Below are some frequently asked questions that we are asked. If you have another question that is not on this list then please e-mail us at pups@PlatinumEskies.com or call 540.354-3356.

1. What makes Platinum Eskies different from any other breeders of American Eskimos?
   We are as professional in quality and in service as a large kennel or pet store yet we are small enough to actually socialize every puppy. Since we only have 2-3 litters per year & Charity is at home all day, we have ample time socializing each pup. Kennels and pet stores are not able to place as must attention on each pup as we do. You may read more about our distinctions on our About Us page.
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2. What does it mean to "socialize" your puppy ?
   Socializing involves several things. It involves consistently handling the puppies every day they're with us. It involves having several different people interacting with each puppy. It even involves training your puppy to be crate-trained, to be used to loud noises, and to be car and potty trained. Eskies that leave Platinum Eskies have had the healthiest emotional state that can be achieved by a breeder.
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3. Why is socializing an eskie important?
   If an eskie is not socialized two consistent problems occur. 1) The eskie may become excessively shy and consistently urinate when scared or excited. When guest are over they may stay in the corner and continually bark and never accept strangers. 2) The most common and most dangerous problem of not socializing an eskie is "fear biting." "Fear biting" is when the eskie will bite out of fear especially when they walk away.
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4. What does it mean to "dew claw" a puppy?
   Dew clawing is the process of removing the "thumbs" of a puppy typically at the age of 2 or 3 days old. It is a very safe procedure much like cutting the umbilical cord. Many eskies when they get older will have their dew claws caught on fabric and will have it injured. Having an adult eskie dew clawed is a very painful and expensive procedure. Many problems can be avoided if the breeder would spend the extra money and dew claw the pups at a very early age.
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5. How does the puppy selection process work?
   We do not require our buyers to select their puppy until they are 4 weeks old. This gives the puppies time to develop physically and emotionally. We observe and note the personalities of each puppy as they are growing. By 4 weeks of age they have enough of a distinct personality to share with the buyers. Though we have never had a "bad" puppy in a litter there are still distinct personality traits that some buyers desire. At 4 weeks of age we will give the personality descriptions of all the females to the 1st female depositor and the males to the 1st male depositor. Once they make their choice we go down the line based on which buyer placed their deposit first. We do not sale the 1st pick of the litter for any more than the last. That would not be fair. Pictures are posted of the litter at 1 day old, 2 weeks old & 4 weeks old on our Available Pups page.
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6. Is your dog registered and if yes, to what registry?
   Yes. Our dogs are registered with the oldest and largest eskie registry in the world, United Kennel Club. Information about this registry can be found on their website. UKC and AKC (American Kennel Club) are the only registries that Platinum Eskies would recommend buying an eskie from. Many of the others do not have the standards that UKC and AKC have. Buyers receive their UKC paperwork when they pick up their puppy.
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7. What kind of puppy food to you feed your pups?
   We feed our puppies Eukanuba Small Breed puppy food. Eukanuba has no fillers in their food whatsoever and has chicken as their #1 ingredient. Their food is rich in antioxidants and contains fish oil for DHA, wholesome grains and pulp fiber to help with their digestive tracts. We recommend that each puppy continues to be fed this very common but very good puppy food. Every buyer will receive an Eukanuba puppy training pack including a small bag of puppy food and many more helpful things.
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8. When's the earliest we can pick up our puppy?
   Every puppy is completely weaned and eating hard puppy food by the time they are 5 weeks old. On the other hand, we require our pups to be at least 7 weeks old to be picked up and 8 weeks old to be shipped.
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9. How much does it cost to ship a puppy?
   Platinum Eskies uses Delta/Northwest Airlines to ship their puppies. They have proven to be very trustworthy and have taken care of every puppy we have shipped and every puppy we have received. Delta/Northwest allows Platinum Eskies to ship a puppy and have the buyer pay for the shipment upon arrival. The average ticket anywhere in the continental US for an eskie puppy at 8 weeks old is around $220-$260. Insurance can be purchased for an additional $5-$10 if you desire. We do ask that you simply pay Platinum Eskies $135 for a decent travel crate and for the mandatory Interstate Health Certificate.
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10. What type of shots and tests are given to each puppy?
    Each puppy is examined by the vet just a few days after birth. Each puppy is dewormed at 2 weeks, 4 weeks & 6 weeks old. Right before pick-up each puppy is given their "puppy shot." The puppy shot is Duramune Max 5 which is the vaccine for coronavirus, parvovirus, distemper, parainfluenza, adenovirus type 2 (and hepatitis) plus four leptos.
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11. When should I go to my veternarian after picking up my puppy?
    Each of our puppies come with a Warranty that requires you to have your puppy checked by a vet within 72 hours after picking up your puppy. Your vet will need to check for any communicable diseases during that period. Your vet will also recommend a time to get follow-up "puppy shots." Most vets recommend puppies to be revaccinated every 2-4 weeks until 12 weeks old.
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12. Do you provide a warranty?
    Yes, we provide a warranty. Details about what is covered, what is not covered, and how it is covered can be found on our Warranty Page.
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13. Do you provide an extended warranty?
    We highly recommend NuVet vitamins and if you order online by clicking on the NuVet Lab logo or through our reference number (85927), so that we can track your use for 2 years, we will extend our warranty an additional year. Dysplasia and other health defects is not only about genetics. It has as much to do with diet and proper antioxidents as anything else. NuVet makes it easy for the breeder to track those who continue to use their product and thereby allowing us to reward them by extending their warranty.
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14. What is NuVet?
    Providing a higher nutritious valued food, helps to prevent fast growth, less bone problems, less vet bills, and a longer life. We strongly recommended buyer to continue to give puppy 1 NuVet Plus wafer each day which is a powerful antioxidant that gives a tremendous boost to the immune system to prevent skin and coat problems, and creates a defense against over fifty major diseases, including hip and elbow dysplasia, and extending the life span of your dog.  Please take time and CLICK HERE to read about NuVet. Back to Top
15. How do I train my puppy?
    This is a very detailed questions that would take pages to answer. Potty training is probably the most asked question. Every buyer will receive our Puppy Training Manual to help answer these common questions. You may see the training manual by CLICKING HERE.
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16. What do I need when picking up my puppy?
    We recommend that your bring a small travel crate, some large bath towels, a small collar, a basic leash (NOT a retractable leash because they fear them at first), paper towels, garbage bags, some chew toys, water and a food and water dish.
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17. What size collar and travel crate do I need for my puppy?
    

