Days 3-17 ENS

Also known as the “Bio Sensor” program, we promote early neurological stimulation in order to give the dog a superior advantage. Each workout involves handling puppies once a day, and once at a time, while performing a series of five exercises. I start with one puppy, and stimulate him/her using each of the five exercises listed below. I complete the series from beginning to end before starting with the next pup.

Exercises are as follows (in the order I do them):

1. Tactical stimulation (between toes)
2. Head held erect
3. Head pointed down
4. Supine position
5. Thermal stimulation

Learn more about ENS here:
https://breedingbetterdogs.com/article/early-neurological-stimulation

This is explained as as video on the following Page: Click to view

Days 3-17 ESI

Early Scent Introduction is performed in conjunction with Bio-Sensor (ENS) training on the puppies. I introduce a new scent to the puppy each day for short intervals. Stimulating puppies scenting abilities early on has been proven to dramatically increase scenting ability later on in life.

Scents include:
• orange peels
• lemon peels
• grass
• sticks
• herbs
• lavender
• leaves
• training toys

The video in the link below does a fantastic job explaining ENS further:
https://www.avidog.com/esi/
another video explaining ENS further:
Click to view

Weeks 3-8

SOCIALIZATION
Week 3 – I follow the “puppy Culture DVD series, and their program. Introduce the puppies to as many new people as possible, including children.We work heavily on their “startle” reflex to teach them how to recover more naturally as adults if something catches them off guard.

Puppies are moved to main living area of the house (from their quiet whelping room) into a bigger pen. This allows me to add more environmental factors into their everyday life. They now have tunnels, an “environmental cube”, plastic bottles, tents and all sorts of fun, interactive obstacles to stimulate them.

At the 5 week mark, I try to introduce cue a special area for them to relieve themselves,because prior to that their mama dog kept them clean by stimulating them to defecate and urinate, and usually eating their poop to keep the whelping box clean, or I would make a meticulous effort to constantly clean, but at this stage we give them a chance to leave the whelping box to a special toil area so we can start instilling the idea of keeping clean outside the place you sleep.

At the 5 week mark, I try to introduce cue a special area for them to relieve themselves,because prior to that their mama dog kept them clean by stimulating them to defecate and urinate, and usually eating their poop to keep the whelping box clean, or I would make a meticulous effort to constantly clean, but at this stage we give them a chance to leave the whelping box to a special toil area so we can start instilling the idea of keeping clean outside the place you sleep.

Weeks 4 -8

socialize, socialize, socialize!
Puppies are exposed to more people, in a controlled non-overwhelming way. They are exposed to my pack of stable adult dogs, who give fair corrections (this is important) They’re exposed to more children,television sounds,, big parent dogs, etc !

Week 5 and beyond – I start assessing food, prey and toy drive in the puppies

Week 5-6 we start feeding gruel and decreasing the amount of breast feedings for mom dog. At about 6 weeks of age I match puppies to their owners – this is always an exciting time!

Week 8 – puppies leave us to go to their forever homes

Weeks 8 and beyond

New forever homes of the VonGontaHaus Kennels s puppies stay in touch via our private Facebook page, email, text, Facebook messenger, etc and continue to do great things with their pups, whether it’s in a working role or active pet role!

Nothing makes me happier than seeing these puppies being the best they can be and staying in touch with their pet families as they grow!