Puppy Culture

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At Windy Creek Doodles we follow the Puppy Culture curriculum, a science-based program designed to ensure each puppy develops into a well-socialized, confident, and healthy dog. Our puppies are raised in a nurturing home environment, with tailored enrichment activities suited to each stage of their growth.

• ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation): We begin Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) exercises during these early days. This consists of handling puppies using gentle techniques that stimulate the neurological system. These exercises help boost cardiovascular performance, strengthen stress tolerance, and build resilience in later life.
• Handling: Puppies are gently handled to acclimate them to human touch from the very beginning.

• Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) continues.
• Early Scent Introduction (ESI): During this critical period, we introduce Early Scent Introduction (ESI), where each puppy is exposed to different smells once per day. ESI is designed to enhance the puppy’s ability to identify and respond to scents, which is particularly valuable for dogs who may work in detection roles or therapy later on.

• Sensory Exposure: As puppies start to open their eyes and ears, we begin exposing them to gentle stimuli such as new surfaces, toys, and textures. This helps them build curiosity and resilience to new environments.
• Begin Potty Training: We introduce a designated potty area to help them understand the concept of cleanliness from an early age.

• Socialization and Interaction: Puppies begin to interact more with their littermates and are introduced to humans for brief, supervised social sessions. This interaction helps them develop proper bite inhibition and social cues.
• Mild Stressors: We introduce mild stressors, such as gentle handling by strangers or exposure to different sounds, to help puppies learn how to recover from startling events.
• ESI Continues: We keep introducing new scents to enhance their cognitive and olfactory development.

• Environmental Enrichment: We introduce more toys, surfaces, and simple obstacles. Puppies are encouraged to explore their surroundings in a safe, controlled manner to build confidence.
• Daily Handling: To ensure they are comfortable with human touch, we handle them daily, touching sensitive areas like paws, ears, and mouths.
• Noise Desensitization: Household noises (vacuum cleaners, TV sounds, etc.) are gradually introduced at low volumes to familiarize them with everyday environments.

• Problem Solving: Simple puzzle toys or problem-solving games are introduced to stimulate their curiosity and thinking skills.
• Controlled Socialization: Puppies are introduced to new people and situations in a safe and gentle manner, helping them adjust to novel experiences.
• Basic Training Begins: Positive reinforcement is used to begin teaching puppies basic commands like "sit" and "come," as well as name recognition.

• Fear Period Awareness: Puppies may experience a sensitive period where they become more aware of and cautious toward new stimuli. We handle new exposures carefully to avoid overwhelming them.
• Manding Behavior: At this stage, we teach puppies to “mand” or ask politely for attention by sitting instead of barking or jumping. This promotes polite communication skills.
• Crate Introduction: Crate training is introduced to help puppies feel comfortable in confined spaces and prepare them for homes where crates may be used.

• Advanced Socialization: Puppies are gradually exposed to other vaccinated dogs and safe environments to expand their social experiences.
• Advanced Problem Solving: Puppies are presented with more complex challenges and toys to stimulate their growing brains.
• Basic Obedience and Leash Training: We reinforce basic obedience commands and begin leash training to prepare them for their new homes.

The combination of Puppy Culture and Early Scent Introduction (ESI) ensures that our puppies are raised with the utmost attention to their mental, emotional, and physical well-being. By following these proven methods, we lay the foundation for confident, well-rounded, and adaptable dogs that can thrive in their new homes.

This structured approach to raising puppies is designed to produce dogs with excellent temperaments, strong problem-solving skills, and a great start in their social and emotional development.