Future Proof Puppies

How do we raise our puppies to excel?

We want our puppies and their owners to have long, happy, healthy and successful futures together. As such, we aim to provide our puppies with the best start in life and to future proof them at the beginning our their journey.


The Basics


Rearing Overview

The Prenatal Stage

1 week before due date


Whelping Box

Set up the whelping pen to provide a calm stress-free environment.

Touch The Puppies

Puppies are able to respond to the touch of mom’s belly being rubbed late in pregnancy.

Lots of Attention

Studies show that the physical and emotional health of the mother will affect the health of her puppies.
Loving on a pregnant mom results in puppies that are more docile and enjoy being touched as adults.

The Neonatal Stage

Until 2 weeks old


Senses

Puppies are only able to smell, feel touch and warmth. Their eyes are closed, and they cannot hear. Puppies experience soft whelping collars and different surfaces to lay on.

Weighing

We weigh twice daily to make sure that they are growing and supplemented if necessary. 

ENS

Generally we start Early Neurological Training (ENS) from days 3-16.  Puppies undergo a period of rapid neurological growth and development during this time and studies show that puppies that undergo ENS have an improved heart rate, are more tolerant to stress, have a greater resistance to disease, and are more successful in competitive situations. 

ESI

Early scent Introductions (ESI) begin at this time. We expose each puppy to one novel scent each day, stimulating the development of the nose and scenting abilities.

The Transitional Stage

2-3 weeks old


Eyes Opening

To aid their eyesight we have low level LEDs positioned around the rim of the whelping box that we can set various slow flash patterns for, as well as light up toys.

Starting to Hear

We introduce a variety of sounds during this period, from everyday household sounds, to recorded gunfire.

Starting to Move

Puppies experience a new surface daily to crawl across, from foil to wood, fleece to rubber.

The Socialization Period

Around 4 weeks


Life Skills

During this time we give puppies the skills that they will need to live in a human world by focusing on teaching our puppies communication, emotional stability, habituation, enrichment, lifeskills and love.

Some of the Skills we Build Now Include
  • New experiences multiple times a week
  • Problem solving
  • Startle & recovery
  • Basic manners
  • Introduction to water
  • Introduction to water
  • Basics of leash walking
  • Balance and a sense of proprioception


Experiences Our Puppies Encounter

Animals and People

Exposure to our dog-savvy cats, livestock and a range of people of all ages

Cats

Livestock

Children

Sensory Items

From new daily smells, to surfaces and sounds

Smells

Surfaces

Sounds

Tactile Items

Daily new toys, obstacle courses and enrichment puzzles

Objects

Obstacles

Puzzles

Environments

Various rooms, in the house, the safety of the garden and puppy buggy in town

Inside

Outside

Town

Basic Training

We aim for puppies to leave with basic skills mastered

Litter Training

Crate Training

Manding /Clicker Work

Life Skills

Grooming, travel, eating a variety of foods

Bath/Brush/Nails

Travel

Food / Treats

Foundations

Foundations for pet and sporting dogs

Recall

Toy/Food Swap

Toy Play


Assessments

We have 4 elements to our puppy assessment, that enable us to help match the best puppy to the best home.

Aptitude

Aptitude testing is a snapshot of where the puppy is at that time in their training, and where their temperament lies.

Structure

We evaluate the structure of every puppy to determine if they are show prospects, sport prospects or family companions.

Toy Drive

We evaluate the toy drive for each puppy, as well as their treat value.

Instinct

Our puppies have their herding instinct assessed with our runner ducks.