A Doodle Litter's Journey

During her nine week pregnancy, we devote ourselves to the loving care of our Mama Doodle. She is given balanced meals, special healthy treats, daily massages, privacy or company as she prefers, and appropriate exercise and play depending on the stage of pregnancy.  We select for excellent mothering instincts - this is so important in giving our puppies the best start. 

Mama is carefully monitored by our veterinary team, starting with a complete pre-breeding health check, then imaging after 30 days gestation to confirm pregnancy and after 57 days gestation to confirm litter size and health.

We maintain strict biosecurity protocols as recommended by board certified veterinary theriogenologists (reproductive specialists) for three weeks before our Mama's due date and three weeks after the puppies are born.
 

When Mama is ready we provide a cozy, safe whelping bed, and stay with her to help as needed. 

Before our puppies can see or hear, they learn to know and trust our scent and touch. 

We raise our Doodles with protocols based on Puppy Culture and our gentle daily handling progressively accustoms them to everything they'll need for their lives as loved and loving companions.

Puppy Culture is an internationally recognized science-based puppy raising method that prepares our Doodles for a lifetime of vet visits, grooming, positive daily contact with people, and thriving in our modern world.

Our first priority during this stage is supporting Mama dog and being available 24/7 for her and the puppies. We begin a modified ENS (early neurological stimulation) protocol, taking into account Mama's preferences, and keep everyone safe, warm, healthy, and content.

The puppies' eyes and ears open during this stage, bringing them a brand new world of sight and sound. They gain strength and mobility and by the end of this stage will be securely on their feet and able to toddle around.

At two to three weeks old we introduce potty training with puppy pads (and as the litter matures, we graduate them to potty trays). This process helps in transitioning to outdoor potty areas. Puppies naturally want to keep the nest area clean, and early potty training gives them a wonderful head start.

By the end of this stage the puppies' baby teeth will begin to emerge and they are ready to try out solid foods. We begin with puppy formula and increase the quantity and variety of foods as they mature. Our goal once they start solid foods is to prepare their digestive systems - known as populating the gut microbiome - for a lifetime of good health.

We also introduce soft toys during this stage - the urge to chew arrives at the same time as those little teeth! 

Near the beginning of this stage, the puppies are upgraded to a large toddler suite, offering them additional space for play and exploration. New experiences are introduced daily, from sights to sounds to scents to weather to walking surfaces and more.

Between five and six weeks we add frequent outdoor time for potty training, play, learning, and exploration. Indoors, the puppies explore the house, with supervision of course, under the direction of our Chief Puppy Raiser (our cat Luke).

Between six and seven weeks we begin adventures away from home a few times each week, to introduce the puppies to car rides, stroller rides, and the wider world. Some of our usual destinations are dog-friendly office buildings and retail stores, and outdoor downtown areas. 

Between seven and eight weeks we get ready to pass the torch to our puppy families with our learning priority being continued potty training and including a visit to our veterinarian for vaccines, microchip, and a full written exam.

Last but not least, at nine weeks our puppies are ready to join their new families, or if they are staying with us for additional training we begin to help them adjust from their lives as one of a litter of puppies to true individuals, each receiving their own training and experiences.

The socialization period in puppies continues for up to sixteen weeks of age, and by providing as many positive interactions and encounters as possible, we and our puppy families can give our Doodles their very best start to a long, happy life.