Our Puppy Purchase Process

Our Puppy Purchase Process

Bringing home a Wolf River Bernedoodles puppy is an exciting experience, and we want the process to be as clear and straightforward as possible. The steps below explain how families move from their initial inquiry to bringing their puppy home.

  1. Contact Wolf River Bernedoodles

The process begins when you contact us through our website, Facebook, email, or phone. We are happy to answer questions about our breeding program, upcoming litters, expected puppy sizes, temperaments, and our Reservation List.

  1. Complete a Puppy Application

Families interested in one of our puppies are asked to complete our online Puppy Application.

The application helps us learn more about your family, lifestyle, experience with dogs, and what you are looking for in a Bernedoodle.

Reserve Your Puppy
  1. Application Review

We carefully review each Puppy Application.

Your application may be:

  • Approved
  • Returned for additional information or clarification
  • Not approved

If we have questions about any of your responses, we may contact you before making a final decision.

  1. Join the Master Reservation List

Once your application is approved, you may join our Master Reservation List by placing a $500 non-refundable deposit.

Your deposit is applied toward the purchase price of your puppy.

Families are placed on the Master Reservation List in the order their deposits are received.

  1. Reservation List Timeframe

Families may remain on the Master Reservation List for up to one year while waiting for the litter and puppy that is right for them.

After one year, families who have not selected a puppy are moved to our Backup Reservation List.

Families on the Backup Reservation List may still participate in future litters when puppies are available. However, families on the current Master Reservation List are given priority.

  1. Puppies Are Born

Shortly after a litter is born, we begin sharing information about the puppies and post individual puppy photos and litter updates on our website.

As the puppies grow, families have an opportunity to follow their development before Puppy Picking Day.

  1. Families Are Contacted About the Litter

When the puppies are approximately four weeks old, we contact families on the Master Reservation List to determine who is interested in participating in Puppy Picking for that litter.

Families may choose to:

  • Participate in the current litter, or
  • Pass and remain on the Master Reservation List for a future litter.

Depending on the number of puppies born and the number of interested families, there may or may not be enough puppies available for everyone who would like to participate in a particular litter.

  1. Puppy Picking List Is Created

Once we know which families are interested in the litter, we create a Puppy Picking List.

Picking order is based primarily on each family’s position on the Master Reservation List and the number of puppies available in the litter.

  1. Puppy Picking Day

Puppy Picking typically takes place on the Saturday when the puppies are approximately six weeks old.

Families may select their puppy:

  • In person at Wolf River Bernedoodles, or
  • Virtually through FaceTime or another video-calling option.

We encourage families to follow the puppies as they grow and come to Puppy Picking Day with several favorites in mind.

  1. Contract & Final Payment

Once you select your puppy, you will sign our Dog Purchase Contract and pay the remaining balance of the puppy’s purchase price.

Payment may be made by:

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Venmo

Your original $500 Reservation List deposit is credited toward the purchase price.

  1. Puppy Go-Home Day

Puppies may leave for their Forever Homes once they are at least eight weeks old.

We schedule puppy pickup appointments to allow time to review important information, answer questions, and help make the transition into your home as smooth as possible.

  1. Puppies Traveling by Air

Puppies traveling to families in another state must also be at least eight weeks old before traveling.

Wolf River Bernedoodles does not ship puppies by air cargo.

When traveling by air, the puppy must travel in the aircraft cabin with a responsible adult.

Ready to Begin?

If you believe a Wolf River Bernedoodles puppy may be the right addition to your family, the first step is completing our Puppy Application.

Joining the Master Reservation List early gives you the best opportunity to participate in upcoming litters and provides more flexibility when waiting for the size, coloring, temperament, or timing that is right for your family.