Buff puppies.



Monday, June 10, 2024

Dogs and Horses, Please Keep Everyone Safe

 Do you walk your dog in state parks or public recreation areas?

I have a horse and dogs, so thought I'd use this page as an opportunity to educate people who maybe don't have equine experience.

This weekend a friend and I took our horses to a recreation area to do some trail riding. While in the parking lot with our horses, 3 separate families arrived with their dogs and let them loose to run in the park, completely ignoring the "keep your dog on a leash" signs and paying no attention to our horses nearby.

I understand that dogs need to run, play, and exercise, but people also need to be respectful of others while in a public area.

The place where we were riding was heavily wooded with hills, blind curves, and lots of areas where riders wouldn't see a loose dog or dog owners wouldn't see horses ahead of time. Horses are prey animals and their first instinct when spooked is to run. Running scared can lead to bucking and tripping, riders falling off, and people getting trampled, leaving behind a long list of potential injuries to both a horse and rider.

If you're in a public area that allows horses and you see them, or even see a horse trailer in the parking lot, please keep your dog on a leash. If you encounter horses on the trail don't hide! Speak to the riders to make yourself known and keep your dog calm and nearby. If your dog is loose be sure to regain control of them so that they don't run to or scare the horses. It's a good idea to stop and let the riders pass or ask what they prefer (horses have the right of way.) If you come up behind a horse also make yourself known by speaking with the riders so as not to spook the horse. These simple actions will help keep everyone safe. 

Horses, hikers, bicyclists, and dog walkers can all easily get along if we have good communication and look out for everyone's well being. Happy Trails!




Wednesday, March 20, 2024

An Alternative to an "E-Collar"

 We've all seen it, the dreaded "cone of shame" that pets have to wear after surgery or an injury to prevent them from getting to the wound, otherwise known as an E-Collar. The big plastic cone that you tie around their neck that bumps into everything, prevents them from reaching their food or water, that makes them walk funny or not at all, and most of all, makes them look at you like "WHY?!"  Dogs hate it. Cats hate it. Owners hate it.

When my friend had her Dalmatian spayed I called for an update. When I asked how she was doing with the E-Collar she replied "She HATES it!" I laughed because I totally expected that answer so I suggested a solution to replace the dreaded cone. I told her to go the store, get a pool noodle, cut it into segments and either loop them around her collar or use some type of rope or string to fasten around her neck. As soon as we got off the phone she ran to store to complete her project and reported back with this picture:


The E-Collar that was provided by the vet was thrown in the trash and this new version kept her puppy away from her wound but allowed regular movement and a much happier dog and owner. I keep a picture of this at home and show it to my adopting families and was told that I should share it with everyone, hence this blog. 

Before you get your pet spayed/neutered or have any other surgical type of procedure done I would suggest constructing a similar collar or ordering alternatives online. There are several inflatable types of collars that can be found along with other types of onesies, suits, socks, etc. that help prevent your pet from reaching their wounds. (Onesies are great for use after your dog is spayed.)


Monday, June 19, 2023

Shipping your Puppy via Flight Nanny Services

 Due to constant changes in airline policies we no longer ship our puppies via cargo. I realize that is a major inconvenience to many of our out of state customers but we do have a few alternatives to help get your puppy to you! 

As always you are more than welcome to come to our home and pick up your puppy in person. We have had many families from out of state make the trip up here and they always say the drive is beautiful! If you are not within what you would consider driving distance there are still a few flight options. Our two local airports are Appleton, WI (ATW) and Green Bay, WI (GRB.) Surprisingly, there are a few airlines that do fly direct to them including Southwest, Allegiant, American, and Frontier (check the airlines directly for current information.) If you are willing to fly here we can certainly meet you at the airport with your puppy. We have also had families fly into Milwaukee, WI (MKE,) rent a car, and come here to pick up your puppy. Delivery to MKE could possibly be an option for a fee, but please check with us first to make sure we are available or can find someone to hire.

If flying here doesn't suit you then a Puppy Nanny service may be a better option. If our schedule allows, either myself or my husband, may be available to personally fly your puppy to your airport of choice and meet you there. The buyer would be responsible for the cost of the flight, airline pet fee, soft crate and health certificate, plus a $300 travel fee. We would fly out of Appleton or Green Bay, WI and if there are not any flights available for our return on the same day the buyer would be responsible for an additional hotel fee of $150. Once you pick out a puppy we could look into specific costs of available flights and dates. Once we figured out a flight that fit everyone's needs we would need to be paid in full, via Paypal, and would then book it. Flights are non-refundable so if we book a flight and you then cancel on a puppy your payment to us for the flight would not be refunded.

If we are not available to fly a puppy to you there are professional Flight Nanny services that you can hire. Just doing a simple Google search brought up several companies and there are a few things I would double check before booking with them. I noticed that some of the nannies only fly stand by, meaning that they work for the airline and can fly for free on stand by, but the flight is not guaranteed and this could cause some issues with everyone's schedules. Other companies offer stand by flights or purchased flights which are guaranteed so I would double check to see what they offer and which you prefer. Some companies only flew to larger airports and did not offer ATW or GRB as a destination so definitely double check where they will fly. I also noticed that some offer soft sided crates that they reuse while others required you to purchase one. In general most charge a standard fee plus the cost of a ticket if you're not flying stand by, and additional fees charged by the airline. Airlines charge a pet fee usually between $95-200. If it were my decision, I would work with a service that lets you purchase a ticket because flying stand by isn't always available, especially to the smaller airports that are near us. Definitely do your research, and if you decide to use a service, we will work with them to get your puppy to you. 

