OUR APPROACH TO RAISING PUPPIES

 

I believe in ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation) training as well as bringing the puppies up around my children and other animals. They are raised on our farm and are both indoor and outdoor (once vaccinated). I try my best to give perspective buyers weekly photo updates! I also introduce new items for the puppies to play with and also change their surroundings every other week!

I believe that being exposed to louder noises and getting them out and about allows them to get prepared for any and everything that might be in their future.

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FEEDING RECOMMENDATIONS

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Purina Pro Plan Sport 30/20 is what I feed and what I recommend because it’s one of the highest researched dog food brands out there, along with Royal Canin and Science Diet. Grain free diets are linked to DCM so I do not recommend those diets. I also do not recommend feeding a raw diet. Unless we have spoken about these at length, the 2-year health guarantee will be void if you feed a grain free or raw diet.

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VACCINE PROTOCOLS

 

Distemper parvo vaccines are started between 7-8 weeks of age. There is no reason to start vaccinating before this age because of the maternal antibodies that are protecting the puppies from the mothers milk.

 

These vaccines should be continued every 3 to 4 weeks until the pup is at least 16 weeks of age. Distemper and parvo are two nasty diseases that can be completely avoided if you follow the above protocol and by keeping your puppy away from unvaccinated canines as well as avoiding parks. Parvovirus is passed via fecal-oral transmission and affects the gastrointestinal system. Distemper lives in the environment and can survive many years in the soil. Distemper affects the respiratory and neurologic systems.

Rabies vaccines should be given at 12 weeks of age. Another rabies vaccine should be given one year from the original rabies vaccine. After that, rabies vaccine should be given every 2 to 3 years depending on the approval status of your region.

Leptospirosis is a vaccine that I do not give to my puppies because it is not in my region. If leptospirosis is common in your area, then I highly recommend this vaccine. Generally speaking, the coastal and southern states are at most risk. Please consult your veterinarian to see if they recommend this vaccine.
 

Rattlesnake vaccine is also recommended if rattlesnakes are common in your area. Rattlesnake vaccine does not completely negate the effects of rattlesnake venom but dulls the effects and helps give you time to get to your veterinarian.

Heartworm preventative is something that I personally recommend no matter where you live. It is so much easier to prevent heartworm disease than it is to treat it. I know from personal experience. Plus, the heartworm preventative also serves as a monthly dewormer.

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EXPECTATIONS FOR PUPPY OWNER

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When you commit to one of my Border Collies, I expect you to make as much of an effort in their training and upbringing as I have, and more. I am only a part of their lives for a very short period that sets them up for success albeit that their training continues; I recommend focusing on deterring negative behaviors and teaching and reinforcing commands rather than teaching them tricks.

 

Not every dog responds the same to every type of training. I try to make it my goal to breed and raise puppies with as even-keeled temperaments as possible and start them within the first week of life on the Early Neurological Stimulus protocol.

 

I try to ensure that when my puppies are ready to leave the nest they are prepared for their next family to start training. This means that when you get your puppy home you should start setting boundaries of what you expect from them.

 

Training should continue throughout their life. If you take one of my puppies, I expect their training to continue and for you to seek professional help from reputable trainers if you are having trouble, but this is why I strongly recommend you research the breed in depth before purchasing a puppy.  I am also here for counsel if need be, but I strongly believe that both negative and positive reinforcement are needed when training. I personally use electronic collars for the training of the dogs. Border Collies are a commitment that you must be willing to make for the rest of their lives.