How We Raise Our Puppies
The Whelping Box
From birth to 3 weeks of age, our puppies reside in their whelping box. This is equipped with rails to prevent mama from accidentally laying on the puppies, and carefully selected mats to provide appropriate support to the puppies joints, as they are growing and learning to move. At 3 days old, we begin Early Neurological Stimulation and Early Scent Introductions.
Weeks 3-4
We continue with our daily puppy massage, which acclimates the puppies to handling and lays the foundation for learning that people are kind, introduce the litter box into the whelping box and begin guiding puppies here to potty, and introduce quiet, inanimate objects, such as small stuffed animals and rubber blocks.
Weeks 4-5
Puppies are introduced to the toddler area, we begin weekly baths and nail trims, introduce objects that do spontaneously move and make noise (like balls and toys that squeak) and continue daily handling and potty training.
Weeks 5-6
In addition to continuing our week 4 curriculum, we are now completing noise exposures and socialization (handling by someone other than myself), and our puppies are being introduced to other rooms in the house and the outdoors.
Weeks 6-7
At 6 weeks old, puppies receive their first vaccinations and are introduced to car rides and crate training. This is also the timeframe that we normally host a visitation and allow families on the reservation list to come meet the litter. Next week we will begin temperament testing!
Weeks 7-8
This week is a busy one, as we will be completing veterinarian health checks, packing go home bags, completing temperament testing and working with families to select their pups! After temperament testing is complete, we meet with families and make puppy selections, in the order reservations have been received.