Puppy Enrichment

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Puppy enrichment is not specific training but simple exposure in a supervised environment prior to 6 weeks of age. We employ methods that encourage socialization through experiences that are kept safe and positive.

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Research concludes that a puppy's personality is 35% dependent upon hereditary factors.  And 65% of their adult personality is shaped by their environment experiences. This leaves an enormous responsibility to breeders.   

 

We are genuinely concerned about our pups and their future success.  We set aside quality time for daily encounters because we understand how much of a puppy's future personality is shaped by seemingly insignificant moments.  This playtime is creative and allows the puppy's personality to develop to its finest. Careful consideration is taken during the first few weeks of life while we are the puppy's sole caregiver.

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By 6 weeks of age the puppy should have experienced the following:

 

1.  Been on different types of surfaces:  wood, carpet, linoleum, etc.

2. Played with different types of objects:  plush toys, chew toys, etc. 

3.  Been in different locations:  front yard, kitchen, living room, etc.

4.  Met and played with new people:  include children and older adults.

 

Desensitization and Conditioning 

 

​Through approximately day 14 a puppy's eyes and ears are closed.  However, during this time the puppies are still experiencing taste, touch, scents and other sensations.  By exposing our pups to different experiences incrementally they become desensitized to these strange new sensations. The goal here is to eliminate fearful behaviors by utilizing controlled early exposure that results in low body sensitivity and positive associations and interactions with people.

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​The most influential time of a puppy's life is between three and six weeks.  Research revels that fear is not present in newborn puppies. It begins to develop slowly around five weeks of age.  By exposing our puppies to new experiences and sensations, we can create a playful, confidence building atmosphere. Introduction to all of this is done below the fear response threshold achieving adaptable, well rounded and confident puppies increasing their future trainability.

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Socialization 

 

In addition to health and development, our puppies are handled gently from their first day of life. Our puppies are accustomed to being examined from the tip of their nose to the tip of their tails daily. Remaining calm during handling and gentle restraint is essential for future handling.

 

It is our priority to give our puppies the opportunity to experience many of the things they will encounter throughout their lives.  We feel that doing so in a safe, controlled environment will assist in building their confidence gradually without creating fear responses.  

 

A puppy that has been gently introduced to potentially stressful situations will learn to react with a calm and trusting demeanor.   

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Cognitive Challenges 

 

We feel it is our responsibility as the breeder to use early intervention to help each pup's brain reach it's full potential. 

 

Every experience a puppy has will stimulate neural development. This results in brain development. As the brain develops, so does the ability to learn which stimulates more neural development.  By managing their environment we can influence the final form and structure of his brain. 

 

​Early Neurological Stimulation 

 

This technique is applied to each of our pups from 3-16 days of age.  Research shows that newborn pups are sensitive to thermal and tactile stimulation.  We use 4 gentle exercises once daily with each pup. 

 

Studies confirm that neurological stimulation has optimal results  during the 3-16 days of life.  This is the time of rapid neurological growth and development and is of utmost importance in producing lasting effects.

 

The benefits that have been observed in dogs that were exposed to Early Neurological Stimulation are; improved heart rate, stronger heart beats, stronger adrenal glands, greater stress tolerance and greater resistance to disease. Stimulated pups have proven to be more exploratory and dominant in competitive situations than their non-stimulated littermates.

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Early Neurological Stimulation is performed in addition to daily handling and imprinting of our puppies.