I'm sure there are lots of companies out there, here are a few that I saw while spending a few minutes on Google:

Fuzzy fur Babies: https://www.fuzzyfurbabiesflightnanny.com/

TLC Flight Nanny: https://tlcflightnanny.com/

In Cabin Puppy: https://incabinpuppy.com/

Paws on a Plane: https://pawsonaplane.com/

Pet Commute: https://www.petcommute.com/


(I'm not affiliated with any of the above companies and am not reimbursed for mentioning them.)


Puppies and all travel fees need to be paid for in full via Paypal or a Cashier's check before the date of travel. If using Paypal their fee will be added onto the balance due. 




Friday, December 2, 2022

What Does My Puppy Come With?

 A lot of people ask me what their puppies will come with when they go home so I've written a short summary to explain what you will get during pick up.

When you pick up your puppy I will give you a packet of paperwork which will contain:  1.) a copy of your puppy contract,  2.) a health record, 3.) a letter from my vet confirming that they have been vet checked,  4.) a CVI- Certificate of Veterinary Inspection that again confirms that your puppy was vet checked,  5.) information on how to register the microchip, 6.) and a sample of NuVet Vitamins along with information on how to order them. (All customers receive the above paperwork with their puppies.)


1.) Puppy Contract- The microchip # of your puppy will be filled in on the bottom of the second page of the contract, you will need this number to register the chip with Avid.

2.) Health Record- Give this to your vet when you take your puppy to their first appointment! The front page will contain the name of the parents of your puppy, the birthdate of your puppy, their gender, and color. The inside pages will contain the date that your puppy was vet checked, their microchip number, the dates/types of de-wormer that they received, and the date and labels of the vaccines that they received. Your vet will read this and get you on a schedule for future vaccines and de-wormings.

3-5.) Vet Letter and CVI- Give this information to your vet when you take your puppy to their first appointment. The letter from our vet will confirm that your puppy has been vet checked and the CVI again shows that they were vet checked (state required form for licensed breeders.)

6.) Avid Microchip registration- You will need to register the microchip # with your information or it will not work! I will write the Microchip # on the bottom of the puppy contract and also in the health record of your puppy. In order to register the Microchip you can call Avid at (800) 336-2843 or by going on their website at: www.avidid.com Please do not forget to do this, if you forget and your puppy is lost or stolen the microchip information will be blank.

7.) NuVet Vitamins- I will give you a sample packet of NuVet Vitamins along with information about them and how to order them. Puppies under 5 pounds can have half a tablet a day, puppies over 5 pounds can have one full tablet a day. I personally like to break them up and use them as treats or to crumble them and put them in their food. You can visit the NuVet page on my website for more information on how to order them: https://www.cutecockapoos.com/nuvet



Payment: For final balances I will only accept cash or a cashier's check made to Cute Cockapoos. I will email you your balance before you come, please bring the exact amount, I will not be giving out change. If paying via a Cashier's check please double check the spelling, I have had people bring me checks made to Cute Cockatoos and we don't raise birds :)

                                                               Extra Options
Scented Blanket: I make blankets for the puppies that have scents from their parents and siblings on them so that they can take something familiar to their new home. There is an option on the bottom of your puppy contract to order one but if you forgot, or later decide that you want one, just let me know and I will have one ready at pick up and add it to your balance due.

Food:
 The puppies are eating Diamond Naturals Small & Medium Breed Puppy food that is in a Blue and White bag. I have information about their food posted on the FAQ page of our website: https://www.cutecockapoos.com/faq
If you were unable to get the food before you come and need to purchase a bag from me please let me know in advance and I will add it to your balance due.

Collars: I have collars available that will fit your puppy for $6, if you would like me to have one ready for you at pick up please let me know in advance and I will add it to your balance due.






Tuesday, March 22, 2022

Common Issues with Young Puppies


 Every responsible breeder out there goes out of their way to ensure that they are creating and raising healthy puppies. Part of making sure that your litter is healthy before they are sent home to their new families is getting them vet checked. Every breeder dreads hearing bad news from their vet. No one wants to be told that their puppy has an issue, and no one wants to have to report to a buyer that there is an issue with their new puppy. Let's face it, when dealing with a live being some things are out of your control and everyone raising any type of animals will deal with a health issue at one point in time.

Since I have been raising puppies for quite awhile now I wanted to shed some light on common "issues" that may arise with puppies. I want to stress the word "Common" because the things I am going to touch on are exactly that, common, and can and will most likely arise with anyone that raises puppies.

Umbilical Hernias: An umbilical hernia is a protrusion of the abdomen where the belly button is located, you may have heard of the term "outie belly button." When a puppy has this you will feel a small bump on there belly button and often times it can be pushed back in. There is no exact cause for an umbilical hernia, they don't cause any pain or pose a health threat, and they are easily repaired when your puppy gets spayed or neutered. 

Here are a few good links for additional information on umbilical hernias:

 https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/hernia-umbilical-in-dogs#:~:text=An%20umbilical%20hernia%20is%20caused,barking%2C%20crying%2C%20or%20straining.

https://www.petmd.com/dog/general-health/hernias-puppies-what-you-need-know

Heart Murmurs: One of the things included in a vet check is for our vet to listen to the puppies heart for any signs of a murmur. What is often referred to as an "innocent heart murmur" can be quite commonly diagnosed amongst young puppies, usually between the ages of 5-8 weeks, and is usually gone by the age of 4-6 months. When a puppy is diagnosed with this the vet will make a note of it and tell you monitor it as your puppy grows. If a heart murmur is detected that is not considered "innocent" your vet will recommend further testing and treatment.

