First we would like to thank you for considering us as your choice for your puppy! Buying a pup is a big decision and with so many puppy mills out there with fancy websites it can be hard to know who is a reputable breeder. We are very proud of our Shibas and their accomplishments in the show ring and have had many pups go to happy loving pet homes! We will try to answer the most commonly asked questions here, but you may also feel free to call us and talk in person if you have additional questions.
Visiting Kayobi Shibas:
Visitors are welcome here by appointment. We are usually very busy as we also have poultry we show, so many of our weekends are filled. If you are just wanting more information about the breed and have not met a Shiba before check out our SHOW NEWS page to see what shows we are attending. Many are local and a short commute form the Minneapolis area. If you have a visit scheduled please try to be on time. We ask that you call before leaving home just to confirm your appointment. If something changes and you will be more then 20 minutes early or late please give us a call to let us know. I like to be prepared when people arrive, not in the middle of chores. Please limit the people in your group to the family interested in purchasing a pup. While there are big puppy sellers in MN with many breeds and pups available with carnivals, hay rides, and playgrounds we are not one of them. Our farm is not set up as a petting zoo and we ask that you do not roam through the barn and poultry house. While we are always happy to show off a new foal or talk about our champion poultry in many cases the birds may be setting eggs or may over excited by too many strange people near their pens. We also ask that you do not bring current pets with you. Your dog will not be interested in meeting a new pup and his reaction here at the farm is not a good indicator of how he will react when the pup is brought home. He will be excited, nervous and more interested in the other dogs and farm animals while he is here.
WAITING LIST:
We do not keep a waiting list, unless you are willing to put down a deposit. Too many people request to be on a waiting list and are impulse buyers. They get on several lists and within a few weeks have found a pup, and forgot whose lists they were on. In the mean while I have told other buyers that there was a waiting list of 24+ people and they decided not to be on the list and it turns out that pups were available.
If there is a pup you are interested I request a $300 deposit to reserve that puppy. We accept Pay Pal, Checks or a Money Order for the deposit. You do have the option of paying in full at this time. This deposit is for a specific pup and if you put a deposit on a red female you will not get a black&tan male unless you request to switch to another available pup. If for some reason the pup you have a deposit on is not available (i.e. the pup develops a health problem) you will then have the option of choosing another available pup or receiving a full refund of the deposit. The deposit will not be refunded for any other reason.
We care about our puppies and we reserve the right to cancel a sale if we feel we are not developing a good relationship with the buyer, or if the home may not be in the best interest of the puppy. In this case a full refund of all money paid would be refunded.
Picking up your puppy:
If you are within driving distance you are welcome here to pick up your puppy. Many people come to meet the dogs and put down a deposit on a pup at that time. If the pups are under 6 weeks of age they are usually not available to see and hold as they have not had any vaccinations at that time. The pups are usually ready to go at 8 weeks of age. You are required to have cash for the balance due. If for some reason you are not able to pick up your pup when it is ready to go we ask that you notify us when you place the deposit. If it will be longer then 10 days we do charge a boarding fee of $12 per day and you will be charged $20 if additional vaccinations are due within this time.
Of course if we know in advance we are happy to keep your pup for you. We have had several people tell us they are picking up their pup and then go on a 3 week vacation leaving us to wonder.
Shipping a Pup:
With reputable Shiba breeders being few and far between in many areas of the country we end up shipping many of our pups. Shibas are usually confident little guys and the shipping does not cause them unnecessary stress. We will ask you for the name address and phone # of the person picking up at the airport. The information must match your drivers license of other photo ID so the airline knows the right person is getting the pup. Please give a phone # you can be reached at in case I need to contact you in the event of a flight delay. Most Shiba pups arrive with a clean carrier and are happy travelers. The airlines are used to shipping live animals and take excellent care of the puppies. When the pup is 8 weeks old he is ready to fly to his new home. We require the final payment be made by the time the pup is 7 weeks old. This helps to ensure that the pup will fly the day you requested. We will no longer book flights until the final payment has been made. A Money Order is preferred, but we will accept Pay Pal. There is a 3% fee and Pay Pal Payments can take 6 to 10 days to clear.
