Table of Contents
- What’s a Started Puppy, Anyway?
- Wait… They Cost MORE?
- What Your Started Puppy Already Knows
- Let’s Bust Some Myths
- Why You’ll Love Starting with an Older Pup
- Your Questions Answered
What’s a Started Puppy, Anyway?
Here’s the deal: from time to time, we have
started puppies
available. These are pups who are 12+ weeks old instead of the typical 8 weeks, and they’ve gotten some serious bonus training time with us here in Ohio.
Why do we have them? A few reasons:
- Sometimes when we’re planning to keep a puppy for our breeding program, we’ll hold back several puppies from a litter while we evaluate and make our final pick. The others then become available as started puppies with all that extra time and training.
- Occasionally, a family who has reserved a puppy has a change of plans and backs out last minute, which means that puppy gets more time with us.
- And here’s something important: as ethical breeders, we only approve a portion of the applications we receive. We’re willing to hold puppies as long as it takes to make sure they each get the perfect family. There’s no rush, no pressure—just the right match at the right time.
Here’s what most people don’t realize: in the breeding world, these older puppies are called
“started puppies” because they come with a running start on all that training stuff.
Puppies are in a prime learning zone until about 16 weeks—which means every extra week with us is pure gold for their development.
Wait… They Cost MORE?
Yep, you read that right. And honestly, it makes sense when you think about it.
We get calls all the time from people asking if we have any older puppies available because they’re hoping for a hefty discount. We even once had someone ask if we had any “clearance puppies” available! (True story, and we had to laugh.)
But here’s the reality: a 15-week-old puppy has the same sweet soul and will love you just as much as an 8-week-old puppy. The difference?
They come with significantly more value.
What You’re Actually Getting
Every extra week these puppies spend with us means more training, more socialization, and more skill development. Think about it:
Weeks of Training & Socialization
- Daily training sessions building confidence and skills
- Individual attention tailored to each puppy’s personality
- Socialization experiences you’d otherwise have to create yourself
- Problem-solving games and enrichment activities
Advanced Development
- More mature bladder control
- Better coordination and body awareness
- Emerging personality so you have a better sense of “who” you’re getting
- Extra time benefitting from our holistic, natural rearing approach
As natural rearing breeders here in Ohio with over 25 years of breeding experience, we take a holistic approach to raising puppies. Those extra weeks mean more time soaking up our thoughtful, health-focused rearing practices.
What Families Tell Us
The families who’ve adopted our older started
puppies
have been overwhelmingly happy with the head start their puppies had. They love coming home to a puppy who’s already been working on skills and has weeks of socialization under their belt. It makes those first few weeks so much smoother.
What Your Started Puppy Already Knows
Okay, so this is where it gets really exciting. Our started puppies aren’t just “older puppies”—they’re puppies who come with a head start on skills and training.
But let’s be real for a second: just like human children, every puppy learns at their own pace. Some puppies might come home sleeping through the night in their crate and walking like pros on a leash, while others are still working on these skills. The important thing?
They all have more training and experience than an 8-week-old puppy would.
They’re still babies—not fully trained dogs. But they’ve got a foundation that gives them (and you!) a real advantage.
They’ve Had the Full Treatment
Early Neurological Stimulation (The Science-y Stuff That Works)
Starting when they’re just three days old (tiny little beans!), we begin our
ENS Program.
This isn’t some woo-woo thing—it’s based on work popularized by Dr. Carmen Battaglia, showing that these early exercises help create puppies with stronger hearts, better stress tolerance, and more resistance to disease. Basically, we’re setting them up to be little superheroes.
Crate Training Progress
- Introduction to their crate as a safe, cozy space
- Working on settling down at bedtime
- Building tolerance for brief alone time
- Some are already sleeping through the night—others are well on their way
Socialization Gold Star
- Exposure to household sounds like vacuum cleaners, doorbells, and kids playing
- Walking on different surfaces (carpet, tile, grass, gravel, etc.)
- Meeting people of different ages
- Learning how to play nicely with other dogs
- Getting used to being groomed, handled, and examined
- Experiencing our natural rearing, holistic approach to care
Basic Manners in Progress
- Learning their names and starting to respond when called
- Actively working on bite inhibition (goodbye, shark puppy!)
- Gentle introduction to leash walking
- Practicing simple cues like “sit”
- Each puppy at their own skill level, but all ahead of 8-week-olds
Skill sets will always vary—just like with kids—but the key is that they’ve had
weeks of foundational work
that you’d otherwise be starting from scratch with an 8-week-old puppy.
Let’s Bust Some Myths
Time for some real talk about the questions we get all the time.
“Can I Get a Discount Since They’re Older?”
Nope—and here’s why that wouldn’t make sense: every week past 8 weeks actually means
more value, not less.
Think of it like this: would you expect to pay less for a car with more features? Of course not. A started puppy comes with weeks of additional training, socialization, and development that an 8-week-old puppy simply hasn’t had yet. You’re getting more, not less.
That extra time means you’re bringing home a puppy who’s further along in their development, has been exposed to more experiences, and has a foundation that gives both of you an advantage from day one.
“Are These the Puppies You Couldn’t Sell?”
