Our Puppy Program

As a breeder, we have an opportunity to make a dramatic impact on your puppy. When I started our breeding program I wanted to do it the right way and to go above and beyond for our puppies and future puppy families. I wanted to ensure we provided proper enrichment for our puppies during their time with us, that way they were set up for success when going home to their fur-ever families! So here at Kyon Kennel we follow both Puppy Culture as well as the Breeders Bootcamp Program by Stephanie Major.

First, we start by ensuring we have happy and healthy parent dogs! All of our parent dogs are extremely well mannered, have great temperaments and undergo not only genetic testing but physical health testing. A percentage of a puppies temperament and ability to preform tasks, etc. is based on genetics, where the other percentage comes from how the puppy is raised, their training, management as well as nutrition. We try and use all of these factors to our advantage to develop the best balanced program possible!

Our puppies start off by being born in our home and with us present. This allows us to keep a close eye on momma and babies so we can make sure everyone gets fed, cleaned, stays warm and make sure mom is recovering and tending to everyone properly. From days 3-16 old puppies undergo what is called Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI). ENS is a set of exercises preformed daily consisting of four positions, foot tickling and touching a cold surface. This causes the puppies to go through healthy stress and imprinting and is know to improve cardiovascular performance, stronger heartbeats, stronger adrenal glands, and a greater resistance to disease. ESI introduces puppies to different scents daily to see what they like and dislike. Each puppies is allowed to smell the object/scent for 3-5 second and consists of everything from spices, dirt, fir and tennis balls. ESI has shown to improve nose awareness and confidence.

At 3 weeks old we move into a more advance curriculum with a 10 Step Puppy Handling Exercise every day and increase pressure weekly until the time puppies go home. This ensures that puppies are exposed to various types of touch, sensation and handling. Puppies are also introduced to different sights, sounds, textures, things to climb on, run through and more. This teaches the puppies to recover and bounce back from fearful experiences and gain their confidence in their problem solving skills. If they can conquer physical and mental obstacles they will be empowered and able to recover quicker as adults. Around 4-5 weeks old we begin introducing puppies to "puppy mush". Mom is usually ready to begin weaning at that point so we step in to help!

Between 4-7 weeks old we follow what is called "The Rules of Seven", which means by the time your puppy is 7 weeks old it will have:

Been on 7 different types of surfaces: carpet, concrete, dirt, grass, gravel, linoleum, tile, vinyl, wood chips and wood.
Played with 7 different types of objects: big balls, metal items, milk or soda jugs, paper or cardboard items, plush toys, rope toys, small balls, soft fabric toys, squeaky toys and sticks, etc.
Been in 7 different locations: basement, bathroom, car, crate, front and back yard, garage, hallway, kennel, kitchen, laundry room, living room, Vet's office, etc.
Met and played with 7 new people: include children and older adults, someone walking with a cane or in a wheelchair or walker, someone tall, someone in a hat, etc.
Been exposed to 7 different challenges: climb on a box, climb over obstacles, climb steps, go down steps, go in and out of a doorway with a step up or down, play hide and seek, run around a fence.
Eaten from 7 different containers: cardboard, elevated bowl, frisbee, frying pan, glass, human hands, metal, paper, pie plate, plastic, tin pan, etc.
Eaten in 7 different locations: back yard, basement, bathroom, crate, exercise pen, laundry room, living room, yard.

We also expose the puppies to different household item noises: vacuums, hair dryers, doorbells, fly swatter, phone, television, alarm clock, ice maker, etc. As well as outdoor noises: car horns, motorcycles, garage doors, lawn mowers and snow blowers, tractors/UTVs, storms, fireworks, etc.

At 7 weeks of age the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test is preformed on each individual puppy. This test focuses on the puppies temperament traits and drive to help make sure you get a puppy that fits you, your lifestyle and your needs as well as the puppies. We feel this sets everyone up for success and puppies are less likely to be rehomed because of these tests! Once vet checks and temperament testing are completed families will be able to watch evaluation videos and see scorecards of each puppy in order for them to make the right decision for their family on go home day. We can also make a suggestion on a puppy pick if you request so. Picks are made in order of your place on the wait list on go home day. No exceptions!

How Our Puppies are Raised