Puppy Curriculum

Our top priority is to help prepare our puppies for their forever homes. The first 8 weeks of life is a fundamental time to expose them to proper socialization, stimulation, touch, sensation, scent, sound, texture, and potty/crate training. We use the advanced curriculum set forth by Jeanette Forrey’s B.A.B. program. This method is shown to increase the size of a puppy’s brain, increase their resilience to stress, and enhance their emotional stability. Puppies are loved and cared for in our in-home puppy nursery with devoted care, constant supervision, and strict sanitary protocol. Our focus is to provide our puppies with an enriching and stable environment for the first 8 weeks of their lives. Puppies will not be sold or go to their forever families before 8 weeks of age, in accordance with Florida law.

2 Days - 2 Weeks Old

At two days old we begin ENS (early neurological stimulation) and ESI (early scent introduction). This is an important period of rapid neurological growth and development. Each day the puppies will be weighed and gently handled as we introduce the ENS/ESI curriculum to each one. This includes tactile and thermal stimulation, introducing them to different scents, and being held briefly in different positions. Each exercise lasts 3-5 seconds. Towards the end of the 2 weeks, their eyes are opening and they are learning how to walk.

2 Weeks - 4 Weeks Old

Eyes and ears are now open and this is when socialization really starts!

The puppies are finding their voice and begin asking for attention. During this stage puppies are introduced to a new toy each day. This is a time for discovery and also recovery, as they learn how to recover from fear - bouncing back. By having them experience loud noises (vacuum, pans, thunder, etc) they learn to recover almost immediately and show very little fear. This helps desensitize them so they can grow accustomed to different noises and sounds, without fear. Continued exposure to different scents helps them to improve nose awareness and confidence.

We gently handle their ears, paws and mouths to continue helping them experience touch in a positive way. Puppies receive much love, always being held close to our hearts and our faces.

4 Weeks - 6 Weeks Old

This is an exciting time as puppies play and interact with each other, explore toys and new experiences. Running through a play tunnel, climbing on a raised dog bed, and learning to stand or walk on uneven surfaces are examples of how we help the puppies become familiar with the world around them. During these weeks, we begin the introduction of potty training - to give them a head start on house training when they go home.

6 Weeks - 8 Weeks Old

At this stage we continue to work with the puppies and assist them with their learning experiences through exposure and guidance. Training exercises include imprinting the "puppy, puppy, puppy" recall, politely receiving attention and petting, becoming used to having their nails clipped and basic grooming, continued potty training, as well as exploring and napping in a crate. We want to empower our puppies to set them up for success so they will be more prepared to meet everyday challenges using their previous experiences and their problem-solving skills.