Canine Care | Keystone Puppies

How We Encourage Responsible Dog Breeders

WTM Digital — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 16:12:46 +0000

One of the most important things that almost all of our potential puppy parents are looking for is ethical, responsible dog breeders. The vast majority of our clients want to be 100% sure that their new fur-ever family member came from a happy, healthy home and that their parents are well loved. Not only is getting a puppy from a bad breeder or a puppy mill a recipe for disaster and heartbreak – but we’re all dog lovers and would never want to pay someone that hurts the animals we adore.

While fighting hard to stomp out puppy mills, at Keystone Puppies, we hold our accredited breeders to the highest standards for puppy health and care. Of course, it’s one thing to proclaim that you care, and another to build it into every step of your business. That’s why we’re excited to announce we’re binging an Animal Welfare and Breeder Accountability Specialist aboard – to guarantee our accredited breeders are truly being responsible dog breeders! Ultimately, we’ll worry about having the best breeders so that all you need to do is find your fur-ever friend!

Ensuring the Highest Standards in Puppy Care

Our Animal Welfare and Breeder Accountability Specialist is our eyes and ears to ensure that all of our Accredited Breeders are meeting the highest standards of care. Bringing a full-time dog care expert to our team is our way of ensuring that we always live up to the high standards that set us apart from other dog adoption agencies. We want you to have confidence when you spot that seal of approval – verified by a true expert – so that you’ll know you are adopting from a good person and a good place!

Here’s some of what our Animal Welfare and Breeder Accountability Specialist does:

Performs Two Unannounced Inspections Per Year – The Keystone Puppies Animal Welfare and Breeder Accountability Specialist audits every Accredited Breeder twice a year (at unannounced times) to ensure that their space, their practices, and their treatment of their dogs is healthy and compassionate. Since they don’t know when their audit comes, they can’t prepare or fake it in any way! If anything is amiss during these inspections, they need to make it right ASAP or lose their prestigious Accredited Breeder status.
Provides Guidance and Insight – Based on a lifetime of experience with all breeds of dogs, our expert will also provide guidance to help our responsible dog breeders become even better. This advice can include everything from adding extra enrichment for young dogs, to making the breeders’ homes even more welcoming to you. Our top breeders are excited for the Keystone Animal Welfare and Breeder Accountability Specialist as they want to get credit for meeting these lofty standards – and they don’t want to share this elite designation with those who don’t!
Investigates ANY Dog Welfare Complaints – While we have an expert on the ground, you (and other potential puppy parents) can also help ensure that you’re seeing clean and healthy conditions. When you go to meet a litter of puppies and you see something out of place, let us know. When we get a complaint, our Animal Welfare and Breeder Accountability Specialist will perform an immediate inspection!

Trust Keystone Puppies for Responsible Dog Breeders

We’ve always put puppy health and happiness at the forefront of everything we do at Keystone. That is something that matters deeply to us and the majority of our puppy parents, too. Expanding our team with an official inspector and welfare specialist was the next step to ensure that all of our Accredited Breeders live up to our standards – and that you can have 100% confidence when you work with Keystone Puppies.

If you’re ready to start looking for your new puppy, we encourage you to check out our new arrivals or explore a full list of our dog breeds that you’ll love! Whether you’re looking for a designer breed like Mini Goldendoodles or a classic breed like German Shepherds, you’ll find them – from a caring and responsible dog breeder!

The post How We Encourage Responsible Dog Breeders appeared first on Keystone Puppies.

Is It Safe to Ship Puppies?

WTM Digital — Tue, 26 Jan 2021 21:14:53 +0000

Don’t despair if your new fur-ever family member lives a few thousand miles away – that’s what airplanes are for! At Keystone Puppies, we not only pair happy and healthy pups with their human families, but we also arrange their trip across the country, too. New puppy parents often ask us, “Is it safe to ship puppies?” Our answer is that it is absolutely as safe as flying yourself!

