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1. The Atherney Program
2. Application Process
3. What to Expect
4. Puppy Package

No puppies currently available, but please contact us for a puppy from our next litter.

The Atherney Program

Our program is focus on the best all around dog. Miniature American Shepherds are successful in all types of activities including therapy, agility, obedience and performance. We want your pet to also be a standup member of the community in anything you choose to do together.

Application Process

If you are interested, please fill out each of the questions on the Application Form. You will be entering a 10-12 year relationship with your Miniature American Shepherd, maybe longer. 

We review each application to find a good placement, according to structure, temperament and preferences. While you may have your heart set on a certain color or sex, we base our puppy placements on the best fit for the owner and the puppy. Please know that we strive to find you the lifelong companion you are searching for.

Our pet puppies (with no breeding rights) are priced individually based upon structure and temperament evaluations. The price range is from $1,250 to $2,000 on a spay/neuter contract.

What to Expect

Week 1: As they are born they get a soft collar in an identifying color that will match their own puppy journal. We watch development very carefully to make sure each pup is growing and thriving. Tails and dewclaws are docked.

Week 2: We get our first photo shoot. Our junior handler will begin to handle puppies daily with gentle touches and happy voices. As the pups start to open their eyes we’ll add toys to their daily activities.

Week 3: We’ll start to encourage potty on a pee pad. Easier for us to clean, but it’s the start of house breaking for you.

Week 4: Puppies world gets bigger when they leave the whelping box and start to explore the house. We’ll add new objects daily to give them the most experiences we can.

Week 5: Hello puppy food, getting momma a break. We mix ground up dog food with puppy formula to create a doggy oatmeal to give them a stepping stone to an adult diet.

Week 6: Welcome to the great outdoors. We’ll take the crew outside for short adventures and work on our command basics. At this point we accept local visitors to encourage socialization and get a sense for family placements.

Week 7: Going to the Vet. They will receive their first round of vaccinations and get evaluated for temperament and confirmation. We’ll post a brief summary and photos at this time and start to make placement decisions.

At this time we’ll make an offer to your family based on the individual evaluations and your submitted preferences. I will not strictly sell a puppy based on color. When possible, I provide 2 choices on puppies. The 2 puppies that you choose from are what I feel are the best fitting puppies for your family. Once you choose your puppy, we request a non-refundable deposit of $500 and a date is scheduled for pick up. 

Week 8: Puppies get their final vet check and health certification.

Week 9: Time to go home. The bitter sweet moment where they join your family. I will make an appointment for you to come and pick up your puppy anywhere from 9-10 weeks old. The remaining balance is due when you pick up your puppy. We can currently accept PayPal, CashApp, or Cash.

Please keep in touch, we stand behind our puppy for their entire life.

Puppy Package

Questions:

If you have any questions please feel free to text or email me.