When
the pups are born, we use a program of early stimuli, which takes place between 3-16 days. This helps our puppies become well adjusted confident and generally, at ease with the world. See link for more
info: http://www.dpca.org/BreedEd/battagliahiachievers.htm
. All puppies go through stages of personality changes; I feel this
technique helps them to be more
"balanced" and even natured.
My vet does a general check, dews and tails at 2- 3 days of age.
Puppy’s first vaccine is at 8 weeks before leaving our home. I test for worms, 2-3 times, as they are growing; I prefer to test, only medicating if needed. My litters prior to this did not need worming. Before leaving our home, they are vet checked for heart, patellas and general well-being. An ophthalmologist checks eyes between 7- 8
weeks.
We temperament test at 7
weeks http://workingdogs.com/testing_volhard.htm
and do the Pat Hastings structural test at 8 weeks http://www.dogfolk.com
. A good friend, who has been in dogs over 40
years, studying, training, and breeding, does both tests for me.
During their 8
weeks, we socialized to new people and surroundings. I expose them to daily activities in our home, they are right next to our porch door and I have a pen with grass on the deck, they start going out as early as 4
weeks to start on the idea of house training. This is a lot of work but I have had great success with this. Many dry papers in the inside pen at
8 weeks of age. They take regular trips out to the front and back yards for different adventures and have daily visits from a various range of people, young and old.
At 8
weeks, the decisions start for their new homes based on suitability first – coat/eye color second. We do what we can to get their little lives up and going into a full healthy life they can share with their new families.
A questionnaire and reservation/deposit contract is available upon request.
Click here to contact "Herd
Of
Us" kennel.
Last Updated 06/22/2010
