How we raise our pups
Puppy Development Program
DAYS 1—3
Puppies are born in our home in our Whelping Room where mum and pups are cared for 24 hours a day for the first few weeks. Pups are born unable to see, hear or regulate their body temperature, so the first few days is a critical time period for the mother to bond with and care for her puppies. During this time we focus on caring for mum keeping her warm, well hydrated, well fed and clean and we limit puppy handling to weighing and ensuring they can find mum and latch/suckle on mum for milk.
DAYS 4—14
Puppies eyes start to open and hearing starts around days 10-14.
During this time we handle pups twice per day with our 14 Step Handling routine that includes 4 Holds and 10 touches. This routine takes only minutes, but is vital to ensure our pups are exposed to the sensation of various types of touch and handling.
4 Holds includes securely holding the pup in 4 positions and 10 touches involves touching all areas of the body including around their neck, in their mouth and between their toes—all to desensitize sensitive areas and make future handling by your vet, groomer and family easier.
DAYS 15—21
Pups are beginning to move and they can hear clearly by day 18 to 20.
During this time we focus on noise desensitisation by introducing them to different sounds including music, vacuum cleaners, loud bangs and voices.
Daily 14 Step Handling continues, and added is the cutting of nails and administering wormer.
DAYS 1—3
Puppies are born in our home in our Whelping Room where mum and pups are cared for 24 hours a day for the first few weeks. Pups are born unable to see, hear or regulate their body temperature, so the first few days is a critical time period for the mother to bond with and care for her puppies. During this time we focus on caring for mum keeping her warm, well hydrated, well fed and clean and we limit puppy handling to weighing and ensuring they can find mum and latch/suckle on mum for milk.
DAYS 4—14
Puppies eyes start to open and hearing starts around days 10-14.
During this time we handle pups twice per day with our 14 Step Handling routine that includes 4 Holds and 10 touches. This routine takes only minutes, but is vital to ensure our pups are exposed to the sensation of various types of touch and handling.
4 Holds includes securely holding the pup in 4 positions and 10 touches involves touching all areas of the body including around their neck, in their mouth and between their toes—all to desensitize sensitive areas and make future handling by your vet, groomer and family easier.
DAYS 15—21
Pups are beginning to move and they can hear clearly by day 18 to 20.
During this time we focus on noise desensitisation by introducing them to different sounds including music, vacuum cleaners, loud bangs and voices.
Daily 14 Step Handling continues, and added is the cutting of nails and administering wormer.
DAYS 1—3
Puppies are born in our home in our Whelping Room where mum and pups are cared for 24 hours a day for the first few weeks. Pups are born unable to see, hear or regulate their body temperature, so the first few days is a critical time period for the mother to bond with and care for her puppies. During this time we focus on caring for mum keeping her warm, well hydrated, well fed and clean and we limit puppy handling to weighing and ensuring they can find mum and latch/suckle on mum for milk.
DAYS 4—14
Puppies eyes start to open and hearing starts around days 10-14.
During this time we handle pups twice per day with our 14 Step Handling routine that includes 4 Holds and 10 touches. This routine takes only minutes, but is vital to ensure our pups are exposed to the sensation of various types of touch and handling.
4 Holds includes securely holding the pup in 4 positions and 10 touches involves touching all areas of the body including around their neck, in their mouth and between their toes—all to desensitize sensitive areas and make future handling by your vet, groomer and family easier.
DAYS 22—35
Pups are moving freely, exploring and playing with each other and teeth start to appear.
At this time mum and pups are moved into our purpose built Puppy House offering a larger customized space for movement and exploring. This space is temperature and light controlled, and different toys, objects and sounds are provided for play and mental stimulation.
Flooring for the pups is initially limited to vet bed to assist with traction and joint strengthening. Pups interact and play with their litter mates as well as mum learning appropriate social behaviour, appropriate submission and general confidence with other dogs. We begin recall training, calling pups by name before feeding. Daily handling now also includes basic grooming including brushing and wiping faces.
DAYS 36 TO 42
With all their senses now fully developed pups are in full learning mode. We extend their play area at this time with a combination of vet bed and paper flooring to help strengthen legs and improve coordination. We also open access to their outdoor puppy area connected via a doggie door— this is where toilet training begins.
Mum is now able to take some rest away from her pups although she still is incredibly important in shaping positive interactions and help grow their confidence with new experiences.
Daily handling is focussed on calm and stable movements with varying pressure to further develop their confidence in being handled. At the end of this period pups will have their first bath and hygiene groom with clippers and scissors and experience their first car ride and vet visit.
