Here to Assist You !   We are here to assist you.  We definitely are not dog trainers but we are here to assist our new families as best we can. Crate Training One of the most frequent questions we are asked is about crate training.  We do recommend crate training.  If you can not watch the puppy the entire time it is roaming freely in your home, then a crate provides a safe place for the puppy.  It is easy for a puppy to slip off and potty behind a chair or find a lamp cord to chew.     Our two girls in our home are crate trained.  They love their crates.  If they think we are leaving, they will run to their crates.  All I have to say at night is, “It’s time to go night night” and off they go to their crates.  Crates provide a safe place for puppies to escape the busy activity of a home.  There is a lot of information on the internet about crate training.  Please let us know if you have a question and we will try to assist! Feeding Your Puppy How much should I […]

Sizes of Goldendoodle Puppies When discussing sizes of Goldendoodles, it seems everyone has a different opinion.  Here are the sizes that we usually breed: Petite ~ 20 lbs or  less Petite ~ Under 20 lbs Miniature ~ 20-25 lbs Medium ~ 25-45 lbs Standards ~ 45 lbs or over We generally do not try to breed for puppies that will mature over 45 lbs.  It seems that is too large for most people especially families with small children. Size Matters in Goldendoodles There are several things to consider when deciding on what size of Goldendoodle puppy might be right for you and your family: Toddlers/Pre-K children are often knocked down or intimidated by large dogs. Do you need to consider your ability to lift the dog ?  It is very important to consider getting a large dog into the car, bathtub or up/down steps can be a struggle if the dog is too heavy for your size or age Where will my dog’s crate be located? The larger the puppy, the larger the crate will need to be.  Think about what […]

Questions to Ask About Your Goldendoodle: These are a few of the questions we are frequently asked about our Goldendoodles: (1)   Do I need an appointment to visit the puppies ?  Yes. Please contact us for an appointment. We are not always home so we like to know you are coming. (2)   What are the prices of your puppies?  Here a  is a link on our website that explains our pricing and also what puppies are available:  https://humhillgoldendoodles.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=130&action=edit (3)   Are there any important things I should know before bringing my puppy home ? On our website, there is a link called “Bringing Your Puppy Home”. It contains the name of the food our puppies are eating as well as other tidbits we feel new puppy owners may find helpful.  Here is alink to that page: (4)   What are the generations I hear about F1b, F2b and such? A helpful blog is on our website that explains the different generations. It can be confusing but it’s really basic […]

Can Too Many Vaccines be Dangerous? There is an interesting article that was written by a vet from NCSU about vacinosis.   He spoke at the World Organization for Animal Health about this subject in regards to animals.   Twice we heard of situations where puppies we had bred were over vaccinated.  Subsequently, they developed an autoimmune disease.  Our Purchase Agreement addresses specific vaccines that we feel should be spaced apart.  We recommend that multiple vaccinations not be given at a single vet appointment but be spaced apart Handling Vaccines There is a possibility that your vet will not recognize vaccine(s) that were not given by vet.  A recommended alternative to routine re-vaccination is the use of titer tests (simple blood tests) to measure a pet’s existing antibody levels and determine if they still have adequate immunity.  This will provide your vet with the information needed to know if the vaccines need to be repeated or that the puppy is safely protected with […]

Trupanion Pet Insurance We have offered 30 days of free pet insurance through Trupanion for many years.  Hummingbird Hill Farm was one of the first breeders to partner with Trupanion.  Owners have told us how thankful they are that they maintained the coverage on their Goldendoodle.  (Doodles are known for eating ANYTHING….squeakers, socks, underwear, etc !)  Trupanion is now allowing owners to sign up as early as the day when they select their puppy.  You can now enroll around the puppy’s age of 6 weeks.  This will be one less thing to do on the take home day. Trupanion’s Announcement The activation window has been extended.  Buyers can now activate the Go Home Day Offer from match date until 24 hours after go-home! Buyers will have more time to activate their offer.  “Match date” means the buyer has paid a deposit AND selected a specific puppy. To take advantage of the extended activation window, buyers must call to activate their offer.  Call 1-855-266-2156.  […]

Male Puppy vs. Female Puppy   Male puppy vs female puppy is an interesting topic.  We are often asked which is better a male puppy or female puppy.  We posed that question to our vet and this was her response:  In some of the more aggressive breeds, male puppies vs female puppies  can be a real consideration.  In Goldendoodles, it is generally not a real concern.  Happy, friendly, smart, and people-orientated are all trademarks of Goldendoodles regardless of sex.  Many people think females have better concentration when house training.  Males are often considered goofy and distracted.  Goldendoodles are so smart, both are easy to train with positive reinforcement. Personal Preference When all is said and done, it is really just personal preference.  Many people think females are easier to house train.  We have even heard people say that males will not completely empty their bladder and then come in the house and mark.  Leaving a dog in tack can definitely cause marking.  […]

The Pros and Cons of Crate Training This subject is brought up at almost every puppy pick up ! We are advocates of crate training. A crate gives your dog a place of their very own. Sometimes they want a break from “their people” and a crate/cage gives them this safe place. Around 10:00 PM every night, my Miniature Poodle will hop off my lap and go to bed in his crate ! If I say “Kennel up”, my dogs run to their crates and wait for the treat they know is coming. (David says not to give them a treat every time they go in their crates as they will expect it. I say give them a treat. I am not sure why it matters if they expect it or not !?!) If you choose not to crate train, you will need to have a means to confine the puppy to a very small area particularly after they eat. If they have free rein of the house, they will sneak off and potty and you will struggle to get them house trained. There are many articles on the internet that will guide you in how to house […]

Baxter & Bella On Line Puppy Training School BAXTER & BELLA will be an on line puppy training school that makes training your puppy easy.  Here at Hummingbird Hill Farm, we are excited to share BAXTER & BELLA’s exclusive online puppy school for our families with a savings of 25% off of a Lifetime Membership!  You can sign up by using our unique  discount code:  HHF25 Because this is an easy-to-use online dog training program, you will learn everything you need to successfully train your new puppy.  For example, many people have told us that using BAXTER & BELLA to train their puppy provided them with great video modules that their children really enjoyed.  Including your children in the training process will make them feel responsible for the care of their new puppy. What Is Included BAXTER & BELLA includes more than 75 lessons and over 100 how-to videos.  You will have a lifetime access to supporting resources. Their team of professionals are committed to […]