The TAGA Ranch Puppy Process

At TAGA Ranch, our goal is to thoughtfully match every puppy with the right family while providing a clear, organized, and supportive experience from your first inquiry through a lifetime together.

We believe bringing home a puppy should feel exciting, informed, and stress-free. Our guided process ensures both puppy and family are prepared for a successful transition.

🐶 2. STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

Step 1 — Apply

Submit a puppy application so we can learn more about your home, lifestyle, and goals. We will contact you within 48 hours to discuss upcoming litters and help determine the best match. Click here for application!

Step 2 — Reserve Your Puppy

A $500 reservation donation secures your place on our waitlist or reserves an available puppy. This donation applies toward the total puppy fee and may be transferred to another litter if needed. Click here to make your reservation donation.

Step 3 — Raising & Weekly Updates

When your litter arrives, or once your reservation donation is applied to a puppy we currently have, families receive weekly updates, photos, videos, and preparation guidance to help make the transition from our home to yours smooth and successful.

Step 4 — Puppy Selection

Selections begin around 5 weeks of age. We work closely with each family to ensure temperament, lifestyle, and expectations align with the right puppy.

Step 5 — Go-Home Day

Puppies are typically ready to go home around 8 weeks of age after completing early developmental milestones, veterinary care, and socialization experiences.

🐶 3. PICK-UP & DELIVERY

Families may pick up their puppy in Coon Rapids, Iowa, or meet us at the Des Moines or Omaha airports. Ground delivery and hand-delivery options are also available.

🐶 4. WHAT YOUR PUPPY COMES WITH ⭐

Your TAGA Ranch Puppy Includes:

• Health-checked puppy
• Current vaccinations and deworming
• Veterinary health certificate

• Puppy wellness check
• Early socialization and developmental exposure
• Ongoing breeder support
• Preparation guidance prior to arrival

Each puppy leaves TAGA Ranch prepared not only for a new home, but for a lifetime partnership with their family.

🐶 5. TRAINING OPTIONS

🐶 Training Options at TAGA Ranch

At TAGA Ranch, we understand that every family’s lifestyle and goals are different. For families seeking a stronger foundation before bringing their puppy home, we offer optional training programs designed to support confidence, structure, and an easier transition into your home.

Many families find early training creates a smoother transition, stronger communication, and long-term success for both puppy and owner.

All training programs build upon one another and are completed here at TAGA Ranch before your puppy joins your family.

Basic Foundation Training — 2 Weeks | $2,000

Designed to introduce essential manners and communication skills.

Includes:
• Sit
• Down
• Come
• Heel introduction
• Stay introduction
• Response to “No” for unwanted behaviors

Basic Foundation + Kennel & House Training — 2 Weeks | $2,000

Builds upon Basic Foundation Training while introducing household routines.

Includes:
• Crate/kennel training
• House training foundations
• Reinforcement of basic obedience skills

(Basic Foundation Training required prior to this program.)

Intermediate Training — Additional 2 Weeks | $2,500

For families wanting increased reliability and focus.

Includes:
• Leave It
• Place command
• Distance and duration with Stay
• Longer sits and down stays
• Improved impulse control

(Requires completion of Basic + Kennel Training.)

Advanced Training — Additional 3 Weeks | $3,000

Designed for families seeking a highly prepared companion.

Includes:
• Advanced recall skills
• Drop It / Drop on Recall
• Back Up
• Directed movement to designated places
• Advanced obedience reinforcement

(Requires completion of prior training levels.)

Complete Training Program - All Training Levels Combined (9 Weeks Total)
Training Investment: $9,500
(Puppy investment not included.)

This comprehensive program provides an exceptional foundation for families wanting a well-prepared, confident companion.

🐶 6. INVESTMENT in a TAGA Ranch Australian Shepherd

Our pricing reflects the time, experience, health testing, and developmental investment placed into every TAGA Ranch puppy.

Bringing home a TAGA Ranch Australian Shepherd is more than purchasing a puppy — it is an investment in health, temperament, early development, and lifelong breeder support.

Each puppy represents extensive planning, responsible breeding practices, and daily hands-on care from birth through placement. Our focus is raising confident, well-socialized companions prepared to transition successfully into family life.

Every TAGA Ranch puppy benefits from:

• Health-tested parents
• Thoughtful breeding selections focused on temperament and structure
• Early neurological stimulation and socialization
• Daily handling and environmental enrichment
• Age-appropriate veterinary care and vaccinations
• Guidance and preparation support for new puppy families
• Ongoing breeder support throughout your dog’s lifetime

We believe investing in proper early development creates a healthier, more stable companion for years to come.

Puppy Investment

Pet Companion Puppies (8 weeks) — $3,500

Older puppies or young adults with additional training — pricing varies but starting at $3500

Breeder’s Choice Puppies — $4,500–$7,500

Approved Show/Breeding Prospects — $7,500 and up

Reservation Donation

A reservation donation of $500 secures your puppy or placement on our waitlist.
This donation is applied toward the total puppy investment and confirms your commitment to a TAGA Ranch puppy.

🐶 7. Transparency, Policies & Program Standards

At TAGA Ranch, we believe clear communication creates the best experience for both our puppy families and our program. The following policies are provided to ensure expectations are understood and the process remains smooth for everyone involved.

Reservation Donation Policy

A reservation donation of $500 is required to reserve a puppy or secure placement on our waitlist.

• Reservation donations are non-refundable
• Donations are transferable to another litter within 12 months
• Reservation confirms commitment and removes the puppy from availability

If circumstances change, we are happy to work with families to transfer reservations when possible.

Payment Methods

We accept:

• Credit or Debit Card (4% processing fee applies)
• Bank Transfer
• Cash
• USPS Money Order
• Venmo (Friends & Family)

Full payment must be completed prior to puppy pickup or delivery arrangements.

Pick-Up & Delivery

Puppies go home at 8 weeks of age unless they take a little longer with mom.

Families may:

• Pick up in Coon Rapids, Iowa
• Meet us at Des Moines Airport (DSM) or Omaha Airport (OMA)
• Arrange ground or hand-delivery services

Delivery costs vary depending on travel arrangements and must be scheduled in advance.

For the safety of our puppies, we do not ship in cargo.

Boarding Policy

If a puppy remains at TAGA Ranch beyond one week after the agreed go-home date, a boarding fee of $75 per day will apply.

Pricing & Program Rights

TAGA Ranch reserves the right to:

• Retain any puppy for our breeding program
• Set pricing based on sex, color, structure, or demand
• Approve breeding or show homes at our discretion

Lifetime Responsibility

If at any time you are unable to keep your TAGA Ranch dog, we ask that you contact us. We are committed to the lifelong wellbeing of every puppy we raise and will assist in finding a safe and appropriate placement if needed.

🐶 8. TRUST

At TAGA Ranch, our responsibility to each puppy does not end at placement. If life circumstances ever change, we ask families to contact us so we can assist in ensuring every TAGA dog always has a safe and loving home.

We are honored each time a family chooses TAGA Ranch and grateful for the extended community of TAGA dogs living in homes across the country.

Ready to Begin Your TAGA Ranch Journey?

If you feel TAGA Ranch may be the right fit for your family, we invite you to complete a puppy application or contact us with any questions. We look forward to helping you find the right companion.

[Click to apply for a Puppy]
[Click to view Available Puppies]