In over 8 years of shipping puppies by air, we’ve NEVER had anything unfortunate happen – and while we hope and pray it never does, we have no reason to expect it to ever happen on our watch. If you’re looking for a puppy company to help you find a pooch and to handle all of the logistics of getting them to you, we’re the team to trust. Meet our puppies right here – or keep reading to learn more about shipping puppies by air.

Shipping Puppies by Air: Everything You Need to Know

Your fur-baby is about to take a cross-country trip to meet you for the first time, so it’s only natural that you have questions and concerns. We’re highlighting some of the most important things to know, but if you have ANY questions, our team is more than happy to answer them.

Safety Comes First – Although we get asked a million times, “Is it safe to ship puppies?”, our answer never changes. We always say that shipping a puppy is as safe as flying yourself. While the experience can be very tiring for the little guys, there isn’t a risk to their wellbeing. In addition, we have a veterinarian double check the health of all of our puppies before they fly to meet you.
Pet-Safe Flights are Popular – Major airlines offer dedicated pet-safe flights in which pups (and other pets like pigs and large birds) travel in the cargo container of the plane. These flights feature a comfortable environment and temperature-controlled spaces for the animals. It’s not uncommon to see more than a dozen dogs flying on each of these pet-safe flights.

Puppies Often Sleep on the Flights – Most people prefer to get some shut-eye when flying, and many dogs are no different. In fact, we intentionally book early flights to make it as likely as possible that your pup sleeps through the majority of the trip.
We Place Absorbent Padding in Their Carriers – When sending a puppy on a plane, it is our standard procedure to place absorbent padding in their carriers. That way if they have to go potty over the course of the flight, it’s not an issue. Learn more about what you need to bring a new dog home.
We Track Your Puppy Every Step of the Way (And You Can, Too) – When shipping puppies by air, we track their progress every step of the way – and we make sure their full itinerary and tracking is available to you, too. We want to make sure that your precious package is on-track every step of the way!

We Fly Puppies Everywhere – As long as there is a pet-safe flight available, we will send fur-babies all over the country. We primarily fly out of Harrisburg International Airport and Philadelphia International Airport!
2 Forms of ID Needed to Pick Up Your Dog – Our commitment to pet safety by shipping puppies by air doesn’t end when the plane lands. In order to make sure our dogs go with the right person, we request that you prove your identity by providing 2 forms of official ID.
Read Our Reviews to Learn about the Experience – One other key thing we want to assure you of is that when you work with Keystone Puppies, we take care of all of the details and we advocate for you and your dog through the entire journey. Since trust is key for this entire process, we encourage you to read our reviews and see how we did for many other puppy parents!

We hope our guide was not only able to answer, “Is it safe to ship puppies?” – but also gave you some insight into what the experience is like for you and your brand new bundle of cuddles!

Get more details about puppy delivery here..

Find Your Happy and Healthy Puppy with Us

At Keystone Puppies, we’re committed to pairing great families with well-cared for dogs. We ONLY work with highly accredited breeders that meet our extremely high standards for health and happiness. Since we do have a strong network of excellent dealers, we’re able to offer many popular breeds like Mini Goldendoodles, Cavapoos, and many more! See our puppy breeds – and find your four-legged match!

The post Is It Safe to Ship Puppies? appeared first on Keystone Puppies.

Easiest Dogs to Own

WTM Digital — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 14:14:16 +0000

Most first-time prospective puppy parents end up picking their first dog based on what a friend or family member has – or just based on the unbeatable cuteness factor. There’s nothing wrong with that at all! However, another good thing to consider are the easiest dogs to own – we’re talking about laid-back, low-maintenance puppers that make this big step simple and fun.

At Keystone Puppies, we specialize in matching happy, healthy, and well-bred puppies with the perfect families to take care of them. We want you and your first pup to be a match made in puppy heaven! Selecting an easy-to-own dog is the best way to ease yourself into puppy parenthood. Check out our list of low-maintenance dog breeds – and when you’re ready to adopt, we’re ready to help!

