Research has proven there is only a short window of time, specifically 16 weeks old, to stimulate, enrich, and socialize puppies to turn them into a well-balanced, adult, canine companion. Here at West Shore Doodles, we do everything in our power to enrich and socialize our pups during the first 8 weeks of life.
Every day we handle each individual puppy and conduct a series of five different exercise. These exercises produce neurological stimulation early on that wouldn't naturally occur. This tends to kick the neurological system into gear earlier, resulting in improved cardiovascular performance, stronger adrenal glands, more tolerance to stress, and greater resistance to disease. Studies have found that ENS puppies were able to cope more with stressful situations, and problem solves better than othe
Snuffle mats for dogs are the perfect way to provide physical and mental enrichment while utilising natural foraging behaviour.
I have started playing “relaxation” music in the puppy room.
Music is played throughout the day and turned off for a “quiet room” for sleeping at night. This helps to teach puppies the transition between everyday noises vs a “quiet” room for sleeping.
I will also start to condition them to daily noises so they are less fearful.
Puppies have a natural desire to keep their "den" clean. We introduce a potty area during this stage.
For a puppy, interacting with a toddler can be crucial for their socialization, teaching them appropriate behavior around young children, and helping them develop a positive attitude towards humans of different ages.
Promote balance and proprioception as the puppies learn to stabilize themselves on the grass then pavement.
No matter what season we are in. Our puppies get outside. Introduction to sand, grass, leaves, sticks & pavement.
The sounds of Lake Michigan's waves.
Puppies are capable of experiencing true fear. We guide each puppy though this fear stage avoiding any experience that might cause lifelong fear problems, and build up their confidence. Hence the wagon ride.
Taking a puppy outside regularly is crucial for their development as it allows for essential socialization, sensory stimulation, proper potty training, and helps them learn about their environment.
It's a vital part of raising a healthy and happy puppy, regardless of the weather.
We start weekly puppy baths weeks four through eight.
Along with weekly blow dry, nail trim , eye, paws & bums shaved.
An early introduction to the water and grooming helps for successful future grooming appointments for you puppy.
Dogs who are crate trained feel comfortable and relaxed having a secure den-like space of their own.
Our pups start out with a "buddy" then gradually will start to spend time individually locked in their crates, throughout the day, only for a short time span with a treat.
Crate training is an essential part of housebreaking puppies, as dogs don't like to soil their sleeping quarters. They learn to hold their bladders while they're in their crate, so you won't have to clean up messes.
Crate training with a buddy is always more fun. Helps to settle dogs into new environments. A safe place for your puppy/dog to go when not supervised.
We work individually with each puppy on manning aka: sitting outside of the play box, along with at meal time.
Teaching puppies recall, is an essential part of their early training and development. Recall is a fundamental skill that ensures the safety of the puppies and enables them to have enjoyable off-leash experiences while staying c
We work individually with each puppy on manning aka: sitting outside of the play box, along with at meal time.
Teaching puppies recall, is an essential part of their early training and development. Recall is a fundamental skill that ensures the safety of the puppies and enables them to have enjoyable off-leash experiences while staying connected with their owners. Our recall is: "puppy puppy puppy"
Pups will get out and about 2-3 times before 8 weeks of age. The purpose is to help get pups accustomed to riding in a vehicle before going home.
Gradually exposing puppies to common household noises like vacuum cleaners, doorbells, and kitchen appliances helps them become accustomed to these sounds.
Flying a puppy on a plane can be a good opportunity for socialization, as it exposes them to a variety of new sights, sounds, and people at the airport, which can help them become more confident and adaptable to different environments.
We help to prepare them well for the experience to minimize stress and ensure a positive outcome.
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