Raising Paws with a Cause! Bernedoodles that make a difference!
As a loving family with a deep passion for dogs, we have always cherished the presence of these amazing companions in our lives. With over 6 years of ethical breeding experience, our journey began with a couple of Great Danes, and then we met Stella, a beautiful, loyal, and affectionate AKC registered Bernese Mountain Dog who stole our hearts from the first moment. Despite her petite stature compared to the Great Danes, Stella's love and attachment to us were oversized, as she became an integral part of our daily lives. We believe that all dogs should integrate into families in this manner, offering unwavering love and companionship.
As our family grew with the arrival of our own children, we quickly recognized the immense joy and comfort our dogs brought to them. The impact was especially profound for one of our children with special needs, where the calming presence of Stella or Sully proved to be quite powerful. Witnessing the wonderful connection, affection, and healing that a well-tempered dog can bring inspired us to share this joy with others.
We have experienced firsthand how dogs can be extraordinary sources of comfort and support. During a challenging time when my husband had a traumatic brain injury, the touching presence of a Great Dane therapy dog while he was in a coma left a lasting impact. Additionally, our son with special needs receives weekly plasma infusions, and having one of our dogs faithfully by his side brings immense comfort and strength.
Our mission is to provide healthy and well-socialized Bernedoodles to our community, with a strong focus on nurturing amazing temperaments in our puppies. We strive to raise them to be easily trained as family pets, emotional support dogs, or even therapy dogs. To accomplish this goal, our puppies are raised in our home, where they interact with us throughout the day and experience the sounds and sights of a busy household.
In our dedication to providing the best start in life for our puppies, we employ various methods, including Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS), Early Scent Introduction (ESI), temperament testing, and puppy massage. Extensive socialization ensures that our puppies are well-adjusted and ready to embrace their new families with open hearts.
The puppy curriculum we follow helps develop their brains to become well-tempered and trainable dogs, setting them apart from the rest. We selectively breed our females with registered poodles, resulting in adorable Bernedoodle litters with a range of sizes, including miniature, medium, and standard.Our dogs' beautiful markings and calm dispositions are paired with the intelligence and desire to please that Poodles are known for. These limited edition litters grow into equally gorgeous dogs as they age, a testament to the care and love we provide.
As a family with three boys and a little girl, we understand the significance of owning a family pet. Our dogs are not just breeding dogs; they are cherished members of our family. Our desire is to extend this love and provide healthy, loving family pets from our family to yours.
Whether you seek a loving family pet or a service dog, we would be honored to help you find the perfect companion. Our commitment to nurturing well-tempered and trainable dogs through our puppy curriculum is what sets our puppies apart, ensuring that they bring joy, love, and happiness to every home they join.
We live in upstate South Carolina in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Stella (and her pups) are family-raised in our home and are acclimated to children, strangers, other animals, and all the other joyful chaos to be found around a busy, growing family. We follow a puppy curriculum designed to help with their brain development. We also provide ESI and ENS training on day 3-16 as well.
We understand the importance of a healthy and well tempered puppy. Our puppies are something special. If you’re interested in a smart, loving, loyal, home-raised Bernedoodle, send us a message. We’d love to connect with you and see if we can share one with you.
During the magical moment of whelping, we are present every step of the way, providing support to our mama dogs while allowing them to follow their natural instincts. We step in with gentle assistance whenever needed, ensuring that the birthing process is as smooth and stress-free as possible. After birth, each precious puppy is handled with utmost care. We weigh them, conduct thorough checks, and identify them with distinct collar colors, meticulously recording all details on our charts. At this early stage, we believe in minimizing handling and giving mama the opportunity to lick and nurse her pups, fostering a strong bond vital for their development.
As the days pass, we continue to provide meticulous care for the growing puppies. Daily checkups, weight monitoring, and collar adjustments are routine to ensure their comfort and well-being. We understand that their necks grow rapidly, and we want to make certain that their collars are never too tight or soiled.
Early in their lives, our puppies embark on their first part of schooling. At just three days old, we begin Early Neurological Stimulation ("ENS") and Early Scent Introduction ("ESI") with them. These proven methods lead to happier, healthier, and more resilient puppies and dogs, offering them an exceptional start in life. Though their adorable charm may tempt us to handle them more, we choose to minimize it during these tender weeks. Puppies can easily startle, and our goal is to avoid overwhelming them with unnecessary stress. For any puppy that may be struggling to thrive, we prioritize their well-being above all else and do not proceed with the curriculum until they show signs of improvement. Our aim is to instill a sense of safety and kindness in their world, laying a solid foundation of security.
When we do handle the puppies, it is a gentle and deliberate process. We approach them with care, holding them close to our face and heart. This close contact fosters trust and nurtures their emotional connection with humans. We believe that by providing a safe and loving environment and limiting stressors, our puppies can flourish and grow into well-adjusted and confident companions.
Our commitment to the well-being of our puppies from the moment of birth through their early development is a testament to our dedication as ethical breeders. We take great pride in giving each precious life the best possible start, setting them on a path of happiness, health, and a loving bond with their future families
We provide comprehensive delivery assistance to ensure the well-being of each newborn puppy. This includes resuscitating any puppies that may need extra support, maintaining their warmth after birth, and carefully clamping cords as necessary. Our priority is to create a safe and nurturing environment for the newborns.
Throughout their early days, we handle the puppies with the utmost gentleness during health checks, gender checks, weight measurements, and identifying them with color-coded ribbons. Meticulous record-keeping allows us to monitor their progress and development closely.
Daily checkups, regular weight checks, and timely ribbon changes are part of our routine to track their growth and ensure their comfort. We believe that attentive care plays a crucial role in the well-being of these precious lives.
