As we witness the breeding, we document an estimated due date. She becomes the center of our attention. Our dams are fed a quality diet throughout pregnancy, along with special treats as she grows her sweet litter. As the dam approaches the 7th week of pregnancy, her whelping box is prepared and she becomes the spotlight of a camera we have access to 24/7. She is closely monitored over the next 2 weeks until it’s time for delivery. At the beginning of her last week, we start taking a core temperature to watch for a drop that signals labor. While we may be away from time to time when active labor occurs, mostly we are there to help with delivery. Because of Stephanie’s nursing background, she is very comfortable and efficient at performing procedures, such as clamping and cutting umbilical cords, assisting with stuck puppies, clearing puppy lungs, tube feeding, and administering subcutaneous fluids as needed.

The puppies are on the ground and healthy…What happens next?

From day 1, the puppies are handled. We touch their faces, paws, ears, tail, nose, and feet to get them comfortable for a life full of spa days. We perform Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) starting from day 3 and ending on day 16. The Puppy Culture Program ENS allows us to put their bodies through very brief periods of stress to make for a well adjusted puppy. We work on fear response, cues for feeding time, crate training, and overcoming obstacles. They are exposed daily to squealing children, the vacuum cleaner, banging pots and pans, washer and dryer, and many other things that they would experience in a normal household. They have puppy “school” daily once their eyes are open. This means that they are given a curriculum to explore and work through to aid in brain development, problem solving, and confidence. An example of a day at puppy school: placing a tunnel in the pen so they overcome the fear of going into an unknown area. We follow the Badass Breeder method of puppy curriculum. The BAB method focuses on empowering puppies, not enabling, to be the best version of themself. As they grow older, they get to experience outside. Our puppies LOVE outside time. We have a fenced area for the little ones to explore with mom present. When the litter reaches 7 weeks old, they go to the vet for a wellness exam, fecal check, and first vaccines. As the litter approaches 8 weeks, we schedule pick up day for everyone. The joy on our client’s faces is the most rewarding part of our business!

When do I pick my puppy?

Puppies do not start showing individual personalities until they are older. We know that people want to follow “their” puppy, but we do not allow picks until after temperament testing, in the order of the waiting list. While at around 5-6 weeks we can tell you who the “go getter” is and who the more reserved puppies are, we won’t be able to really nail down their traits until isolated during temperament testing after day 49. At this point in time, we can give you an overall picture of the puppies’ temperaments. HOWEVER, we can not guarantee that these personality traits will stay that way. It’s up to you to reinforce desirable behaviors and nip undesirable behaviors in the bud, most importantly by the time the puppy reaches 12 weeks old.