All our puppies receive hands-on training, imprinting, socializing, tons of love and attention from the minute they are born.
Our puppies have a great start on general puppy training. They will know how to use a litter box, potty pads and a doggy door. Those skills set them up for success as you begin to house train them in your own home.
They will be learning the basic command of "come".
We use the rule of 7's on our puppies as a general guideline to increase their socialization and exposure.
Been in 7 different, safe locations
Eaten from 7 different containers and met least 7 different people
Ridden at least 7 miles in a car
Been in a crate at least 7 times
Played with 7 different kinds of toys
Been exposed to 7 different contexts
Been played with or taken somewhere alone, without mom or litter mates, 7 different times
In addition, our puppies are exposed to chickens, ducks, cats, horses, cows, water, kids and many other fun things around our home. We pride ourselves in the fact that our puppies are "hand raised, home grown” in beautiful Montana surrounded by amazing spaces, animals and people.
Please contact us at any point during your dogs life. We are always available.
You are now part of our 406 k9 family, and as a member of this family we offer a couple of unique ways to help you on this new journey with your 406 puppy.
Private Password PageThe 406 preparation page is available on this website with tons of extra information to get you ready for your puppy. This information will require a password. The link is under "406 puppies" tab.
Instagram Litter Group Each litter has it's own specific Instagram group so that you can communicate with those that have the siblings to your puppy. It helps to ask each other questions, learn from each other and support each other while you are at the same puppy stages!
What to look for in a breeder?
Many quality pictures of parents and past puppies.
Watch out for Breeders that do not list all their breeding dogs. I don't have a problem with a Breeder that has quite a few dogs as long as they provide adequate care for the dogs and puppies to ensure a happy, safe and healthy quality of life.
Ask for breeding certificates on their dogs. I do not support breeders who buy puppies and breed them illegally. That sort of practice is highly unethically and wrong.
Facebook and Instagram accounts or many updated pictures of the dogs “daily lives”.
Testimonials, reviews and references of previous buyers.
Health & Genetic Testing on ALL breeding dogs. Both parents need health testing even with crossing breeds.
Full genetic testing that is recommended for that breed.
Full recommended joint, eye, and heart testing for that breed.
"Pickiness" – breeders should reproduce dogs according to health, temperament and confirmation, and should not reproduce unwanted characteristics because there was lack of genetic testing.
Be sure you know what you are getting. Many breeders in the world of "cross breeding" are very loose on what dogs they use for parents. Often times they are not quality or even pure breeds when they claim to be. And lastly, look into what they are naming the offspring.
Health contract- this just shows that a breeder is willing to stand behind the health of their dogs.
A spay/neuter contract is very important. I have nothing wrong with new people getting into breeding, in fact I mentor a few. However, it is not something to do on a whim. If dogs are not being fixed then the shelters will be filled with misfit puppies.
Ensure that your breeder truly cares about the quality of dog they are breeding and reproducing. The temperament, confirmation and selection of breeding dogs is incredibly important. Whatever your breeder is doing please be sure that it is ethical and right.
Breeders should always be willing to take a puppy back if the family cannot keep them for any reason.
A breeder who is available when you have questions about your dog.
Asking for proof of weights on their breeding dogs from vet specific paperwork or a phone call to their vet. Some breeders will lie about parents’ weights which can make a big difference on how big your puppy will get.
Watch out for puppy mills. Some can be licensed from the state, but these dogs will never leave a chain link/concrete pen. This is a sad, sad life for any dog. If the breeder does not have a website, Instagram or Facebook with pictures of the dogs doing life as it should be this is e a red flag!
Overall find a breeder who loves and cares for the wellbeing of their dogs! Click here to view the puppies at 406!