Natural Rearing

We feed our dogs and raise our puppies on a balanced and varied diet based on the Biologically Appropriate Raw Food (B.A.R.F.) principle. If you want to know more about this amazing way to help your dog to grow, thrive, and reach its full potential in life, here is an excellent place to get you started:

 

PERFECTLY RAWSOME

​

We are advocates for the BARF and PMR (Prey Model) diets. Having a healthy, happy dog does not have to be complicated or time-consuming. With the right preparation, it can be a joy to implement.

​

If this style of feeding is not for you, yet you would like to know more about feeding and providing a high-quality, varied diet for your puppy, do not hesitate to contact us and we can help you to understand the better options available to you.

Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)

The U.S. Military developed a program in the 1970s called “Bio Sensor.” It became publicly known and is often referred to as the “Super Dog” Program or Bio-Sensory Training for Dogs. The program was developed to improve the performance of dogs.

​

The basic premise of the program is that early neurological stimulation exercises could affect the performance of the dog. The Army’s research revealed that early stimulation of the puppy from the 3rd day through the 16th day influenced rapid neurological growth and development.

We practice Bio-Sensor and incorporate it into our socialization and temperament development regimen. The Bio Sensor program easily fits into our established puppy natural rearing process and supports our values.

​

We strongly feel that handling dogs at an early age helps with the physical and social development of the puppy.

We do not substitute the Bio-Sensory Training for socialization and handling of the puppies. The Bio Sensor method is a well-documented puppy development tool. Many puppies bred for field, security, and guide work are introduced to the Bio Sensor Program as part of their development.

​

These exercises produce neurological stimulations, none of which naturally occur during this early period of life. These exercises impact the neurological system by kicking it into action earlier than would be normally expected. The result is an increased capacity that later will help to make a difference in its performance. Those who play with their pups and routinely handle them should continue to do so because the neurological exercises are not substitutions for routine handling, play socialization, or bonding.

​

Five benefits have been observed in dogs that were exposed to the Bio Sensor stimulation exercises. The benefits noted were:

• Improved cardiovascular performance (heart rate)

• Stronger heart beats

• Stronger adrenal glands

• More tolerance to stress and

• Greater resistance to disease

​​

In tests of learning, stimulated pups were found to be more active and were more exploratory than their non-stimulated littermates over which they were dominant in competitive situations.

​

Secondary effects were also noted regarding test performance. In simple problem-solving tests using detours in a maze, the non-stimulated pups became extremely aroused, whined a great deal, and made many errors. Their stimulated littermates were less disturbed or upset by test conditions and when comparisons were made, the stimulated littermates were calmer in the test environment, made fewer errors, and gave only an occasional distress when stressed.

​

Early Scent Introduction (ESI)

Early Scent Introduction is performed in conjunction with Bio-Sensor Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) training on the puppies from day three thru day sixteen. The benefits of ESI range from positive training results in dogs who use scent detection to earn titles, do service work, therapy work, hunt tests and field trials, nose work, search and rescue work, obedience, tracking, and more. Some also believe this early exposure helps dogs be more stable when coming across differing scents in life. It's very beneficial in Medical Alert dogs especially. 

​

Puppy Culture

Puppy Culture represents a gold standard in puppy rearing and early socialization. We start it here using the rule of 7 as soon as the period for ENS/ESI is finished, however, we highly recommend our new puppy parents to continue with this method to at least 6 months of age. It is highly beneficial in raising a strong, confident, happy, and social puppy.

• Deworming - Every two weeks from birth until eight weeks of age with Drontal by Bayer. After that, we use Milbemax once per month up to six months of age to treat against 13 species of internal parasites. We then vary between brands every six months to maintain effectiveness. There are natural ways to "help prevent" parasites, but we live in the countryside and it is important to take more serious steps to keep our dogs and puppies in top health and condition. Parasites are the enemy. They can cause pain, bloating, weight loss, essential vitamin and mineral deficiencies leading to anemia and lethargy (amongst other things). 

​​

• Vaccines -  Proper immunization starts early with CHPPiL, Rabies, & Kennel Cough vaccines (all documented from day 1 in a Passport).​

 

The protocol is as follows:

​

6-8 weeks of age - CHPPi Multi L & KC

This means that by 8 weeks of age your puppy has received their first inoculations against Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza (Kennel Cough), and 3 strains of Leptospirosis.

​

12 weeks of age - CHPPi Multi L & Rabies

By 3 months of age, if the puppy is still with us, they receive the primo for the above vaccinations, as well as their vaccine against Rabies. 

​

At this age, puppies begin wearing Seresto collars to prevent external parasites (the zone where we are located does not put our dogs at risk for piroplasmosis but we do still take precautions during the warmer months.)

We take a holistic approach to natural wellness in our dogs. This involves the practice of the following...

​​

• Canine Osteopathy 

• Acupuncture

• Hydrotherapy

• Physiotherapy/Thermotherapy

• Massage Therapy

• Aromatherapy

• Homeopathic / Botanical Medicine

• Phytotherapy

• Aromatherapy

• Naturopathy & Essential Oils

• Proprioception