Submitted by: Shannon MacBeth, Shakespeare's Legacy Labradors
facebook.com/orangestonelabradors
"Empowering puppies to be all they can be with and for their forever families."
facebook.com/orangestonelabradors
"Empowering puppies to be all they can be with and for their forever families."
Dogs don’t fail. They perform as trained. Dogs “fail” when we ask them to perform that of which we don’t adequately prepare them for. ~ Steve White
Did you know you can start preparing puppies for success on day three of life? When I decided to start breeding Labradors, I wanted to make sure I was doing it properly. I did a lot of research, took many courses on breeding, genetics, temperament evaluation testing and scoring as well as training. I finally fell on a curriculum that made sense. Parts of the program were first developed by the Military for service dogs and then that theory was developed further by a breeder in Nevada as a starter for service, therapy and facility dogs as well as developing very loving, calm, and confident dogs for pet homes (not any less important than working dogs).
Did you know you can start preparing puppies for success on day three of life? When I decided to start breeding Labradors, I wanted to make sure I was doing it properly. I did a lot of research, took many courses on breeding, genetics, temperament evaluation testing and scoring as well as training. I finally fell on a curriculum that made sense. Parts of the program were first developed by the Military for service dogs and then that theory was developed further by a breeder in Nevada as a starter for service, therapy and facility dogs as well as developing very loving, calm, and confident dogs for pet homes (not any less important than working dogs).
So yes, we start this curriculum on day three of life. This curriculum starts with two strategies: Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI). Let me explain what these entail and why they are important. The ENS actions place very minor stresses on the puppy, but at no time does the stress level rise to the point of the puppy being uncomfortable or causing a negative reaction. The entire exercise lasts approximately thirty seconds. The benefits, however, will last a lifetime:
- Boosts brain development – stimulates the puppy’s neurological system and enhances their cognitive function and learning abilities.
- Improves circulation and immune system – can lead to better cardiovascular health and a stronger immune system.
- Enhances stress responses – early exposure to mild, controlled stressors can help develop better coping mechanisms for future stressful situations.
- Improved disease resistance – may contribute to overall health and greater resistance to disease.
The ESI actions involve offering the puppies a new scent every day between day 3 and 16. These scents cannot be chemical, medical, or protein related. Some items we’ve used in the past are banana, birch oil, peppermint, spruce, citrus, mud, etc. The premise is to use scents they will experience later in life. Each puppy will create an association with each scent. Even if they turn their heads in a “no, thank you” motion, the association is still positive as there was no stress when they were introduced to that scent.
The benefits of performing these actions are tenfold:
While these first 16 days are especially important in the early development of each puppy, a lot of changes are being observed in each puppy. Their eyes are most likely open by now and while they are still unable to see clearly at this point, they are able to see the difference between light and darkness, some movements. Their ears are in the beginning stages of being able to hear sounds as their hearing is starting to develop as well. They are now moving away from crawling and up on all four paws in a wobbly little stagger as they move around more and more. They stumble over each other and don’t seem to have any balance at all but quickly become stable and confident in their ability to get where they're going.
- Enhances scent awareness and confidence - introduces puppies to a variety of natural scents and helps the development of a powerful sense of smell and the confidence to use it
- Increases scent ability – studies have indicated that ESI can significantly increase a dog’s scent detection abilities later in life.
While these first 16 days are especially important in the early development of each puppy, a lot of changes are being observed in each puppy. Their eyes are most likely open by now and while they are still unable to see clearly at this point, they are able to see the difference between light and darkness, some movements. Their ears are in the beginning stages of being able to hear sounds as their hearing is starting to develop as well. They are now moving away from crawling and up on all four paws in a wobbly little stagger as they move around more and more. They stumble over each other and don’t seem to have any balance at all but quickly become stable and confident in their ability to get where they're going.
