Doggy Diarrhea! How to Fix It!

*Please Consult your Veterinarian if your dog has excessive vomiting and/or loose stool.

The Cause

Finding the cause for the loose stool is the first item of business. With puppies specifically, my mind first goes to intestinal parasites. Roundworms being the most common, but if you recently got a new puppy Giardia or Coccidia could also be the culprit. Drinking water from a puddle or pond is an easy way to pick up one of these bugs. A fecal slide at the Vet can check for all of these, but sometimes Giardia is difficult to find.

Also, if it is a young unvaccinated pup, then it could be Parvo. A virus that causes bloody diarrhea, lethargy, and fever. This of course needs to be treated by a Vet as soon as possible.

The pup or dog could have an intestinal blockage, which would cause diarrhea and repeated vomiting with nothing but bile coming up usually. A vet would do an Xray to check for this.

But, the most common cause of Upset Stomach I see is from transitioning kibble too fast, overfeeding, feeding something new to the pup, feeding something too rich, etc. Basically, the cause being diet-related.

What to Do

So, let’s say you can rule out intestinal parasites, which can be done by a fecal exam at the Vet. Maybe the pup vomited once, but it was yellow bile or some food. Then you remember yesterday you let the pup try a new treat for the first time. We recommend all-natural one or two ingredient chews, like Beef Tendons or Bully Sticks and these can be hard on a young dog’s stomach. Maybe the vet already closed or it is the weekend, and you want to stop the diarrhea but do not think it is serious enough to warrant an Emergency Room visit. MY Opinion, seeing blood in the feces one or two times is not by itself reason for an ER visit, but blood in vomit would probably be. If you suspect Parvo, if the pup or dog is very dehydrated, if the Pup is hacking and unable to get anything up, yes all warrant an ER visit. But for the Following suggestions we are just thinking our pup has upset stomach, the same as we get in humans.

Fast? Yes or No?

Every dog or puppy will be different. What works best for one may not work for another. A 24 hour fast is often recommended when a pup has loose stool. The idea is it lets the gut relax and focus on healing. Water is still offered, of course, and you can add some chicken broth to provide the needed electrolytes. So yes I agree this can be a solution. When introducing food do it slowly, and it is best to offer a bland diet first.

The Bland Diet

To continue to let the gut heal we want to offer a Bland Diet, with the same principle the BRAT diet humans use. My go-to is homemade chicken and sweet potato. But, chicken and rice, ground beef and sweet potato, and ground beef and rice also work. These are not “nutritionally complete” diets, but they are what we use to let the gut heal. Some veterinarians will sell you a GI prescription food, but I much prefer the homemade diet. Less ingredients, simple, and easy to digest.

Lets Get Cookin’

Ingredients:

1 lb Chicken Breast

1.5 lb Sweet Potatoes

My preferred method is using a pressure cooker for the chicken. Using 1-2 lbs chicken breast, 1/2 cup water, and cook for 10 minutes. Boiling is also acceptable and then shred. For the Sweet Potatoes, I like buying the ones that can microwave and steam in the bag. Some will say to remove the skin, but I say keep it for the extra fiber. Smash it in with the shredded chicken. There is no exact science between the ratio of chicken to potato, but I keep it 50-70% potato since the #1 goal is adding fiber and firming the stool.

The Topper

For added digestive enzymes, soothing herbs, probiotics, I highly recommend Gastro Pro Plus. The recommended dosage is on the box, but add a little extra when dealing with loose stool. They come sealed in individual packs and capsules to maintain freshness. You just sprinkle it on the food and most dogs love it.

Feeding Amount

This is a difficult question to answer because every dog has different caloric needs based on age, energy level, current weight, etc. There are roughly 225 calories per cup of a 50/50 Chicken and Sweet Potato mixture. So a 50 lb adult medium to low energy would get roughly 2 cups a day (half morning and half night). Remember we are only feeding this for 4-7 days, so use your best judgment on the amount.

Transitioning Back to Kibble

Number One, do it slowly. 75% homemade diet, 25% kibble. Then 50/50, then 25/75. Then 100% kibble again. If you see the stool loosen up, then slow it down. SIDE NOTE: The sweet potato can give the stool a very Orange and strange coloring look. Totally fine :) Hopefully, it will firm up, and then you will know it was just a random case of Upset Stomach.

