VIP Dog Teams is a non-profit 501(c) (3). Our EIN#81-2995293.

Guardian

Program

Our Guardian Home Program allows for families or individuals that live within Ventura County, California to have our “pick of the litter puppy.” The puppy is part of the Guardian Home’s family forever, while the breeding rights are retained by us. We essentially co-own the puppy until the contract is fulfilled. Each dog’s breeding career is different, so we prefer to work out specific details on an individual basis. Once the Guardian Dog has completed his/her breeding career, he/she will be spayed or neutered and will remain a forever pet of the Guardian Home. We want this dog to go through our full training program (at our expense) and become a certified therapy dog. You must have the time to train and the time to do therapy work. If you work full or part-time you can still be a guardian IF you can take the dog to work with you on a regular basis. We prefer you have a fenced in yard as well.

Guardian

Program

Our Guardian Home Program allows for families or individuals that live within Ventura County, California to have our “pick of the litter puppy.” The puppy is part of the Guardian Home’s family forever, while the breeding rights are retained by us. We essentially co-own the puppy until the contract is fulfilled. Each dog’s breeding career is different, so we prefer to work out specific details on an individual basis. Once the Guardian Dog has completed his/her breeding career, he/she will be spayed or neutered and will remain a forever pet of the Guardian Home. We want this dog to go through our full training program (at our expense) and become a certified therapy dog. You must have the time to train and the time to do therapy work. If you work full or part-time you can still be a guardian IF you can take the dog to work with you on a regular basis. We prefer you have a fenced in yard as well.

What is a Guardian Home?

Guardian Home Responsibilities

The most important aspect in being a Guardian Home is to provide training, love, care, affection and attention for the guardian puppy. You are her/his family and forever home and accept the financial responsibilities for routine maintenance and medical care just as you would for any other pet you may own. This means general veterinary care for annual vaccines, grooming, heartworm prevention, training, feeding a high-quality dog food, regular exercise, socialization and flea/tick prevention (approved by us) and major medical insurance. Again, we expect you to go through training at our expense with our trainers. For a male dog we will let you know when we will need the male for Stud service. If you live close by you might drop him off for a few hours every other day for a few days.

For a female when the female comes into her first heat cycle we need to be notified IMMEDIATELY. This could be anywhere between 6-12 months. She will be in heat approximately four weeks and will need constant supervision so that other males do not breed her. They literally can “tie” within 60 seconds, so it is imperative she is closely watched or secured within an approved kennel. More than likely she will NOT be bred on her first cycle, however, that may depend on how old she is when she has first started this cycle. Females typically come into heat every 6 months, however, they range from 6-12 months generally speaking.

On the VERY FIRST DAY of her next heat cycle, you need to notify us. You will bring her to our home for breeding and may leave her for the day and bring her back every other day up to a full week. Each situation is different. After breeding she goes back to her family again for the gestation period which is approximately 9 weeks. She will be returned to us for whelping and stay to nurse and care for her pups for approximately 6-8 weeks. Of course, scheduled visits by you are encouraged to see “your” dog and her adorable puppies!

Any breeding related medical costs for the guardian dog are at our expense. Each guardian pup/dog will be health tested prior to entering our breeding program at no cost to the Guardian Home. You will be asked to drive/meet me at our vet office for these tests. This ensures that you, as well as we, are promoting a healthy, well cared for dog and that the Guardian Home has a part in our breeding program.

Is There a Cost Involved to Be a Guardian Home?

Yes. We have found that when there is a charge involved people seem to take better care and provide more adequately for their new four-legged family member. This cost is minimal when compared to the actual price for the pick of the litter puppy. The cost for each pup that we place will be considered on an individual basis. When the guardian puppy has completed its breeding career with us which is typically 5-6 years for females and 7-8 years for males, we will transfer all registration paperwork into the Guardian’s name. Our Guardian families are able to enjoy the excitement and benefits of their very own guardian dog having puppies without the extreme time commitment, labor involved, vaccinations, etc. It is a WIN-WIN for both parties!

For more information about the Guardian program, please contact us at (805) 419-0677 or [email protected]

What’s the next Step?

Fill out the application below. From there we will interview you over the phone and set up a meeting. Often we will invite you to a training session with our current dogs and see how we interact. Another win-win. We get to meet you and you get to meet others volunteering in our program. If this sounds like a good fit for you contact us today.

Guardian Home Responsibilities

The most important aspect in being a Guardian Home is to provide training, love, care, affection and attention for the guardian puppy. You are her/his family and forever home and accept the financial responsibilities for routine maintenance and medical care just as you would for any other pet you may own. This means general veterinary care for annual vaccines, grooming, heartworm prevention, training, feeding a high-quality dog food, regular exercise, socialization and flea/tick prevention (approved by us) and major medical insurance. Again, we expect you to go through training at our expense with our trainers. For a male dog we will let you know when we will need the male for Stud service. If you live close by you might drop him off for a few hours every other day for a few days.

For a female when the female comes into her first heat cycle we need to be notified IMMEDIATELY. This could be anywhere between 6-12 months. She will be in heat approximately four weeks and will need constant supervision so that other males do not breed her. They literally can “tie” within 60 seconds, so it is imperative she is closely watched or secured within an approved kennel. More than likely she will NOT be bred on her first cycle, however, that may depend on how old she is when she has first started this cycle. Females typically come into heat every 6 months, however, they range from 6-12 months generally speaking.

On the VERY FIRST DAY of her next heat cycle, you need to notify us. You will bring her to our home for breeding and may leave her for the day and bring her back every other day up to a full week. Each situation is different. After breeding she goes back to her family again for the gestation period which is approximately 9 weeks. She will be returned to us for whelping and stay to nurse and care for her pups for approximately 6-8 weeks. Of course, scheduled visits by you are encouraged to see “your” dog and her adorable puppies!

Any breeding related medical costs for the guardian dog are at our expense. Each guardian pup/dog will be health tested prior to entering our breeding program at no cost to the Guardian Home. You will be asked to drive/meet me at our vet office for these tests. This ensures that you, as well as we, are promoting a healthy, well cared for dog and that the Guardian Home has a part in our breeding program.