How We Raise Our Puppies
We give each litter our undivided attention and spend hours every day socializing, interacting with, and taking care of the puppies. All of our dogs live in the house and all of our puppies are born and raised in our home. The puppies are born in our spare bedroom and are upgraded to the kitchen at 5 to 6 weeks old. Keeping the litter in our home ensures they are in a safe, secure, climate controlled area, and allows us to easily keep dam and pups under careful observation. As the pups age, it also allows us the opportunity to expose the pups to a variety of normal household sounds.
Neonatal period week 1 & 2
The puppies cannot see, hear, or regulate their body temperature yet and are completely dependent on their mom and us to take care of them. They are watched 24/7 for at least the first week. They are constantly being handled, cuddled, and weighed during this time. Their nails are also being trimmed every three days or so to help prevent mom from being scratched.
The puppies are provided with early neurological stimulation (ENS) and scent simulation from day 3 to 16. ENS is also called the super dog program and helps to jump start the puppy`s adrenal system. The benefits of ENS include a stronger heart rate, stronger heartbeat, greater tolerance of stress, stronger adrenal glands, and a stronger immune system. The five parts of ENS are tactile stimulation, head held up, head held down, supine position, and thermal stimulation.
Neonatal period week 1 & 2
The puppies cannot see, hear, or regulate their body temperature yet and are completely dependent on their mom and us to take care of them. They are watched 24/7 for at least the first week. They are constantly being handled, cuddled, and weighed during this time. Their nails are also being trimmed every three days or so to help prevent mom from being scratched.
The puppies are provided with early neurological stimulation (ENS) and scent simulation from day 3 to 16. ENS is also called the super dog program and helps to jump start the puppy`s adrenal system. The benefits of ENS include a stronger heart rate, stronger heartbeat, greater tolerance of stress, stronger adrenal glands, and a stronger immune system. The five parts of ENS are tactile stimulation, head held up, head held down, supine position, and thermal stimulation.
Transitional period week 3
They are starting to look like tiny puppies! The puppies can now see and hear. Puppies start barking, growling, howling, and toddling. Startle recovery exercises are started.Puppies start to have individual cuddle time away from mom and the rest of the litter. We enrich the puppies’ environment with tactile items the puppies can explore; this includes toys, everyday household items, scents, sounds (classical music, tv, and radio), and different textures. Enriching the environment optimizes brain development and is continued until the puppies leave for their new homes.
Transitional period week 3
They are starting to look like tiny puppies! The puppies can now see and hear. Puppies start barking, growling, howling, and toddling. Startle recovery exercises are started.Puppies start to have individual cuddle time away from mom and the rest of the litter. We enrich the puppies’ environment with tactile items the puppies can explore; this includes toys, everyday household items, scents, sounds (classical music, tv, and radio), and different textures. Enriching the environment optimizes brain development and is continued until the puppies leave for their new homes.
Week 4
Puppies are started on puppy mush. Puppy mush is mashed up puppy food with lots of goats milk. Puppies visit new rooms in the house and go outside for a short period of time (weather permitting). Puppies continue to see/interact with a new item every day. The adventure box is added into the puppy room. Potty training starts. Puppies are being lightly brushed so they learn to like grooming. Puppies start to listen to different sound tracks (car horns, thunder storms, airplanes, door bells, city traffic, crowd noises, fireworks, etc.) this helps them get used to these noises so they are not stressed with the hear them at an older age. A kennel (without the door) is added to the puppy room so they start to go into their kennel by themselves and learn that it is not a scary place.
Week 5 & 6
Puppies start to go on short car rides. Manding (learning to sit for attention instead of jumping up) is introduced using praise and treats. Barrier challenges are introduced to help the puppies learn how to handle frustration and how to problem solve. Problem solving games are introduced. Puppies are introduced to new foods (fruits, veggies, and raw). Crate games are started. Our dog trainer friends come to visit and help to socialize the puppies.
Week 7 & 8
Puppies go on longer car rides
Puppies work on recall
Puppies work on leash training
Puppies visit the family farm
Puppies visit the lake (weather permitting)
Puppies visit the training academy
Puppies visit a nursing home
Puppies are temperament tested and evaluated for structure and working aptitude
Puppy families come to visit and help socialize the puppies
Puppies visit the vet for their microchip, deworming, and first vaccine
Puppies go on longer car rides
Puppies work on recall
Puppies work on leash training
Puppies visit the family farm
Puppies visit the lake (weather permitting)
Puppies visit the training academy
Puppies visit a nursing home
Puppies are temperament tested and evaluated for structure and working aptitude
Puppy families come to visit and help socialize the puppies
Puppies visit the vet for their microchip, deworming, and first vaccine