Our Perfect Puppy Program

Our Perfect Puppy Program

Just the right STRESS and STRUGGLE.. just the right amount, at just the right TIME

In short, we follow puppy culture protocol. If you are not familiar with puppy culture it is a complete training program for puppies. There are over 50 lessons that start from the day they are whelped and prepare them for a confident successful life. It is scientifically proven to improve outcomes for puppies! Some of the highlights are; early neurological stimulation adopted from Breeding Better Dogs, manning, socialization, aggression prevention, over coming fears, problem solving, potty directing, potty training, crate training, leash walking. The key is adding just the right amount, of just the right stress, at just the right time. Did you know that exposing a puppy to loud, big, scary foreign objects, like the vacuum cleaner or hair clippers at 3-4 weeks can help them be comfortable with these objects as older dogs; whereas introducing them to the same objects at 5-6 weeks can have the opposite effect and cause them to always be weary of those same objects.
 
Puppy culture is to be universally related to all puppies, however, there are some very important training exercises specific to poodles, like groom training that are not included in the puppy culture protocol. We are labeling this modified puppy culture program, as our Perfect Puppy Program. Our goal is to have meaningful interactions with each puppy, each day. Exposing them to over 100 new sights, and sounds, smells, textures… any thing that will help them become more confident, healthy, happy puppies. Listed below are some of important events for each puppy.
 
Day 1- Whelping day!
 
Day 3-5 puppies are taken to the vet, weighted, and health checked by the vet. At this time their dewclaws will be removed and their tails docked to a long show length. (I personally feel that tails are important to the dog or they wouldn’t have them. However, tail docking is part of the breed standard for Standard Poodles. We instruct the vet to measure each dog’s tail carefully and mark two-thirds of the tail’s length and three-fourths of the tail’s length and cut in the middle of those. The goal is to have the length of the tail reach the same high as the top of the dogs head as an adult. Our vet then pulls the skin over the new end of the tail and puts a stitch or two. Puppies recover very quickly.) We aim to have this visit done as soon as possible as to not interfere with ENS 
 
 
 
Days 3-14: Early neurological stimulation
 
  1. Tactical stimulation (between toes)
  2. Head held erect
  3. Head pointed down
  4. Supine position
  5. Thermal stimulation
Day 14: Puppies are dewormed  for the first time with Pyrantel Pamoate (Safeguard give after 4 weeks). This process is repeated every two weeks until puppy goes to their new home. Day 14-21 is pretty chill, the puppies mostly sleep and eat. Puppies handled for short periods of time daily. Sleeping den is kept clean and dry. 
 
Day 18-21: Eyes are open, and puppies startle when they hear sound.
 
Day 18: Puppies are started on liquid whole milk in addition to nursing.
 
Day 21: Puppies introduced to purée meats with their whole milk, while continuing to nurse.
 
Day 21-24 (week 3): The puppies will have their first vaccine, a nasal vaccine called Nobivac® Intra-Trac®3  prevents Canine Adenovirus Type 2 and Parainfluenza.
 
Day 21-35: Starting day twenty-one, each puppies’ nails are trimmed weekly. They are exposed to new sights sounds, toys, tarps, blenders… pretty much everything! Each puppy is taken out by themselves for short periods of time. Now is the perfect time to expose them to neighbors, family and friends. We hold puppy parties! 
 
Day 24: Puppies are now introduced to the wood pellet liter box.
 
Day 28 (4 weeks): Nobivac  puppy vaccination, and microchipped and deworming.
 
Days 28-35: New home is set up, a larger area to have more room to play. They are given a series of challenges to over come. First being to get from their large playroom to the outside. Stating at 4 weeks we transition the puppies to going to the bathroom out side during the day. We set up obstacle courses to their food to introduce problem salving and over coming frustration. Puppies start spending time with the other animals in the home. We introduce the puppy clicker. We start manning exercises. Focusing on 2-6 min power training sessions with each puppy, each day.
 
Day 30-35: First grooming, clean feet, face and potty path, introduction to water.
 
Day 35-42: Dial back on new sights and sounds. This is the start of the fear response stage. We introduce more challenging exercises and increased our focus on their feeding schedule and potty training. 
 
Day 42: (6 weeks) Nobivac trac 3 vaccination,  safeguard deworming, FULL physical examination by certified Veterinarian. 
 
Day 42-49: Is HUGE!
  1. Each puppy is given the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test by outside personal. this test is best done at 7 weeks, but needs to be done before Puppy Picks Puppies.
  2. Assign puppies to those that are on the waiting list.
  3. Start leash and crate training. 
 Day 49 (7 weeks): Nobivac puppy vaccination
 
Day 49-56: Start to introduce simple command such as come, sit, and shake, continue leash, crate, and potty training.