Medication

A great antibiotic your Vet can prescribe is called Metronidazole. I always prefer a natural remedy when there is one available, but sometimes the step to antibiotics is needed. I have seen it work wonders.

How to Get Your Dog to Lose Weight feat. Reba!

*I am not a Veterinarian. All medical and health advice is given through my expertise as a pet owner and breeder, research, and personal experience.

Intro

Has your four-legged friend packed on a few extra pounds over the years? We all love spoiling our pets, but sometimes we go a little overboard. This is Reba’s story and the first part of her weight loss journey. She is a retired mom here at SCP, meaning retired from breeding. Her weight gain did not happen overnight, but slowly year after year a few pounds at a time. Pre-breeding (1-2 years old) she was around 50-55 lbs, and she topped out last month (6 years old) at 73 lbs! This is her weight loss guide.

Is My Dog Overweight?

Above is one of the easiest ways to identify if your pup is a little too hefty. You should be able to count your dog’s ribs without much difficulty. Another key identifier I have seen in Doodles is a thickening at the base of the tail aka Fat Reserves. Also, if you lift the tail up are there fat wrinkles on the body where it meets the tail? If so, it is time to lose some weight!

The Foundation-Food

It is well known that for human weight loss, diet and nutrition are the most important factors, in the cases there are not medical issues. So let’s get it right, but there are so many choices! We have regular kibble, prescription kibble, raw coated kibble, fresh/frozen cooked food, dehydrated raw food, and fresh/frozen raw food, and I am sure I am still leaving some out.

What I wanted in Reba’s Food:

• Low to No Carbs

  • We all know what Carbs do to humans, pack on the pounds. In a moderately small amount, they are not “bad” for dogs, but I would much rather fuel with Protein and Fat.

• High Protein/ High Fat

  • The best energy sources for canines. Less inflammatory than carbs.

• Easily Digestible and Nutritiously Dense

  • The more nutrients the body can absorb from the food, the less the dog will have to consume.

• Convenience

  • I do not want to be slaving over a stove for hours or having to grind meat down for example. :)

• A Company with a Great Reputation

  • Obviously, I do not want to support a company I do not trust. Look up Recall History and Reputation.

My Choice

Frozen Raw Dog Food was my choice! Then, I had to decide if I wanted to do the Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (BARF) diet or Whole Prey Model. BARF allows ingredients other than that from an animal (veggies, fruits, etc), whereas whole prey is typically 80% meat, 10% organs, and 10% bone. I decided BARF, great acronym by the way, would be the easiest to transition to from kibble. There is a great divide in the Raw community as to which is “better”.

The Company I Chose

• Low to No Carbs

  • Carbs as fed 3-4%, as dry matter 12-13%, caloric contribution 9-10%

• High Protein/ High Fat

  • As dry matter, 50% protein, 27% fat. Caloric contribution 90-91%

• Easily Digestible and Nutritiously Dense

  • The hallmark of raw food. As least processed as you can get.

• Convenience

  • Shipped to your house. In pre-portioned 8 oz packs.

• A Company with a Great Reputation

  • I’ll give Darwin’s a B+ in this area. The one blemish is a recall of 3 batches of food in 2018 contaminated with Salmonella.

Darwin’s has a very easy website to order from, easy to set-up Auto-Ship, no delays in shipping so far, and all their nutritional information readily available. Am I married to them for life? No. I spent a good day researching and deciding on the company I wanted to choose and they came out on top. Another big factor is they are very economical compared to many other raw brands., some charging up to $10 a pound!

Raw Food Quick Hitters

• Aren’t you worried about e. Coli, salmonella, bacteria, etc.? No. Dogs have shortened GI tracts and strong stomach acid that easily handles bacteria. Many dogs already have these bacteria living inside them with no problem, as it is mainly the overpopulation that causes the issues. The bigger risk is to humans. SO… the same way you handle raw chicken when you cook it, treat this food the same way. Wash your hands!

• Is it gross? Sure, compared to dry kibble I would say it is “gross”. A dog chewing up raw meat isn’t as cute as crunching kibble. If they are messy eaters or do get it in their hair, use a wet paper towel/rag and wipe them off.

• Does it stink? No, Darwin’s has kind of a grassy/mint smell.

• Why don’t you feed your puppies raw? From a recent poll, only about 1/3 of people would even consider feeding their dog raw food. Transitioning a puppy from raw to kibble would result in a lot of upset GI and pups not wanting to eat.

