Why ERBEKEES No Longer Offers Kennel Tours
Since 2020, ERBEKEES has no longer offered tours of our home or nursery kennel. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I temporarily closed my kennel to visitors to protect my family, my dogs, and our newborn puppies. Because my nursery is located inside our home—just off our dining room—any kennel tour requires visitors to enter our private living space. As COVID became less of a concern, I carefully considered reopening my home to visitors. After a great deal of thought, I made the difficult decision that kennel tours will not return. This decision was not made lightly.
Protecting My Family and My Dogs
For more than 17 years, I have welcomed many wonderful families into my home. The overwhelming majority of those visits were positive experiences, and I am grateful for the relationships I've built over the years. Unfortunately, there have also been situations that caused serious concern.
Over the years I have experienced:
*Poorly supervised children around puppies
*Adults creating unsafe situations for my dogs
*Damage to my property
*Uncomfortable and inappropriate behavior inside my home
While these situations have been rare, they reminded me that opening my private home to strangers carries risks that cannot be ignored.
A Life-Changing Incident
On April 26, 2024, I experienced the most frightening event of my breeding career. A former client showed up unannounced and I believe his intent was to take a puppy with or without my permission. He went behind my home and attempted to enter my kennel area after being told to leave repeatedly. Fearing for my personal safety and the safety of my dogs, I was forced to protect myself while law enforcement was contacted. A police report documenting the incident was filed. Thankfully, no one was physically harmed. However, the experience permanently changed how I approach the security of my home and kennel. Today, my property is monitored by 24-hour video surveillance, and I take the safety of my family and dogs very seriously.
Unfortunately, This Isn't an Isolated Problem
Across the country, breeders have experienced thefts, assaults, and even tragic loss of life while showing dogs from their homes. One particularly heartbreaking example involved a breeder who lost his life during a criminal act involving his dogs. For those interested, you can read about that case here:
Stories like these reinforce why breeders must prioritize safety.
My Home Is Still My Home
One thing many people don't consider is that breeders don't operate out of commercial storefronts. This is my family's home. It is where we live, eat, celebrate holidays, enjoy family and friends and raise our puppies. Just as most people would not invite complete strangers to walk through every room of their own home, I have reached the point where I must establish those same boundaries for mine. I hope prospective families can understand and respect that decision.
Transparency Is Still Important
Although I no longer offer in-person kennel tours, I remain committed to being as transparent as possible.
I am posting daily/weekly photos and videos showing:
*My nursery
*Whelping areas
*Indoor kennel spaces
*Outdoor play yards
*Covered kennel runs
*Adult dogs enjoying their daily routines
*Mothers raising their puppies
These videos will allow families to see exactly how my dogs are raised while also protecting the privacy and security of my home.
I now post openly on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and TikTok showing my kennel, my dogs, my puppies etc etc.
Puppy Selection & Pickup
Puppy selection is now completed using photographs and videos rather than in-person visits.
Puppy pickup still takes place at my home, where I personally meet each family outside on my front porch, just as I have since 2020.
** There is no access to my home. Please plan ahead for bathroom breaks, I will not allow use of our private bathroom.
When appropriate, I am happy to escort clients around back of our home to view the adult dogs from outside the fenced areas so they can see where my dogs live and play. However, for the safety of my dogs, there is no access inside fenced kennel areas or the nursery, and there is no direct interaction with the dogs.
Thank You for Understanding
I realize this policy may not be the right fit for every prospective buyer, and I completely respect that. However, my first responsibility has always been to protect my family, my dogs, and my puppies.
After careful consideration, I truly believe this policy is the safest and most responsible way to continue raising healthy, well-socialized Keeshonden while maintaining the security of my home.
My hope is that my reputation, my commitment to ethical breeding, and the many wonderful reviews from families who have welcomed an ERBEKEES puppy into their lives will continue to give prospective owners confidence in my program.
I don't expect you to trust me simply because I ask you to. I encourage every prospective buyer to research my program thoroughly, read my reviews, speak with past puppy families, and ask as many questions as you need. An informed buyer is the best buyer. Thank you for your understanding, your trust, and your continued support.
Jodi Erbe
ERBEKEES-KEESHONDEN
Lifelong Friends, One Puppy at a Time