What is puppy culture?

Puppy Culture is a complete program developed by Jane Killion, professional dog trainer and breeder. The puppy culture method is a comprehensive program for breeders to follow during the first weeks of a puppy’s life which lays the foundation for emotional stability and learning. The training is backed my science and experience.

The first 12 weeks of a puppy’s life are incredibly important. As a breeder we have the power to change the outcome of a puppies life by what we choose to teach them during this critical period in their life. The training ensures we do the right things at just the right time.

Puppy Culture Training Markers

Prenatal Period- The physical and emotional health of a mother will affect the health of her puppies. The care of our Mothers is extremely important to us. Research has shown that puppies born to mothers that receive prenatal massage are more docile and enjoy being touched.

Neonatal Period - 0-14 days

We introduce Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) at day 3 and continues through to day 14. Research shows that small stresses in small doses are actually good for puppies and will help them grow into healthy well-adjusted dogs. We make sure to touch and stroke our puppies as much as possible during this period. Puppies that are exposed to ENS have shown improved cardio vascular performance (heart rate); stronger heart beats; stronger adrenal glands; more tolerance to stress; and greater resistance to disease.

Transitional Period: 14-21 days

Behavioural markers are used to identify the beginning and end of each developmental period because every puppy is different and these timelines are simply guidelines. The transitional period starts when the puppies eyes open and ends when they first hear sound.

Critical Socialization Period: 3-12 weeks

There are 7 key things that will nurture the emotional intelligence of a puppy.

1: Communication – giving a puppy his own voice (Communication Trinity – (power up clicker, box game, manding), attention/distraction protocols)

2: Emotional stability – the ability to recover easily from fear and stress (startle recovery, barrier challenges, Volhard Aptitude Test (behavioural tendencies) at day 49)

3: Habituation – familiarity with the maximum number of things (Puppy Parties, sound protocols, music and noises, meeting different people, dogs, other animals)

4: Enrichment – the view that novelty and challenges are opportunities for enrichment rather than things to be feared or avoided.

5: Health – physical wellness and motor skills that will allow the puppy to develop in a neurologically and physically sound way (daily weight checks, grooming, vaccinations, worming, nutrition & vet health checks)

6: Skills – learned behaviours which allow our puppies to function in human society (recall, manding, simple commands, litterbox training, crate training, leash walking, resource guarding, bite inhibition)

7: Love – the desire to seek out the company of both dogs and humans as emotionally positive experiences (shaping emotional responses, Happy and Calm CER (Conditioned Emotional Responses),daily cuddles with humans and mum).

Weeks 10-12: Our puppies go to their new homes at 8 weeks which gives them two weeks in that critical socialization period to adjust to their new family’s lifestyle and be introduced to new people and experiences.

We love teaching these beautiful puppies and take great joy in placing them in their forever homes knowing we have done everything in our power to prepare them for their next stage in life.