Our Puppy Program
How We Raise Hearty K9s pups in their first 8 weeks of life
We at Hearty K9s believe that dogs are a true gift to humankind. We are committed to actively and purposely socializing each pup to become all that they can be to transform lives and mend hearts.
Pups in the same litter can be very different from each other. We’re mindful of their needs and honour their differing paces of growth and development.
With over 20 years of experience raising Goldendoodles, this program has helped raise many wonderful, well-balanced puppies ready for their new homes. Many Hearty K9s have been trained as service dogs, therapy dogs, and work dogs, and they are wonderful companions for families of all ages and sizes.
Our Puppy Curriculum
a brief daily outline
Birthing and thriving
Once the pups are safely born, I will make regular visual checks to ensure they’re thriving well. During the first two days, I handle the pups very little.
Sometimes, the mamas are glad to show off their pups and are happy for you to see each one in the first couple of days, but many mamas just want to care for their pups, take some rest and prefer not to be disturbed. I believe God gave the dogs an instinct to care for their young, and I like to let them do what comes naturally.
I want to cause as little disruption as possible, especially during the first two days, as their nervous systems are fragile and doing too much when they’re not ready may be detrimental down the road.
Early development
Building trust
All activity with our pups is gentle and non-abrasive to the tender senses of the puppy at this age. The goal is to build trust, and they can be curious and engage as they please. We expose them to different toys and items in their whelping box during this time.
The pups are handled very softly, from mouth to tail. We speak into their little faces to acquaint them with human breath (good and not good). We hold them close to our hearts and by our faces and settle into the warmth of building a connection based on trust and respect (which is one of my favourite parts of this job).
We begin placing puppies outside the whelping box and assisting them to climb back in. This starts the process of them learning to toilet outside of where they sleep.
Opening up their world
During this time, pups in most litters have started to exit the whelping box to bathroom on their own on woodchips in their nursery room.
Softened food is introduced (usually between days 24 to 31). Here, we begin to teach them to come when called.
We take the pups to their first new location, which is our K9 living room. Changing their play location is a big day for them and opens their world. Most socializing begins here as we slowly and purposefully introduce them to different objects, toys, obstacles, blocks, flooring textures, etc.
We’re careful not to over-stimulate but provide a safe place where they learn that life is fun. Each litter is different, and we adjust the curriculum accordingly.
Creating challenges
We start increasing the pups’ exposure to new things that may startle them, and we encourage them to work through the startle. We want the pups to believe the world is safe and they can work through new things that initially seem scary.
We introduce them to crates at this stage, which is a prolonged and intentional process.
Honing and matching temperaments
At this stage, our pups’ temperaments emerge. I start taking more note of their behaviours and will also increase the videos I post on Instagram for the folks choosing from the litter.
We encourage pups to problem-solve through new situations and to work through new obstacles, which helps them grow in confidence.
We work on desensitizing pups so they can learn to work through things that once caused them concern. Each pup is different. Some need to learn to contain their exuberance, while others need to learn to come out of their shell -- and just about everything in between.
We continue crate exposure. Although pups are not guaranteed to be crate-trained when they leave us, the initial work has been started.
Leash work usually starts on day 49, using pressure and release techniques.
During this time (anywhere from day 49 to 56), we do a Puppy Evaluation/Temperament test. In this test, we learn more about the puppy, which helps us to match up pups with their owners better. A video is taken of the evaluation of each pup and is sent to the people receiving a pup from a litter before its choosing time.
Our inspiration, the New Skete Methods
“The Art of Raising a Puppy” by the Monks of New Skete is a wonderfully practical guide for raising a companion dog. We have found a significant difference in our pups using their methods alone.
When our pups are exposed to mildly stressful exercises at an early age, they usually develop into dogs with higher problem-solving abilities and are more adaptable to emotionally challenging experiences later in life.
Our nursery setup is inspired by the New Skete methods, and we find that our pups house train quickly.
Fundamental to our approach, the Badass Breeder
I’ve recently discovered Jeanette Forrey and her Badass Breeder program. Jeanette used to train service dogs, and now she breeds and raises pups to help set them up to be the most successful they can be, so she produces good prospects for service dogs in every litter.
Jeanette has put words into much of what I’ve already innately done, and she does even more. “Raising pups to change lives and heal hearts” is Jeanette’s motto, and this has always been my motivation for my puppy program. I’m thrilled to integrate Jeanette’s techniques into our successful puppy program.
Even though we do all these specific things to make your pup easier to train, they have just begun. Your responsibility is to continue consistent, constructive training, socialization and enrichment, which can mould your pup into an exceptional life-long companion. This takes time, patience, research, and diligence.
