About Us
Who We Are
Homemade Puppies began with the heart and vision of its founder, Sheila, a devoted mom, dog lover, and advocate for raising puppies with warmth, intention, and responsibility. Tired of seeing puppies raised in poor conditions, she set out to change the narrative one puppy at a time. Sheila connected with trusted breeders who shared her values and helped families experience the joy of bringing home a well-loved, “homemade” puppy. Her own journey of raising litters in her home, nurturing them from birth until adoption day, and even personally flying puppies to their new families laid the foundation for what Homemade Puppies stands for today: connection, care, and doing things the right way.
As Homemade Puppies grew, so did the opportunity to expand its impact. The torch has now been passed to Val Nocito, a professional dog trainer, behavior specialist, and author of Puppy Talk 101. Through Neshaminy Creek Dog Training, Val has spent years helping families and breeders raise confident, well-mannered dogs in a supportive, achievable, family-friendly way. Working closely with boutique breeders revealed a clear gap. Many wanted to raise puppies with high standards, but did not always have access to trainer-led guidance on early socialization, structure, and development.
Homemade Puppies is now guided forward with that mission in mind. Today, the platform blends Sheila’s original heart-led purpose with Val’s professional training expertise. The goal is to support boutique breeders who believe in raising puppies with intention, exposure, and care, while helping families find puppies who have been thoughtfully prepared for life in a home. Through mentorship, curated listings, and resources that elevate early development, Homemade Puppies continues to grow as a space where breeders and families are supported, educated, and connected through a shared love of raising puppies the right way.
Core Values
🐾 Professional Guidance from the Start with Trainer‑led insight into early development, exposure, and socialization that builds confidence for life.
🐾 Boutique, Not Big‑Box. We partner with small, in‑home breeders who believe fewer litters mean more attention and connection.
🐾 Transparency and Trust by offering clear communication about health, upbringing, and philosophy.
🐾 Partnership Over Profit. We build long‑term relationships that support breeders and families at every step.
🐾 Purposeful Beginnings. Early experiences shape who puppies become; our network grows with intention and heart.
🐾 Education that Empowers through professional resources and programs, we educate breeders and families for confident outcomes.
Breeder Standards & Puppy Wellness
Our network follows trainer‑guided standards that focus on what truly matters: healthy beginnings, confident temperaments, and lifelong family success. We carefully select breeders for hands‑on care, ethical practices, and professional guidance through early development.
Our Wellness Commitment
• Vet checked before going home
• Vaccinated and Dewormed per veterinary schedule
• Raised in Home with consistent, thoughtful handling
• Introduced to Early Socialization and Handling
• Exposed to Household Sounds, Textures, and Environments
• Monitored for Temperament and Confidence Development
• Many breeders provide microchipping before go-home day for added safety and identification.
The Trainer Advantage
Our breeders are guided by a professional dog trainer to incorporate Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI), along with positive exposure and foundational social skills in each litter.
This collaboration helps set our puppies apart by giving them the best possible start and helping them transition smoothly into new homes, ready to learn, bond, and thrive.
