Puppy Culture Program

The cornerstone of our puppy program comes from a specially designed step by step program called "Puppy Culture".  It is a puppy raising protocol that better prepares the puppies for what they will experience in their new homes and in the world outside of the house.  Below is a very brief outline of the program..

Our Puppy Enrichment Program st​arts well before the puppies are even conceived.  We ensure that the mother is healthy, happy and lives in a loving, stress-free environment.  Our dogs are part of our family and live with us in our home.  They same can be said for our partner families.  While their dogs are part of our program, they are still beloved family pets.

Weeks 1 and 2

This is quiet time for the mother and the puppies.  No visitors are allowed during this period. We have a spare bedroom in our home that we convert to a whelping room.  This gives the mother and puppies time to bond and it also keeps the puppies and mom in a quiet stress free environment.  (see picture below).  We handle the puppies daily, weigh each puppy morning and night to ensure they are thriving.  We start on day three to incorporate the "Bio Sensor Program and our "Scent of the Day" Program.

We use the "Bio Sensor" Program and this begins on the third day of life and lasts until the sixteenth day.  Designed by the U.S. Military for neurological stimulation, this program has proven to have lasting important effects on the pups and involves five(5) specific excercises.  Here is an article to explain the benefits:   https://breedingbetterdogs.com/article/early-neurological-stimulation 

We also incorporate the  "Scent of the Day" with the pups while their eyes and ears are closed. This lasts for approximately 10 to 16 days.  They are exposed to scents such as grass, hay, dirt, bark, leather, tennis balls, metal, fruit,  plastic, rubber and anything else we can find.  Here is an article to explain the benefits:  

https://nosework.huntersheart.com/2018/06/16/building-the-brains-of-scent-detection-puppies/  

Towards the end of week 2 we start to introduce potty training to the puppies  (see photo below)
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Week 3

​This week the puppies eyes/ears start to open and they begin their first week of socialization.  During this time period we move the puppies to an area in the center of our home so they can start to get accustomed to the daily sounds of a family  (see photo below).  The startle/recover proticol will be started and continued though this week.  We will introduce different objects/toys for the pups to explore and continue to interact and handle them daily.   Weather permitting the pups will get their first experience outdoors. 

Week 4

This week we introduce all different types of toys for the pups to play with.  This helps develop strength, coordination, agility and sharing.  This is extremely important to the pups so they develop problem solving skills and will be able to better understand how to handle some frustrations in life.  During this week we also spend time with each pup individually away from mom and the other puppies.  This helps with separation problems and will develop independence and human bonding.  We also start to introduce food to the puppies along with mom's milk.   This is also the week that the families of the sire and dam get to visit the pups.   They will get to see how mom is doing and interact with the puppies.  It is the pups first introduction to new people. 

At 4 weeks we also start to transition the pups from mom to solid food.   This transition is gradual and the pups still see mom for feedings.    We have chosen to start the pups diet with raw food.   There are many benefits to raw as listed below.

A raw diet reflects what our pets’ ancestors ate in the wild for thousands of years. A balanced raw diet will match a pet’s biological needs and allows their digestive tract to perform at its best. Raw diets have grown significantly in the past few years largely due to improving the quality of life for many pets. Some of the benefits of raw diets include: shinier coats, healthier skin, fresher breath/cleaner teeth, improved digestion, reduced allergy symptoms, decreased shedding, increased stamina, and firmer smaller stools. Raw diets offer higher levels of digestive enzymes. 

Weeks 5

This week is where the fun really begins.  Once the pups are very receptive to  food we do the following :  Barrier Challenge and we will also start to load the Clicker.  This will also continue into week 6 and forward.    If possible and weather permits we will take the pups outside for their first look at the big world.

Week 6

The fun continues this week with the Box Game, Manding, Resource Guarding and so much more.    This is when the pups are at their most curious and willing to approach people.  It is also the time that their natural fearfulness starts to be shaped by their environment.   We continue to add more toys and obstacles for the pups to encounter.  We add large balls, moving platforms , slides, toys that move on their own, toys that make noise and anything we can find that will help the pups with their development.

This week is also our  get-together with the new families to meet the pups.   We call it our "Puppy Shindig" as the pups are lively and active at this point and it really is a lot of fun.   We typically have our "Shindig" on Sunday mornings at 10:30 and it goes until the pups fall asleep......and most times longer. 

Week 7

These weeks are a crucial time for the puppies brain development.  During this period we introduce more complex toys that make noise or move on their own.  We also take the pups for car rides and this is the point that we take the pups to the vet for their check up, first shots and microchip. The puppies are now enjoying many hours daily playing outdoors (weather permitting) and exploring different textures. Grass, sand, dirt, gravel, pavement, trees, chipmunks and anything else they find.

Week 8

Time to get ready to join their new family!!  Each pup will get the full spa treatment which includes an always relaxing mani/pedi session.  The pups are accustomed to these as they have already received each over the course of the 8 weeks we have raised them.

Each of our puppies will go to their new homes with: 

* A flash drive of all the pictures taken from birth to 8 weeks
* Raising a Happy Healthy Puppy Manual
* Parents history
* Vet health information
* 5 Generation Pedigree

* Limited Registration papers
* Microchip information
* Puppy contract
* Toys
* A blanket with the house smells

- Laminated 11 x 17 Puppy Culture Exercise Chart 

- Food for a week to transition

* Lifetime support from Forestwood

We are available to answer questions/concerns for each new member of our growing puppy family for the life of your puppy.  We want to know your puppy is going well and we welcome all emails and phone calls regarding your new puppy.  You'll also be granted exclusive membership to our very active Forestwood Mini's - Puppy Families social media page.  A great forum for advice, sharing pictures and seeing how our other pups are thriving with their families.  the more pictures you send/share the happier we are!  We only want the best for each and every puppy and their family. 

** WE DO OUR BEST TO FOLLOW ALL THE PROTOCOLS WITH THE PC PROGRAM**