In short, we follow puppy culture protocol. If you are not familiar with puppy culture it is a complete training program for puppies. There are over 50 lessons that start from the day they are whelped and prepare them for a confident successful life. It is scientifically proven to greatly improve outcomes for puppies! Some of the highlights are; early neurological stimulation adopted from Breeding Better Dogs, manning, socialization, aggression prevention, over coming fears, problem solving, potty directing, potty training, crate training, leash walking. The key is adding just the right amount, of just the right stress, at just the right time.  Did you know that exposing a puppy to loud, big, scary foreign objects, like the vacuum cleaner or hair clippers at 3-4 weeks can help them be comfortable with these objects as older dogs; whereas introducing them to the same objects at 5-6 weeks can have the opposite effect and cause them to always be weary of those same objects. 

Puppy culture is designed to be universally related to all puppies, however, there are some very important training exercises specific to poodles, like groom training that are not included in the puppy culture protocol. We are labeling this modified puppy culture program, as our Perfect Puppy Program. Our goal is to have meaningful interactions with each puppy, each day. Exposing them to over 100 new sights, and sounds, smells, textures… any thing that will help them become more confident, healthy, happy puppies. Listed below are some of important events for each puppy. 

Day 1- Whelping day!

Day 3-5 puppies are taken to the vet, officially weighted, and health checked by the vet. At this time their dewclaws are removed and their tails are docked to a long show length. (I personally feel that tails are important to the dog or they wouldn’t have them. However, tail docking is part of the breed standard for Standard Poodles. We instruct the vet to measure each dog’s tail carefully and mark two-thirds of the tail’s length and three-fourths of the tail’s length and cut in the middle of those. The goal is to have the length of the tail reach the same high as the top of the dogs head as an adult. Our vet then pulls the skin over the new end of the tail and puts a stitch or two. Puppies recover very quickly.) We aim to have this visit done as soon as possible as to not interfere with ENS (https://breedingbetterdogs.com/article/early-neurological-stimulation). 

     

Days 3-17: Early neurological stimulation 

  1. Tactical stimulation (between toes)
  2. Head held erect
  3. Head pointed down
  4. Supine position
  5. Thermal stimulation

Day 14: Puppies are dewormed and provided safeguard once a day for 5 days. Additionally, the puppies receive pyrantel pamoate once a day for 3 days. This process in repeated every two weeks until puppy goes to their new home. 

Day 18-21: Eyes are open, and puppies startle when they hear sound.

Day 18: Puppies are started on liquid whole milk in addition to nursing. 

Day 21: Puppies are introduced to purée meats with their whole milk, while continuing to nurse. 

Day 21-24 (week 3): The puppies are given their first vaccine, a nasal vaccine called Nobivac® Intra-Trac®3 (https://www.revivalanimal.com/product/nobivac-intra-trac3/all-dog-and-cat-supplies) prevents Canine Adenovirus Type 2 and Parainfluenza. 

Day 21-28: Starting day twenty-one, each puppies’ nails are trimmed weekly. They are exposed to new sights sounds, toys, tarps, blenders… really everything! Each puppy is taken out individually for short periods of time. 

Day 24: Puppies are introduced to the wood pellet liter box. 

Day 28 (4 weeks):  Nobivac (https://www.revivalanimal.com/product/progard-puppy-dpv/all-pet-supplies-vaccines?a=nonbranded&utm_source=adwords_c&utm_medium=g&utm_term=nobivac%2520puppy%2520dpv&utm_campaign=&gclid=CjwKCAiAob3vBRAUEiwAIbs5TmX-dcEy1ueOCI7-LH6J6m914su8A9YnqTm1EkTL_ZNfKeAG_H6s7hoCl7MQAvD_BwE) puppy vaccination, and microchipped and deworming. 

Days 28-35: New home is set up, a larger area to have more room to play. They are given a series of challenges to over come. First being to get from their large playroom to the outside. Stating at 4 weeks we transition the puppies to going to the bathroom out side during the day.  We set up obstacle courses to their food to introduce problem salving and over coming frustration. Puppies start spending time with the other animals in the home. We introduce the puppy clicker. We start manning (https://coexistcaninecoaching.com/2016/10/24/manding-explained-by-jane-killion-from-puppy-culture/) exercises. Focusing on 2-6 min power training sessions with each puppy, each day. 

Day 30-35: First grooming, clean feet, face and potty path, introduction to water.

Day 35-42: Dial back on new sights and sounds. This is the start of the fear response stage. We introduce more challenging exercises and increased our focus on their feeding schedule and potty training. Start kennel training. 

Day 42: (6 weeks) Nobivac trac 3 vaccination plus deworming. 

Day 42-49: Puppy party, neighbors, friends and family come to meet the puppies and assess each puppy’s temperament. Puppies start leash training. During this period of time we will do picks and assign puppies to those who have placed a deposit. 

Day 49 (7 weeks): Nobivac puppy vaccination 

Day 49-56: Start to introduce simple command such as come, sit, and shake, continue leash, crate, and potty training. 

Before day 56: Puppy will visit the vet and have a well check done.