Here are some links for more information on heart murmurs:

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/heart-murmurs-in-dogs#:~:text=It%20is%20very%20common%20for,type%20of%20murmur%20is%20benign.

https://myvetanimalhospital.com.au/heart-murmurs-in-puppies-and-kittens/

Cherry Eye: A cherry eye is an inflammation in the tear gland of the third eye lid and will cause a red swelling or bulge in the corner of your dogs eye. These can occur in any breed but seem to be more common amongst breeds that have more of a droopy eye such as Cocker Spaniels, Bull Dogs, Beagles, etc. When a cherry is diagnosed by a vet they may at first prescribe anti-inflammatory drops and then surgical repair. 

Here are some links for more information on heart murmurs: 

https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/seeing-the-signs-what-to-know-about-cherry-eye-in-dogs/

https://www.smalldoorvet.com/learning-center/medical/cherry-eye-in-dogs

Ear Infections: Floppy ears are adorable but they are also a big cause for ear infections. Bacteria, fungus, and ear mites are all common causes for ear infections and it's important to keep an eye on your pet to see if any of these issues arise. If your dog is scratching at their ears or shaking their head they should have their ears checked by your vet. If their ears are red, inflamed, or smell bad they also should be checked out by your vet. There are many different types of ear meds out there so the vet will prescribe the proper med once the cause of the infection is determined. If you have a dog with floppy ears it's important to keep their ears clean and dry and to check them often.

Here are some links for more information on ear infections:

https://www.thomasvillevet.net/site/blog/2021/01/15/signs-ear-infection-dog

https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/how-treat-and-prevent-dog-ear-infections

Worms: There are several types of worms that are common in dogs, and because of this, it's important to start de-worming puppies at two weeks old and to continue de-worming them for several weeks after. Different types of wormers kill different types of worms and more than one dose is needed to kill the current infestation and then future hatching eggs. It's very common for a vet to request a stool sample which will identify if your dog has worms and what type they are so that a treatment plan can be made. It's important for a buyer to continue de-worming their puppy after they are brought home from the breeder. 

Here are some links for more information on worms in dogs:

https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/worms-in-dogs-prevention-diagnosis-treatment/#:~:text=There%20are%20five%20main%20types,hookworms%2C%20whipworms%2C%20and%20heartworms.

https://pets.webmd.com/dogs/deworming-dogs-puppies

Parasites: Coccidia and Giardia are the two most common parasites diagnosed in puppies because they are literally everywhere and very easy to pick up and spread. When you take your puppy to the vet they will ask for a fecal sample to test for worms and parasites and it's very common for puppies to test positive for giardia or coccidia (no matter who you bought them from.) Symptoms of the parasites can include diarrhea, loose or watery stool, bloody stool, and dehydration. Some puppies can test positive without ever having any symptoms and some of the tests used for detecting Giardia are known to have false positives and negatives. We are not "cage breeders," we don't believe animals should be raised or confined in cages and we feel it is vital for puppies to get life exposure at a young age. When the weather is nice we take the puppies outside to bask in the sun, roll in the grass, take in the fresh air, see the blue sky, and just to run around and be puppies. We feel that socialization and life experience far outweighs the risk of getting a common parasite that can easily be treated. Taking a puppy outside runs the risk of exposure, not only to parasites, but to diseases, especially if you are in a strange place or high traffic pet area. It's important to socialize your puppy but also to take them to safe places to help ward off some disease so be diligent about where you take them before being fully vaccinated, and know you run the risk of exposure to parasites. Due to Giardia being so common and prevalent we treat our puppies with Panacur before they come home to you and it wouldn't be a bad idea to have some on hand incase your puppy gets exposure. Panacur can be bought over the counter and online without a RX.

Here are some links for more information about Giardia and Coccicia:

 https://www.petsandparasites.org/dog-owners/coccidia/

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/puppies/puppy-health/giardiasis-and-coccidiosis-in-puppies/

Owning a puppy is expensive, especially the first year when you have to get prepared for their arrival and also pay for medical expenses including vaccinations, spay/neuter, heartworm, rabies, de-wormers, etc. I highly suggest looking into a health insurance plan for your pet or putting away some money for unexpected expenses to ensure your puppy gets the care that they need.

If a puppy is diagnosed with any of the above things I mentioned the vet should make a note of it and the breeder should inform you of what they were told. Most often a breeder will fix the things that they can such as an ear infection, cherry eye, or worms, but things like an innocent heart murmur need time and an umbilical hernia is repaired during the spay/neuter surgery. I know some of these things can sound scary but please don't judge a breeder based on an issue. I have mistakenly gone down that deep, dark hole of the internet and read horrible posts from puppy buyers instantly calling breeders names, writing bad reviews, and being bullies over little things that they don't realize can be so common. Puppies are living beings, issues happen, and it's important to understand that they can easily be treated.

 





Tuesday, February 1, 2022

2022 Cute Cockapoos Update

 It's February 1st, 2022 and we have babies on the way this month so I thought I would post an update for this year. 

Shipping. Due to the Coronavirus we stopped shipping our puppies via cargo because most airlines cancelled their pet travel programs, and due to all of the delays and changes with flights, we no longer felt safe putting them on a plane alone. In late 2021 we started to allow sales to people who were willing to fly here and back with their puppies as long as they booked a flight that allows puppies onboard at 8 weeks of age. When the virus hit airlines were all over the place with their rules and some companies changed the age of pets onboard to 16 weeks while others switched it to 10 weeks, and others kept the standard age of 8 weeks. Since our puppies generally all leave at the same time we want puppies that are flying with their families to leave at 8 weeks as well. If you are from out of state and are interested in flying with a puppy please check with us first and definitely check the rules of the airline you want to book with before purchasing a ticket so see what age they require for pets. We are able to meet people at our local airports located in Appleton, WI (ATW) and also Green Bay, WI (GRB.)