7 Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds

You can choose from an enormous variety of low-maintenance dog breeds, all of whom make for truly wonderful companions! In general, the easiest dogs generally tend to be lower-shedding, lower-energy, super loving, with all-around great personalities. Take a look at our list of the easiest dogs to own to get an idea of the best new doggo for you:

Boston Terrier

No list of low-maintenance dog breeds would be complete without mentioning the Boston Terrier! Above all, these small, short-haired dogs tend to be extremely friendly to other pets in your home and neighborhood. Not only that, but these sweeties are also highly-affectionate with their humans, so you’ll know how much they love you from day one!

Golden Retriever

“Gentle” is absolutely the best way to describe the Golden Retriever. These puppies are highly loving and loyal to their families, and they want to be involved in whatever their family is up to. For first-time puppy parents, these winning personality traits make them unbeatable additions to the household. While you’ll need to regularly maintain their long coats, you should also expect to be rewarded with many quiet evenings of calm cuddling on the couch.

French Bulldogs

For French Bulldogs, an afternoon of cuddling on the couch with their favorite people is their idea of the perfect day! We’re not going to say these puppers are outright lazy, but if you want to spend the day lounging around the house, your French Bulldog will be right there with you. Plus, their coats are super short, meaning less clean-up and regular grooming for you!

Cavapoo

Although they will need a more in-depth beauty routine due to their longer curly coats, you can’t find a sweeter puppy than an adorable Cavapoo! These little angels are highly affectionate and ready to participate in whatever their family is doing – whether that’s relaxing at home or playing frisbee at the park.

Chihuahua

Chihuahuas are one of the easiest dogs to own in large part because of their size. With such a small stature, they don’t require tons of exercise and don’t need a big home to roam around in. Plus, their short coats don’t need constant maintenance, making them very easy to handle on a daily basis. These pint-sized puppers will fit right in with a family that has a lot going on!

Welsh Corgi

Welsh Corgis are a standout for first-time puppy parents! These pups make it on our list of low-maintenance dog breeds for a few reasons. Their short coats require little regular upkeep, their energy level makes them easy to tire out, and their temperament makes them sweet to everyone they meet. For first-time puppy parents, Welsh Corgis make the perfect addition to a loving and laid-back home!

See more of the all-time friendliest dog breeds!

Newfoundland

These gentle giants have earned a place on our list of low-maintenance dog breeds thanks to their calm and outgoing personalities. Count on Newfies to be wonderfully loving with everyone and to warm up to strangers quickly, making them one of the nicest dogs on the block! Since Newfoundland dogs don’t have the shortest hair, their coats will require some regular maintenance, but that is the only challenge!

Want to know which easy to own puppy breed would fit best in your family? Try our puppy breed quiz!

Why the Breeder Matters

You know you want a low-maintenance dog breed, but you also want a no-hassle adoption experience. When you’re looking to adopt a puppy, it’s important to know who you’re adopting from. Knowing who your pup’s breeder is – and knowing their practices are vetted before you adopt – stops puppy mills and ensures you have the best experience.

Firstly, working with a reputable breeder reduces the risk of your puppy having health problems and temperament issues. When your puppy comes from a high-quality breeder, they know how to raise happy, healthy pups so that you truly have your perfect fur-ever friend! And secondly, adopting from a good breeder means you can ask them questions. Finally, when you work with Keystone Puppies, you can feel confident that our breeders are held to a higher standard and that our puppies are backed by a health guarantee!

The Easiest Dogs & The Easiest Adoption

We encourage you to look at all of our available dogs to find the easiest dog that will fit perfectly into your lifestyle. We have tons of great dogs ready to join your fur-ever family – see them all right here!

The post Easiest Dogs to Own appeared first on Keystone Puppies.

What Do I Need for a New Puppy?

WTM Digital — Mon, 03 Feb 2020 15:28:29 +0000

*This post may contain affiliate links and we may earn a small commission when you click the links at no additional cost to you.

