Goldador Puppies

We follow the BAB service dog curriculum written by Jeanette Forrey from 4E kennels.  The goal of this program is to develop trust and then build on that trust to empower our puppies.  Ultimately, it is to teach them that the world is safe, people are kind, and dogs are friendly.  

0-2 Weeks:  We begin empowering our puppies at just 3 days of age.  From 3-16 days old, we stimulate their brains by performing Early Neurological Stimulation Exercises and Early Scent Introduction Exercises (ENS/ESI).   As the puppy learns more about the world, we are laying the foundation of the relationship between canine and human.  We always hold our puppies close to our hearts and faces to ensure they feel safe in our hands, which results in a trusting relationship.  We also make sure that each interaction ends on a positive note. 

3 Weeks:  Beginning at three weeks of age we build on our trust by working on touch tolerance through a gentle, daily massage. We begin slowly and ensure that each interaction ends on a positive note fostering confidence and showing that people are kind.  At this early age, puppies do not yet fear sound, so we use this opportunity to get a jump start on desensitization of loud noises.  We try to mimic the sounds they will hear once they find their forever homes.  Along with loud noises, we also play quiet background noises and lullabies every night to help signify quiet time. A new, soft, whelping box novelty item is introduced daily and we encourage their curiosity with our marking word of "YES/GOOD", which helps lay the foundation for a cohesive word/marker once they go home.  We also introduce potty trays into their whelping box and potty training begins. 

4 Weeks: Puppies enter a curiosity phase at this stage of life.  We continue to foster their growth and encourage their growing confidence through our marker word "YES/GOOD", during our handling, exposure, and noise curriculum.  Curriculum takes place outside of their whelping box at this age.  By exposing them to various tactile options, shapes, sizes, situations, and movements, we foster confidence in our puppies encouraging them to believe in their own abilities.  Puppy mush if offered once natural weaning from momma has begun and teeth are erupting. 

5 Weeks:  Our exposure curriculum is now performed in a multitude of places both inside and outside ensuring our puppies learn to work and problem solve in different environments.  Our focus is on temperature, smell, tactile, objects, movements, startle recovery, and sound.  We continue to use our marker word of "YES/GOOD".  We also introduce a respectful, gentle, calm stranger.  Daily puppy massage continues with increasing intensity. 

6 Weeks:   We continue to show our pups that different environments and situations are safe.  Water exposure, car rides, obstacle courses, and expeditions ignite their nerve strength and confidence, and they are rewarded with our marker word of "YES/GOOD".  These high approach and low fear exposures practiced over and over again give our puppies the tools to live in a complex and unpredictable world.  New strangers are introduced this week as well and partake in the puppy massage and handling.  As personalities begin to develop, we take notes on intrinsic traits such as energy level, assertiveness or submissiveness, hand shyness, and tenderheartedness.  We also work on the adjustable traits- nerve strength, motivation, drive, confidence, site & sound startle and recovery. 

7 Weeks: Exposure curriculum from the previous week continues as puppies' curiosity and playfulness increases.  We continue to reward with our marker word of "YES/GOOD".  We are getting your go home bags ready this week. Puppies will have a vet visit and will be vaccinated and microchipped.   Puppy evaluations and temperament testing are done to help guide you in choosing the best pup for you and your puppy's particular needs. The temperament testing assesses each puppy's assertiveness, confidence, motivation, nerve strength/resiliency, touch tolerance, energy level, sound sensitivity, sight sensitivity, prey drive, tenderheartedness, and human focus.  Knowing these traits allows us to honor each puppy's unique needs and help match each puppy's temperament to their family's lifestyle and preferences so that these matches last a lifetime! This system empowers families and individuals to select their puppies with a holistic approach that goes beyond beauty and aesthetics.  

8 Weeks: It's go home day! You get to take your beautiful pup home with you, continue empowering them with the marker word YES/GOOD", and help them grow into their personalities which mature around 16 weeks of age.

We will schedule appointments to pick up your new family member at 8 weeks.  If you do not live in the area, please contact us and we can work out details for transportation.  Options include meeting up, delivery, or possible air travel with a flight nanny. 

We use quality breeding sires and dams.  All of our dogs have had OFA certifications completed and have been cleared of over 250 genetic health risks.

We are committed to our pups.  If for any reason you are unable to keep your pup, please contact us.  We will assist in rehoming him/her.  We never want to see one of our pups in a shelter.