Also consider hiring a Flight Nanny service to pick up and deliver your puppy to you. From what I have seen, their prices are similar to what it would cost to ship your puppy via cargo. If you need some names of companies feel free to ask us. 

Colors. We are constantly asked what colors we are going to get, and honestly, we don't know until the puppies are born. I can tell you that we have downsized a bit and most of our dogs are Red, Buff, or Apricot so should produce similar colors. We do still have three dogs with dark coats and dark colors within their bloodlines that can produce dark colored puppies, but we won't know until the babies arrive. 

Merles. We used to get a lot of Merle puppies because we had a Merle stud who produced a lot of gorgeous babies but he has since been retired so we don't get as many as we had before. We have three dogs that have the Merle genes but currently only one of them has produced one Merle puppy so they may be few and far between for now. Because of this, I do not take deposits in advance for Merle puppies. 

Puppies. When will your next litter be born? We are going to have puppies born this month, February, and will have them throughout the year as usual. We do have a waiting list started and are usually always accepting deposits for it. If you're not ready to join the list please keep an eye on the website, our Facebook page, and Instagram accounts, I am pretty good about posting updates and the website is always current.

Thank you to everyone that gave our 2021 puppies homes. In 2020 when we stopped offering shipping I was pretty nervous because we did a lot of business on the East and West coasts (I miss you guys,) but I was happy to see that many people were willing to drive and fly here for their puppies! 



Thursday, January 7, 2021

2021 Puppy Colors!

 If you have visited my website you will have most likely seen that I have a page showing the various colors we get with our Cockapoo puppies:

https://www.cutecockapoos.com/puppy-colors

All of the pictures posted on that page, and throughout our website, are actual puppies that we have made and raised. 

You may also have noticed that I have an "Available Adults" page on my website that shows available adult Cocker Spaniels, Cockapoos, or Miniature Poodles that we have available for adoption to pet homes only. 

https://www.cutecockapoos.com/available-adults

The reason that I occasionally have adults available is because we only breed our dogs for a few years, and they then are spayed/neutered and retired to homes where they can be couch potatoes with their forever families. (If you're interested in an adult please watch this page and contact me.)

Retiring adults within our breeding program means changes in the colors and amount of Cockapoo puppies we have available each year. In the past we usually had every color under the sun available but as time has gone by, we have started to narrow down our color palette based on what is most desired and what color adults we are raising. For example in 2019 we retired our Chocolate Merle Cocker Spaniel stud which temporarily put an end to having any Merle Cockapoos. In 2020 we bred our last two Chocolate Females who usually produce Chocolate, Black, or dark Parti puppies temporarily putting an end to dark colored Cockapoo puppies within our breeding program, etc. As of 2021 we have narrowed our colors down to mostly Buff, Apricot, Red, or light Parti colored Cockapoo puppies.

Sometimes I have people wanting to get on the waiting list for a very specific color/sex combination and I will either tell them yes or no based on my breeding program and what I think I will have for colors in the future. I always tell people that I don't know what colors we will get until the puppies are born, but if I don't have any dark colored dogs or Merles currently active in my breeding program the odds are high that I won't have those colors in my litter.



Things will change again for 2022! We have been raising some Cocker Spaniel puppies with a wide variety of colors within their bloodlines. I am happy to say some of them are Merle, some of them are Red, and one is a Chocolate and Tan parti that also carries the Merle gene so hopefully they will once again produce a wide variety of colors in their future litters. Stay tuned, each litter is a beautiful surprise.


 

If you're interested in adopting a Cockapoo puppy from us please visit our website:https://www.cutecockapoos.com/

Tuesday, November 24, 2020

I Have Left the BBB

 In 2012 I got accredited with the Better Business Bureau. I don't remember if they contacted me or if I contacted them but I figured it would be a good way to show to my customers that I was a real, legit business and give them a sense of trust. 




I'm sure almost everyone on the planet has heard horrible stories about people being ripped off by fake breeders, unknowingly buying from puppy mills, getting a pet from a pet store only to realize who they are supplied from, etc. so I figured having an organization like the BBB verifying my information was a good way to get my name out there and also give people a chance to post reviews about my puppies and their interactions with me. 




For several years I was happy with their service and felt good about being accredited on their site but over time things started to change. Being a member of the BBB is not cheap, they charge a yearly fee, and over time the fees started to go up significantly each and every year to the point where I felt like I was being priced out. 





On top of the rising fees, the BBB started to make some changes that I was not happy about. One of the things that really bothered me the most was when they started to erase reviews after three years claiming that they were outdated. I have (or had) several positive reviews posted that were erased and I don't see any reason for customers to not see a longstanding history of happy customers and positive reviews, no matter how old they are. 





Another change I was unhappy with was when they started to allow people "who had contact with your business" start posting reviews online. Previously they had only allowed people who had done actual business with you to post. So then it went from actual customers posting to anyone who wrote you an email or called you, etc. I didn't feel that was the point of the membership and review process. I personally have only had customers write reviews but I still didn't appreciate the change.




Because of the changes and price increases I had gone back and forth about continuing my membership for the last few years. Part of me felt I was paying way too much simply for a space for people to post reviews while another part of me still felt it was good for people to verify that I was real. The final straw was when I got my bill in 2020. In a year of a horrible pandemic when businesses, especially small ones, were struggling and on the verge of collapse, the BBB had raised their prices again!!




