Menu

As experienced labradoodle breeders, we take a number of steps at Van Isle Doodles that utilize our experience, education and research to ensure our Australian Labradoodle puppies are exposed to a variety of experiences that will help them develop the skills to thrive and become excellent companion labradoodles.

By utilizing this approach at Van Isle Doodles, we provide a solid foundation for your labradoodle to reach their full potential. Below is an outline of what your labradoodle puppy will experience with us during the first 9 weeks. This will give you an insight into what goes into raising a happy, healthy, sound labradoodle puppy up to 9 weeks of age. Of course, the non-quantifiable factor is the love and affection we shower on all our labradoodles, young and old alike. Australian Labradoodles are our true passion and we don’t hesitate to heap affection onto all the labradoodles who share our home with us.

[envira-gallery id="2673"]

Studies have shown that it is beneficial for an expectant labradoodle girl to spend the last phase of her pregnancy in a calm, quiet environment. As well, it is thought if a pregnant dog receives regular tactile affection, the puppies are also impacted and tend to be more relaxed and calm when they arrive.

We also go to great lengths to be sure our expectant labradoodle Moms have a complete and healthy diet throughout their pregnancy including fresh vegetables, home cooked food (usually chicken thighs and ground pork), a variety of canine vitamins that are safe for a pregnant dog to consume, the highest possible quality dog food (Rayne kibble and organic, non-GMO raw beef), cottage cheese, honey, rice and goat’s milk. We are careful to keep our Moms’ carbohydrate intake up during the last week of pregnancy and for the entire time she is nursing her brood.

We want our labradoodle pups to have the best of the best while they are being formed and we also are diligent about maintaining our labradoodle Moms in the best possible condition.

At Van Isle Doodles we use a method known as the Super Dog Program or the Bio Sensor method. We also employ our own tried and true labradoodle breeder experience from the moment a labradoodle puppy comes into the world.

We have exceptionally close and trusting relationships with our own labradoodles. We devote hours to developing a close bond with the labradoodles so they trust us implicitly. This bond allows us to begin shaping puppies right from the moment they arrive.

Our labradoodle Moms trust us enough that the birthing process is shared in its entirety. From the first signs of imminent labour, one or both of us remains with Mom until all the puppies are safely delivered. This sometimes can take over 24 hours. We sleep with our girls in the whelping area when necessary as often there are quite a few hours between the arrival of one puppy and the next.

We take extensive notes on each labradoodle puppy from the moment it arrives to the day the puppy leaves to go to its furever home with you. We monitor its achievements, personality characteristics, rank within the litter, weight gain, colour and coat development and anything else that helps us understand this little labradoodle better. These notes form the foundation of our selection process enabling us to match you with the perfect labradoodle puppy from Van Isle Doodles.

For the first two weeks the puppies are unable to see or hear and are not able to eliminate on their own. They are dependent on Mom for virtually everything in order to survive.

During this time period we do a series of exercises to give the pups’ neurological systems a jump start. Better and stronger heart beats, adrenal glands and a higher level of tolerance to minor stresses are all benefits of these exercises.

Research has proven that puppies who experience very mild forms of stress during the first 5 weeks of their lives develop into mature dogs who are better than average for learning. The size of the brain actually increases as a result of these mild stresses.

The types of exercises we do with the puppies are things such as placing a small obstacle between the puppy and Mom so the puppy s forced to assess the situation, problem solve to overcome the obstacle and get back to Mom. Exercises are all designed to challenge the puppy, ensure it will succeed and then provide a reward after solving the problem. This will build the pup’s confidence.

Other exercises we do are to rub the puppy between the toes for tactile stimulation, holding the puppy in a vertical position both with the head up and the head down, holding the puppy by the back, putting the puppy on a cold surface and figuring out how to wiggle off of it. All minor, gentle things but all things that will help your puppy mature into a superior dog with far less fear.

Our entire family interacts with the puppies and handles each puppy multiple times. Once the labradoodle puppies begin to walk we have them follow us around the house and outdoors on a variety of different surfaces and in different types of weather. The little labradoodles are exposed to all regular household items and activities including vacuuming, the dishwasher running, washer & dryer, television and loads of music. In fact, we play music in the nursery for the labradoodle puppies and Mom to help keep them relaxed and accustomed to a variety of different types of sounds.

[envira-gallery id="2677"]