Next begins my favourite part of raising puppies. We start their socialization stage. Now most people think socialization means meeting other dogs and some will include people. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Socialization means an introduction to the world. To the sights, sounds, smells, experiences, unpredictability, and challenges they could one day face. Every day they experience something new. We start with noise exposure using videos of everything from a thunderstorm to gunshots, from sirens to crying or yelling children. Every day we add a new item to their puppy area for them to explore. Some will do nothing other than exist in their space, while others are interactive on their own or when puppies interact with them. The premise is to help them experience, examine and interact with each item in a safe and controlled setting helping them discover their own confidence and bravery.
In the final weeks with us, the puppies are introduced to experiences outside of our home, with new people, environments, and experiences. We will go for drives in the car, visit children, teenagers, adults, and seniors at various locations. During our drives we travel with windows open to let them experience the smells of farms, the city, a river, and anything else that floats by in the breeze.
All these activities and experiences lead to their individual temperament evaluations. We take each puppy, building on the experiences they have had and put them through a series of small tests. Each of these tests are carefully created to test certain aspects of their temperament. Are they confident and brave or timid and shy? Are they motivated to work and follow the tester? Do they have a prey drive or are they more interested in the tester? Are they soft hearted or indifferent to human emotions? The answers to all these questions will help their new families determine which puppy is best suited for them, their family dynamic and lifestyle. With our program, puppies are only chosen after these questions are answered as we want to ensure each family gets their wish list filled, but also, we want each puppy to have a voice as well. This testing results in the best of both these worlds. For example, while each family will make the final decision, we also want to present them with all the information for each puppy, so they make an informed decision. We would hope if they had a house full of small children, they would not opt for a puppy with a high prey drive. Just like we would hope a regularly active family who loves to camp, and hike would choose a puppy that is confident and highly motivated rather than one that is more timid and unsure of their own abilities. By making choices based on this information, the result is a perfect match and a lifelong forever family.
This is also the time where we determine if the puppies are destined for working roles, whether it be as a therapy dog for someone with PTSD, or a scent detection dog for someone with diabetes or another health condition or perhaps a facility dog for a school or high stress working environment. One of our puppies from our last litter tested extremely high for therapy work and is living with a family who fosters children who have come from incredibly sad situations. She knows her role and is exceptionally good at being gentle and calm with each child that walks through their door, and she is just 6 months old. In our current litter, we will be selecting a puppy who will be travelling to Saskatchewan to work as a PTSD dog for a police officer.
Once we’ve completed the evaluations and share with our families, the choosing begins, and the excitement grows exponentially. Within days, our puppies will be leaving for their new lives full of adventure, even more new experiences, and a lifetime of love. Yes, this is bittersweet for me but seeing the joy each puppy brings makes it all worthwhile. I’m confident I’ve done all I can to help them discover their own abilities, confidence in themselves and of course their amazingly soft and cuddly side.
Once we’ve completed the evaluations and share with our families, the choosing begins, and the excitement grows exponentially. Within days, our puppies will be leaving for their new lives full of adventure, even more new experiences, and a lifetime of love. Yes, this is bittersweet for me but seeing the joy each puppy brings makes it all worthwhile. I’m confident I’ve done all I can to help them discover their own abilities, confidence in themselves and of course their amazingly soft and cuddly side.
I was recently asked why I do this? Why the sleepless nights? Why the constant cleaning (are you able to imagine the mess nine puppies can make)? Why the curriculum and effort taken for each one? My answer is always going to be because of the results. The love of a dog that is created and raised with their forever family in mind. The chance for someone to have a dog as amazing as our Shakespeare who ignited this passion for dogs, breeding, and training in me. To see the joy each family has when receiving one of the best gifts they will ever receive, the unconditional love of a dog. This is why I’ve taken the courses, done the research, completed the health testing, determined the best pairings, and finally put in the effort, love, and experiences with each and every puppy that I’m blessed to raise.
Next month we will be looking at what comes next. Where do you start once you have your new puppy or dog home? What training should you be doing at first? Would you believe it’s not Sit, Stay or Shake a Paw? I look forward to sharing some training pitfalls and how to transition to building the best and strongest relationship with your new best friend.
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