Bringing a puppy into your life is an exciting journey, and at Shasta Royal Monroe, we believe that journey starts long before you meet your new companion. The early weeks of a puppy’s life are critical in shaping its health, behavior, and temperament. Our goal is to give every Australian Labradoodle the best possible start in life, ensuring they grow into happy, healthy, and well-adjusted family members.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the first eight weeks in the life of a Shasta Royal Monroe puppy and the care, training, and love that goes into those crucial early days.
Birth to 3 Days: Early Neurological Stimulation
Within hours of being born, our puppies begin a specialized care routine that sets the foundation for their future success. Each puppy is monitored closely to ensure they are nursing well and gaining weight properly. During this time, we introduce Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS), a series of gentle exercises designed to stimulate their neurological system. ENS has been shown to improve cardiovascular performance, strengthen resistance to stress, and enhance learning ability later in life.
3 to 14 Days: Early Scent Introduction
In addition to ENS, we also begin Early Scent Introduction (ESI) during this period. ESI helps puppies develop their olfactory senses, which can later assist with scent work in roles such as service or therapy dogs. While they’re still spending most of their time sleeping and feeding, this early exposure helps stimulate their brains in ways that benefit them for life.
2 to 3 Weeks: Eyes Open, World Expands
By the end of the second week, the puppies’ eyes start to open, and they become more aware of the world around them. They are still primarily focused on eating and sleeping, but their senses of sight and hearing begin to develop. Around this time, we introduce new textures and surfaces for them to explore, helping to build their sensory awareness.
3 to 4 Weeks: Early Socialization and Potty Training Begins
At around three weeks, the puppies start to become more mobile and curious. This is the stage where their personalities begin to shine. We introduce a variety of age-appropriate toys and provide them with plenty of gentle human interaction to help them get used to being handled.
We also start early potty training during this phase by introducing a designated potty area in their pen. This helps set the foundation for successful housebreaking once they go to their new homes. We use a command called ‘puppy puppy’ to teach them to come when called, building a foundation for recall.
4 to 5 Weeks: Exploring New Sounds and Sights
During this period, we expose the puppies to a variety of sights and sounds, ensuring they are well-socialized and comfortable in a home environment. From the sounds of the vacuum cleaner to the clinking of dishes, the puppies are immersed in the normal bustle of household life. This is crucial for their mental well-being, helping them grow into confident, adaptable dogs.
We also start introducing them to different textures, like grass and gravel, to further build their sensory development. This is also when we begin teaching them simple commands such as ‘sit’ and ‘down’ using positive reinforcement.
5 to 6 Weeks: Basic Commands and Playtime
As the puppies continue to grow, they begin to play with each other and develop social skills. Play is a vital part of their development, teaching them bite inhibition, communication, and boundaries with their littermates.
We also start individual training sessions where we focus on basic commands and manners. Puppies are eager to learn, and by keeping training sessions short and positive, they begin to understand commands such as ‘sit,’ ‘stay,’ and ‘down.’
6 to 8 Weeks: Temperament Testing and Preparing for New Homes
At six weeks, the puppies undergo temperament testing as part of the Empowered Breeder program, helping us match each puppy with the right family. By this time, their individual personalities are more apparent, allowing us to ensure each puppy is placed in a home that fits their temperament and energy level.
Families who are local come in to meet the puppies, while others join us virtually for puppy picks. We encourage all families to choose based on temperament rather than color, as this will ensure a lasting match for both the family and the puppy.
As we approach the eight-week mark, the puppies are nearly ready to transition to their forever homes. We continue to work on their training, including reinforcing potty training, crate training, and basic commands. They are also introduced to grooming routines to get them accustomed to brushing and nail clipping, ensuring a smooth transition into their new lives.
The Transition to Forever Homes
When our puppies leave for their forever homes at 8 weeks, they are already well-socialized, confident, and on the way to being potty trained. Every puppy is sent home with a care package, which includes a blanket that smells like their mother and littermates, a supply of the food they’ve been eating, and vet records. We also provide a discount to access to Baxter & Bella, an online training program, to support our families as they continue training their puppies.
At Shasta Royal Monroe, we’re committed to providing a lifetime of support to our puppy buyers. We believe that the time and care we invest in the early weeks of a puppy’s life make a world of difference in the long-term health and happiness of our dogs and their families.
If you’re interested in learning more about our breeding process or adopting one of our Australian Labradoodles, feel free to reach out. We’re here to answer any questions and guide you through the process of welcoming a new puppy into your family!
Comments