FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Where Does Your Puppies Come From?

If you’re looking for a puppy and you weren’t already concerned with this information, you should be! Where your puppy comes from is something every responsible pet owner should be aware of. Knowing your pet’s background will help you predict health and behavior, and thorough research is the best way to support ethical breeders.
Our puppies all come from highly qualified breeders from around the country. Each breeder we work with is licensed, registered, and USDA inspected with no direct violations on their inspection reports.



Is Teapups A Puppy Mill?

No, we are an advertising source for reputable breeders. If we find a breeder to be in violation of federal or state breeding laws, we will discontinue advertising for that breeder. We ask the public to make us aware of any situations they come across so we can take the proper steps necessary.



What Is A Puppy Mill?

TeaPups does NOT work with puppy mills and is against breeders and pet stores who support them. A puppy mill is a breeder or facility that may overbreed, neglect, or mistreat their animals to sell as many puppies as possible with little to no regard for the health and treatment of their animals. Because puppy mills don’t take the extra time or money to ensure the health of their animals, they can charge much lower prices than reputable breeders. Most of these operations list very low prices online and restrict buyers from viewing where the animals have been cared for.
Some puppy mills will carry the same licensing and registration as reputable breeders, so it is important to research the status of such registrations and recent inspection reports. Puppy mills will often refuse to provide this information or will provide false or misleading information.
Remember, a breeder who cares about the health of a puppy will care about who they go home with. They will NOT sell a puppy to a someone without either meeting them first or doing a background check. You should keep this in mind when you consider having a puppy shipped to you.



What Do I Do If I Buy A Puppy And It Gets Sick?

The first step is to contact the breeder of the puppy directly. In the event the breeder is unresponsive to your inquiry, you can contact us for assistance. All breeders are expected to guarantee the health of their puppies in accordance with the laws of their state.



Are Your Puppies Potty-Trained?

While we do our best to reinforce positive potty-behavior while in our care, our puppies are not fully housebroken. Introducing your puppy to a new environment can cause some stress, and accidents are bound to happen.



Have The Puppies Had All Their Vaccinations?

All our puppies are up-to-date on legally required vaccinations, but your vet may recommend additional vaccinations and boosters as the puppy gets older.



Do The Puppies Get To Go Outside? Is It Safe To Take My Puppy Outside?

Weather permitting, we take fully-vaccinated puppies on regular walks. Puppies who don’t get the chance to go outside get plenty of exercise playing inside with our visitors and staff.
You should get your puppy used to going outside on a leash as soon as possible, but do your best to avoid public areas where unfamiliar dogs have been until your puppy is fully vaccinated. Playing in your backyard or with dogs you know is perfectly alright.



Why Do I Have To Get My Puppy Spayed Or Neutered?

When breeders cross a male and female, they do so after careful consideration of each parent’s bloodline and any potential results of the cross, including health problems, and strive to improve the bloodlines with the highest quality puppy fitting closely to the breed standard. When a litter is born, the breeders select which puppies are breeding quality and which puppies are pet quality. Breeding quality dogs are typically priced much higher than pet quality, and pet quality dogs should not be used for breeding due to the potential health problems that can be passed on. Due to this, breeders will often require a spay/neuter agreement for these puppies. All pet-store puppies are pet quality and should not be bred.
Additionally, spaying or neutering your dog can result in a longer, healthier life. With males, neutering can reduce territorial behavior and aggression. With females, spaying negates any risk of pregnancy or reproductive health issues, as well as not having to deal with menstruation.



Why Should I Put My Puppy In A Crate? Isn't It Mean?

Crate training is recommended for housebreaking your puppy, and it is not mean to your puppy to have them in a crate. Crates are a safe space for your puppy that keeps them from getting into dangerous situations when you aren’t around to supervise, like at bedtime and while you’re at work or school. Dogs are den animals who like to curl up in cozy, closed-in spaces; their crate is like their bedroom – a place they can go to feel safe and be alone.
Housebreaking a puppy is much easier with a crate for both you and your puppy. You don’t like cleaning up accidents around the house, and your puppy can get stressed out by letting you down. Dogs like to keep their “den” clean, and will try to avoid accidents inside. This usually means they will be ready to go potty when you let them out, so make sure to take them where you want them to relieve themselves. Just remember, very young puppies can’t be left in the crate for more than a few hours at a time.



What Happens To The Puppies At Night?

At night, puppies stay in their suites. The suites are like the puppies’ bedrooms, a safe and comfortable space. No one stays in the store with the puppies overnight, but we have a monitoring system throughout the building to keep an eye on them. In the morning, our kennel techs arrive to take care of the puppies, feeding, cleaning, and bathing if necessary.
The puppies get used to the daily routine – waking up when our kennel techs arrive, and settling down when it gets close to closing time. At home, your new puppy will get used to your schedule and will start to sleep through the night without bothering anyone.



What Forms Of Payment Do You Accept?

We accept all major credit, debit cards, and PayPal



What Kind Of Food Should I Feed My Dog?

All our puppies are eating Eukanuba Small Breed Puppy Food which is made specifically for small breed puppies. If you would like to switch your puppy to a different type of food after they get home, we suggest mixing it half and half with the food and gradually weaning off the Eukanuba. ​ During the first few days of having your new puppy, as they adjust to their new homes, they may not eat the total amount their feeding chart says they should be. If your puppy is eating consistently, this will not be an issue. Within a week, the puppy should regain their full appetite. You must ensure that your puppy is eating! Going a full day without food will cause your puppies' glucose levels to drop and they will likely become hypoglycemic. If you are concerned about how little your puppy is eating, you may place small amounts of canned food, boiled chicken, or meat-based baby food on top of the hard food. This will entice the puppy to eat, however, these foods have higher fat content and should not be fed unless you are trying to get your puppy to gain weight or eat more. Maple syrup can be given in addition to the food to boost the puppy's glucose levels. If you have any concerns, please do not hesitate to call us! ​



Should I Get A Male Or Female?

This tends to be one of the top questions asked by many new potential puppy owners. As far as puppies go, the general rule is that female dogs tend to be more independent and reserved. While they are are still loving and loyal to their owners, they do not require all the affection that a male dog might desire. Male dogs tend to be more affectionate and attentive. In some cases, temperament will be determined by the dog's personality and not their gender. If you are not going to breed your dog, we do highly suggest having your dog spayed or neutered, which in turn will help "mellow out" your dog's temperament. If you already have a male or a female, a dog of the opposite sex is generally the best choice. If you already have a male dog, he is likely to be more accepting of a female and you are likely to have fewer dominance issues. However, if you opt to have two males, they can often co-exist peacefully and may even become friends. If you already have a female dog, she is likely to be more accepting of a male, as most males tend to be submissive.



How Do I Prevent Fleas And Ticks?

Fleas and ticks can be detrimental to a dog’s health if they aren’t controlled. They can carry a myriad of diseases which can be transmitted to both you and your pets.
Flea and tick medications are available from your vet as well as various retailers. Drops, collars, pills, shampoos, and other supplies can be used, as well as some non-medicated alternatives.



How much is the delivery fee?

The Delivery Fee is FREE!



What do I do if I called and no one picked up?

Leave us a text or a message! We will get back to you as soon as possible!



How long does it take to deliver?

Delivery usually takes 3 to 4 weeks due to all the paper works that is needed with the Airline.



May I virtually meet the puppy before getting them?

Yes! Reach out to us and we can arrange a time to meet virtually with the breeder!