Welcome! This site contains pictures of our current litters and development updates for our puppy families and friends. We invite you to visit our main web site for further info:
www.acadiagoldenretrievers.com
We are very excited to announce...
Nicolett has been bred to Braedon and their beautiful, healthy baby boy arrived Sept.9th!
Inquiries welcome!
DEVELOPMENT UPDATES
:
(raised incorporating Puppy Culture methods)
9/9/19: A healthy, baby boy has arrived! Delivered by planned c-section. Nicolett and her baby are doing fantastic! He is active and nursing very well and Mom started taking care of him right away, which is not usual after a section - a breeder usually has to stimulate puppies with a warm, wet cotton ball to get them to eliminate until the mom starts licking , which can take a couple of days. Nicolett is being an excellent mom!
Neo-Natal Period (1-14 days): During this time newborns are helpless and
completely dependent on their dams, responding only to her warmth, touch and
smell. They cannot regulate body functions such as temperature and
elimination. The position of a puppy when the dam is cleaning it and activating
elimination will actually become a ritualized submission position - the mother
teaches the submission position from day one. At this age, puppies sleep
90% of the time, only waking to suckle, a natural reflex. There are some
vocalizations at this age if hungry or in distress. Early Neurological
Stimulation, 5 specific exercises for 3-5 seconds, once per day, will begin on
day 3 and continue through day 16, benefiting puppies with improved
cardiovascular, stronger heartbeats, stronger adrenal glands, more tolerance to
stress and greater resistance to disease.
9/12/19: Day 3 - Early NeurologicalStimulation has begun!
9/17/19 - First nail clipping so Mom is not scratched while nursing. Just the front paws are clipped this time. The back are left a whle longer to help with traction.
9/21/19 - Cradling has started! This is a submission hold but the way it is done helps to teach the puppy that it is enjoyable since belly rubs are done at the same time! It is also the beginning of "settle".
9/23/19 - 2 weeks old! Eyes are starting to open! Ears will be next.
Transitional Period (14-21 days): This period starts when the
eyes are open and ends when the puppy first "startles" on hearing a
noise. This week is characterized by the rapid development of motor
skills, the ability to eliminate on its own, the onset of usable vision (by
18-21 days), the initial emergence of teeth, and the development of hearing,
although unable to locate the source of a sound. Puppies move around
a lot more, can now move backwards as well as forward and begin to walk instead
of crawl. Tail wagging begins and vocalizations become more specialized.
They begin to show interest in their littermates.
9/25/19 - Last day of early neurological stimulatoion.
9/29/19 - Starting to walk!
9/30/19 - 3 weeks old - Holds head up consistently, wags tail, and has begun to play!
Awareness or Identification Period (21-28 days): This is the first
time puppies have use of all of their senses. Sight and hearing are
functioning well. Puppies will begin "play-fighting" during
this week, with a loose pecking order starting to form. Barking
increases. As the mother limits nursing time due to teeth eruption,
puppies will learn to accept discipline and submission to adult dogs.
10/5/19 - Today is the
transition from the whelping pen to the play pen.
The entire whelping pen was a 3" cushion with a pad on top. Now the
pen is larger and has Dri-Dek for flooring which provides traction, and
hospital pads with a raised metal section to begin potty training. The back of the pen has been removed
for future use of the doggy door.
10-10-19 - First time outside in the puppy pen with Nicolett.
Second Awareness/Identification Week (28-35 days): During this
week, play behavior becomes much more sophisticated, including growling,
chasing, and "kill" games. Distance perception is much
improved. Play helps develop the strength, agility, coordination and skills to
function as an adult and result in problem solving ability.
Curiosity Period (5-7 weeks): Weaning is completed during this period, although the mother will still play with and teach her puppies. The puppies will be very curious now - wanting to climb, crawl, investigate and taste everything. They have the lowest fear and highest approach acceptance now. They are attracted and accept people sooner but peak at this time due to increased motor skills and mobility. If frightened at this age, the puppy will bounce back very quickly.
Socialization
Period (5-16 weeks): Dogs are not genetically "programmed" to
interact socially with other species, including humans, but 12,000 years of
domestication has made this possible. The more chances a puppy has to be
properly exposed to new things, the less bothered he/she will be throughout
his/her life. Socialization requires creativity and is an ongoing process,
however, it is critical during this period.
10/16/19 - I've started socialization with the rest of the pack!
10/19/19- Puppy Socialization visits started.
10/26/19 - 1st car ride!
10/28/19 - Temperament testing!
10/31/19 - Introduction to crate and eating in crate. When there are multiple puppies in a litter, this begins at 5 1/2 weeks, not only to introduce puppies to a crate, but also to start them eating separately so that some puppies are not eating more food than others.
11/4/19 - 8 weeks old today! At Acadia, we do a lot with our puppies, whether it be 1 or more, to give them the best foundation to become loving, treasured, family companions. There is just so much a breeder can do before puppies leave for their new homes, so families have to be trusted to continue the effort. What you put into raising a puppy will always determine what you get out of it!