I was really shocked to see that they had increased my fee again this year, and not by a little bit, they wanted an additional $75 bringing my yearly fee to $500 which can go a long way towards many other things. 


After considering cancelling my membership I still went back and forth about it. Is this a waste of money? Do people even check with the BBB anymore? I've been in business for a long time, do I still have to prove myself? Will someone pick another breeder over me because they are accredited and I won't be, etc? To help make up my mind I turned to my customers and followers and asked what their thoughts were on my Facebook page and the consensus was that I was wasting my time and money.

 I was surprised to hear that the majority of my customers didn't check the BBB before purchasing from me. I was even more surprised to hear that a lot of people thought that you could buy your score from the BBB. My score was/is an A+ so I had never been contacted to pay to raise my score so I honestly don't even know if it's true but that's not a good reputation for the organization to have. A lot of my customers explained that my online presence (website, Facebook, Instagram,) and word of mouth was way more important and helping to spread the word about the work that we do. Others also said that the BBB was outdated and that you can read reviews pretty much anywhere online these days.

There were a few posts from customers that did check with the BBB before doing business with me and my membership helped them make their decision but the majority felt that it is an unnecessary and outdated site.

The combination of rising fees, changes I didn't like, and very good feedback from consumers helped me make my decision to cancel my membership. 

When I called to cancel my membership the first thing the representative asked me was why? I explained the three reasons above, price, erasing reviews, and changes on who can post. When I told her that I was shocked about their price increase during a pandemic she responded that invoices had been sent out at the beginning of the year before the pandemic and they are offering a discount of $100 to help out. I explained that my invoice was sent out in October, well after the pandemic began, and asked why I was not told about the $100 discount. She replied that only people who called and asked about the price were offered a discount! 

When I told her I didn't like it that they were erasing reviews after three years she said it's because of all the changes like staffing that businesses have over time. I explained that I don't have employees, just my family and I raise our puppies and run our business, so that explanation doesn't apply to us and was a broad generalization that may be affecting those of us that are really small in a negative way.

When I told her I didn't like it that non customers can now post reviews she replied by telling me I can just not pay my invoice and my membership will be canceled. 

The conversation with the representative really made me feel good about my choice to leave the BBB, clearly they were not supporting my business and its individual needs so therefore I don't need to support their business financially.

My fee for 2021 was due the end of November and I am going to happily spend that money on Christmas presents for the dogs, they most definitely deserve them!


If you're interested in more information about our Cockapoo puppies please visit our website at:

 Male & Female Cockapoo Puppies for Sale in Wisconsin Cute Cockapoos

Tuesday, March 24, 2020

Carside Pick Up due to the Coronavirus

Due to the Coronavirus we are changing the way that we handle appointments on the day that families come and pick up their puppies in order to limit exposure to each other. Instead of coming inside to meet us and your puppy we are going to either do car side pick up where you stay in your vehicle and I will bring your puppy and paperwork out to you when you arrive at my house, or weather permitting, we will have the puppies outside when you arrive.

I am going to try and answer as many questions as possible in this blog so that we don't have to go over additional information during your appointment, and again, avoid exposure to each other.

When I hand you your puppy if you ordered a blanket they will be wrapped in it and I will also give you a packet of paperwork which will contain:  1.) a copy of your puppy contract,  2.) a health record, 3.) a letter from my vet confirming that they have been vet checked,  4.) a weight sheet showing how much your puppy weighed at the vet, 5.) a CVI- Certificate of Veterinary Inspection that again confirms that your puppy was vet checked,  6.) information on how to register the microchip,
7.) and a sample of NuVet Vitamins along with information on how to order them.
 (All customers receive the above paperwork with their puppies.)

1.) Puppy Contract- The microchip # of your puppy will be filled in on the bottom of the second page of the contract, you will need this number to register the chip with Avid.

2.) Health Record- Give this to your vet when you take your puppy to their first appointment! The front page will contain the name of the parents of your puppy, the birthdate of your puppy, their gender, and color. The inside pages will contain the date that your puppy was vet checked, their microchip number, the dates/types of de-wormer that they received, and the date and labels of the vaccines that they received. Your vet will read this and get you on a schedule for future vaccines and de-wormings.

3-5.) Vet Letter, Weight Sheet, and CVI- Give this information to your vet when you take your puppy to their first appointment. The letter from our vet will confirm that your puppy has been vet checked, the weight sheet will show how much they weighed at the appointment, and the CVI again shows that they were vet checked (state required form for licensed breeders.)

6.) Avid Microchip registration- You will need to register the microchip # with your information or it will not work! I will write the Microchip # on the bottom of the puppy contract and also in the health record of your puppy. In order to register the Microchip you can call Avid at (800) 336-2843 or by going on their website at: www.avidid.com Please do not forget to do this, if you forget and your puppy is lost or stolen the microchip information will be blank.

7.) NuVet Vitamins- I will give you a sample packet of NuVet Vitamins along with information about them and how to order them. Puppies under 5 pounds can have half a tablet a day, puppies over 5 pounds can have one full tablet a day. I personally like to break them up and use them as treats or to crumble them and put them in their food. You can visit the NuVet page on my website for more information on how to order them: https://www.cutecockapoos.com/nuvet



Payment: For final balances I will only accept cash or a cashier's check made to Cute Cockapoos. I will email you your balance before you come, please bring the exact amount, I will not be giving out change. If paying via a Cashier's check please double check the spelling, I have had people bring me checks made to Cute Cockatoos and I don't raise birds.

