How We Raise Our Puppies
 
*I use a combination of Puppy Culture protocol, as well as my own developed puppy raising schedule to insure puppies get the best start possible.

I take puppy raising very seriously and believe strongly that proper early socialization gives puppies the best possible start in life.  Starting on day 3 the puppies begin the Early Neurological Stimulating Exercises.  Toys and safe objects are introduced to their whelping pen early to introduce them to different smells and tactile experiences.  Early on the puppies are removed from their whelping area for short periods of time, both as a group and individually, to introduce them to different surfaces and objects.   As soon as their ears are open they are introduced to different types of music, then recordings of thunderstorms, traffic, children crying and other new sounds.  They also listen to recordings of obedience trials/dog shows.   When the puppies are 3 weeks old they are moved from the whelping pen in the bedroom to a large puppy play pen in the main area of our home, where they are introduced to typical household sounds and the traffic of everyday life.  Their large new puppy pen is divided into sleeping, potty (litter boxes) and play areas with many different types of toys/objects, jungle gym, and small obstacles.   During this period puppies continue to be taken into new areas of the house both in groups as well as individually to interact with us.  They are introduced to many different types of floor surfaces, and are fed in different areas of the house and on different surfaces.  Between 4-5 weeks of age and when weather allows, they are introduced to their outdoor puppy play area.  This area includes jump bars and uprights, a tippy board and a baby sized ramp, toys hanging from above, tarps that blow in the wind, raised dog beds and more new surfaces and obstacles, including both metal and plastic dog crates.   Visitors begin coming (carefully and safely) when the puppies are 3 weeks old, and the puppies meet people of all shapes, sizes and ages several times a week.   Puppies are introduced to grooming tables, nail trimming (which of course starts very early on), nail dremeling, and brushing.  Every day of their lives with us they are handled from their head to their toes.   Between 6 and 8 weeks of age the puppies take regular "field trips" in the car, and to different areas of our 10 acre property to explore.  Also at this age the puppies meet our cats and our other dogs.  During this stage puppies are introduced to short food trails and scent pads to encourage their interest in tracking; they are introduced to bite rags and puppy tugs to encourage their toy drive, and they are rewarded with food for attention work - this is all done on a DAILY basis.  They are assessed with their interactions with us, as well as with unfamiliar people.    Photos are taken of every puppy almost daily throughout the entire 8+ weeks they are with us.  Other than asking for a male or female puppy, new owners will not be allowed to "choose" their puppy.  That is determined by me, based on each individual puppy's personality, the new owner's goals and experience with the breed and training in general.   While I do everything in my power to give our puppies the best start in life, it is the new owner's responsibility to continue that socialization and training throughout their puppy's life.  I expect a lot of myself as a breeder, but I also expect a lot from my puppy owners.   My relationship with new owners does not end when the puppy is picked up, but continues throughout the life of the puppy.  I expect to hear updates, receive photos, and of course help with any problems.  I am always here for our puppy owners to support and encourage them, and I am VERY PROUD of everything they go on to accomplish with their puppies.