The Process
Before You Apply
Understanding the Breed
Before we speak about availability or timelines, I ask every family to spend time understanding the breed itself.
The Australian Labradoodle is affectionate, intuitive and deeply people-oriented, but they are not effortless dogs. On my dedicated breed page, I cover the breed background, temperament and behaviour expectations and who this breed is, and is not, suited to.
If, after reading, you feel confident this breed aligns with your lifestyle, then I warmly invite you to apply to join my waitlist.
Complete the online application form in full. I review each carefully; not searching for perfection, but for honesty, alignment and readiness.
Suitable applicants are invited to a conversation over the phone where we explore your answers in more depth, and any questions you have can be answered.
Apply & Initial Call
1
If we both feel confident moving forward, you may secure a place on the waitlist by:
Submitting a £125 holding fee
Providing proof of purchase of your online puppy preparation course (included within the puppy package; this is not an additional cost). Total = £250.
Joining the Waitlist
2
When a planned pairing has a successful honeymoon, families are informed.
Pregnancy is confirmed via scan, and once puppies are safely born, your place on that litter is formally confirmed.
Honeymoon & Pregnancy Updates
3
How Puppies Are Raised and The Socialisation Process
Early Development Curriculum
From three days old to when they finally leave us at eight weeks, Lily Hill puppies enjoy a carefully designed developmental programme. Their socialisation experiences are based on the philosophy that puppies do not need to be exposed to as many things as possible. Instead, thee experiences should be carefully managed, positive experiences that build confidence without overwhelming the puppy.
Early neurological stimulation
Gentle handling and exposure
Gradual introduction to novelty
Puppy Culture Socialisation Programme principles, confidence building challenges and protocols
Methods drawn from Kim Pasciotti’s Empowered Puppy Programme
Their world expands intentionally through age-appropriate challenge, exposure and play, and you are able to follow this via regular uploads to the dedicated litter Dropbox. To learn more about the Lily Hill puppy raising method, read my dedicated blog post on the subject here
Matching: The Heart of the Process.
Intentionally Matched.
Never First-Come, First-Served.
Building Puppy Profiles
From three weeks of age, I begin building individual temperament profiles for each puppy.
Over the next 4 weeks I observe and record:
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Confidence and recovery
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Sensitivity to environment
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Sociability with people
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Energy and frustration tolerance
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Independence vs attachment
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Resilience following startle
Weekly input from our behaviourist also ensures objective assessment alongside my daily observations.
Family Visits & Homework
At approximately 6 weeks, families are invited to visit.
These visits are for connection and observation.
After your visit, you will be sent reflective homework to complete. This homework includes a section that explores which puppy you felt drawn to, why that connection felt natural, what energy levels you noticed and which interactions felt most comfortable.
Your preferences do matter, but my focus is matching the right temperament to the right home. That is what creates long-term success, and therefore I do ask that you are at least open to both colour and gender.
Volhard Temperament Assessment
At 7 weeks, formal Volhard temperament evaluations by an external qualified behaviourist provides additional clarity on innate traits and emerging patterns.
Testing at this age provides valuable insight into confidence, resilience, sociability and recovery from novelty.
Final Allocations
Final allocations decisions are made by me when puppies are 7 weeks old, informed by:
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Ongoing temperament profiling
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Professional behavioural input
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Who you were drawn to, your household dynamics and lifestyle
Preparing You for Home
Education is a central part of the Lily Hill experience.
Before welcoming your puppy home, families receive:
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Two live Zoom sessions with myself and experienced trainer, Di Martin (Crufts Obedience Champion), to discuss early training and socialisation.
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A nutrition and holistic health seminar
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Ongoing access to your online puppy course
My aim is to empower you to make informed, confident decisions once your puppy is home.