Food: I have information about their food posted on the FAQ page of my website. If you were unable to get the food before you come and need to purchase a bag from me please let me know in advance and I will add it to your balance due and will bring it out to you.

Collars: I have collars available that will fit your puppy for $6, if you would like me to have one ready for you at pick up please let me know in advance and I will add it to your balance due.

Snuffle Mats: I make homemade Snuffle Mats! If you're interested in taking one home with your puppy let me know, and if I have any available, I will set one aside. They are $20 each and the colors will vary.




All puppies will be given a bath and have their nails clipped either the day before or day of departure. 


If you have any other questions please take some time to read over the FAQ page of my website, this blog, and feel free to ask before you come to pick up your puppy.

This is only a temporary change, those of us who are in the farming and animal husbandry business do not get sick days, no matter how bad we feel our animals still need to be taken care of and chores still need to be done, so it's important to work together to keep everyone healthy.
Stay safe and healthy everyone!




Sunday, March 15, 2020

Coronavirus March 2020

3/15/20

Due to the Coronavirus we are not allowing families to visit the puppies, we are only allowing people to come here on the day that they pick them up and we may change the way that we conduct our appointments to limit exposure.

As many of you already know we are licensed and offer to ship our puppies to anyone living within the United States and we can use Delta, United, or American Airlines. With the Coronavirus causing so many closings, cancelations, and disruptions we have decided to temporarily suspend shipping until things get calmed down. At the moment we have puppies ready to go home in May and I am not sure if there will be issues at the airports during that time. Airlines have very strict rules about shipping puppies as it is, and if there is a disruption in regular flight schedules I don't want a puppy to be caught up in it, nor do I want to be standing in line at the airport amongst angry or sick people.

If you are interested in adopting a Cockapoo puppy from us and would normally require them to be shipped I would ask that you be willing and able to either drive or fly out here instead to pick up the puppy yourself. We are more than willing to meet people at our local airports located in Appleton, WI (ATW) or Green Bay, WI (GRB.) The other two larger airports near us are located in Milwaukee, WI or Madison, WI and we've had several people fly into them and rent a car to come here.
This is only temporary until we see what kinds of affects, if any, that Covid 19 will have on domestic airport traffic.

Update 3/20/20
Due to the Coronavirus causing a reduction in flights Delta has announced that they will temporarily stop shipping pets on 4/1/20 until further notice.
Update 1/16/021 Delta is still not offering pet cargo transport. On top of not offering pet cargo services they have increased the age requirement for a puppy to fly onboard to 10 weeks, it previously was 8 weeks.

Update 3/22/20
Due to the Coronavirus causing a reduction in flights United has announced that they will temporarily stop shipping pets on 4/25/20 until further notice. Update 1/16/2021 United is still not offering pet transport. On top of not offering pet cargo services they have increased the age requirement for a puppy to fly onboard to 16 weeks, it previously was 8 weeks.
Update 1/16/2021

Update 3/25/20

Due to the Coronavirus causing a reduction in flights American Airlines has announced that they will temporarily stop shipping pets on 4/25/20 until further notice. Pets need to be 8 weeks old to fly onboard.


1/20/21 I checked with the other airlines that fly into our local airports who also allow pets onboard and Allegiant requires puppies to be 12 weeks old to fly while Frontier requires them to be 4 months old to fly onboard w/a passenger. Southwest, who flies into Milwaukee, requires them to be 8 weeks old.


Due to all of the disruption with flights we are currently not accepting deposits from families that are unable to drive here (no shipping, no flying here to pick up.) This is only temporary and we will resume regular business once this all clears up.

If you are interested in a Cockapoo puppy from us you can find up to date information and pictures posted on our website: https://www.cutecockapoos.com/puppies-for-sale



Tuesday, March 3, 2020

More Waiting List Questions and Answers

Spring is almost here, warm weather is on the way, people see Summer break in their future, and all of this means that my Waiting List for Cockapoo Puppies is growing by the day! On top of the Waiting List growing I have some beautiful bellies getting bigger by the day and I can't wait to see the new beautiful puppies that are coming our way soon. I love this time of year, I love the anticipation of the new litters coming, and of course I love to see the little beauties being born as each litter is a beautiful surprise as we never know the colors and gender that we are going to get.

With the Waiting List comes a huge list of emails coming my way asking me tons of questions about the upcoming litters: How many people are on your waiting list? How many people want females? How many people want Males? What colors do people want? What colors are they going to be? When will they be ready? How much are they? What number am I on the list? When will you contact me? Am I going to get a puppy from the newest litter? Etc, Etc, Etc.....

I have written a few blogs before explaining how our Waiting List works, not everyone reads it, but for those that do it seems to be helpful. I wanted to write this to further elaborate on a few things that I get asked about over and over again: Parents, Timing, Placement on the List.

