Our puppy training starts at 3 days of age. When we tell that to most people they look at us in disbelieve. (Click on a picture to the left to see a slide show of some of our training methods.) The puppy training starts with a series of daily exercises with each puppy at day three and continues until their eyes and ears open around day 13 or 14. Then we gradually add more stimulation such as sounds, new toys, obstacles and different floor textures to name a few.

This early neurological stimulation was developed by the military and is referred to as “Bio Sensor” training. Based on their research, the military learned that early neurological stimulation exercises has important and lasting effects such as:

• Improved cardio vascular performance (heart rate)
• Stronger heart beats
• Stronger adrenal glands
• More tolerance to stress
• Greater resistance to disease
• More alert as puppies and adults

If you would like more information on Early Neurological Stimulation I suggest the following resources:

The Monks of New Skete The Art of Raising a Puppy http://www.newsketemonks.com

Breeding Better Dogs by Carmen L. Battaglia http://www.breedingbetterdogs.com

We start crate training at 4 weeks. A small crate minus the door is used as the pups safe place. They are able to come and go at will and pile together in the "den" to sleep. They come out to nurse from mom, eat puppy gruel, and eliminate. This early exposure teaches them that a crate is their home and they naturally do not want to eliminate where they sleep.

By the time a pup goes home with their new people, they are sleeping through the night in their own individual crates. Continuing this practice with your pup, makes the transition to their new home easier for them and gives the owner a safe place for the puppy to sleep when he can not be watched.

We never advocate leaving a 10 week old pup in a crate all day while their people are gone, puppies bladders are not strong enough for them to control it for much longer than a few hours during the day. You don't want him to start eliminating where he sleeps out of necessity. This counteracts the whole purpose of crate training.

A good practice is to place the pup in his den. The minute the pup wakes up or every few hours during the day, take the pup out to where you want the puppy to eliminate. Stay with him outside until you are sure he has and praise him like crazy when he does. If you attach a word to his elimination process, like now, job or spot, your pup will soon learn to eliminate on command. This makes your life a lot easier especially on a cold winter night or when you are traveling. DO NOT just put him out and walk away. Your pup does not understand that the giant house you live in is your den and is not to be peed in. You have to show him where you expect him to eliminate.

If you do this when the pup wakes up, with a 1/2 hour after eating, or immediately after a play session, your task of house training your pup will go a lot smoother.