Raising Puppies

Puppies are impressionable little creatures, requiring very thoughtful care in the first few weeks of life. The experiences puppies have in those formative first days and weeks are the foundation upon which the rest of their lives will be built. The importance of this cannot be emphasized enough.

We have handled, played, and snuggled your puppy from the time he/she was born. We believe in handling the puppies as much as possible so they are sweet and bond with their humans once they go home. They have lived with us in our home and have experienced the normal household activities of a busy family with kids going about their days. Our puppies have heard the vacuum cleaner and hair dryer, smelled meals simmering away on the stove, watched a broom sweeping back and forth (they love to chase this!), listened to pots and pans clanging, music playing, people talking, laughing and a myriad of the other wonderful things. They have learned that all these noises and activities are not something to fear, but a normal part of the daily life of a happy home.

We play classical music in the whelping room from the day the puppies are born as it has been scientifically proven to increase brain function in human babies, so why not with puppies too? Not to mention it’s elegant, exceptionally genius and simply elevates the atmosphere of the home significantly. 😊

In addition to plenty of handling, we utilize two different techniques to help ready our puppies to go to their new homes:

SUPER DOGS

Bio-Sensor (“Superdogs”) and the “Rule of Sevens”. These are both protocols that are well-researched and enable puppies to develop into confident, well-adjusted adult dogs.

The U.S. Military developed a program in the 1970's called "Bio Sensor." It became publicly know and is often referred to as the "Super Dog" Program or “Bio-Sensor Training for Dogs”. The program was developed to improve the performance of dogs used for military purposes. The basic premise of the program is that early neurological stimulation exercises for a puppy could later affect the development and performance of the adult dog. The Army's research revealed that early stimulation of the puppy from the 3rd day through the 16th day influenced rapid neurological growth and development.

Bio-Sensory Training for Dogs improves the development of the puppy's neurological systems through early stimulation and stress. Five benefits have been observed in dogs that were exposed to the Bio-Sensor stimulation exercises:

1.) Improved cardiovascular performance
2.) Stronger heartbeat
3.) Stronger adrenal glands
4.) More tolerance to stress
5.) Greater resistance to disease

THE RULE OF SEVENS

We also use this method for our puppies to give them the best possible start and resilience in life.

Pat Hastings was a longtime breeder, professional handler and AKC judge. She developed a method in the 1980’s to introduce positive and safe puppy socialization through experiences. These exposures are most successful when introduced by 7 weeks of age. By introducing a variety of new situations and experiences, the puppy is thought to be more well-rounded and adjusted.

By the time a puppy is 7 weeks old it should have been exposed to the following:

Been on 7 different surfaces, such as: carpet, concrete, wood, vinyl, grass, dirt, gravel, wood chips, newspaper, etc.

Played with 7 different types of objects, such as: big balls, small balls, soft fabric toys, fuzzy balls, squeaky toys, metal items, wooden items, paper/cardboard items, milk/soda jugs, etc.

Been in 7 different locations, including: front yard, backyard, basement, kitchen, car, garage, laundry room, bathroom, crate, kennel, etc.

Been exposed to 7 challenges, such as: climbed a box, climbed off a box, gone through a tunnel, climbed up steps, climbed down steps, climbed over obstacles, played hide and seek, gone in and out of a doorway with a step, etc.

Eaten from 7 different containers: metal, plastic, cardboard, paper, china, pie plate, frying pan, etc.

Eaten in 7 different locations: crate, yard, kitchen, basement, laundry room, bedroom, x-pen, etc.

Met and played with 7 new people, including children and the elderly.

It is a new owner’s responsibility to continue positive socialization experiences for the puppy, to ensure the best possible temperament, building on what good genetics and early socialization already produced!