Thoughts on Raising Puppies

I realized I never actually finished off this series, so here we go.

The timing is actually pretty fitting because we have also just wrapped up another litter of puppies.

After weeks of watching them grow from tiny newborns into confident little puppies ready to head out into the world, they are now settling into their new homes and beginning the next chapter with their families.

Every time I finish raising a litter, I am reminded just how much happens in those few short weeks. It starts with tiny newborn puppies who depend completely on their mama. Little by little, their eyes open, they begin exploring, personalities start to emerge, and the real fun begins.

We introduce new sounds, surfaces, people, handling, grooming, crates, routines, outdoor experiences and so many other little pieces of everyday life. None of those things seem huge on their own, but together they build a foundation.

This litter was also a little extra special for me because after the other puppies went home, Roo stayed with me a little longer for board and train. It gave me the opportunity to take everything I had already started teaching her as a young puppy and continue building on it.

We worked on crate training, housetraining, manners, settling, new environments and simply learning how to live alongside people. It reminded me again why I am so passionate about this part of raising puppies.

Training is not really about having a puppy who can perform a long list of commands. It is about raising a puppy who knows how to learn. A puppy who trusts people, can experience something new and recover when they are unsure, can settle, understands that humans are worth paying attention to, and has been given the confidence to step into a brand new home and begin building a relationship with their own family.

Of course, none of my puppies leave here perfectly trained. They are still babies, and their families have plenty of learning ahead of them. My job is simply to give them the best foundation I can. Then their new families get to take that foundation and continue building on it.

That is why all the things I have talked about throughout this series matter so much. Early socialization, positive reinforcement, realistic expectations, consistency, learning each puppy as an individual, and above all, building trust.

After raising another litter and watching them leave, I am reminded that the puppy stage really does go incredibly fast. There are exhausting days, a lot of cleaning, sleepless nights, messes, biting, barking and moments when you wonder if anyone is learning anything at all.

And then suddenly, they are ready to go.

You watch them leave with their families and realize just how much they have learned in such a short amount of time. Somehow, with every litter I raise, I learn something too. That may be my favourite part of all of this.

No matter how many books I read, videos I watch, classes I take or puppies I raise, there will always be something more to learn. And I hope I never stop learning.

Now that the puppies are settled into their new homes and Roo has finished her board and train, I am going to take a much needed little break from social media. Raising a litter is incredibly rewarding, but it is also a very busy few months, and when it is over I always appreciate a little time to recharge.

I will be back before the end of August with more puppy and training tips. I still have lots I want to share.

And to all of my new puppy families, just because your puppy has gone home does not mean my support ends there. You are always welcome to message me with questions. Whether it is housetraining, crate training, biting, feeding, grooming, settling in or something you are simply unsure about, please reach out.

I love watching these puppies grow long after they leave my home, and I am always happy to help along the way.