You’ve got a heart full of love to give and a place in your bed that needs to be filled by a big fluffy cuddler — that’s what matters most. But there are a few other essentials you need before you bring home your fur-ever bundle of bliss. In today’s blog, we’re answering the essential question of, “What do I need for a new puppy?”

At Keystone Puppies, we’re a puppy adoption agency that pairs happy and healthy dogs with families all over the country. In addition to having the cutest dogs (of almost every breed), we also provide first time puppy parents with the need-to-know info to make your puppy adoption as pleasant as possible for both you and your new best friend. Read on to learn exactly what you need for a new puppy – and what you can expect when you bring them home.

7 New Puppy Essentials

Food/Treats – When you’re wondering, “What do I need for a new puppy?” think about what you’d want after a long trip – snacks, of course! Making sure you have both a healthy meal and some great treats before your pup comes home is 100% essential.

Bowls – Speaking of those snacks, you’re going to want make sure they have somewhere to eat from, too. So, having at least 2 durable, high-quality bowls is another new puppy essential. If you’re planning on taking your dog with you on your adventures, consider a travel-friendly pet water bottle.

A Spacious Crate to Call Home – Everything is going to feel really like a brave new world for your newest family member. To ensure they are as safe and comfortable as possible, give them a space to call their own. See the humane crates for dogs of all sizes we recommend.

A Doggy Bed — And how do you outfit their new kingdom? With a bed fit for a king (or queen)! Getting the right-size doggy bed ahead of schedule means that their first night under your roof will be full of the cozy comfort that they deserve. Shopping for their first doggy bed is easy — but you may have to upgrade as they get bigger! Check out specific dog beds made for small dogs and big ones!

A Leash and Collar — You’re going to remember your first walk together around the neighborhood for a long, long time. Having a good leash and collar you are comfortable using is key. This is another one of the puppy essentials you want before your fluffy friend moves in.

Chew Toys — Chew toys play an important role in the life of a growing pup. Firstly, chomping on a chew toy is a natural way for dogs to soothe any mild anxiety that they might be feeling from the big move. This best-selling chew toy set for puppies offers a variety of fun options to help you figure out which type of toy your pups like best – while also providing ample teething aid during development.

Puppy Pads — While Puppy Potty Training Pads might not be the most exciting new piece of puppy swag on our list, they are crucial to have on hand before your new friend comes home. Though potty training should be pretty easy, there’s no harm in having these pads and a natural pet stain and odor removing spray as backups on hand for the first few weeks.

This is just the beginning of the countless things you’ll buy your pup for birthdays and holidays – and just because!

Related Reading: Learn ALL about how to puppy proof your home.

Find Your New Puppy with Keystone

Now that you have the answer for, “What do I need for a new puppy?”, you just need your perfect pup! Dog lovers from all across America choose us for two simple reasons:

We ensure that our puppies are happy and healthy — Unfortunately, there are bad breeders and bad companies that sell unhealthy and mistreated puppies. At Keystone Puppies, we reject ALL puppy mills and would NEVER work with them. Because we maintain high health and welfare standards, we are able to offer a puppy health guarantee.
We offer an EXTREMELY wide selection of breeds — Another reason that we are trusted from coast-to-coast is that we represent breeders that have a huge selection of purebred and designer dogs.

See our puppy breeds right here.

When you’re ready to bring home the newest member of your fur-ever family, we’re ready to help. Start searching for your puppy today!

Shop more puppy training essentials here!

The post What Do I Need for a New Puppy? appeared first on Keystone Puppies.

When Is the Best Time To Bring a Puppy Home?

WTM Digital — Wed, 29 May 2019 20:10:09 +0000

If you’re a dog lover, you’ve probably never met a puppy you don’t want to smuggle home with you. So adding a furry buddy to your family isn’t necessarily a matter of “if” – it’s a matter of when.

While there are certain puppy age requirements and health standards that must be met before you bring him or her home, there is no set rule for what the best time of year to buy a dog is. With that in mind however, there are certain times of the year that might be better for the convenience of you and your family!

