Producing Perfection
Obviously there is no thing as a “perfect” puppy but we can produce the absolute best quality cockapoos so that when you take your puppy home the odds are that she’ll be perfect for you.
So much goes into producing high quality dogs. It has been shown that about 35% of a dog’s temperament and ability to perform certain tasks, etc. are based on genetics. The other 65% is all coming from nutrition, training and management. We can use this science to our advantage to develop the very best and balanced program possible.
So much goes into producing high quality dogs. It has been shown that about 35% of a dog’s temperament and ability to perform certain tasks, etc. are based on genetics. The other 65% is all coming from nutrition, training and management. We can use this science to our advantage to develop the very best and balanced program possible.
Genetics
We start by conquering that first 35% by producing the finest puppies genetically. We do this by selecting our parent dogs based on temperament and other non-superficial and valuable traits while having a solid understanding of genetics so that our efforts actually produce quality. We balance health in there as well because an unhealthy dog can become a fearful or aggressive dog.
But what do we do to work with that big 65% chunk? We provide an immense amount of optimal nutrition, training and management for the first 49 days of life. After that the very critical following two months are up to you, the new owners. By the time you bring your baby home I hope to have provided enough resources that all of you will be very ready to continue laying the foundation for a most excellent companion. So you could say that apart from genetics, nutrition, training and management I also strive to provide the education needed for new homes to continue the work on the foundation I have worked hard to solidly lay.
But what do we do to work with that big 65% chunk? We provide an immense amount of optimal nutrition, training and management for the first 49 days of life. After that the very critical following two months are up to you, the new owners. By the time you bring your baby home I hope to have provided enough resources that all of you will be very ready to continue laying the foundation for a most excellent companion. So you could say that apart from genetics, nutrition, training and management I also strive to provide the education needed for new homes to continue the work on the foundation I have worked hard to solidly lay.
Nutrition
We provide outstanding nutrition starting from before the puppies are even conceived. We ensure all our dogs are in perfect condition and are eating a well-balanced and species appropriate diet full of fresh, real foods.
We wean our puppies onto very high quality puppy food (to make feeding easy for the new homes since puppies weaned to real-food really object to switching to dog food at their new owners homes). We incorporate real, fresh foods into their weaning mix to ensure they have everything they need to continue to grow healthy bodies and brains and nervous systems.
We wean our puppies onto very high quality puppy food (to make feeding easy for the new homes since puppies weaned to real-food really object to switching to dog food at their new owners homes). We incorporate real, fresh foods into their weaning mix to ensure they have everything they need to continue to grow healthy bodies and brains and nervous systems.
Puppy Development
Neonatal Period: Days 1-16
Puppy neonates cannot see or hear. They use their sense of smell and touch to navigate their world. They also cannot walk. They very slowly crawl around and cannot go very far. Neonates sleep about 90% of the time and cannot urinate or defecate on their own.
Early neurological stimulation as a part of puppy rearing has been shown in countless studies to have very real and measurable benefits in puppies. There are five most direct benefits seen clearly in dogs exposed to these stimulation exercises.
As you can see these stimulation exercises improve the overall health and immune system of the puppy and not just the temperament and mental adjustment of the puppy.
In tests regarding the specific ability to learn the findings were that stimulated puppies were more confident, curious and exploratory than their non-stimulated littermates. The stimulated puppies excelled in competitive situations with their non-stimulated littermates. They learned faster and with greater ease and were less hesitant overall.
Other effects noted regard “test performance”. In tests involving problem solving like detours in a maze the non-stimulated puppies became anxious, whimpered a significant amount and made many errors. Conversely the stimulated littermates were calmer in the test environment, made fewer errors and gave infrequent whimpers of distress.
Read the post on our Newborn Neurological Stimulation program to see how we apply these studies here with your puppy.
- improved cardiovascular health (heart rate)
- stronger heart beats
- improved adrenal system health
- higher tolerance of stressful situations throughout life
- greater resistance to disease throughout life.
As you can see these stimulation exercises improve the overall health and immune system of the puppy and not just the temperament and mental adjustment of the puppy.