We will not ship your puppy if your payment has not cleared into our account. So please make your final payment on time or shipping will be delayed.
We book the flight 3 to 5 days in advance of shipping. This is to ensure as much as possible that the pup will be able to travel. The airlines have temperature restrictions and if the temps are too high or to low they will not allow the pup to fly that day. We will not attempt to fly pups in stormy weather to avoid possible flight delays. I can only take so many days off work so I try to fly pups on my days off. Minneapolis is a 90 minute drive so I do not make trips there on a daily basis. If more then one pup from a litter is flying to his/her new home they will both fly the same day so I do not have to make multiple trips into Minneapolis.
If possible we ship by Delta Air cargo as they have many direct flights out of Minneapolis each day. The cost is $185 plus tax and in most cases can be paid directly to the airline when you pick up your puppy. If we need to use another airline or ship to Canada additional shipping charges may apply and shipping will need to be pre-paid.
Once you get your puppy you should take him home. This may seem like common sense, but many people take their puppy out visiting, or to the pet store, groomers or vets! This is not a good idea. The puppy is already stressed and may have car sickness. He is tired and scared being away from his littermates and mom for the first time. Everything is new to him. The best thing is to take him to his new home and let him rest, Place him in a warm comfortable area with a kennel or soft bed. Offer him some food and water and let him explore this area and take a nap! He should have 3 hours of quiet time before he is played with, and should not be taken around to groomers and pet stores for 3-4 days. If he seems to not be feeling well call your breeder first and see if he has suggestions. If you need to take him to your vets make it the only stop and just do a puppy wellness check. He can go back for more shots once he has adjusted to his new home. If your puppy has been shipped it will take a couple of days for him to fully adjust. Occasionally a pup will get motion sickness and develop a cough or loose stool. This should not be a cause for alarm.
Vet
We advise a private practice not a chain like Banfield or VCA clinics. You will get a different vet every time and they are there to make a profit, not necessarily do what is best for you and your pet. Call around and ask if they are familiar with the breed of dog you have. Ask about prices for spay or neuter and what their office charge and puppy wellness checks cost. There can be a BIG difference in costs. My vet charges $25 for a wellness check while some are $100
DO NOT take your pup to an emergency vet unless you have an emergency! They are going to charge you a fortune just to see your pet. Most cases are not emergencies. Coughs, colds, loose stools with streaks of blood (Typically caused by parasites) are not emergencies. If your pup wakes up and is active, eating some and interested in his new home he can wait until your vet can see him at a scheduled appointment. If your dog has not eaten for 24 hours, is throwing up all food and water, has been bitten by a larger dog or been crushed or dropped, or has eaten poison or is unable to be woken up it IS an emergency.
Shots and Wormings.
Your new puppy will probably need additional shots and wormings. Puppies typically get their first shot at 6 weeks. It will have to be boostered until the pup is over 12 weeks old. At 12 weeks most pups immune systems are able to provide them with immunity for 1 year from that shot. The series of vaccines is not necessary, but the shot after the age of 12 weeks is. So if you miss your appointment for the 9 week shot and the pup is now 12 weeks he will not need another booster.
I do not recommend having your pup vaccinated if he is still stressed form the move. It is better to wait a few days until he is settled in to his new home as many shots will cause a reaction. NEVER let your vet give your pup any shots if your puppy is not feeling well! You should not have your pup on antibiotics, wormer and give him shots all in the same day! You may get by with doing this on a 5+ pound pup but to a pup under 3 pounds it could be deadly!
We recommend:
No Lepto, No Lyme and No Giardia unless your dog is a farm dog or a hunting dog that spends a lot of time in wet pastures or woods. Too many vets are over vaccinating which is NOT good for your dog.
Worm your puppy every 2 weeks until he is old enough for Heartworm Medications.
For pups with loose stools treat for Giardia with Panacur or coccidian with Albon.