Parents:
It's very common for females to come into heat together so it's very common to have more than one litter born around the same time. I personally like to have a few litters close in age because I love having the puppies grow, learn. and play together. When I start accepting deposits for our Waiting List it's very common for people to ask me who the parents of the litter are and this question is hard to answer for many reasons 1.) If I have a waiting list started and more than one litter coming I don't know what litter I will be contacting you about, especially if you have color or timing preferences.
2.) Sometimes people will submit a deposit in January but not want a puppy until October so I don't even have the mother of their puppy bred yet.
3.) False pregnancies or medical issues, although not common, can happen which is why I don't like to announce litters until they are here and healthy.
A few years ago a lady got on our list and she was pretty far back, like #14 or 15 and she had asked about the parents. I had three litters coming within the next few months so I told her who was expecting, one of which was a female named Molly. A few months passed and when litter #3 arrived I contacted this lady with pictures of the puppies to choose from. Imagine my surprise when the phone rang and this lady was on the other end screaming at me because she didn't get contacted about a litter from Molly and she had told her kids about Molly and everyone had their hearts set on a puppy from Molly! I had no idea that she was set on a puppy from Molly and all of the puppies from that litter had been chosen by people ahead of her on our list.
After that experience I have decided that it's better that I don't get ahead of myself and I wait to announce parents and litters until they are born and available. I don't like to disappoint people and I don't want someone to get their hearts set on a litter they might not be able to get.

Timing:
Timing can sometimes be a big deal to people, especially with those that have kids with Summers off or careers like Teachers. It's very common for teachers and parents to start submitting deposits for Summer puppies months in advance to get as close to the top of the waiting list as possible. If you are someone that wants a puppy in June it is a very good idea to contact me in January to submit a deposit because Summer puppies sell fast and I don't always have a lot of them. Some people don't understand that I can't control when a female comes into heat and that means that I can't control when I will have puppies available. We do rotational breeding meaning that I don't over breed or treat my females like breeding machines so they don't have litters over and over and over again. One year I may have several litters that will be ready in June and July and the next year I may only have one or two because I am not breeding the same females again or the heat cycles of the others that I am breeding don't line up with June or July ready puppies.
If you are on my Waiting List and want a puppy at a specific time (like June) I will try as hard as I can to get you a puppy when you want it but understand that the longer you wait to get on the list, and the more preferences you have (like color,) can limit your chances at a certain litter so you may end up waiting a bit longer than you had wanted and get a puppy in July instead of June.

Placement on the List:
What number am I on your list? How many people are on your list? These are two of the most common questions I get asked and people need to understand that the Waiting list is fluid and your position on the list can change over and over again all depending on your preferences and what I have available. For a better explanation of this please read one of my other blog articles titled "How Does the Waiting List Work" https://cutecockapoosinwisconsin.blogspot.com/2014/03/how-our-waiting-list-for-cockapoo.html

What if I Don't See a Puppy That I Want: When I contact you about an available litter if you don't see one that you want, let me know, and I will simply contact you about a future litter and continue to do so until you find the one that is right for you. I don't get offended if you pass on a litter, I want to make sure you are happy with the puppy that you choose. Deposits are good for one year so you just need to choose one within that timeline.


If you're looking for a Cockapoo Puppy please take some time to read over my website and contact me if interested: https://www.cutecockapoos.com/








Sunday, January 26, 2020

How We Socialize Our Puppies


To socialize our puppies we focus on Touch, Sights, Sounds, Smells, Environment, Positive Reinforcement, and Stimulation. Training starts from the moment they are born until the moment that they leave us and go to their new homes, from there it is up to their new family to continue the training process.

Touch: This is the very first form of socialization that the puppies will get from us. When their mom goes into labor we are there from the minute her water breaks until the minute the last puppy is born. When the puppy is born they are in our hands and immediately introduced to being handled and loved by humans. Our puppies are handled and loved on every single day under our care. Belly rubs are a daily routine, I often have one on my lap while I'm answering emails or talking on the phone. I carry them around while doing daily activities, and when old enough they spend time crawling around on our laps cuddling and playing with toys. I clip their nails a couple of times before they go home, this may not seem like a big deal but it gets them used to having their paws handled which is good for future grooming and nail trims.


Sounds: Puppies don't fully open their eyes until they are about 2.5-3 weeks old so during the period when they can't see, sound and touch are our main focus. The minute the puppies are born they are held and spoken to so they very quickly get used to the feel of our hands and the sounds of our voices. It's very common for me to have complete conversations with our pets, I have found them to be great listeners :)
To mix it up some days I will play episodes of Chicago P.D. so the puppies hear city noises like trains, sirens, and traffic, other days I will play nature shows so the puppies will hear birds and animals. I also like to play different types of music so we go from The Doors, to U2, to Christmas Classics, to Country Western, etc.
I vacuum every day and purposely do it right next to the exercise pen so that the puppies both see and hear it. We have ceiling fans that I will turn on so that they will see the blades moving, hear the sound of the fan, and feel the air moving around them.
We have both a landline and cell phones, all with different ring tones.
The microwave, blender, furnace, lawn mower, tractor, and other every day household sounds are all part of their lives from day one.
I often buy toys that make different noises, some play music, some have loud squeaks, etc. as just another way for them to get used to new sounds.
All of these introductions to sound are always followed by positive reinforcement so that they learn to get used to them and not be scared.


Sights: Puppies don't fully open their eyes until they are about 2.5-3 weeks old so when they can finally see it's important to introduce them to as many things as possible. For the first few weeks of their lives w/out vision they have gotten used to hearing our voices and feeling our hands so it's exciting to finally introduce ourselves visually. Some days I will wear my hair up, other days I will leave it down, puppies love to chew on long hair. Some days my husband will wear a hat, or go without shaving and grow some stubble on his face, when the puppies go to lick his cheek it will feel and look different. During good weather I take the puppies outside for a change in environment and to see all of the new sights and sounds that they do not experience while indoors. Toys and treats are a big part of the puppy world and I feel it's best to mix them up and change them out so that they don't get bored having the same things all of the time. Kongs stuffed with peanut butter, treat puzzles, balls with squeakers, stuffed animals, bully sticks, roasted pig ears are all things that I like to introduce them to. Our other animals also play a big visual role, we have several kitties and the puppies are very used to seeing them on a regular basis. When outside they see the horses and cows walk by, all which help them get used to seeing new things and being used to new animals.
 All of these introductions are done slowly so to avoid overloading them and they are always followed by positive reinforcement so that they get used to new things and learn not to be scared.


