Puppy Training - What Do We Do?

We value our puppies and their mental development throughout the weeks while they are with us. In order to do so, we implement different training methods such as decentralisation sounds, positive training reinforcement, gentle handling and ultimately a clean and safe environment. We strongly believe genetics come with temperament and personality so it is our breeder duty to emphasise and mirror those physical and psychological traits by breeding similar traits. When we do our research for our breedings, we aim for a successful match where our vision will come through.

I. What are decentralisation sounds?

It is sounds that are used to minimise future anxiety and stress in real-life events and/or environment. For example, we use the following sounds: fireworks, cars, crowds, door knocks, door bell, baby crying, thunderstorms, rain, dogs barking, cats and construction works.

When do we start the use of decentralisation sounds?

We begin at 2 weeks old through noise vibration (loud sounds). Although puppies are born deaf and blind, they will feel those vibrations and already sense them. They will however still feel safe as they have all their siblings, mother and us around as well. While exposing them to those sounds, it is highly recommended to stay with them and monitor how they react, how the mother reacts as she will feel a strong mother instinct coming through and her first reaction might be to defend and protect her young pups. Our job is to calm her down, sit with her and she will pass on her emotions to her pups automatically.

From 2 weeks old, we do it every day with different sounds, until they can fully grasp the concept and show no anxiety nor stress when hearing those sounds. We love exploring new sounds and seeing their first reaction as well as their progress throughout the weeks. It is highly rewarding when pups can fall asleep or still play to any type of noise as it shows a complete trust within the environment.

Although puppies may seem quiet and undisturbed as they evolve with the variety of sounds, it is greatly beneficial to maintain maximum sound exposure on a regular basis.

Once they are allowed to go in the big wide world for their first walk, and that all the sounds have been checked, we can focus on lead training and not worrying about any sound disturbance.

*This training is also highly recommended and beneficial to all age, lifestyle and backgrounds. (e.g. foster dogs, rescue dogs, adults dogs, guard dogs,...)

II. Positive reinforcement:

So, we've all said 'NO' to pups and dogs before to let them know about the action they just did was simply not acceptable to our own standards. But, saying 'YES' will also let them know that what they just did is absolutely great and that it is what is expected in terms of behaviour. Do you say 'YES' to your dog enough?

We use positive reinforcement when they go to the designated toilet area and for all basic commands (e.g. sit, off, drop,...). We also use it for lead training, around our kids, cat and our other dogs and mainly when they listen to our commands and expectations.

Saying 'NO' with your finger pointed at them can be harmful when use too often as they cannot differentiate their good and bad actions. A puppy needs to experience balance within a safe environment in order to grow to its full potential as well as to successfully transition to its new family.

III. Gentle handling:

What do we mean by gentle handling? It is simply making sure that all pups are used to being held, paws, tail and ears being held. Our two young kids love to help us with this, because it means they can give them big cuddles. We also let our kids be around our pups when its meal time and making sure they do not growl or bark at them while they eat.

We make sure to pat the puppies back, ears and tails while they eat and monitor their behaviour to ensure no signs of aggression.

We also use and reinforce gentle handling when it comes to nails clipping. We start nail clipping at 1 week old with a regular human nail clipper and then do the same process every week. As the nail grows stronger, we then move onto the pet nail clipper to get them used to the shape, texture and smell. Without puppies being used to being held in our hands or held on their backs, nail clipping would be impossible for us, hence impossible for their future family. We strongly believe that handling paws and exposing them to different textures will enhance the whole nail clipping experience throughout their lifetime.

IV. Clean & Safe environment:

We highly emphasise a clean and safe environment for all our animals as well as for our kids. For the first few weeks of their lives, we all live together and grow as a family so it is important to us to always have high hygiene in the whelping box but also around it and throughout the house.

All puppies grow around our other dogs, cat and our two young kids. Like we mentionned earlier, puppies need an adequate balance in order to fully grow to their potential while they are with us. We strive to provide to their mental and physical needs to the maximum of our capacities and abilities within the environment we offer.