Our commitment to the puppies' early development extends to providing Early Neurological Stimulation and Early Scent Introduction. These proven methods contribute to their happiness, health, and resilience, preparing them for a bright future.
We recognize the fragility of the puppies during these formative weeks and prioritize minimal handling. Our interactions are always infused with care and love, as we strive to foster a sense of security and trust in their hearts.
By combining meticulous care, thoughtful handling, and early stimulation, we aim to create a nurturing environment that allows each puppy to thrive physically, mentally, and emotionally. Our dedication to their well-being from birth through their early development reflects our unwavering commitment to ethical breeding and responsible pet care.
As puppies approach the three-week mark, they reach an exciting stage of development as their ears and eyes open, granting them a greater awareness of the world around them. With newfound curiosity and improved footing, it's essential to utilize this period to desensitize them to potential sources of fear later in life. We see this time as a sort of "preschool" for our little ones, where we gently expose them to various experiences in a mild and nurturing manner.
One crucial aspect of this stage is introducing them to potty training. We provide a separate litter box from their sleeping area to instill the idea that their "den" should remain clean, encouraging good potty habits from an early age.
Having successfully completed Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI), our puppies are ready for the next steps in their growth. Noise exposure becomes a part of their daily experiences, allowing us to gradually desensitize them to loud sounds. By building their confidence in the face of potentially frightening noises, we aim to raise puppies who remain calm and composed in various situations.
As part of our unique puppy handling exercises, we incorporate a gentle 10-step "puppy massage." This practice helps our puppies become familiar with different types of touch while reinforcing the idea that the world is a safe and kind place. Our goal is to increase their resilience to various forms of touch, preparing them to interact confidently with young children, groomers, veterinarians, and other people they may encounter in their lives.
Another vital aspect of this stage is our "puppy school," which we introduce as whelping box novelty item exposure. Within the safety of their whelping box, we introduce the puppies to safe and gentle items, such as small stuffed animals, various fabrics and textures, and non-noisy household items. This exposure allows them to investigate and interact with new objects without fear, promoting brain development and building their confidence.
We also play classical music during this period to signal sleep time, encouraging a calming and relaxing environment for our growing puppies. This practice is something we recommend to our clients to continue even after the puppies go to their forever homes.
By providing our puppies with these nurturing experiences, we hope to shape them into well-adjusted, confident, and resilient individuals, ready to embrace the world and build loving connections with their future families. Our commitment to early socialization and gentle handling sets a strong foundation for their future well-being and happiness.
As our puppies progress from their "preschool" phase, they gradually transition to a more challenging "kindergarten" stage. At this point, they are bigger and more capable of handling new situations with confidence. While we proceed gently and at their individual pace, our school curriculum aims to nurture their self-assurance, help them overcome obstacles, and face challenges without fear.
During this phase, school activities take place outside of the whelping box. We create a separate stall for the puppies where Mama can still visit them for nursing sessions, but they begin to experience a more independent and explorative environment. We introduce soaked kibble a few times a day, starting the process of weaning while ensuring they receive proper nourishment.
In our kindergarten curriculum, we present the puppies with increasingly challenging obstacles to overcome. We start with stationary items like stuffed toys and ropes, then gradually introduce items with gentle movement, such as ping pong balls. Finally, they encounter objects with larger movements, like big balls. Should a puppy seem hesitant to explore new items, we gently encourage them with our soothing voices and reassuring hands. We believe in empowering the puppies to face these experiences on their own terms, never forcing them into situations that cause fear.
The key to their development lies in their ability to do things for themselves. We firmly believe in nurturing their independence and self-confidence. Instead of enabling them, we encourage them to take initiative and make their own choices, laying a strong foundation for their growth and future interactions with the world around them.
As ethical breeders, we are committed to providing our puppies with the best possible start in life. Our "kindergarten" phase focuses on fostering their natural abilities, building resilience, and ensuring they grow into well-adjusted, confident, and capable companions. By gently guiding them through these important developmental stages, we prepare them for a lifetime of happiness and harmonious relationships with their forever families.
After two weeks of gentle puppy school, our little ones are ready for a more exciting and challenging experience. From the moment they were born, we've been dedicated to nurturing their confidence and independence, always striving to empower rather than enable. Now, as they approach the final weeks in our care, the real fun begins!
In this stage of school, we ask more of our puppies, encouraging them to explore and conquer new challenges. Their growing confidence allows them to walk over grates, investigate objects with wheels like a skateboard, and complete an exciting obstacle course. They get to try out balance pods, engage in brain games for dogs, and face the thrill of overhead exposure. We expose them to a variety of enjoyable activities, including playing in a ball pit, splashing in a kiddy pool of water, going on car rides, meeting new people, and going on expedition walks. Each day is filled with wonder and discovery.
When not in school, our puppies have a blast playing indoors or outdoors with their siblings and a range of toys provided in their stall. Mama continues her gentle weaning process, and by six weeks, the puppies are fully weaned, ready for the next chapter in their lives.
As part of their training, we work on imprinting the lifesaving "Puppy, Puppy, Puppy" recall during feeding times. We ensure that all our clients receive information on how to use this recall in emergencies, providing an added layer of safety for our beloved puppies.
At six weeks old, we begin keeping a log of each puppy's temperament traits. Before this age, puppies undergo significant changes as they develop and grow. By six weeks, their individual traits become more fixed and observable, allowing us to create a personalized profile for each puppy to help them find their perfect forever home.
Our commitment to providing our puppies with a loving and enriching environment sets the stage for a lifetime of happiness and harmonious relationships with their future families. The journey of early development may be coming to an end with us, but we are confident that these confident and well-adjusted companions are now prepared for a lifetime of joy and love with their forever families.
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