Environment: Along with introducing the puppies to new things to see I feel it's important to expose them to different environments. If it's nice outside I set up exercise pens in the yard so they can play in the grass, smell the fresh air, feel the warm sun, chew on fresh sticks, play in the leaves and take in the outdoor environment. During Winter if it's warm enough I take them outside to play in the snow, they love to climb the snow banks, cover their faces in fresh snow beards, and tackle each other while rolling down the snow piles. When outside they also get to observe our chickens, cats, horses, and cows. They hear and see the cars going by, hear the planes up above, hear the wind rustling through the leaves, all this is quite different from being indoors and gets them used to things they'll experience in every day life.



I only have the puppies for a very small moment of time in their lives and I feel that it's my job to start them off right by getting them used to different things but it's also vital that their new families continue to expose, train, and mold them into the dogs that they want them to be. Puppies are innocent sponges that will soak up all the knowledge that you are willing to give them, if you don't work with and train them then don't expect a perfect dog. If you are a new puppy owner I highly suggest puppy classes and doggy day care a couple of times a week, both will make a world of difference!

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Teach Your Dog to Trade

Anyone who owns a pet knows that they have their moments when they do things that drive you crazy! With Cockapoos having that big brain, anyone who owns one can certainly tell you that there are moments when they can be very stubborn and will challenge you to see who is really the boss. One lesson that I find to be invaluable is to teach them how to trade, and to do it at a young age to avoid potential future problems. Have you ever gotten attitude when your dog has a favorite toy or treat or has just run off for the millionth time with a sock they stole out of your laundry basket?
Teaching your dog to trade one object for another will help resolve a potentially dangerous situation when they are under the bed with your favorite bra and growling when you reach your hand to grab it back.

I am not a professional trainer so I suggest doing a further "Google" Search or seeking the advice of a professional but start when your puppy is young. Keep a special treat, cubes of cheese, a piece of meat, etc. and only use it when you are teaching this lesson or actually using it to retrieve an item. For training purposes give your dog a toy or every day treat and then offer to trade them a special treat in exchange for that toy/treat. Say the same word or phrase like "trade" or "drop it," and use positive reinforcement when the exchange is made. Cockapoos are smart and repetition along with praise will get you way farther than screaming at them to give something back while they are under the bed growling at you.
I want to point out that not every dog gets crabby when they steal something or are interrupted when enjoying a favorite snack but it never hurts to teach them a new skill and to be prepared just in case.

Looking for a Cockapoo Puppy? Please visit our website for current pictures, prices, and information:
https://www.cutecockapoos.com/

Friday, November 1, 2019

I Accept Paypal for Deposits Only!

I have a lot of information posted on my website, including payment methods, but I realize that not everyone takes the time to read things over so today I'm going to share a recent experience with a customer using Paypal. On both my website and my contract I explain that I accept Paypal for deposits only and all balances must be paid in either cash or a cashier's check, no Paypal or personal checks.
Today I received an email from Paypal notifying me that a customer sent me money. The customer did not ask me or notify me in advance and they had sent an amount that they assumed to be their balance due of $1,287.60. For those of you not familiar with Paypal they make their money by charging a fee for all transactions. In this case the customer did not add in the transaction fee so Paypal deducted $37.64 and credited my account with $1,249.96. This final amount did not cover the balance due on the puppy and the customer was unaware that Paypal would be deducting such a large fee. Since I do not accept Paypal for final balances I simply logged into my account and hit the "Issue a Refund" button and the money in the total amount of $1,287.60 was immediately returned to the customer, problem solved, or so I thought..... After the transaction was refunded I noticed an odd balance in my account so I did the math and Paypal issued the customer a complete refund but then charged me their fee of $37.64 for a transaction I did not request or accept! I called and spoke to a customer service rep and was told that they now automatically keep all fees, even in the case of a refund. I asked why the person sending me the money wasn't charged and was basically told that it is what it is and there's nothing that could be done about it. So now, because someone didn't read my posted information and didn't take the time to discuss with me first, $37.64 has been completely wasted on a refunded Paypal transaction and I am going to get yelled at when I charge the customer for the fee that was charged to me by Paypal.
Apparently Paypal recently changed their policy and sellers are getting stuck with the fees:
https://www.theverge.com/2019/9/20/20876570/paypal-refund-fee-policy-change-sellers-controversy

As a customer please do take some time to read over my website and puppy contract, I try really hard to answer all questions and make things crystal clear. If you ever have a question don't hesitate to ask me. I want the process of adopting a puppy from us to be exciting, comfortable, and crystal clear so communication is key!
For deposits I will accept Paypal, Cash, Personal Check, Cashier's check or Money orders made to Cute Cockapoos. Buyers are responsible for the cost of all Paypal fees.
For final balances due if you are having your puppy shipped or delivered I require a Cashier's check a minimum of 10 days before the puppy leaves. I do not accept personal checks or Paypal.
For final balances due if you are picking up your puppy I require Cash or a Cashier's check made to Cute Cockapoos. I do not accept personal checks or Paypal.
If you do not read this information in advance and send me money using Paypal, you as a buyer, are responsible for all Paypal fees.

For current pictures, prices, and information about our available or upcoming Cockapoo Puppies please visit our website: www.cutecockapoos.com