DAYS 43 TO 56
Pups are growing physically stronger and more coordinated and litter mate playtime turns to rough and tumble as they grow in confidence.
At this time we move pups to a large 1 acre grassed area for daytime exploring. We provide new items daily for play and stimulation and they can interact safely with adult dogs, horses and multiple people. These periods of socialization are kept short and sweet so as to remain positive and confidence building.
During this time we introduce collar and lead training, reinforce recall training and begin crate training. Daily handling continues with a focus on submission to being held on their backs, putting fingers in their mouths, and rubbing feet and between toes — all to make future grooming, worming and handling stress free for the pup and their family.
DAYS 22—35
Pups are moving freely, exploring and playing with each other and teeth start to appear.
At this time mum and pups are moved into our purpose built Puppy House offering a larger customized space for movement and exploring. This space is temperature and light controlled, and different toys, objects and sounds are provided for play and mental stimulation.
Flooring for the pups is initially limited to vet bed to assist with traction and joint strengthening. Pups interact and play with their litter mates as well as mum learning appropriate social behaviour, appropriate submission and general confidence with other dogs. We begin recall training, calling pups by name before feeding. Daily handling now also includes basic grooming including brushing and wiping faces.
DAYS 36 TO 42
With all their senses now fully developed pups are in full learning mode. We extend their play area at this time with a combination of vet bed and paper flooring to help strengthen legs and improve coordination. We also open access to their outdoor puppy area connected via a doggie door— this is where toilet training begins.
Mum is now able to take some rest away from her pups although she still is incredibly important in shaping positive interactions and help grow their confidence with new experiences.
Daily handling is focussed on calm and stable movements with varying pressure to further develop their confidence in being handled. At the end of this period pups will have their first bath and hygiene groom with clippers and scissors and experience their first car ride and vet visit.
DAYS 43 TO 56
Pups are growing physically stronger and more coordinated and litter mate playtime turns to rough and tumble as they grow in confidence.
At this time we move pups to a large 1 acre grassed area for daytime exploring. We provide new items daily for play and stimulation and they can interact safely with adult dogs, horses and multiple people. These periods of socialization are kept short and sweet so as to remain positive and confidence building.
During this time we introduce collar and lead training, reinforce recall training and begin crate training. Daily handling continues with a focus on submission to being held on their backs, putting fingers in their mouths, and rubbing feet and between toes — all to make future grooming, worming and handling stress free for the pup and their family.
DAYS 15—21
Pups are beginning to move and they can hear clearly by day 18 to 20.
During this time we focus on noise desensitisation by introducing them to different sounds including music, vacuum cleaners, loud bangs and voices.
Daily 14 Step Handling continues, and added is the cutting of nails and administering wormer.
DAYS 22—35
Pups are moving freely, exploring and playing with each other and teeth start to appear.
At this time mum and pups are moved into our purpose built Puppy House offering a larger customized space for movement and exploring. This space is temperature and light controlled, and different toys, objects and sounds are provided for play and mental stimulation.
Flooring for the pups is initially limited to vet bed to assist with traction and joint strengthening. Pups interact and play with their litter mates as well as mum learning appropriate social behaviour, appropriate submission and general confidence with other dogs. We begin recall training, calling pups by name before feeding. Daily handling now also includes basic grooming including brushing and wiping faces.
DAYS 36 TO 42
With all their senses now fully developed pips are in full learning mode. We extend their play area at this time with a combination of vet bed and paper flooring to help strengthen legs and improve coordination. We also open access to their outdoor puppy area connected via a doggie door— this is where toilet training begins.
Mum is now able to take some rest away from her pups although she still is incredibly important in shaping positive interactions and help grow their confidence with new experiences.
Daily handling is focussed on calm and stable movements with varying pressure to further develop their confidence in being handled. At the end of this period pups will have their first bath and hygiene groom with clippers and scissors and experience their first car ride and vet visit.
DAYS 43 TO 56
Pups are growing physically stronger and more coordinated and litter mate playtime turns to rough and tumble as they grow in confidence.
At this time we move pups to a large 1 acre grassed area for daytime exploring. We provide new items daily for play and stimulation and they can interact safely with adult dogs, horses and multiple people. These periods of socialization are kept short and sweet so as to remain positive and confidence building.
During this time we introduce collar and lead training, reinforce recall training and begin crate training. Daily handling continues with a focus on submission to being held on their backs, putting fingers in their mouths, and rubbing feet and between toes — all to make future grooming, worming and handling stress free for the pup and their family.