Continue reading to discover what our experts recommend as the best time to bring a puppy home!

The Best Time of Year to Buy a Dog

Although a puppy may seem like the perfect Christmas gift, the timing never seems to be ideal. The holidays keep us very busy and the unpredictable winter weather keeps little bundles of fluff nervous about the outside world.

A general rule of thumb (or should we say, rule of paw) is to adopt your puppy when you know you have time to dedicate to paying attention to and caring for it. For independent individuals, young married couples, or families with children, summertime is the best time of year to buy a dog for that exact reason.

Still not convinced? Here is our list of 7 reasons why summer is the best time to bring home a puppy!

7 Reasons Why Summer is The Best Time to Bring a Puppy Home

Puppy prepping is a breeze – It’s no secret that you’re going to need to do some puppy-proofing before bringing home your cute little canine, and summer is the perfect time to do it! Having solid summer soil means adding a pet fence is easier and more affordable than installing one during the winter. And as far as readying the inside of your house, there’s no better timing than right after a fresh spring cleaning.
Your little helpers are home – If you’re a family with children in the mix, you’ll love this reason to buy a puppy during the summer! One of the biggest advantages of bringing a puppy home over the summer is the fact that your kids are also home, and therefore will be ready to help train – and adore – their fluffy friend. Your puppy learns the house rules and your children learn responsibility at the same time. It’s a real win-win situation!
Potty training in the forecast – Cold weather makes house training harder to accomplish. To put it in perspective – just think about how much you yourself don’t like to go outside when it’s rainy, snowy, or freezing out! When it comes to potty training your pooch, you’ll both be more willing to put effort in during the warmer sunny months.
Your flexible work schedule – For those fortunate to have a job affected by seasonality, summertime is often the best time of year to buy a dog! With flexible summer work hours and PTO days that need to be used, it’s the perfect time to dedicate to raising your new puppy.
Burn through their energy by playing outside – Perhaps a little known fact – puppies have A LOT of energy. And one of the best ways to get their energy out is by playing with them! Most dog experts (including our own) agree that summer is the best time to bring a puppy home because of the longer and sunnier days for outside playtime and walks.
Raise a social butterfly dog – Memorial Day, Father’s Day, Independence Day, and backyard BBQ’s are some of summer’s fondest picnicking memories. Summer holidays like these provide ample social practice for your new puppy which will help develop their love for your family, friends, and just people in general!
Water dogs will thank you – Big fan of big dogs? So are we! If you’re hoping to adopt a water dog breed, such as a Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, or a Newfoundland dog, bringing them home during the summer when they can comfortably access lakes or pools is very important.

General Tips for Bringing a Puppy Home

So, you’re ready to be a parent – a puppy parent that is!

While learning about the best time to bring a puppy home, understand that while it is an exciting time for the humans of the household, it can be an intimidating time for your new furry family member.

At Keystone Puppies, we believe your puppy should have the best introduction to their new home ever – no matter what time of year they are adopted. Before signing on the dotted line, here are a few general tips for puppy-proofing your home:

If you live on a busy street or want worry-free backyard roaming, invest in a pet fence.
Put away any loose wires, cleaning products, and shoes. Puppies love to bite and play with anything they can get their paws on!
Give them a space that is THEIRS – whether that is a fluffy bed or a place right next to yours!

Check out our exclusive list of puppy proofing tips for your home in our recent blog!

Finding Your Perfect Puppy with Keystone Puppies

Now that we’ve established the best time of year to buy a dog, you probably have some questions about just how to bring one home with you!

Adopting a puppy with Keystone Puppies is easy! Our breeders are all certified, loving individuals with years of experience and big hearts for little pups. Browse our list of current puppies available for sale, contact the breeder, and schedule your first meeting with your potential future fur baby. It’s that simple!

The post When Is the Best Time To Bring a Puppy Home? appeared first on Keystone Puppies.