Oh man, this one makes us laugh (in a nice way!). It’s not that we couldn’t sell them—it’s that we wouldn’t sell them to just anyone.
Here’s the thing: we’re not a puppy store trying to move inventory. We’re more like a really picky matchmaker. We’ve raised these babies in our home since before they were born. We know their quirks, their personalities, and what makes them tick.
We’re not rushing to get them out the door by 8 weeks just to hit some arbitrary deadline. Responsible breeding means finding the
right home, not the
fastest home.
Sometimes finding that perfect match just takes a little longer. And that’s totally okay with us.
“What’s Wrong with Them?”
Nothing. Not a single thing.
Just like kids, puppies develop at their own pace. Some are ready to take on the world at 8 weeks. Others benefit from a little more time to mature and show us who they really are.
Here’s something people don’t always realize:
puppies are a LOT of work.
Eight-week-old puppies are a great choice for families who don’t mind the extra work, the frequent potty trips outside, and maybe not sleeping through the night for a while. They’re adorable and wonderful—it just takes more patience and round-the-clock attention in those early weeks.
A 15-week-old puppy? Still absolutely adorable—but now they can often hold their bladder longer. Many sleep through the night. They may know some basic commands. They’re easier to communicate with.
Behavior problems from inadequate early training and socialization are one of the top reasons dogs end up in shelters. Our started puppy program is designed to prevent exactly that by giving puppies a strong foundation before they ever leave our home.
Why You’ll Love Starting with an Older Pup
Let’s talk about real life for a minute. Here’s what getting a started puppy actually means for you:
If You’ve Got a Busy Life (Who Doesn’t?)
- Skip some of the most exhausting parts – Those first 8–12 weeks are intense. Started puppies have more maturity and some foundational skills already in progress.
- Get a head start – With weeks of training and socialization already underway, you’re not starting from square one.
- More developed puppies – Older puppies often have better bladder control and can go longer between potty breaks.
If This Is Your First Puppy
- Less overwhelming – Starting with a puppy who’s had weeks of attention from experienced breeders means you’re not drowning in chaos from day one.
- Benefit from our experience – You get to benefit from our 25+ years of breeding and our holistic, natural rearing approach without having to become a dog training expert overnight.
- Get a glimpse of their personality – At 12+ weeks, you can see more emerging personality traits. Is this a couch potato or an adventure buddy? You’ll have a better idea (while remembering personalities continue to mature).
If You’re a Dog Pro
- Build on a solid foundation – Instead of starting from scratch, you’re building on weeks of training and socialization.
- Detailed personality reports – We can tell you so much about each puppy’s quirks, preferences, and temperament.
- More predictable – Size, coat type, and energy level are all a bit clearer with an older pup.
Health & Development Perks
- Stronger immune system – Those extra weeks of development and our natural rearing practices make a real difference.
- Established eating habits – They’re already eating well on a schedule.
- Better coordination – Less wobbling, more confident movement, and fewer “oops” moments.
Your Questions Answered
“How much more do started puppies cost?”
Because of all the extra training, care, and time we’ve invested, started puppies are priced higher than 8-week-old puppies. The price reflects those extra weeks of training, handling, and socialization—think of it as having part of puppy kindergarten already included.
“What age counts as a ‘started puppy’?”
Usually 12+ weeks old. Some puppies may be a bit older depending on how long it takes to find their perfect match.
“Will they bond with me as well as a younger puppy would?”
Absolutely. Puppies bond with their families well into adulthood. In fact, started puppies often bond more quickly because they’re emotionally mature enough to really connect with you and are not overwhelmed by every new experience.
“Can I still train them my way?”
Of course. They’ve got foundations in progress, but they’re totally still in their learning prime. Remember, they’re still babies—not fully trained dogs. You’re just building on weeks of socialization and training exposure instead of starting from zero. Every puppy’s exact skill level will vary, just like kids.
“How do I know if a started puppy is available?”
We post available started
puppies
on our website when we have them. Since we only occasionally have older puppies available, check our available puppies page or reach out to us directly to see our current availability.
“What makes you different from other breeders?”
We’re natural rearing breeders here in Ohio who take a holistic approach to raising puppies. We never compromise on placement quality. We provide lifetime support. We refuse to treat puppies like products with expiration dates.
Every puppy is raised in our home as part of our family, and we’re invested in their happiness for life—not just until the sale.
Ready to Skip Some of the Hardest Parts of Puppyhood?
If you’re looking for an Ohio-raised doodle who comes with weeks of training and socialization already in progress, a started puppy might be exactly what you need.
You get a puppy with a head start on skills—some further along than others, but all ahead of 8-week-olds. They’ve benefited from our natural rearing, holistic approach and have foundations you’d otherwise be building from scratch.
Want to know if we have any started puppies available?
Apply here
and let’s chat about whether one of these amazing pups is your perfect match!
At Maple Hill Doodles in Ohio, we’re committed to raising healthy, well-adjusted, beautifully-socialized companions using natural rearing and holistic practices. With over 25 years of breeding experience, every puppy is raised in our home with love, expertise, and a whole lot of dedication. We’re not just breeders—we’re matchmakers for life.
