While you are anticipating the first litter it’s a good time to start thinking about what partnerships you would like to form. There are a variety of dog food companies that offer breeder programs as well as dog insurance companies, online dog training companies, and others.
Dog Food Companies
Royal Canin provides breeders with a significant discount on food and also gives a limited number of free puppy packets quarterly, which includes a small sample of food. Shipping is always free for breeders from Royal Canin, and there’s no minimum order amount. Unfortunately, when I contacted Royal Canin the representative indicated that Royal Canin uses genetically modified corn in their foods.
Life’s Abundance has a program where breeders earn points that transfer to discounted foods. Points are earned based on how many Life’s Abundance products other people purchase using your special code. Life’s Abundance charges a monthly fee to be part of their program.
TLC pet food company gives breeders a 25% discount and also allows breeders to accumulate points like the Life’s Abundance program. Points are earned based on how many TLC products other people purchase using your individual code. Unlike Life’s Abundance, there is no monthly fee. The catch: breeders must order FIVE 35lb bags at one time in order to qualify for the 25% discount. TLC also provides breeders with free puppy packets, but shipping on those is only free if you’re also ordering dog food. TLC explains the rationale for including each ingredient in their pet food.
BREEDERS ONLY: Email TLC (Jilleen@TLCpetfood.com) and say Timberidge Goldendoodles sent you, and you’ll receive a complimentary 30lb bag of TLC dog food for your favorite mama & papa dogs to enjoy! (you must be an established breeder to qualify for a free trial bag of TLC)
If you have food that you are already happy with, it’s worth the effort to investigate whether that company has a breeders program.
Pet Insurance
Dog insurance company Trupanion has a breeders program where you can gift each puppy buyer with 30 days of free insurance for their new bundle of fur. As a breeder, you do not receive any compensation if families sign up for long-term pet insurance nor do you receive a penalty if they do not. My favorite part of Trupanion is that they periodically send free fleece blankets to breeders. These little blankets are wonderful to send home with new puppies as scent articles that smell like the pup’s first home. I give them to the puppies to play & sleep at our home with before sending them with new families. This article explains more about dog insurance companies.
If you choose to join Trupanion’s breeder program, please tell them you learned about it from Timberidge Goldendoodles. Thank you!
Online Dog Training
Baxter and Bella is an extensive online dog training resource that provides your puppy families with knowledge about how to prepare with a puppy, how to handle common puppy problems like nipping, socialization checklists, and so much more. Plus members have access to live video chats with professional dog trainers. To join, your puppy buyers pay a one-time fee (just $178 with the discount code Timberidge) and they have lifetime access to an infinite number of dogs. Even if they add a new dog to their family years later, they can go back and access all of the new puppy information Baxter & Bella has to offer.
In addition to a myriad of amazing resources for new puppy owners, Baxter and Bella also offer helpful information for breeders such as this 8-page puppy raising guide.
This video is long but is provides a great overview of the many aspects of Baxter & Bella.
Use the code Timberidge for 25% off Baxter & Bella!
Like the dog food partnerships, Baxter & Bella gives breeders the chance to earn a little extra income by recommending the program to new puppy owners. Whenever new puppy owners use your specific breeder’s code, you’ll earn $50.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended as veterinarian advice. Please consult a licensed practicing veterinarian experienced in reproduction.