Puppy Purchase Process

From our home to yours—here is the step-by-step journey of reserving and welcoming your new Little VIP.

Head over to our Little VIPs page to see all of our available puppies! Take your time looking at their photos, checking their estimated go-home dates, and reading up on their parents. If you have any questions at all—or if you want my advice on which puppy’s personality might fit your family best—just reach out and ask! I am always happy to help. Once you find the puppy that steals your heart, you are ready for the next step.

This is the “getting to know you” phase and helps you get on the list for your favorite pup. Once you’ve found a puppy that you’re excited about, it’s time to introduce yourself by completing our Puppy Application. This helps me understand your lifestyle and what you’re looking for in a new family member. Don’t worry—it’s not a test! It’s just the first step in making sure we find the perfect match for you and the puppy.

Once your application is received and I’ve answered all your questions, it’s time to make it official! To secure your specific puppy (or to hold your pick spot on an upcoming litter), I will send you a Reservation Agreement to sign. Along with the agreement, you will submit a $1,000 Reservation Fee. This fee is non-refundable, but it goes directly toward the final purchase price of your puppy. The moment the agreement is signed and the fee is received, I get to do my favorite part—marking your puppy as officially RESERVED on the website!

After your pup is officially reserved, you will get access to your very own Buyer Portal! This is where you will find everything related to your puppy including photos, documents, etc. It’s also where you will find my Shih Tzu Survival Guide. It is packed with everything you need to know about settling your puppy in, surviving those first few nights, house-training basics, and answers to the questions new families ask me the most. View a sample Buyer Portal here.

The countdown is on! What happens next depends on how old your new family member is:

If your pup is still little: This is the hardest part—waiting! I’m here if you think of any new questions while you wait.
If your pup is old enough to leave the nest: We get to skip right to the best part! We will immediately look at the calendar and schedule your official pick-up date and time.
Regardless of which path you are on, this is the perfect time to puppy-proof your house and shop for supplies.

Be sure to check out my Products page to see my recommendations for everything Shih Tzu so you are 100% ready for your pup’s arrival!

This is it! On your scheduled Go-Home Day, you will pick up your new family member as we have arranged. I will send your puppy home with a custom care package to make the transition as smooth as possible. It includes a travel carrier/crate, a small bag of their current food, important documents, and a few comfort items. Your Puppy Contract and the invoice for your remaining balance will be emailed to you for online signature and payment. Final payment is due at least one day before pick up or in cash at meetup.

Have Questions?

How much are your puppies?

Our Little VIPs are $3,500 for males and $4,000 for females. This price reflects the high standard of care and early development curriculum each puppy receives before joining your family. Occasionally, we may offer a reduced price for “Junior” or “Teenager” puppies who are waiting a bit longer for their perfect match.

What payment methods do you accept?

All Major Credit Cards
Debit Cards
ACH Bank Transfer
Tap-to-Pay
Peer-to-Peer Apps
Cash / Money Orders

For more info please see our Payment Options section.

Does the reservation fee count toward the total price of my puppy?

Yes! The $1,000 reservation fee is not an extra charge—it is applied directly to the total purchase price of your puppy. Once your fee is received and the agreement is signed, your remaining balance will be adjusted to reflect that payment, which you can track anytime in your Buyer Portal.

When is the final balance for my puppy due?

To keep things simple, final payment is due at least one day before pick-up if paying electronically, or in cash at the time of our scheduled meet-up. You’ll find your final invoice right in your Buyer Portal.

Note: The Buyer Portal is an exclusive resource for our confirmed families. You will receive your personal login invite once your Reservation Agreement is finalized!

What if I don’t live on the Big Island?

We serve all of Hawaii! If you are flying in, I am happy to meet you at the Hilo (ITO) airport for pick-up. We also offer Personal Hand-Delivery where I (or my assistant) act as your puppy’s flight nanny to hand-deliver them to your nearest airport. We previously offered Hawaiian Airlines pet cargo to Oahu and Maui, but due to recent merger price increases, this is currently on hold. We will resume cargo options if and when more competitive inter-island rates return!

Can I visit my puppy or meet the litter in person before choosing?

For the health and safety of our nursing moms and their tiny babies, we maintain a strictly private nursery and do not host in-person visits or “selection appointments” at our home. Instead, we provide high-resolution photos and videos to help you choose your perfect match. Once you’ve narrowed down your choice and the puppies are 6-8 weeks old, we are happy to schedule a meet-up at a nearby public location so you can meet your favorite pup(s) in person.

Will my puppy come with a health guarantee?

Absolutely. We take great pride in the health of our lineage. Every Little VIP is backed by a one-year genetic health guarantee. Because we have already performed complete DNA health testing on our adult breeding dogs, we are confident in the health and vitality of the puppies we produce. You can preview a sample of our Puppy Contract here to see the full details. Your personalized, signable version will be uploaded to your Buyer Portal as your puppy nears their “Go-Home” date!

At what age can my puppy come home?

For the safety and well-being of our Little VIPs, puppies are ready to join their new families once they are at least 10 weeks old and weigh a minimum of 2 lbs. This ensures they are physically strong, fully weaned, and have reached the necessary developmental milestones to make a successful transition to your home.

What if I reserve a puppy but my circumstances change?

We understand that life happens! Because a reservation means we stop marketing that puppy to other families, the $1,000 fee is non-refundable. However, we are happy to hold your deposit and apply it toward a future puppy. This credit is valid for one year (and we are happy to extend that if you stay in active communication with us!).