DUKE'S FOREVER DOODLES
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Duke's Forever Doodles begin?
Dogs have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I had the opportunity to help raise and care for puppies, which sparked a passion that only grew stronger over the years.
As I got older, I became especially drawn to Cavalier King Charles Spaniels because of their gentle temperaments, loving personalities, and incredible ability to connect with people. After saving for my first Cavalier and spending years learning about breeding, health testing, genetics, puppy development, and responsible dog ownership, Duke's Forever Doodles was born.
Today, Duke's Forever Doodles is truly a family endeavor. My husband, Gage, our son, Coyle, and our dogs are all part of daily life together. Our puppies are raised in our home, surrounded by everyday sights, sounds, and experiences, where they receive constant love, socialization, and attention from the very beginning.
While beautiful puppies are wonderful, our goal has always been about more than appearances. We strive to raise healthy, confident, well-socialized companions that will become cherished members of their families for years to come.
Every litter is thoughtfully planned with health, temperament, and long-term success in mind because we believe every puppy deserves the very best start in life.
Why Did You Choose Cavapoos?
We chose Cavapoos because they combine many of the qualities we love most in a family companion. By pairing the affectionate nature of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel with the intelligence and athleticism of the Poodle, Cavapoos are often wonderfully adaptable dogs that thrive in a variety of homes and lifestyles.
One of the things we hear most often from our families is how naturally their Cavapoo fit into their home. Whether it's a young family with children, an active couple, or someone looking for a devoted companion, Cavapoos tend to form strong bonds with their people and genuinely want to be involved in everyday life.
We also love their trainability, eagerness to please, and the wide range of beautiful coat colors and patterns they can inherit. While every puppy is unique, our goal is to consistently produce Cavapoos with excellent temperaments, sound structure, and loving personalities.
Most importantly, we simply adore living with them ourselves. Every dog in our program is first and foremost a beloved member of our family, and we truly believe Cavapoos are one of the most rewarding breeds to share life with.
How Do I Reserve a Puppy?
The first step is submitting a puppy application. We want to learn about your family, lifestyle, and what you're looking for in a future companion so we can determine whether one of our puppies may be a good fit.
After reviewing your application, we'll schedule a phone call to get to know one another better, answer any questions you may have, and discuss which current or upcoming litter might best fit your family. We believe choosing a puppy should be a thoughtful and personal experience, not simply an online transaction.
If we both feel that a DFD puppy is the right fit, you may reserve a spot on a current litter or future waitlist with a $500 non-refundable reservation fee. Reservation spots are filled in the order deposits are received.
Throughout the process, our goal is to provide a transparent, enjoyable experience and support you every step of the way as you prepare to welcome your new puppy home.
How Do Puppy Selections Work?
One thing that makes Duke's Forever Doodles a little different is that reservation spots secure your place within the litter—not a specific puppy.
Around 8 weeks of age, we begin evaluating each puppy's temperament, confidence level, energy, and overall personality. While color, markings, and appearance are certainly important and are taken into consideration, our primary goal is helping each family find the puppy that best fits their lifestyle.
For example, a family looking for a laid-back cuddle companion may be happiest with a different puppy than a family hoping for an adventurous sidekick to join them on hikes and outings.
Puppy selections take place in reservation order following temperament evaluations. Families are provided with information about each puppy's personality and development so they can make an informed decision when their turn arrives.
Over the years, we have found that matching puppies based on both temperament and family preferences creates happier families, more successful placements, and a smoother transition for everyone involved.
Why Do Your Puppies Go Home At 12 Weeks Instead Of 8 Weeks?
While many breeders send puppies home around 8 weeks of age, we have intentionally chosen to keep our puppies until approximately 12 weeks of age.
Those additional weeks provide valuable time for continued socialization, confidence building, exposure to new experiences, and learning from both their littermates and our family. During this period, puppies continue participating in our DFD Signature Start™ Program, where they are introduced to age-appropriate enrichment, grooming routines, household sounds, crate exposure, car rides, and foundational life skills.
We understand that waiting a few extra weeks can be difficult when you're excited to bring your puppy home. However, we believe the benefits of those additional weeks are well worth it.
Our goal is for every DFD puppy to leave with a strong foundation, increased confidence, and a smoother transition into family life. By the time your puppy comes home, they have had extra time to mature, learn, and prepare for the world beyond our home.
What Is Included In The DFD Signature Start™ Program?
The DFD Signature Start™ Program is our approach to raising puppies with intention from the very beginning. While no breeder can fully train a puppy before it goes home, we believe the experiences puppies have during their first few months of life play a significant role in shaping their confidence, resilience, and ability to adapt to new environments.
