We employ selective breeding methods.  By doing this, we ensure that the parents of our pups are carefully selected so as to enhance genetic strengths, and produce pups, that are born healthy, that better the breed, that are suited for life with a family, and that will go on to live long, healthy, and happy lives. 

 

Once we have produced genetically superior puppies, all of these pups then undergo various types of stimulation and enhanced socialization techniques, which are designed for, and are shown to, increase the trainability and long-term emotional stability. 

 

The methods and procedures that we use to ensure that your pup is awesome include the following...  

 

Early Neurological Stimulation

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     ENS is performed during days 3-16 for improved cardiovascular performance, stronger heart beats, stronger adrenal glands, more tolerance to stress and greater resistance to disease.  Exercises include tactical stimulation, head held erect, head pointed down, held supine and thermal stimulation.

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Early Scent Introduction

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     ESI is also best utilized at days 3-16 and is used to increase nose awareness and confidence.  Puppies are exposed to a new scent each day.  These are scents that are natural but stimulative.  The pups reactions are charted as either positive, negative or neutral.

 

10 Step Handling Exercises

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     As prescribed in the Empowered Breeder Curriculum, each puppy has the following performed from the third week on.  Ear rubs, eyes covered, mouth opened, gums rubbed, belly rub, stroking the back, hand pressure along tail and legs, paw pad touching,  This allows the puppies to associate the handling that they will receive from their new families, including children as well as visits to the groomer and veterinarian. 

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Empowered Puppies Make Trainable Secure Dogs

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     At Rasmussen Ranch, we empower our puppies to be brave and strong.  They are never enabled.  Puppies are lured with positive voice gestures and encouraging hand signals.  We create conditions where puppies solve problems, complete challenges and learn to do so in a variety spaces with unfamiliar noises and environments.  This allows the puppies to build their confidence, learn to be compliant and to trust and love their humans.

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Potty Training and Crate Training

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     Potty training and crate training go hand in hand.  Starting at three weeks of age, each litter will have a "potty area" that is close to the feeding and sleeping area but that is also attractive for use as a bathroom.  Crate training starts at about four weeks of age.  Each pup is placed in a crate for minutes at a time as it transitions between activities and locations.  They learn quickly that crates are a safe place.  When you get your Rasmussen Ranch puppy, they will be potty trained and crate trained.

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Temperament Testing

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All puppies are born with traits that they inherit from their parents.  Their individual personalities really start to evolve at around six weeks old.  Careful notes are taken about the characteristics that each pup exhibits.  

Stable Traits have a stronger heritability and are not easily changed in a pup.  It's just the way they are.  These traits include Assertiveness, Motivation, Energy Level, Prey Drive, Human Focus and Tenderheartedness.

Adjustable Traits are malleable and we as owners and trainers can encourage or discourage these ones, including, Confidence, Nerve Strength, Resilience, Touch Tolerance, Sound Sensitivity and Sight Sensitivity.

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Puppy Evaluations

     At seven weeks old, all the puppies are independently evaluated.  This allows for objectivity and gives a more accurate assessment of the Stable Traits and Adjustable Traits that each puppy has.  The results of the independent evaluations allow us to match the correct puppy with a family that is best suited for them.  You will be able to access the videos and score cards for each puppy before selections are made.  This allows families to observe the actual and demonstrable differences of each puppy, allowing them to make an educated decision in the selection process. Back to HOME 

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