  How Much to Feed My Dog

  I emailed Darwin’s and gave them Reba’s current weight, ideal weight, energy level, etc. and they recommended a feed amount. I also used a few other online raw food calculators and came up with one pound a day. This can be adjusted if your dog is acting lethargic, losing too much weight, or not losing enough weight.

  Cost

  A 50 lb dog eating one pound a day would average $5/day or $150/month. If you want the organic produce option, then $7/day or $210/month.

The Food Toppers

Organic Sea Kelp Powder

Benefits:

• 60 Immune Boosting Nutrients

• Boosts metabolism and glandular function

• High in Fiber

• Reduce tartar buildup and dental plaque

  Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil

Benefits:

• Rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids

• Anti-Inflammatory Properties

• Skin and Coat Health

• The Oil is more concentrated, but often I use the Drops to give some texture as a topper.

Treats and Chews!

NO Human Food! Well unless we are talking about steak, chicken, etc… No Carbs or Sugars!

Green Tripe Sticks!

A delicious crunchy treat pack full of Omega-3s and vitamins. Boosts energy and immune support, and dogs go crazy for it!

Bully Sticks!

Protein-Rich and supports healthy teeth and gums. Chewing is great mental stimulation for Pups!

pawTreats!

Freeze-Dried Raw, low calorie, limited ingredients. Breakable and Great for Training!

Exercise

Exercise is very much based off your Dog and what they want to do! Reba loves fetch, so we play fetch! If your dog likes to jog or go swimming, do that! The goal is to get the heart-rate up and burn calories!

For Reba, we play fetch 5 minutes a day, 2 or 3 sessions a day, 6 days a week. She sprints for the ball, so I know she is burning a lot of calories. She lets me know when to stop by laying down, instead of bringing me the ball. Haha! We also go on short walks, and if we hit a plateau on the weight loss we will increase our walks in length and speed!

Summary

Basically, get the nutrition right, do any exercise, and work from there! Reba has lost over 3 lbs in 4 weeks, which is 5% of her initial body weight! Good Luck! Look for a Blog Update in a Month! Meanwhile, follow Reba at @ReducingReba on Instagram!

Sources

https://www.guidedogs.org/blog/ask-vet-preventing-dog-obesity/

The $800 vs $3000 Doodle Part One: Structure

Intro

People are often confused by the price difference in Doodles. I have seen them as low as $500 and as high as $5000. For this series, I am using estimated median values (in my belief) of $800 and $3000. You may find some breeders doing everything I write about correctly and are only charging $1500, which is great! The point is educating the public on why there is a price disparity and what should breeders be doing that actually increase the value of their puppies.

Structure

Credit: GANA

Goldendoodles and Labradoodles for 20+ years have been called mutts and mongrels by many people. However, it is undeniable they are one of the current top 5 most popular breeds in the USA. The reason I disagree with these terms is there is a collective body of breeders trying to breed to a standard AKA with a purpose in mind. Just like 99% of dog breeds were “created” by humans, the Goldendoodle is no different.

The Structure we aim for at Steel City Puppies is one of Optimal Health, Quality of Life, and Longevity. For instance, I could never breed English Bulldogs because of the high risk of hip dysplasia, breathing issues, and the inability to have natural births. I also could not breed 100+ lb Doodles because they will have shorter lives due to the heart to body size ratio.

My current goal is for my standard size pups to live to be 15+ years old, minis 18+ years old, and petites 20+ years old. Long healthy lives with no major medical problems!

The Importance

The biggest problem I am currently seeing bred in Doodles are short legs and very elongated bodies. Think of a dachshund aka Weiner Dog. Primarily this is seen in Mini Doodles because breeders are breeding them with too big of a height disparity between the parents. Imagine a 5 lb toy poodle that can fit in your pocket and it is used to inseminate a 70 lb golden retriever. This can result in these very elongated doodles that will more than likely develop joint issues and back problems, especially as they age.

Incorrect Doodle Structure. Note the elongated body with the short legs.

Another example of structure is the rear angulation. Get this wrong and the dog will have decreased endurance because the muscles are not being used as efficiently and also the joints can suffer.