Beginning in the earliest days of life, our puppies receive daily handling and age-appropriate enrichment designed to support healthy development. As they grow, they are introduced to new sights, sounds, textures, toys, and experiences in a safe and positive way.
Puppies are raised in our home as part of our daily lives, where they are exposed to household routines, children, visitors, and the normal sounds of family life. We also begin introducing grooming routines, crate exposure, car rides, and other foundational experiences to help prepare them for life with their future families.
Our goal is not to create a perfectly trained puppy, but rather to provide a strong foundation that helps each puppy transition into their new home with confidence and sets both puppy and family up for long-term success.
Are Your Puppies Potty Trained?
While no young puppy is fully potty trained before going home, we begin laying the foundation early.
As part of our DFD Signature Start™ Program, puppies are introduced to designated potty areas and real grass from a young age. This helps them begin developing appropriate potty habits and can make the transition to outdoor potty training easier once they arrive home.
Consistency from their new family will still be important, but many of our puppies already understand the concept of using a designated potty area before they leave us.
Can We Visit The Puppies?
The health, safety, and well-being of our puppies is always our top priority.
Because young puppies have developing immune systems, we do not offer in-person visits while puppies are still in the nursery. Limiting outside exposure helps reduce the risk of illness during these critical early weeks.
We understand how exciting it is to watch your future puppy grow, which is why we provide regular updates, photos, and videos throughout the process. We are also happy to schedule video calls so families can see the puppies and ask questions from the comfort of their own home.
As puppies grow older and are fully vaccinated, we may offer opportunities to meet in person depending on the circumstances and timing.
Our goal is to provide families with plenty of opportunities to stay connected while also protecting the health and safety of every puppy in our care.
What Happens After I Reserve A Spot?
Once your reservation is secured, the exciting part begins!
Throughout the pregnancy and puppy-raising process, we strive to keep our families informed and involved every step of the way. You'll receive regular updates as milestones are reached, along with plenty of photos and videos so you can watch the puppies grow.
After the puppies are born, we'll share litter updates and begin getting to know each puppy's unique personality. As they grow, puppies participate in our DFD Signature Start™ Program, where they are introduced to age-appropriate enrichment, household experiences, grooming routines, crate exposure, confidence-building activities, and real grass potty foundations.
Around 8 weeks of age, we complete temperament evaluations and puppy selections begin in reservation order. During this time, we'll help guide families through the selection process and provide insight into each puppy's personality and development.
Once selections are complete, we'll continue preparing your puppy for the transition home until go-home day at approximately 12 weeks of age.
Our goal is to make the process enjoyable, transparent, and exciting while helping families feel connected to their puppy long before pickup day arrives.
Do You Offer Delivery?
Yes. While many families choose to pick up their puppy in person, we understand that travel is not always practical.
To help make bringing home your puppy as smooth as possible, we may offer personal delivery for an additional fee depending on location and scheduling availability. When we deliver a puppy, they remain in our direct care until they are safely placed into the hands of their new family.
We do not ship puppies or use third-party transportation services. We believe the journey home should be as safe and stress-free as possible, and we prefer to keep the process personal from beginning to end.
If you are interested in delivery, please let us know during the application process and we would be happy to discuss available options.
Why Are Your Puppies Priced The Way They Are?
We understand that bringing home a puppy is a significant investment, and we believe families deserve to understand what goes into that investment.
Our pricing reflects the time, care, and resources dedicated to raising each puppy from the very beginning. From around-the-clock care during whelping and the early weeks of life to high-quality nutrition, veterinary care, enrichment activities, supplies, and socialization, a tremendous amount of effort goes into giving every puppy the best possible start.
Unlike large-scale breeding operations, our puppies are raised in our home as part of our family. They receive daily handling, individualized attention, and participate in our DFD Signature Start™ Program, which focuses on confidence building, socialization, household exposure, grooming preparation, crate exposure, and real grass potty foundations.
Our goal has never been to produce as many puppies as possible. Instead, we focus on raising a limited number of thoughtfully planned litters and providing each puppy and family with a personalized experience.
When families choose a Duke's Forever Doodles puppy, they are investing not only in a puppy, but in the foundation, care, support, and intentional upbringing that begins long before go-home day.
What Happens If There Aren't Enough Puppies In The Litter?
While we do our best to estimate litter sizes, Mother Nature ultimately has the final say.
In the event that a litter is smaller than expected and there are not enough puppies available for every family on the reservation list, reservation spots will be honored in the order they were received.
Families who are unable to receive a puppy from that litter may transfer their reservation fee to a future litter and maintain their place in line according to our reservation process.
Our goal is always to be transparent and communicate openly throughout the process. If circumstances arise that affect a family's placement, we will discuss all available options and work together to find the best solution.