    Each puppy will only weigh around 6-8 lbs when taken home. Therefore, an extra-small to a small collar is needed. Realize that the pup will grow out of his/her collar quite fast so don't spend a lot of money on it. Regarding the crate, you will want to buy the smallest one you can find. You will be using this crate to crate-train your puppy and it needs to be small. In fact, most crates are not small enough. You want your puppy to be able to lie down in it at night and that's it. You do not want to give your puppy any room to be able to use the restroom on one end and sleep on the other. Platinum Eskies will start crate training every puppy and by the time they are 6 weeks old they will be able to hold their restroom all night. The only way this is possible is having all the pups bundled together is 1 small crate. This discourages them greatly from using the restroom because they absolutely abhor laying in their own mess. They may do it once but that's it. Once again, the puppy will grow out of the crate, so don't spend a lot of money on it.

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18. What is your address and other contact information?
    You can find that information and direction on how to get to my home by going to the Contact Us page.
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19. I have questions about the American Eskimo as a breed:
    Information on American Eskimos temperment, care, history and health can be found in detail on the American Eskimo page.
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20. Are you on Facebook?
    YES! We have developed a "fan page" so you can join us. We post pictures, updates and comments on our FB page. Also it gives you the opportunity to post your pictures, ask questions and give comments. This way, we truly can be a "life-time of support." To see our page just click on the Facebook logo to the right!
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21. What are your prices for your puppies?
    Platinum Eskies are not the Wal-mart of American Eskimos. We have very high quality standards and the one of the best breeder's programs around. Finding a puppy should never be like shopping for a vehicle. Not all puppies are bred equally. We require a $300 deposit to reserve a puppy and the remaining balance of $900 is due upon pick-up or before shipment of the puppy.
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22. How do I reserve a puppy?
    1. Read through this FAQ page- We have designed this page to be as informative as possible. Even if you choose not to go with us we believe reading through every question and every answer will help you in your search for the right breeder and American Eskimo.
    
    2. Contact us and tell us about yourself. Because we demand so much out of ourselves we also desire that our incredible eskies goes only to the best homes.
    
    3. If you are approved then we will give you the directions to place your $300 non-refundable deposit (the deposit is refundable if we do not have a puppy available for you. Example: We have all females born when you reserved a male) with credit card, debit card, PayPal, or cashier's check/ money order. Please do NOT send money until you have first contacted us and have been approved.
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