Conclusion

Find a breeder that has a deep knowledge of their dogs and is breeding for a healthy structure. Can you find a doodle breeder doing this and is only charging $800 for their pups? I doubt it. The breeder needs to have experience and knowledge, which typically comes at a cost. I would consider it an investment though when this can potentially save you thousands of $$$ in future medical bills and more importantly save your puppy from a life of suffering.

Sources:

https://www.goldendoodleassociation.com/goldendoodle-breed-standard/

What you Need to Know about Doodle Grooming

Intro

Alright, I have seen so many terrible Doodle Grooms lately that I am neglecting all of my current emails to write this. This will cover what you need to do, what the groomer needs to do, and what they should not do.

Owner Responsibilities

• You are responsible for getting your new puppy acquainted to common grooming tools. I recommend twice a week when your puppy is calm. If your breeder has already started on this, Congrats! you have found a fantastic breeder!

  • Slicker Brush and Comb

  • Blow dryer (do not use hot air)

• You are responsible for getting your new puppy acquainted to common feelings.

  • Play/Touch their feet, so they become less sensitive over time.

  • I also will touch a puppy’s tail from an early age. Not tugging obviously.

  • Play/Touch their ears as well.

• You are responsible for bringing in your puppy at an early age to the groomer. Most groomers require them to be fully vaccinated and 16 weeks old. We will go over the groom needed later.

• You are responsible for preventing mats in the hair between grooming appointments. If you keep your Doodle’s hair at a 1/2” or longer length, you can not go 8 weeks between groomer appointments and not expect the hair to mat. Humidity, Rain, and Swimming all make the hair mat faster and worse.

  • Take your puppy in more often or keep the hair shorter or brush at home.

• You are responsible for keeping a watch on your puppy’s ear canal. There needs to be good airflow to prevent infection. Use ear cleaner as necessary to prevent bacterial growth and bring to the vet if there is an infection.

• You are responsible for knowing that a Groomer does not possess a “Magic Wand.” They can not turn your Pup’s curly hair into wavy or straight hair. They can not magically get out mats that are as big as a door mat. Play on words ;)

Groomer Responsibilities

• First, do no harm. Always treat the animals with respect and patience, even if they are difficult. If they are too difficult to groom return them to the owner and explain the problem.

• Always be honest and forthcoming. If something bad happens, accidentally poking the pup with scissors in the eye for example, tell the owner the truth.

• Be patient with the customer. If the Groomer does not have the time to hear your concerns, what makes you think they will be patient with your puppy. This does not mean spend 20 minutes reviewing the groom you want your puppy to have, be thoughtful of the groomer’s time as well.

• Listen to the customer and be knowledgeable in their skill. If the customer shows you a picture of a scissored doodle head, do not shave all the hair off. This is not talking about a matted doodle where shaving may be necessary.

Finding a Groomer

My ideal groomer is one who owns their own shop, has been grooming for 10+ years, has a lot of references, and you can tell enjoy what they do. Sorry, big box stores, I am not a fan of the majority of their grooming. It is always nice when you can have the same exact person grooming your Pup each time. They get to know what you like and your Pup will bond to them over the years. Ask friends with doodles, read Google Reviews, look at the pics on their FB/ IG, and also check the list at the Bottom of this Post for recommendations! I will continue to edit it over the years based off feedback and recommendations!

Your Puppy’s First Groom!!!

The first grooming appointment should happen between 12-20 weeks old. Ask your groomer their recommendation. The point of this groom is not even the groom really, but getting your puppy acquainted with a new environment that they will be spending a lot of time in.

This is what needs to be done:

• Nails clipped or filed

• Shave potty areas (do not have to shave a whole football field around the anus)

• Shave hair between the paw pads (to grip slippery floors better)

• Bath and BlowDry

• Ear Cleaning and/or Plucking

• Use Thinning Shears to remove hair growing in front of the eyes

  • DO NOT USE CLIPPERS FOR THIS

• Can round off feet with shears, if desired

***Most important though, the first grooms need to be positive experiences with the puppy and groomer trusting each other a little more each time.

Repeat this FFT or Sanitary Trim as some call it Every 4-6 Weeks

The Real Doodle Groom (7+ Months Old)

Your Pup is now a Teenager or older. The 7-9 month old age is typically terrible as the adult hair is growing under the puppy coat and matting is a disaster. Can you tough it out and get the mats out or will you wimp out and have it shaved? Ok, actually I don’t blame you if you shave it because it can be time-consuming to keep up.

