Raising PuppiesHow a puppy is raised during its first weeks of life matters!
That’s why we are intentional about how we raise our puppies! We see it as our responsibility as breeders to give them the best possible outcome. How a puppy is raised plays a huge role in developing their behavior and attitude towards experiences later in life. If we expose them at the correct time, in the correct way, we can achieve more positive results. Which means a happier, easier life for dog and family!
WEEKS 3 THROUGH 12 OF A PUPPY’S LIFE IS SCIENTIFICALLY DEFINED AS THE CRITICAL SOCIALIZATION PERIOD
At this age, a puppy’s brain is like a sponge. We can help form and shape behaviors with great ease because their brain is so malleable. A small amount of effort produces great results! Learning and accepting new things can be accomplished with as little as one exposure during this period. As they age, the results-to-effort ratio changes. Achieving the same results later in life can take months. In some cases, when certain exposures do not happen early, the puppy may deal with issues that can never be resolved. A good example of this is a puppy that was never exposed to a car ride. That same puppy becomes a dog that continues to shake and drool when taking a routine trip to the vet regardless of how much counterconditioning was practiced.
Exposures to people, objects and experiences are very important during the socialization window. However, it’s not complete without skills that help build emotional intelligence! The most critical elements of an enriched environment is learning and problem solving. During these crucial eight weeks we strive to complete all steps necessary to build health, confidence, balance, and resilience in our puppies!