The Process

Our Background & Mission

Sunbuilt Retrievers was founded from a lifelong commitment to ethical breeding, producing service dog and therapy dog prospects, and professional training.

Sunbuilt's breeding program is rooted in service dog and therapy dog purpose, participating in lineages connected to the Assistance Dogs International North American Breeding Cooperative and AKC titled pairings. Each litter is thoughtfully planned to produce puppies capable of excelling in service, therapy, and performance roles while also thriving as exceptional family companions and pet homes.

Sammye has been a professional trainer since her time at Texas A&M University in 2011, and is a service dog trainer and handler. She graduated with honors as a Research Scholar with a degree in Psychology and minor in Neuroscience and holds the Certified Professional Dog Trainer – Knowledge and Skills Assessed (CPDT-KSA) credential, a distinction held by a small number of trainers worldwide.

Reservation & Puppy Placement Process

We appreciate your interest in our program, Sunbuilt Retrievers. Applications processed in the order they are received, with priority given to breeder selections, service dog prospects, and show homes.

Once your application is submitted, we will schedule personal contact to learn more about your goals, lifestyle, and preferences. An approved application requires a non-refundable reservation fee to secure your place on our reservation list.

If a litter does not produce enough puppies for your selection, your reservation fee will automatically transfer to the next available litter. Likewise, if the timing of a litter does not align with your needs or if we feel the right puppy is not available, you may request to move your reservation forward. Once your reservation is accepted, placement with a Sunbuilt puppy is guaranteed.

Our goal is to ensure a thoughtful, positive experience throughout the entire selection process.

Puppy Selection & Matching

Our commitment to producing the right puppy for each home involves a structured, collaborative placement process. We work closely with you to select the puppy whose temperament, drives, and personality best align with your household, goals, and lifestyle.

Final placement decisions are made after formal temperament and breeder evaluations. Some evaluations occur in the later weeks which may extend up to 12 weeks depending on the litter.

Once a puppy is matched and reserved for you, it is removed from availability and other applicants are notified. If you are serious about welcoming a wellbred Sunbuilt puppy to your family, it is recommended to not delay placing a reservation to hold your spot as interest fills quickly upon the announcement of a confirmed pregnancy.

Raising & Socialization Program

Each Sunbuilt litter is intentionally and meticulously raised using evidence-based puppy development protocols from professional dog trainers.

From birth forward, puppies are raised in our home environment and progress through weekly structured developmental stages, including:

• Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)
• Early Scent Introduction (ESI)
• AVIDOG and Puppy Culture curriculum
• Clicker foundation training
• Crate and potty training foundations
• Car exposure and travel conditioning
• Age-appropriate public outings
• Veterinary wellness care and vaccinations

Puppies begin in a private whelping suite within our guest house where mothers and newborns experience a calm, low-stress environment under 24/7 supervision. We sleep alongside our litters and are present the entire time in rotating shifts to ensure constant monitoring.

As puppies develop, they transition through expanded environments including weaning pens, primary living spaces, and multiple areas of the home to promote confidence and adaptability.

Additional enrichment includes:

• Regular grooming including baths, blow dry, and nail trims and dremeling

• Age appropriate activity boxes and playgrounds

• Novel experiences and outings

• Professional temperament testing
• In-person socialization gatherings
• Exposure to household routines and sounds

• Novel experiences, car rides, and outings

We also offer a limited number of Board & Train opportunities for families seeking advanced foundations prior to going home.

Throughout the rearing process, we document each litter extensively through photos, written records, and developmental tracking. Families receive regular updates via private communication, social media, and sometimes our Puppy Cam livestreams.

Going-Home Package

Each puppy goes home with a comprehensive packet that includes:

• AKC Registration (or Bill of Sale with litter details and pre-paid registration)
• Veterinary Examination
• Age-appropriate preventative medication, vaccination and deworming records

• Curriculum records

• Pictures and videos
• Vaccine schedule to be continued by your veterinarian
• Several days’ supply of current food
• Recommended puppy-safe supplements
• Lifetime breeder and training support

To support digestive stability, puppies should remain on their current diet for a minimum of two months. Any food transition should be done gradually in consultation with us and your veterinarian.

Pricing

At this time, Sunbuilt Retriever puppies are $4,000 total. Pricing is not based on color or sex. Puppies are reserved prior to going home through our application, interview, and reservation process. All puppies are placed with a written contract that includes a spay/neuter agreement and are registered with AKC Limited Registration (no breeding rights).

Transportation

We do not ship puppies via cargo.

Air transport is only considered if a puppy can travel safely in-cabin within airline carrier size requirements. Due to the size of our Retrievers, this is rarely feasible.

We typically coordinate ground transportation through our own vehicles or licensed, insured pet transport professionals. We are also happy to meet families partway when reasonably possible. Transportation fees apply when delivery services are arranged.