Can I train my puppy to potty on newspaper when I am gone & outdoors when I am home?
No- you must stick to one method for housebreaking your dog. Trying to make them use newspaper when you are gone & outdoors when you are home, will only serve to confuse them. Keep it simple & use only one or the other. Most of all, be consistent.
Do you raise Imperial Shih Tzu?
To me the word Imperial is pretty interchangeable with Royal. I raise happy healthy Shih Tzu babies- period. I do not try to breed Imperial/Tiny Shih Tzu. I occasionally get smaller puppies in a litter- but I do not try to down size them. I do not endorse Imperial Shih Tzus, as I have interviewed various breeders & owners & I have found out through studying & raising this breed, that there is no way you can change the breed standard on a consistent basis, to be able to downsize them. Their bone density contradicts them being tiny dogs. As such, they will grow to be whatever they will be.
Do you have the puppies dew claws removed?
Yes, we have them done by the time they are 3 days old. We also have the tails docked, if it is breed appropriate.
Do females make better pets than males?
Males make equally nice house pets, if they are fixed, by the time they are 5 months old.
Why don't you offer public stud service?
We do not offer stud service because, there are diseases out there. We do not want these brought into our dogs.
Do you ever cross your breeds?
If we have enough request we may do so. For the most part we do purebred.
How old will my puppy be, before it can come home?
Before I let my babies go to their new homes, they must be eating well on their own for 2&1/2 to 3 weeks. This means with no nursing off mom. Babies must meet this criteria before they are able to leave Wind Ridge. The earliest a baby is ever allowed to leave is 8 weeks minimum.
Do you screen potential adoptive parents for your puppies?
Yes I do. All the while they are interviewing me, I am screening them. I listen to their words, their attitude & their questions. If I feel they are suitable to be stable, longterm puppy parents- then I consider them for adoption of one of my furbabies.
Are you present during the birth of your babies?
Yes- every single one of them. I assist if the mom is having trouble. I give mouth to mouth if a baby isn't breathing right away. I tie cords if need be. My daughters help as well, by holding the mom if I need to help a puppy come out. They also put puppies in their shirts to keep them warm, while I assist the next puppy coming into the world. During the last week of pregnancy, my 2 oldest daughters & I, take turns getting up during the night to check on the moms. This is a very family oriented event. Great care is taken to monitor & help in a timely manner, to assure the safety of the mom & babies.
Which breed is your favorite?
Each breed has it's own endearing qualities. I love all breeds in general. There are many wonderful wonderful breeds out there, both large & small. How do you choose only one?
Do you let people pick the puppy they want or do you choose one for them?
I don't really pick the puppy for them per say. I do however try guide them to one, that would be well suited to them.
Do you groom your own dogs?
Yes,my 2 oldest daughters & I, groom all of our dogs. Amy likes to clip them. Danielle likes to bathe & brush them out. I do all the mean stuff, like clipping toenails, & plucking the hair from inside their ears.
Which of your breeds is the best for allergy sufferers?
The Maltese is the best for people who have allergies. They have a single layer coat & because of that fact, they shed very little to none.
Which of your breeds is good with children?
It has been my experience, that all of them get along with children reasonably well, if they are handled the right way. I have never seen the Maltese, Yorkies, Schnauzers or Cavalier, nip at any of my children.
Which breed is the easiest to keep clean?
I would have to say that the Maltese is the easiest to keep clean. I give my dogs a bath once a week & the Maltese smell & feel clean, long after the other breeds. I feel it is because there are no under hairs- the coat is able to breath better & therefore doesn't hold a body odor- or grab dirt as readliy.
Which registry do you use to register your puppies?
All of our adults are registered with AKC & APR, however we only use APR for the puppies. When you adopt one of our babies, you will receive an APR registration application.
Have you ever turned away someone who wanted to adopt one of your puppies?
Yes, I have a couple of times. I did not feel that the prospective adoptive parent, would give the baby a stable home.
Are you there for support after the adoption?
Most Definitely! Before, during & after. I am easily accessable indefinitely.
How well socialized are the babies when they go home?
Our furbabies have outstanding personalities when they leave Wind Ridge. Most of the puppies talk back when you talk to them. We talk to our babies all the time & in return they sass back to you. The only exception is, are the ones that are more quiet by nature. It is very easy to tell that our babies are family raised & loved.
