How we raise puppies

You want your puppy to get the best possible start. Shakespeare’s Cavaliers are raised with a unique approach: a combination of best practices from different puppy systems that leads to a pet that is trainable, affectionate and confident.

Scent Exposure creates a more trainable, engaged puppy.

Scent exposure begins at birth (ESI – Early Scent Introduction). The idea behind scent exposure is to facilitate the creation of brain synapsis right off the bat. It allows the puppy to interact through smell and begin learning and engaging. 

ESI makes for a more trainable dog later on.

We don’t force scent on them, but we introduce a new scent each day for the first couple of weeks, until their eyes open. Even after that, we enjoy introducing new smells on occasionSome of the scents introduced to the puppies include orchid flowers, bark, herbs, shoelaces, fruits like banana peel and coconut flakes, herbs, grass, pinecones, and random things our children come up with.

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Sound socialization makes a more confident and well-rounded puppy.

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staying longer with mom helps reduce anxiety, obsessive licking, and nipping.

We raise the puppies for TEN weeks. Eight weeks with mom is sometimes not enough. Our momma Cavaliers typically like to nurse longer and enjoy nurturing their litter!

There is said to be a fear period right around eight weeks of age. Some breeders want to get the puppy in the forever home by that fear period, claiming it helps form a bond faster.

We swing with the pendulum on the other side.

Staying in a place they know and love, with their momma and siblings, provides mental and emotional stability. When they go home at ten weeks, they are less likely to develop anxious or obsessive behavior. During those extra two weeks, momma teaches them not to lick or nip, and potty training is reinforced.

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Potty Training starts early.

We begin potty training at THREE weeks of age. The puppies are introduced to pee pads in half of their area and they catch on pretty quickly! They don’t want pee and poop on their bed or near their toys and food area. The pee pad area is quite large for the first couple of weeks, then we make their area larger and put turf on the pee pad as they get bigger and more playful. As soon as the puppies receive their Parvo vaccine at six weeks old, they are introduced to real grass and we take them outside to potty. There are still turf areas in their indoor space for in-between times, but we try to get them on grass to potty as much as we can!

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Vaccination Schedule

We follow and recommend Dr. Jean Dodd‘s vaccination schedule. Puppy socialization can be done along with vaccination in a safe manner, and even Puppy Manners Courses can be attended. We do give a preliminary Parvo only shot at six weeks of age, as a form of precaution. The puppies are not placed on public flooring or on our grass until after the Parvo shot. Before this time, they are in a large area in our kitchen with washable carpet and we remove our shoes before entering. We believe that giving a Parvo-only shot three weeks before a set of puppy shots is easier on their immune system and can help their body absorb future vaccines better. They are introduced to a small vaccine on its own before given a set of multiple vaccines. 

Once you know when your puppy is coming home, set up a well-check with your vet.

We do a well-check vet visit with them right before sending them home, and their next visit should be a month after that one. They will be due for their second set of puppy shots at 14 weeks of age, and the last set of puppy shots can be given at 18 weeks of age. We take our personal dogs in for their rabies vaccine at six months of age. Rabies vaccination is required by law in Utah.