MY #1 GROOMING HACK: Buy a High Velocity Dryer! Give your pup a weekly bath and blowdry to prevent matting.

Buy on Amazon

The Head

Doodles should have a face/ head shaped similar to below. NOTE: Curly hair doodles will not have the hair that falls nicely like the one on the left! It will be more fluffy like the one on the right!

If the Groomer does this, just LEAVE and never go Back!

The Body

You have two main options when choosing your doodle’s groom. Do you want the lower maintenance more sporty look or the higher maintenance longer hair show-stopping look?

Lower Maintenance

• Cut the entire body and legs with a 3/8” or 1/2” Guide Comb

• Preferable: Use a 3/8” on the body and a 1/2” or 5/8” on the legs, and then blend together

• If matted or for ultimate low maintainence, use a #7 blade on body and legs

Higher Maintenance

• Use a 1” guide comb on the entire body and legs

• Preferable: Use a 1” guide comb on the body and scissor legs

Tail

A saber tail is the standard, so think of a golden retriever tail. It is NOT to be cut short and it is NOT to be shaved at the base. Doodle heads and tails are the most important for the “Doodle Look”.

SCP Owner Recommendations!

*If you want a Groomer added or removed from this list, send me pics and tell me why!!!

Alabama

Birmingham, AL- Bath, Barks, and Bubbles Pet Spa

Birmingham, AL- Hounds Around Town Mobile Grooming

Birmingham, AL- Lucky Dog Grooming

Helena, AL- Husky Tails Dog Grooming

Homewood, AL- Generation Dog

Hoover, AL- Patton Chapel Animal Clinic

Meadowbrook, AL- Fancy Fur Pet Grooming

Mountain Brook, AL- Village Pet Care

Springville, AL- Doggone Pet Spa

Vestavia Hills, AL- Pet Vet Animal Hospital

Sources:

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/563301865887557920/

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/454582156128178458/

https://springcreeklabradoodles.com/grooming-labradoodle/

The Most Life-Changing Supplement for Pups and Dogs

“Food is Medicine”

What is it we want most for our pets? The answer I hear most is a long, healthy, and happy life. We all have had or know of someone who has had a pet die before their time. Cancer, Heart Failure, Kidney Failure, and Disease in general typically being the cause. Some of these diseases could have been prevented or slowed down whereas others, because of genetics, it was just going to happen. With this in mind, the question I am answering is “If there was one supplement you would add to a puppy or dog’s diet, what would it be?”

My answer is Salmon Oil. Just like in humans, it has been thoroughly studied and found to have numerous health benefits. Let’s start with benefits for a growing puppy!

1. Growing Brains and Eyes! The brain is a fatty organ and loves Omega-3s found in Salmon Oil. The fatty acids DHA and EPA influence brain blood flow, oxidative stress , and even the production of new neurons. DHA is very important for the development and function of the Retina in the eye as well!

2. Skin and Coat! The largest organ on a pup is their skin, and it loves the fatty acids found in salmon oil. It moisturizes the skin from the inside out and strengthens the hair! Our pups grow 5-6 times their size from 8 weeks old to a year, and go through a coat change around 8 months old, so their skin and coat need as many nutrients as possible!

The benefits for Adult Dogs:

1. Anti-Inflammatory! This applies to all over a dog’s body from inflammation in their joints to the heart to even the skin.

2. The Heart! Salmon oil can improve the energy metabolism of the heart cells and help maintain a steady heartbeat. And in cases of advanced heart disease it has been found to combat weight loss.

3. Inhibit Tumor Growth! When talking to one of our personal veterinarians he said he sees tumors as the #1 growing health problem in today’s pets. Salmon oil, DHA specifically, is being studied and shown to promote cell differentiation and shrink tumors. Does this mean Salmon oil is curing cancer like a miracle drug? No, but I believe it would be a great supplement to hopefully prevent tumor growth.

   
   What Salmon Oil do we use?

20% Off with Promo Code: INTRO4U

We prefer pawTree’s Wild Alaskan Salmon Oil for our pups, as it is the most concentrated for Omegas, but some people with sensitive smell may prefer the Salmon Oil Drops instead. Our puppies and dogs love both, so feel free to try either. Dosages are on both containers. The oil goes directly on top of their kibble and the drops are given just like treats!

