Facilities & Puppy Care
Weeks 1 & 2
Our puppies are whelped in our home and spend their first 2 weeks in the whelping box with their mother. They are weighed at birth and daily thereafter. Every puppy is handled daily from birth and an early neurological stimulation (ENS) protocol is followed for days 4 through 16. We also do early scent introduction (ESI) during this same period. Nails are clipped within a few days of birth and weekly thereafter. Puppies are never on slick surfaces (so as to avoid the risk of joint disorders). Once their ears open, they get used to a wide range of routine household sounds such as music, television, washer/dryer, etc. They are introduced to different smells and textures. Although temporarily put on hold by Covid, we normally begin weekly visits to local retirement homes near the end of this stage. Deworming begins at 14 days and continues every two weeks.
Weeks 3 & 4
At about 16 days, when their eyes and ears are all open, we move the pups to a 4'x8' x-pen near the kitchen. Here they get introduced to many different types of toys, a dog bed, and a potty pan (pine pellets in a shallow pan). Sound desensitization CDs are played at least once a day. In this central location, they definitely hear a lot of noise and see a lot of activity! They actively play with each other and toys at this stage and most will start using the potty pan consistently by 4 weeks of age. As their teeth begin to come in, we provide an elevated bed for the dam so she can get a reprieve from the puppies whenever she needs it. This prevents negative interactions between overzealous pups and a mom with a tender underside. We will introduce dog-savvy children during this phase, creating an early good impression on the pups of "small folk." We will handle and play with pups individually and as a group, and set up a few problem solving challenges for them. From Week 3 to the end of their time with us, we try to introduce something new each day. Softened kibble is introduced at approximately 3-4 weeks.
Weeks 5 & 6
At roughly 4 weeks, they move from the house to the puppy shed. In their kennel, the puppies have a dog crate, pine shavings, toys, and free choice water. During the day, the puppies have regular access to both a smooth-gravel play yard and an adjoining grass yard dedicated entirely to their use. At night, puppies and mom are always secured in their pen and the shed doors closed. We play with the puppies multiple times each day and new toys are introduced over time. We spend time playing and tugging with each and every pup. Weekly visits also continue to senior care homes or other locations. This video shows a typical visit to assisted living when the pups are 5-6 weeks old. These trips involve a minimum drive of 15-25 minutes each way, so the puppies become accustomed to weekly rides in a moving vehicle. The puppies experience as many new sounds, surfaces, sights, and smells as we can make available. We keep things fun and safe. We severely limit time spent on slick surfaces, and stairs are avoided because of research showing a link between stair usage in puppies and hip dysplasia. While puppies eventually get to spend supervised time with gentle adult dogs, we do not allow any rough play with older puppies or dogs. These are precautions we encourage owners to continue when they get their puppy home. We usually introduce collars at 4-6 weeks.
Weeks 7 & 8
The final two weeks a litter is here are crazy busy. By now, the puppies have learned to mand (sit and look at you for attention/treat as shown in this photo). Any puppy that has to fly on an airplane with its owner to get to his new home is given extra time in crate training using soft pet carriers. Training in hard crates and/or wire crates is initiated around 6.5 weeks of age. We start easing into weaning around 6.5 weeks. Volhard temperament testing is normally done at 49 days. BAER testing is also done at approximately 7 weeks and a comprehensive vet check is done at 7.5 weeks. We base puppy vaccination dates on the dam's nomograph test which tells us the best timing of vaccination to assure a litter will be effectively immunized. We use a Distemper/Parvo vaccine at the optimal time indicated on the nomograph. Puppies are ready for new homes once they are fully 8-9 weeks old.