Day 2 we remove their dewclaws. This is hard for us to do but we realize it is safer for the dogs to be raised without them and easier to do early rather then later when it can be much more traumatic for them.
Day 3 the puppies all begin the Bio-Sensor program that was developed by the military for service dogs. We continue this training faithfully for the next 14 days. The following is a little more information on the "Super Dog" training:
The U.S. Military in their canine program developed a method that still serves as a guide to what works. In an effort to improve the performance of dogs used for military purposes, a program called "Bio Sensor" was developed. Later, it became known to the public as the "Super Dog" Program. Based on years of research, the military learned that early neurological stimulation
exercises could have important and lasting effects. Their studies confirmed that there are specific time periods early in life when neurological stimulation has optimum results. The first period involves a window of time that begins at the third day of life and lasts until the sixteenth day. It is believed that because this interval of time is a period of rapid neurological growth and development, and therefore is of great importance to the individual.
The "Bio Sensor" program was also concerned with early neurological stimulation in order to give the dog a superior advantage. Its development utilized five exercises which were designed to stimulate the neurological system. Each workout involved handling puppies once each day. The workouts required handling them one at a time while performing a series of five exercises. Listed in order of preference the handler starts with one pup and stimulates it using each of the five exercises. The handler completes the series from beginning to end before starting with the next pup. The handling of each pup once per day involves the following exercises:
1. Tactile stimulation
Holding the pup in one hand, the handler gently stimulates (tickles) the pup between the toes on any one foot using a Q-tip. It is not necessary to see that the pup is feeling the tickle. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds.
2. Head held erect
Using both hands, the pup is held perpendicular to the ground, (straight up), so that its head is directly above its tail. This is an upwards position. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds.
3. Head pointed down
Holding the pup firmly with both hands the head is reversed and is pointed downward so that it is pointing towards the ground. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds.
4. Supine position
Hold the pup so that its back is resting in the palm of both hands with its muzzle facing the ceiling. The pup while on its back is allowed to sleep struggle. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.
5. Thermal stimulation
Use a damp towel that has been cooled in a refrigerator for at least five minutes. Place the pup on the towel, feet down. Do not restrain it from moving. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.
These five exercises will produce neurological stimulations, none of which naturally occur during this early period of life. Experience shows that sometimes pups will resist these exercises, others will appear unconcerned. In either case a caution is offered to those who plan to use them. Do not repeat them more than once per day and do not extend the time beyond that recommended for each exercise. Over stimulation of the neurological system can have adverse and detrimental results. These exercises impact the neurological system by kicking it into action earlier than would be normally expected. The result being an increased capacity that later will help to make the 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.
Benefits of Stimulation
Five benefits have been observed in canines that were exposed to the Bio Sensor stimulation exercises. The benefits noted were:
• Improved cardio vascular 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, wined 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 more calm in the test environment, made fewer errors and gave only an occasional distress when stressed.
The "Bio Sensor" program was also concerned with early neurological stimulation in order to give the dog a superior advantage. Its development utilized five exercises which were designed to stimulate the neurological system. Each workout involved handling puppies once each day. The workouts required handling them one at a time while performing a series of five exercises. Listed in order of preference the handler starts with one pup and stimulates it using each of the five exercises. The handler completes the series from beginning to end before starting with the next pup. The handling of each pup once per day involves the following exercises:
1. Tactile stimulation
Holding the pup in one hand, the handler gently stimulates (tickles) the pup between the toes on any one foot using a Q-tip. It is not necessary to see that the pup is feeling the tickle. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds.
2. Head held erect
Using both hands, the pup is held perpendicular to the ground, (straight up), so that its head is directly above its tail. This is an upwards position. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds.
3. Head pointed down
Holding the pup firmly with both hands the head is reversed and is pointed downward so that it is pointing towards the ground. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds.
4. Supine position
Hold the pup so that its back is resting in the palm of both hands with its muzzle facing the ceiling. The pup while on its back is allowed to sleep struggle. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.
5. Thermal stimulation
Use a damp towel that has been cooled in a refrigerator for at least five minutes. Place the pup on the towel, feet down. Do not restrain it from moving. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds.
These five exercises will produce neurological stimulations, none of which naturally occur during this early period of life. Experience shows that sometimes pups will resist these exercises, others will appear unconcerned. In either case a caution is offered to those who plan to use them. Do not repeat them more than once per day and do not extend the time beyond that recommended for each exercise. Over stimulation of the neurological system can have adverse and detrimental results. These exercises impact the neurological system by kicking it into action earlier than would be normally expected. The result being an increased capacity that later will help to make the 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.
Benefits of Stimulation
Five benefits have been observed in canines that were exposed to the Bio Sensor stimulation exercises. The benefits noted were:
• Improved cardio vascular 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, wined 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 more calm in the test environment, made fewer errors and gave only an occasional distress when stressed.
3 Weeks - they are starting to need a little more space and ready to start eating puppy mush. So we move them out to their own bedroom which is the doggy bedroom of our house fully equip with a crate, windows, doggy door to outdoor kennel.
We keep this room well heated and we sanitize daily to make sure our puppies stay healthy and clean. We also start our deworming process to ensure healthy puppies.
We slowly introduce their puppy mush to them and always keep clean fresh water available to our puppies. It takes them about 2 weeks then they are finally ready for dry puppy food. We only feed them Kirkland Brand puppy food and Kirkland brand dog food for the adults. We believe this is great food that will keep them healthy and easy to access so their families will keep them on it once they are placed in their new homes.
We intoduce the puppy litter which is the first step in our potty training We also believe this reminds them to keep their crate clean and potty in the litter and outside the crate.
I also wash their bedding daily because puppies can be messy and we want their beds to stay clean and fresh. So they don't track smells into their sleeping area. We also disinfect their living quarters 3 times a day to keep them nice and clean.
Week 5 - Puppies are introduced to the puppy door during the day. We don't expect them to start using it until they are about 6 weeks old.
This is when they start loving to go outside on their own and they learn that's where the big kids go potty. They are so quick to learn going potty outside is fun.
This is also the week they start sleeping in the crate together. At this point they know to potty in the litter and we rarely have accidents in the crate so it stays nice and clean.
Week 6 - Puppies go on their first field trip to the vet. This is where they will get a complete physical to see if they have any birth defects or any reason to be concerned. Our vet has been so impressed with our puppies confident personalities and their health record that he has mentioned when his current dog passes away he would love to purchase one of ours. This week they also get their first set of vaccinations and 2nd dose of deworming. 
Week 7 - Puppies have been bathed about once a week since about week 5 and getting pretty used to the water and grooming process. Our mothers are starting to wean the puppies and spend less and less time with them. The puppies are finding that they love wrestling with each other and running around outside. The puppies are usually completely potty trained to the puppy door and we rarely have messes inside. They are also sleeping mostly through the night. 
Week 8 - Puppies have been well socialized from the beginning as I teach horse back riding lessons I have many students who come and spend time with the puppies along with my own children playing with them daily. At 8 weeks our puppies are ready to go home to their forever homes and meet their new families. 
Even though it is always hard for us to see them leave. We are happy for the families that choose our puppies because we know they are getting a happy, healthy new family member. One that will love them unconditionally and bring them much happiness like our labradoodles have brought to our family. 
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