Our newborn puppies begin life in handmade whelping boxes, where they stay for the first 3 to 4 weeks, depending on the litter. We place the whelping bed in either our bedroom or office to ensure the mother (Dam) has privacy while her puppies are small and vulnerable. This arrangement protects the puppies from potential harm while still allowing for ample human interaction and early socialization. We also begin Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) when the puppies are just 3 days old.
Quality Whelping Bed Components:
Textured pads ensure puppies have proper traction, reducing the risk of joint issues like hip dysplasia.
Highly absorbent to keep puppies dry and clean.
Velcro corners prevent the Dam from displacing the bedding and potentially burying a puppy.
Puppy Rails:
These rails line the whelping bed, providing a safety zone for puppies if the Dam lies too close to the edge, preventing accidental smothering.
Early Toys:
Once the puppies’ eyes open, we introduce a variety of toys to stimulate curiosity and new experiences. Toys are rotated regularly.
Puppy Pads:
Starting at 2 weeks old, we place puppy pads over one-third of the whelping bed. This encourages early potty training and prepares them for the transition to pine pellet litter boxes in the playpen.
Daily Weigh-Ins: During the first two weeks.
Weekly Weigh-Ins: After the second week.
Growth Tracking: We monitor and chart weights, comparing them to previous litters to estimate adult size. Adjustments, such as extra nursing time, are made if necessary.
While we provide our best estimates, adult size can vary significantly within a litter.
At 3 to 4 weeks old, puppies move to a larger playpen in our living room near the kitchen and dining area. This busy environment ensures they are part of daily household activities, providing ample interaction and stimulation.
Our Australian Labradoodle puppies are introduced to a litter box filled with alfalfa pellets. Training tips include:
Clean accidents with a bleach-water solution to eliminate lingering scents.
For the first few days, remove only solid waste to reinforce the purpose of the litter box.
Once consistent, we expand the play area for more freedom.
Crate training is introduced gradually:
3.5 Weeks: Puppies explore crates with doors left open.
5 Weeks: Puppies spend 2-3 hours a day in groups of 2-3 per crate.
6 Weeks: Puppies stay in crates overnight (11 PM to 5-6 AM), with food and water removed 2 hours before bedtime.
7 Weeks: Each puppy sleeps alone in a crate overnight. By 7.5 weeks, most sleep through the night and voluntarily nap in their crates.
We feed our puppies Nulo Puppy Food, transitioning from puree at 3.5 weeks to dry food by 7 weeks.
At 4 to 4.5 weeks, puppies enjoy our activity center, which includes toys hanging from PVC pipes. We rotate toys to keep experiences fresh and stimulating. Loose toys are available for puppies to carry and take into their crates. Toys are disinfected regularly.
Socialization is a cornerstone of our program. Puppies are kept in high-traffic areas to experience:
People: Interaction with men, women, children of all ages, and occasionally elderly individuals.
Adult Dogs: Playtime with other adult dogs to learn social skills.
Couch Time: One-on-one snuggles with family members to balance group play and individual attention.
This exposure is crucial for brain development and ensures puppies are well-adjusted when they go to their new homes.
We employ various techniques to desensitize puppies to common stimuli, helping them adapt smoothly to new environments. Our methods include:
Bathing: Twice-weekly baths to familiarize them with the process.
Blow Drying: Each bath is followed by blow-drying to reduce grooming stress.
Ear Handling: Frequent ear checks and gentle hair removal to prevent future infections.
Nail Trimming: Bi-wåeekly trims to build comfort with the process, aided by ENS.
Grooming Prep: Using motorized toothbrushes and trimmers for sanitary trims to mimic grooming vibrations.
Car Rides: Short trips to minimize car anxiety.
Household Tools: Exposure to vacuums, brooms, and mops for sound and movement familiarity.
Loud Noises: Natural household noise and soundtracks of fireworks, thunder, and other sounds to build resilience.
Startle Recovery: Introducing sudden sounds (e.g., dropping metal bowls) to teach quick recovery from startling.
Media and Quiet Time: Alternating music, television, and silent periods to prepare for different household environments.
At Happy-Go-Lucky Labradoodles, we thoughtfully combine early socialization, desensitization, and training practices to give our puppies the best start in life. This approach ensures they grow into confident, well-adjusted companions. For more details on our methods, feel free to reach out!