We get asked this question a lot (and it’s a great question!!). We think that all buyers should be concerned about how their puppy is raised and what work the breeder does to socialize them before they go home. While we add and remove elements for each litter depending on each puppies’ individual needs, the following is a good summary of what you can expect your puppy to be socialized to and what work was done.
As an overall statement, we generally follow the Puppy Culture approach to raising puppies. The word ‘generally’ in the previously statement just refers to the fact that the puppy culture protocols do not always align exactly with the age benchmarks for the Japanese Akitainu breed and that we modify our breeding program all the time as we learn from each litter we produce.
From birth to when the puppies’ eyes and ears open we do Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS), daily cuddling with puppies, novel scent introduction, and nail clipping.
When eyes and ears open but before they are really steady on their feet, we introduce tactile objects (toys) with a focus on novelty each day, daily new experiences (new locations, etc), start in home socialization (approved visitors), sound protocol (both calming classical music and exposure to sounds like fireworks, traffic, lawn equipment, etc), and startle response protocols.
Once the puppies are steady on their feet and moving around well, we introduce different surfaces, barrier challenges, water/baths, outdoor time (both backyard and in the front yard where they observe people, cars, mailmen, children, etc). We also start with focus and early training by introducing clickers, manding, scent games, shaping emotional responses, table work, and crate conditioning.
Once puppies are enthusiastically taking treats, training games become more complex and we introduce some simple games like touch, sit, etc.
After puppies get their first set of vaccines, off premises socialization and additional on premises socialization begins. Puppies go on car rides to various locations at least 3 times a week where they continue to experience novel things. Puppies may be introduced to other known adults with stable temperament. We hold a puppy party at the house where new people come over and work together with puppies individually and they get to meet more friendly strangers. Leash work is started, and puppies get daily walks in the neighborhood. Novel items and sounds are introduced such as rolling luggage, bicycles, roller skates, vacuums, etc.
This is just a generalized overview of what we do at a minimum but we are always learning from each new litter. We take a lot of pride in our puppies and strive to give them the best start in life that we can.