KENNEL TOURS
Back in 2020, I closed my kennel to home tours due to COVID. My nursery kennel is part of our home and located directly off our dining room, so entering the kennel requires access to our private living space. For obvious reasons, I stopped offering tours during the pandemic to protect my family. As COVID has become less of a concern, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about how to move forward.
As always, I want to be completely upfront about why I have made this decision.
The aftermath of the COVID lockdown made me reflect on many past experiences. While the majority of my clients have been wonderful, there have been several situations over the years that made me extremely uncomfortable. If I had known how some visits would unfold, I would never have allowed certain individuals into my home. The biggest issues have involved poorly supervised children, but I have also had adults behave carelessly—stepping on puppies and causing unsafe situations.
More recently, on 4/26/2024, I experienced a frightening incident with a disgruntled client whose deposit I had already refunded. He showed up unannounced, went to the back of my home, and attempted to enter my back gate—what I believe was an attempt to steal a puppy, or possibly more. After repeatedly telling him to leave, I was forced to arm myself to protect both myself and my dogs. The police were called, and there is a full report documenting this invasion of my property. It was terrifying, and I truly believe that had I not protected myself, he would have forced his way in. This experience has permanently changed how I allow people onto my property. My home and kennel are now under 24/7 video surveillance, and I will continue to protect myself and my dogs when strangers show up unannounced.
Unfortunately, the world has become increasingly dangerous. There have been many incidents where breeders have had dogs stolen, been harmed, or worse during kennel tours. For these reasons and more, I have made the difficult decision to permanently end all kennel tours and all access to the inside of our home.
To show how serious these risks can be, here is an article about a breeder who was killed in his own home during a similar situation:
This has been an extremely hard decision, but for the safety of myself, my family, my dogs, and my puppies, this is what I must do moving forward. I understand this may be a deal breaker for some, and I am truly sorry—but this is the safest and most responsible choice.
People often don’t consider this from the breeder’s perspective. Our home is not a business building—it is our private sanctuary, just like yours. Because my kennel is part of my home, it puts me in a difficult position. I have always been open and welcoming, and I still believe it is important for clients to see how my dogs live. I will continue to offer that—just in a safer way.
I will be compiling photos and videos of my kennels, dog yards, covered outdoor kennels, and all areas where my dogs spend time. I will also include photos and videos of the nursery with moms and puppies. Much of this content already exists, and I will organize it into an easy‑to‑access folder for clients. Once complete, it will be posted in our private Facebook group and shared with deposited clients upon request.
For safety reasons, this content will not be posted publicly. It will be available only to clients who have placed a deposit, and I ask that it not be shared outside the group.
My reputation, along with dozens of reviews from clients who toured my kennel over the past 17 years, speaks to the care, cleanliness, and dedication I put into raising my Keeshonden. I hope that continues to provide reassurance.
Puppy pickup will still take place at my home, but I will meet you out front, as I have done since the COVID lockdown. Puppy selection will now be done by photos only; there will no longer be in‑person access to the puppies due to past experiences and safety concerns. During pickup, I will escort clients to the back yard to view the dogs from outside the fenced areas, but there will be no entry into fenced spaces and no interaction with my dogs.
Please know this has been an incredibly difficult decision, but it is the best choice for myself, my family, and all of my Keeshonden.
Thank you, as always, for your support and understanding.