In tests regarding the specific ability to learn the findings were that stimulated puppies were more confident, curious and exploratory than their non-stimulated littermates. The stimulated puppies excelled in competitive situations with their non-stimulated littermates. They learned faster and with greater ease and were less hesitant overall.
Other effects noted regard “test performance”. In tests involving problem solving like detours in a maze the non-stimulated puppies became anxious, whimpered a significant amount and made many errors. Conversely the stimulated littermates were calmer in the test environment, made fewer errors and gave infrequent whimpers of distress.
Read the post on our Newborn Neurological Stimulation program to see how we apply these studies here with your puppy.
Transitional Period: Weeks 2-4
Puppies eyes and ears open and they begin to learn to walk. Soon they begin making new vocalizations and they start wagging their little tails and playing with one another. This is a very important period in puppy growth. Their senses are still blurry and developing but they are beginning to really explore their world for the first time. First impressions will have a real, lasting effect.
We enrich their environment significantly during this period. This is the time to explore most of their senses: sight, touch, smell and hearing. We want the puppies to explore all different textures and surfaces, temperatures, moisture levels, and more. We want them to feel and see lots of different things to broaden their puppy horizons and give them the idea that new is great and that the world is varies greatly, has many, many things to explore and learn about, and most importantly that change and a little stress is normal and positive.
Some things I use during this period include scent-sory jars to stimulate their very keen sense of smell, my sensory board for learning to walk, our Puppy University and the adventure box for learning to play and an introduction to many toys and fun objects.
I also use this period to play various sounds via cd for the babies. They have their sense of hearing so we're going to use it! Sounds like the ocean, fireworks, thunder storms, city traffic, construction work and so forth are played while the puppies nurse from Mama in a safe, warm and happy environment. I use a collection of high quality sound effects that includes well over 100 sounds that your dog may encounter in his/her lifetime.
Please click the links above for pictures of these enrichment activities and more information.
We enrich their environment significantly during this period. This is the time to explore most of their senses: sight, touch, smell and hearing. We want the puppies to explore all different textures and surfaces, temperatures, moisture levels, and more. We want them to feel and see lots of different things to broaden their puppy horizons and give them the idea that new is great and that the world is varies greatly, has many, many things to explore and learn about, and most importantly that change and a little stress is normal and positive.
Some things I use during this period include scent-sory jars to stimulate their very keen sense of smell, my sensory board for learning to walk, our Puppy University and the adventure box for learning to play and an introduction to many toys and fun objects.
I also use this period to play various sounds via cd for the babies. They have their sense of hearing so we're going to use it! Sounds like the ocean, fireworks, thunder storms, city traffic, construction work and so forth are played while the puppies nurse from Mama in a safe, warm and happy environment. I use a collection of high quality sound effects that includes well over 100 sounds that your dog may encounter in his/her lifetime.
Please click the links above for pictures of these enrichment activities and more information.
Socialization Period: Weeks 4-12
(coming soon)
Early Puppy Training
Prior to training we're providing lots of opportunities for the puppies to learn, we're enriching the puppies' environment, encouraging individual mental and physical growth and helping our baby dogs to be the best dogs they can be. Training is about shaping the natural behaviors of our dogs to suit our human lives and for fun, games, activity and so forth.
Training begins as soon as the puppies can see, hear, walk and respond critically to external stimuli (not just reflexively or instinctually). Most training comes when the puppies begin to wean. They can learn “puppies come here” to receive their food. They also begin to learn to eliminate outside or on puppy pee-pads. They begin to learn to sit for treats and pets as well. Puppies learn to ride in a car and sleep in a crate independently.
Most importantly we establish a good foundation for future training. We teach our puppies to earn positive rewards from people by doing simple things they are already inclined to do. We help the puppies "connect the dots" between earning something great and the action that was done which earned that great something. The training "light bulb" goes off in their little heads and they go home ready and eager to learn from their people and earn their meals.
Most importantly we establish a good foundation for future training. We teach our puppies to earn positive rewards from people by doing simple things they are already inclined to do. We help the puppies "connect the dots" between earning something great and the action that was done which earned that great something. The training "light bulb" goes off in their little heads and they go home ready and eager to learn from their people and earn their meals.