How Our Puppies are Raised

Our puppies are born in the main part of the house and raised in the kitchen or den area. Their eyes open around 14 days after birth. Around 4 weeks of age, puppies' temperaments begin to show through and we are able to better understand each pup. Around the time the puppies reach 4-5 weeks old, we begin allowing outside playtime.  

As our pups develop, we conduct stress tests. The puppies all experience Early Neurological Stimulation using traditional methods. Starting immediately after birth, we handle each and every pup daily. Puppies are placed on a variety of surfaces, experience various textures, and are exposed to a healthy range of temperature changes. These mild stressors all occur within the first 2 1/2 weeks of life. Years of research has proven that puppies' brains absorb best during the first 16 weeks of life, introducing these mild stressors will increase the puppies' physical and emotional strength and increases the has a demonstrated history of improved temperaments. Many scientists have also found that introducing pups to these mild stressors early in life could reduce the potential for disease during later years of their life. 

Imprinting Process

Three weeks of age is when the fun time begins! We begin introducing pups to a variety of sounds. These sounds vary in volume, pitch, duration, and timing. We play music and oftentimes make our own, we bang pots and pans, play drums, and speak in soft and soothing tones as well as dominant. Pups are introduced to a variety of people (men, women, children) of varying ages, with differing appearances (various hair colors, beards, long hair, short hair, different body builds, etc.). It's also at this age that we begin teaching the puppies basic commands. At just three weeks of age, we begin teaching them the word "come" and this is very well imprinted by the time they leave for their forever homes. 

At six weeks of age, we begin taking the pups for longer walks in our large fenced yard. They are able to experience a whole new variety of situations and this increased level of situational exposure has a drastic positive impact on their development. They are able to enjoy the outdoors while exploring this new and "intimidating" world. They have an increased comfort level to these new experiences since they are having these encounters with their parents and littermates. It also teaches the pups that people are to be followed while assisting to develop their motor skills. 

Training Our Puppies

Puppies from Sunny Ridge Retrievers are introduced to a wide variety of adult dogs, of varying breeds, ages, and sizes. We are extremely careful to only expose puppies to animals and safe environments that we know are disease-free and situations that we know will have a positive impact on their development. 

We teach our puppies to climb steps and be comfortable with ascending and descending with different types of flooring. By the time the puppies are ready for their furever homes, they have a strong grasp of the command "come," they have a solid head start on potty training, and they have been worked with to play fetch, tug, and not to bite. 

Our extensive socialization, stimulation, and training help our pups to develop into amazing dogs that learn quickly and adapt well to their furever homes.