Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of your puppies?
The price reflects my commitment to my puppies/dogs and varies depending on color and gender. (For limited registration) Please contact me with questions on specific pups/dogs.
Will you transport my puppy?
I will be happy to transport your puppy a maximum 4 hours one way or meet someplace with a secure environment to ensure the safest possible travel for your pup. The travel fee for this service will be 65 cents per mile. Health certificate and kennel/crates will be additional charges. Or you may provide your own kennel/crate.
Do you socialize your puppies?
Just a note on early rearing of our puppies; Some people say that, as long as a puppy is well fed and warm, there is no need to do much else… We treat our puppies in many ways as you would a child, we have fun, we are sympathetic in times of trouble, but also firm so they know their boundaries of behavior.
Our litters are whelped in the house and imprinted from day 1. They have a happy and energetic puppy-hood for the first several weeks of their life. We have enormous patience and give our pups plenty of affection as they are in our home, kennel, and around the yard. We work on house-training with the minimum amount of hassle and encourage them to become self-reliant, confident, and serene in a secure environment. We feel the best time for puppies is the spring and summer as we can have the door open and they can wander in and out as they please – in this way it is very easy to house train with few accidents.
We have the ideal environment in which to rear Aussie puppies, bringing them up to take part in the everyday life of the farmyard; the pups in these surroundings become accustomed to seeing and being among different kinds of stock, they are part of the busy farmyard and usually meet their first animals in a very natural manner simply because the stock is accessible.
Our home-reared females are vaccinated and in good health before, during and after whelping. Our mothers are in a natural environment and are allowed to nurse their pups on demand until the pups are at least 7/8 weeks old and then weaned without restriction.
We invite you to come and visit our farm to observe our puppies in action.
What is their temperament?
GOOD HORSES LIKE GOOD MEN HAVE GOOD MOTHERS
RL Underwood
This quote rings true with dogs too. The temperament and character of linage/parents of a pup says a lot of what the pup will grow up to be. With that said – A dogs behavior is a complicated interplay of so many things it is impossible to make solid predictions. However, to get the odds on your side, ask a lot of questions about the parents, and if possible, come visit us to see the linage/parents first hand.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions about character, temperament, and traits of the parents or pups.
How much is the deposit?
A non-refundable deposit of $500 will hold a pup based upon the suitability of each individual home. (Deposits are applied to the purchase price of your puppy) If the puppy of choice was not available, then deposit will be “rolled over” to the next available litter. When Paypal is used I add 0.5% to cover the user fee.
Do you have a health guarantee?
Yes please see the attached document. Sales-contract
Can you board my puppy?
Yes. If a puppy needs to stay with us longer than their 8th week we charge $12.00 per day. This includes food, worming (if needed), socialization and plenty of play-time. We are currently feeding Life’s Abundance.
What colors do you have?
Although we will always keep in mind the color preference of our puppy buyers, we do not place our pups in homes based solely on color choice. Our evaluations are on-going to identify puppies on a wide variety of qualities including temperament, natural instincts and suitability. Here is a link to Wendy Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test. It is a great tool to use in picking the “perfect puppy”. Here is a quick youtube video to watch the test in action. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7scdTlEX1ek
Do you offer continued support?
Upon pick up, we will schedule an hour appointment to go over the pup’s take home folder, and answer all questions for an easy transition from our home to yours. The folder includes the puppy’s health certificate and vaccine record, ASCA paperwork, and other pertinent information regarding diet and medical care.We proudly sell Aussie puppies that can be a lifetime WORKING and FAMILY companion. We offer on-going interaction with our families to answer questions throughout the pups’ learning career. We look forward to remaining an active participant in their well being.
When was your first encounter with an Aussie?
In 1974 I was chosen to represent Minnesota as their Paint Horse Queen and compete at the National Paint Horse Show in Jackson, Mississippi. As Miss Minnesota, I had an opportunity to meet other “queens” and their families from all over the country. As I remember, Miss Oklahoma had two blue merle’s that I was instantly fascinated with… So that was it I was smitten and to this day Aussie’s are definitely my dog of choice. I proudly admit I have “ADD”, Aussie Dog Dependency.
The common myths about acquiring a dog
Please read attached document about the myth of the leftover puppy.
Do you have Mini or Toy puppies?
Recently there has been a rise in the movement to breed “miniature”, and sadly, even a “toy” version of the Australian Shepherd. Neither of these are recognized by a
ny of the official Australian Shepherd clubs/organizations. The Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA), the American Kennel Club (AKC), nor the United States Australian Shepherd Association, Inc. (USASA), recognize nor register these dogs. The dogs are only recognized by their own breed clubs, which have been formed since they were denied recognition by the above clubs. They are NOT a ‘variety’ of the true Australian Shepherd, they are a totally separate breed.
We do not breed “mini’s”, will not allow our males to be used to breed to a “mini” and will not recommend a breeder to you because we personally do not support the purposeful breeding of ‘miniature” or “toy” dogs that are then passed off as Australian Shepherds. We breed our Aussies to the ASCA and AKC recognized standard of excellence. These clubs require all of their members to abide by their rules and regulations and their Code of Ethics, and to be ever vigilant in the preservation and protection of the true Australian Shepherd.
Can you tell me more about the history of Twin Oaks?
With far more Working Trial Champions than any other kennel in history, Twin Oaks has achieved The Aussies’ California Dream
INTERVIEW WITH SHERRY BAKER, THIRD GENERATION STOCKDOG HANDLER
Do you ship internationally?
Yes. In March of 2011 we shipped 2 puppies to France. I acquired all the necessary documentation and then escorted the puppies to France and stayed with Valerie and David for 6 days. Although the trip was long the puppies handled it well.