7 Puppy Proofing Tips for Your Home

WTM Digital — Mon, 29 Apr 2019 18:12:28 +0000

Bringing your new puppy home is one of the most exciting moments for a first-time puppy parent. But as you watch your adorable pup check out its new domain, you’ll start to notice – your curious puppy could get into some serious trouble around the house. From choking hazards to ruined personal belongings, you’ll need to learn how to puppy proof your home stat!

Keeping your new puppy safe is one of the key ways to let him know you love him – but it doesn’t hurt to keep your home safe, too. Learn the warning signs now so that when you bring your new pooch home, he’s ready to acclimate and play safely. Read on to learn our best puppy proofing tips!

7 Puppy Proofing Tips

There’s so much to love about bringing your new puppy home – and he’ll love discovering his new domain with you. Check out these 7 puppy proofing tips to help your little cutie enjoy his forever home safely.

1. Have a Home Base

Your new pup will need an area he can call his own, so make sure you have a safe space prepared for him before he comes home. Whether it’s a large cage or a pen, this space will be where he’ll feel most comfortable. When he first arrives home, confine him to this area so that he acclimates to your home gradually. Make sure you add in some bedding to boost his comfort level!

2. Toppling Trashcans

Everyone knows that puppies love to run around – their energy levels know no bounds! But running around can lead your cute new pooch into some scrapes, including running head first into your trashcan. This puppy proofing tip includes moving your trashcans into a cupboard or the garage – and out of harm’s way. This helps to ensure you’ll never have to clean up spilled garbage and that your pup won’t eat anything rotten from there either.

3. Shoes Are a Dog’s Best Friend

As you get to know your new pup, you’ll form an unbreakable bond. So it’s not exactly surprising that puppies come to love the smell of you – and destroy your clothes as a result. They think they’re just playing with your belongings, but their playtime can result in fashion disasters. In order to puppy proof your home – and to save yourself a trip to the mall – put your clothes away in your dresser drawers, closets, or hampers. If your belongings remain on the floor, your puppy may consider them fair game.

4. Clean up Their Territory

Your new best friend needs to learn a few boundaries, including where he can go to the bathroom. Puppies oftentimes urinate in the home as a way of marking their territory – resulting in a mess you’ll need to clean up. Make sure you wipe up any urination promptly so that your pooch will learn that it’s NOT his territory – and potty train him to relieve himself outside as soon as possible.

5. Watch out for Wires

This puppy proofing tip is fairly simple to do, but crucially important for the safety of your beloved pup. Wires from your various home electronics pose a real danger for your curious new puppy, who may decide to give one a good chomp. To puppy proof your home, we suggest hiding wires behind or beneath furniture as much as possible, and wrap any exposed wires in thick duct tape to help prevent the possibility of electrocution.

6. Don’t Let Teething Take a Toll

Speaking of chomps, your new puppy is growing up – and that includes going through the teething phase. He’ll want to take a bite out of everything during this phase, so to puppy proof your home, we suggest spraying safe anti-teething spray on furniture legs and other popular teething spots. Giving your puppy a cute chew toy is a great way to deter chewing on furniture as well.

7. Keep Your Chemicals Away

You want your new puppy to be safe and healthy for as long as possible – and that will entail keeping him out of the things he shouldn’t stick his nose in. Keeping any cleaners or other household chemicals tightly sealed and locked in your cupboards helps to make sure he doesn’t accidentally take a sip…which could result in an emergency trip the pet hospital.

Puppies to Bring Home Today

At Keystone Puppies, we pair puppies with their forever homes every day. Explore the wide variety of breeds we have available for adoption right now. Not only is our adoption process refreshingly simple, but our breeders are top-of-the-line!

We recommend trying our puppy finder to fetch the perfect pooch for you and your family!

Want More Great Advice on Accommodating Pets in Your Home?

Check out this excellent resource, Pet Home 101: A Comprehensive Guide To Living With Your Pet, from Porch.com. The guide offers more guidance and tips on how to better accommodate pets in your home.

The post 7 Puppy Proofing Tips for Your Home appeared first on Keystone Puppies.