Thanks for reading and any questions on Pup Nutrition feel free to reach out!

Sources:

https://vcahospitals.com/know-your-pet/fish-oil

https://www.cvcavets.com/for-pet-owners/nutritional-supplements-for-cardiac-patients/

https://time.com/5316521/omega-3-brain-health/

https://www.drweil.com/health-wellness/balanced-living/pets-pet-care/fish-oil-for-dogs/

SCP 2019 Wrap-Up and 2020 Vision

2019 Wrap-Up

Success

Overall, the year could not have been much better for Steel City Puppies. We raised some of the most perfect pups, rehomed them into amazing families, and added new pups to be future moms and dads.

For the FIrst Time Ever, we had Zero puppies pass away, whether being stillborn or just getting sick early in life, while also we had the most puppies birthed in our history. I contribute it to whelping experience, great nutrition, amazing Dog Mommies, the best Vet care, and I am sure some luck!

We were also able to host charity events, host two doodle Romps, and volunteer Puppy Playtime at several organizations!

Retired Parents in 2019

Reba- My first ever goldendoodle. My wife gets jealous because of how much I love her. :)

Annie- The most affectionate dog and puppy mommy you could ask for.

Teddy- The stud himself. He probably has over 400 children running around.

Minnie- Her career ended early, but she has some of the smartest, loving babies!

2020 Vision

Goal

Simply, to be Remarkable. To have the cutest pups, raised in the best way, to the point where people feel the need to tell others/Remark 😉 about us.

Social Media

Instagram- We discovered IG stories in 2019 and are not looking back. You can see daily how our pups are raised and loved. There are no outside kennels or runs, instead, you get to see your pup playing on blankets inside with family, being carried around by Claire, and watch your baby get a little bigger every day. Be warned, only IG message me if you can tolerate Sarcasm and Sass. It is the most informal way to communicate with SCP. :)

Facebook- It is the tried and true way to get important announcements. We have broken over 6,000 likes, which is Amazing! I have implemented an auto-reply on Facebook messaging. I get asked on average 10 times a day about pricing or availability, so this feature has greatly helped answer those questions.

Breeds

In general, for 2020 we are focusing more towards smaller (30 lbs and under) breedings.

Standard Goldendoodles: Unfortunately between the commercial breeders, backyard breeders, and others, the market is becoming over-saturated, so I feel it is time to move on. Being undercut by lower quality breeders with much lower prices has hurt the St Goldendoodle Breedings in general. We currently have no planned Standard Goldendoodle breedings.

Labradoodles: Lower quality breedings of labradoodles with thin whispy hair has also hurt their popularity. We are planning a standard labradoodle litter in Jan 2020, mini labradoodle litter in Fall 2020, and then the last litter of labradoodles from SCP in Spring 2021.

Standard Poodles: Now for good news! It has been a long time, but we are having AKC standard poodles in 2020! Ryder and Rosie are a perfect pair and will have the most beautiful babies. If you wanted a standard goldendoodle from us, this is your best alternative.

Bernedoodles: Last year I opened up voting to the community, and the bernedoodle was the most requested doodle. Our girls will be ready in 2020! Pippa will give us petites (10-15 lbs) and Stella will give us larger minis (35-45 lbs).

Surprise: There will be a new breed coming to SCP in 2020, but you will just have to wait and see!

Facilities/ The Move

In 2019, we were able to purchase 6 acres of land near the Chelsea, AL area. It will be a much more convenient area for our Birmingham families to drive to. We are meeting with Contractors and Designers, and are hopeful to start construction this year.

View fullsize

First Level of Proposed New SCP

Featuring:

• A 700+ sq ft State-of-the-Art Puppy Nursery. Heated tile flooring, individual whelping areas, indoors connected to an outdoor turf play yard, the best air filtration and ventilation, lots of natural light, puppy incubator for struggling pups, and a comfy sofa bed for me to sleep on when we have new pups are a few of the features.

• A 700+ sq ft Luxurious Boarding and Training Area. Including: Non-slip tile flooring, comfy couch and recliners, TV with all the animal movies you could want, grooming area, large outside fenced area with some turf, private rooms, and of course a king-size bed with some of the softest pillows for our VIPs (Very Important Pups).

• A 2000 sq ft Living Area (mostly on the 2nd floor) for the humans that run SCP. Featuring kitchen, bedrooms, and other boring stuff compared to the Puppy Areas. Lol.

