The Dorenlee Puppy Process

Explore Our Website

We encourage families to spend a little time exploring our website. You'll learn about our breeding philosophy, our dogs, our Five-Stage Puppy Program, our health guarantee, early puppy development, and what makes Dorenlee Darling Doodles unique.

Many of your initial questions will be answered here, helping you determine whether our program is the right fit for your family.

When you're ready, complete our online application. Some families choose to do this before contacting us, while others reach out first. Either approach is perfectly welcome.

Complete Your Application

Our online application helps us begin getting to know you.

We'll ask about your family, lifestyle, previous dog experience, activity level, and what you're hoping for in your future companion. There are no perfect answers—we simply want to understand your goals so we can thoughtfully guide you through the process.

Let's Get to Know Each Other

Once we've reviewed your application, we'll schedule a phone call, an in-person visit, or both—whatever works best for your family.

This is your opportunity to ask questions, meet our dogs, tour our program, and get to know us better.

We also enjoy learning about you, your family, and the life your future puppy will be joining. Building lasting relationships with our puppy families has become one of the greatest joys of what we do, and many remain friends long after their puppy goes home.

We want you to feel completely confident that Dorenlee Darling Doodles is the right fit for your family, just as we want to ensure we're placing each puppy in a home where it will be loved, understood, and cherished for years to come.

Reserve Your Place

Once you've decided that Dorenlee Darling Doodles is the right fit for your family, you're welcome to reserve your place on the litter of your choice.

A refundable $200 reservation deposit secures your place on your selected litter.

Reservations are confirmed in the order deposits are received.

If, when selection week arrives, we don't have a puppy that is the right match for your family, your reservation deposit may either be transferred to another upcoming litter or refunded. We believe finding the right match is far more important than simply choosing the next available puppy.

Your Litter Arrives

Once your litter is born, the excitement really begins!

We'll announce the arrival of the puppies and begin sharing regular updates as they grow. Families receive photos, videos, and milestones throughout the first eight weeks, allowing you to watch your puppy's development unfold.

During this time, each puppy begins our Five-Stage Puppy Program, receiving carefully planned socialization, enrichment, confidence-building experiences, and early foundational training.

Selection Week

When the puppies are old enough for their personalities and temperaments to begin shining through, it's time for one of the most exciting parts of the journey—Selection Week.

Families are invited to visit in reservation order.

Rather than simply choosing based on colour or appearance, we encourage families to spend time interacting with the litter while we share our observations of each puppy's personality, confidence, energy level, and temperament.

Our goal is to help you choose the puppy that is the very best fit for your home, lifestyle, and long-term goals.

Once your puppy has been selected, an additional $300 deposit is due, bringing your total deposit to $500, which then becomes non-refundable.

Building Your Individual Puppy Plan (IPP)

After your puppy has been selected, we'll work together to build your puppy's Individual Puppy Plan (IPP).

Every family has different goals. Some are looking for a wonderful family companion, while others hope to raise a therapy dog, service dog, emotional support dog, or confident adventure partner.

Together we'll discuss your goals so we can intentionally begin preparing your puppy before it ever comes home.

If you'd like us to begin crate training in your puppy's own crate, you're welcome to bring it to Selection Week. We also encourage families to bring a few scent items from home in a clearly labelled Ziploc bag. Familiar scents help create comfort and make the transition into your home much smoother.

Growing Together

Over the next several weeks, your puppy continues progressing through our Five-Stage Puppy Program while we begin incorporating the goals outlined in your Individual Puppy Plan.

Families continue receiving regular updates, photos, and videos, watching their puppy gain confidence, learn new skills, and prepare for life with their forever family.

Go Home Day

Before long, one of the most exciting days arrives—bringing your puppy home.

You'll receive your puppy along with health records, veterinary information, feeding guidelines, training resources, and your puppy package.

More importantly, you'll leave knowing our relationship doesn't end here. Whether you have questions during the first night, the first week, or years down the road, we're always happy to provide guidance and support. Once you're part of the Dorenlee Darling Doodles family, you're always part of our family.

Optional Continued Training

For families who would like additional support before bringing their puppy home, we offer optional continued training beyond the standard go-home date.

Training is available at a daily rate and is offered for a limited number of puppies each year.

Service Dog Foundations: Through our partnership with Service Dog Training School International (SDTSI), Dorenlee Darling Doodles families receive a 30% discount on the SDTSI owner-training program. Families may complete the training themselves after their puppy comes home, or, if space is available, we can keep your puppy longer and complete the early foundation work.

Individualized Companion Training: We also offer customized companion training based on your puppy's Individual Puppy Plan (IPP), including manners, confidence, socialization, leash skills, crate training, and foundational obedience.

Because each puppy receives individualized attention, extended training spaces are intentionally limited and based on your family's goals, your puppy's needs, and our availability.