ALL ABOUT PUPPY CULTURE PROTOCOLS
I believe in Puppy Culture!
Birchview Miniature American Shepherds is proud to offer such an exceptional program to raise our litters! As a conscientious breeder, I strive to provide our puppies with an enriched environment as this has been proven to develop a more confident and easily trained dog. Our goal is to set each puppy up for success. I truly feel that Puppy Culture takes that a step further. For me it was an obvious decision to add this tool to my program to further our puppy’s development and well-being. I understand how important early socialization is and this starts with a committed breeder. As a new puppy owner, you will take home a puppy who is more confident, outgoing and will adjust quickly to new situations. We are one of the very few Miniature American Shepherd breeders who have implemented this program. I encourage you to visit the Puppy Culture website https://www.puppyculture.com to learn more. I have seen these benefits first hand in my previous litters. Obviously, it takes more time to raise a litter using these methods, but as a committed Miniature American Shepherd breeder, I feel it is 100% worth the effort!
What is Puppy Culture?
Puppy Culture represents the gold standard in puppy rearing and early socialization. Puppy Culture is a program used by breeders and puppy owners all over the world to improve the lives of their puppies and to limit behavioral issues. This is done by helping puppies cope with and move past things that would otherwise cause issues as adults. I believe Puppy Culture is a valuable resource for caring and ethical breeders, along with new and old puppy owners. Breeders especially, by using Puppy Culture, can improve the future lives of their puppies and it dramatically makes a difference when comparing a puppy raised by Puppy Culture vs a puppy raised the alternative (non-Puppy Culture) method.
Fewer issues, more brain development, more bonding, more balance and the ability to adjust better are just some of the benefits.
Puppy Culture Activities by Week
3-16 days old
Early Neurological Stimulation Exercises-
I begin ENS on the day following the tail dock/dewclaw removal that is done on Day 2.
Listed in order, I start with one pup and stimulate it using each of the five exercises. I complete the series from beginning to end before starting with the next pup. This specific handling of each pup once per day involves the following exercises:
- Tactical stimulation (between toes)
- Head held erect
- Head pointed down
- Supine position
- Thermal stimulation
1. Tactile stimulation – holding the pup in one hand, I gently stimulate (tickles) the pup between the toes on any one foot using a Q-tip. It is not necessary to see that the pup is feeling the tickle. Time of stimulation 3 – 5 seconds.
2. Head held erect – using both hands, the pup is held perpendicular to the ground, (straight up), so that its head is directly above its tail. This is an upwards position. Time of stimulation 3 – 5 seconds.
3. Head pointed down – holding the pup firmly with both hands the head is reversed and is pointed downward so that it is pointing towards the ground. Time of stimulation 3 – 5 seconds.
4. Supine position – hold the pup so that its back is resting in the palm of both hands with its muzzle facing the ceiling. The pup while on its back is allowed to sleep. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.
5. Thermal stimulation – use a damp towel that has been cooled in a refrigerator for at least five minutes. Place the pup on the towel, feet down. Do not restrain it from moving. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.
These five exercises will produce neurological stimulation, none of which naturally occur during this early period of life. Experience shows that sometimes pups will resist these exercises, others will appear unconcerned. These exercises impact the neurological system by kicking it into action earlier than would be normally expected, the result being an increased capacity that later will help to make the difference in its performance. These neurological exercises are not substitutions for routine handling, play socialization or bonding—that is done as well.
Five benefits have been observed in canines that were exposed to the Bio Sensor stimulation exercises. The benefits noted were:
- Improved cardio vascular performance (heart rate)
- Stronger heart beats
- Stronger adrenal glands
- More tolerance to stress
- Greater resistance to disease
In tests of learning, stimulated pups were found to be more active and were more exploratory than their non- stimulated littermates over which they were dominant in competitive situations. Secondary effects were also noted regarding test performance. In simple problem-solving tests using detours in a maze, the non-stimulated pups became extremely aroused, whined a great deal, and made many errors. Their stimulated littermates were less disturbed or upset by test conditions and when comparisons were made, the stimulated littermates were calmer in the test environment, made fewer errors and gave only an occasional distress sound when stressed.
Week 3
The Enrichment Effect: Puppies receive an expertly enriched environment, the benefits of which will last a lifetime. This continues every week until puppies leave.
- Puppies begin receiving limited visitors as socialization starts.
- Startle Recovery exercises prime puppies for the challenges of a busy life.
- Foundation exercises for the prevention of separation anxiety.
- Litter box is added to start the foundations of potty training, reinforcing the need to keep their home clean and that there is an appropriate place to potty. I use a recycled paper pellet dog litter that is infused with a grass scent to make switching to real grass easier.
Week 4
Puppies are moved into a larger weaning pen, with age-appropriate enrichment.
- Emotional Resiliency Exercises are done, giving the puppies the gift of “bounce back” from life challenges.
- Problem solving games are introduced, these help puppies learn to handle life’s frustrations early.
- Crate training starts! Crates are introduced to the weaning pen (doors removed, and comfy beds are placed inside to encourage puppies to nap in crates.
- Weekly grooming and nail trim continue.
Week 5
- Puppies learn to communicate with us in socially acceptable ways, learning the Communication Trinity, how to solve problems, and finding their voice.
- Clicker training starts and puppies start learning their core skills: Attention, Manding (asking politely), Come.
- Fear starts: At five weeks puppies are for the first time, capable of experiencing true fear. I guide the puppies through their fear period, avoiding any experience that might cause lifelong fear problems, and building more emotional resilience as I go along.
- Crate Training: Puppies are fed in individual crates. Puppies are encouraged to run into their crates.
- Weekly grooming and nail trim continue.
Week 6 The Curiosity Period
- Novel people of all shapes, ages, and sizes are introduced, my focused care ensures the puppies have positive responses during these important “first” meetings, because a scary meeting at this age can cause lifelong fear.
- Puppies get to practice their training in real life settings, they get to Mand (ask politely) for petting (instead of jumping).
- Puppies show off their enrichment seeking abilities and build confidence on novel object challenges.
- Puppies learn to love strange and unusual footing, heights, and noises.
- Session are kept short, puppies have naps and learn to relax when visitors come over, all skills they will need in their new homes.
- Weekly grooming and nail trim continue.
- Crate Training:
- Puppies nap in crate with door open. Puppies eat in crate with door closed.
- Car Training:
- Puppies play in the car, engine off.
Week 7
Problem behavior prevention protocols are started. We teach the puppies to LOVE having someone take their food, food bowl, toys, bones, and other items. This helps prevent resource guarding later.
Puppies are also started on:
- Sit on cue. (manding)
- To come when called.
Crate Training:
- Enter crate when asked.
- Eat in crate with door closed.
- Chew bone in crate with door closed.
- Nap in crate with door closed.
Car Training:
- Early in the week, puppies chew bones in the car with the engine running daily , then we take a short car ride.
- Weekly grooming and nail trim continue.
Week 8, Transitioning to their forever homes
Training continues as does practice.
- Sit, Come, Crate on cue, hand targeting, are all continuing. Puppies continue to practice Manding (asking politely).
- Crate training:
- Enter Crate when asked.
- Eat in crate with door closed.
- Chew bone in crate with door closed.
- Car Training: Puppies will have daily short car rides.
- More work learning to love giving up: food, toys, bowls, and other resource guarding prevention is done.
- Body handling, nail trims, grooming continues.