*Close to 90% of 2020 Profits will be going towards building this Puppy Paradise. To those that purchase a puppy, training, board their pups with us, buy pawTree dog food, or just tell others about us, we Thank You for your support and the Vision of SCP.

Pricing

Puppy prices, in general, will stay about the same with most litters being between $2500 and $3500. Higher cost litters are typically more for several reasons like more expensive stud fees, Transcervical Insemination, smaller litter size, etc. For the quality of puppy we are raising, in the most enriching environment, we know the prices are fair.

Our Training Programs are increasing in cost. Since the beginning, we have had them way under market value, but now with more experience and the programs fully developed, it is time to match what other breeders of similar quality are charging.

• Crate Training Foundations has grown in popularity to where in several litters 100% of the families have opted-in. The price is now $450. Included in the price, along with the training, is an appropriately sized wire crate, snuggle puppy, bag of treats, pawPairings, and a snail chew toy.

• Therapy Dog Foundations has also grown in such popularity to where I have had to turn down several interested families because all spots are taken. The majority of our testimonials come from families that have our Trained Pups, so I know the program is effective in creating that well-rounded pup. The price is now $2500. Crate Training Foundations included in the price.

***If you placed a deposit in 2019, you get 2019 Training Prices.

Genetic Health Testing

As technology advances in Canine Health so will we! We are now capable of testing our puppy parents for over 225 inheritable diseases. Rest easy knowing that everything is being done at SCP to give you the healthiest pup possible!

Club SCP

Club SCP is the new name for Boarding with us. Camp SCP seems more practical, but remember that new fancy boarding facility that is being built? Club is to accentuate that luxurious environment your pup will enjoy!

• Club SCP/Boarding will still only be available to our past Puppies and any doggies in their family.

• Rates are the same at $40/day.

• The only change is a slight increase in bath and blow-dry for large dogs (over 30 lbs) , which is now $35.

Client Software

We are currently testing out software to streamline messaging, payments, files, photos, and more. All of the communication and information shared between SCP and the Puppy Family available in one online portal.

Steel City Puppies Doodle Romp

The best day of the year! The time for all the pups to get back together, run, and play! I am tentatively setting the date as:

Sunday, May 3rd 2-4 PM

You bring the doodles and I bring the Tacos, what do you say???

Thank You

I do not say it near as much as I should, but Thank You. Thank You for letting me live my dream and bless others with the sweetest pups. Even if it is just a like or share of a post, or you told a friend about us, or you may even have one of our pups, Thank You for the Support!

December 2019 Shampoo Recommendations

Over Black Friday Weekend, I ordered several different dog shampoos to try, so I have more options to recommend. These are my favorites:

Green Groom French Lavender & Chamomile

Aromatherapy Dog Shampoo, 1 Gallon

Buy on Amazon

Overall, this is probably my favorite of the group! Easy to rinse, very mild lavender scent, great for male or female pups, and left the coat super soft. The downside is it only comes in Gallon size. So if you have lots of doggies or are fine using the same shampoo for a while, this is a Winner!

---

Best Shot Ultra Wash Puppies and Kittens Shampoo, 12-Ounce

Espree Plum Perfect for Pets, Cologne

Buy on Amazon

Buy on Amazon

The Best Shot brand is highly recommended among professional groomers. I love it as well. It lathers nicely, rinses, easily, and does a very nice job cleaning the pup. The only downside is it almost has no scent. I like a dog to smell like they just had a bath, know what I mean? So, I would pair this Shampoo with my favorite dog Cologne, Plum Perfect. Then if a week later your pup is still clean, but the “clean bath” smell has faded, just spray a little more Plum Perfect!

---

Envirogroom Deep Clean Shampoo, 17 oz

Buy on Amazon

My favorite in a smaller/normal size bottle is Deep Clean from Envirogroom. This brand is also very popular with professional groomers because it can be diluted 50:1, so it will last a very long time. It is made for the doodle that likes to roll around in mud, and it gets rid of that stinky doodle beard smell. The ingredients are premium, natural, and Paraben-Free. What’s it smell like??? Very hard to describe. I will just say kinda fruity, and not overwhelming.

---

There you have it, some of my favorite pet shampoos! Want to suggest one for me to try? Comment below with your favorite must-have shampoo!