Raising Confident Puppies

We believe how a puppy is raised in their first few weeks has a lasting impact on who they become. That’s why we put so much love, care, and intention into our puppy-raising process.

Between 4 and 16 weeks, puppies go through a critical socialisation period. During this time, their little brains are like sponges—learning what’s safe, what’s normal, and how to interact with the world around them.

We work hard to make the most of this window by gently starting to introduce our pups to a wide range of positive experiences in a safe and age-appropriate way before they even come to join your family. You will be given a list of what they have been introduced to and their reactions and progress so far.

Examples of what that may include for your puppy:

• Household sounds – Vacuum cleaners, washing machines, kitchen clatter, and other everyday noises

• Variety of surfaces – Grass, tiles, rugs, ramps, gravel, and more (yes, even wobbly things!)

• Gentle handling – Regular cuddles, teeth checks, ear checks, baths, and body handling to prepare them for vet visits and grooming

• Different people – Supervised meeting of humans of different ages, appearances, and voices

• Other animals – Safe and supervised interactions with our adult dogs

• Exploring new spaces – Carefully curated "adventure zones" that change as they grow, with tunnels, toys, and climbing challenges

• Car trips & crate time – Early introductions to car rides and being relaxed in a crate

Why it matters:

Early socialisation helps prevent fear and reactivity later in life. Puppies that have a bank of positive experiences are more likely to grow into confident, curious, and adaptable adult dogs—the kind you can take anywhere.

We follow best-practice approaches recommended by experienced dog trainers and breeders and are always learning and improving.

Blog by Sanucu Elkhounds