I WANT A PUPPY! So, what happens next?
First things first… Take time to browse our entire website to ensure we're the perfect match for what you're seeking in your future furry family member. Our "About Us/Our Program" page will give you insights into our breeding philosophy, the loving environment where Craig and I raise our puppies, and the specialized BAB and Puppy Culture methods we use to give our pups the best start in life.
After reviewing our "Pricing Page" and feeling confident that a Pickerel Pups addition would be perfect for your home, head over to our "Available Puppies" or "Planned Litters" section. There you can explore our upcoming Standard Poodles, Goldendoodles, AKC Golden Retrievers, Bernedoodles, and potential AKC Bernese Mountain Dog litters. Once you identify your ideal match, submit your application for our review.
Next up- once we have reviewed your application, we will reach out to you to schedule a short phone interview. Craig and I like to thoroughly review each application so getting back to you may take a few days (generally 4-5 days). We like to get to know our future pup’s families and during our phone call, we will discuss particulars of what you are looking for in a puppy- examples may be a particular litter you are interested in, or next available puppy. At Pickerel Pups, finding the right match between puppies and families is our priority. We review all applications with care, and while we'd love to approve everyone, sometimes we might suggest a different breeder who better suits your specific needs.
3rd Step- After speaking on the phone and your application is approved, you can submit your Pickerel Pups puppy deposit via Venmo (@Pickerel Pups), Zelle, Cash or contact us for a credit card payment request or direct pay via bank. Then it’s off to the Waitlist! Please note that you won’t be placed on a waitlist until your deposit is received and you have successfully submitted a signed copy of our Deposit Agreement.
THE CHALLANGE ROUND! Step 4- The most exciting chapter is about to begin – but first comes the anticipation!
After your application approval and joining our Pickerel Pups family with your reservation fee, you're officially part of our puppy journey. While Craig and I wish we could snap our fingers and have your perfect puppy ready immediately, Mother Nature follows her own timeline! Your wait depends on natural factors like mama dogs' breeding cycles, pregnancy success, litter sizes, and those always-surprising puppy color and gender combinations.
What Makes Our Waitlist Special?
At Pickerel Pups, transparency is everything. We'll keep you updated every step of the way with regular updates about our breeding plans, pregnancy confirmations, and those magical birth announcements! We love sharing photos and videos of our growing puppies too, so you'll feel connected to the process.
Currently, we're expanding our breeding program focus. While we're developing our Standard Poodle program (waiting for our future parents to complete health certifications and reach maturity), we continue to offer limited litters of our beloved Goldendoodles, AKC Golden Retrievers, and special Bernedoodle litters. We're even exploring the possibility of AKC Bernese Mountain Dog litters, provided we locate properly health-certified studs that meet our rigorous standards.
How Our Waitlist Works
Our waitlist is dynamic! Each family ahead of you has specific preferences, just like yours. If someone passes on a litter because it wasn't quite right for them, that might move you up the list! Similarly, you have the option to pass on a litter ONCE if the available puppies don't match your preferences (such as coat color). For gender preferences specifically, we understand how important this can be, so we permit three passes if your preferred boy or girl isn't available in consecutive litters.
Families with flexible preferences typically welcome their new family members sooner than those with very specific requests. We completely respect your vision of the perfect puppy – whether that's a chocolate Goldendoodle, a cream Standard Poodle, or a traditional Golden Retriever – and we promise it's worth waiting for the right match!
Throughout your wait, Craig and I are always available to answer questions and share in your excitement as we work together to match you with the puppy that will bring years of joy to your family!