Setting our puppies up for success

Early Neurological Stimulation and Early Scent Introduction

In the first days of a puppy's life, the significance of early neurological stimulation cannot be overstated. From just three days old, these babies are embarking on a massive journey of development, both physically and mentally. Early neurological stimulation involves gentle, purposeful interactions that ignite vital neurological pathways that fosters resilience, adaptability, and overall well-being in the growing pup. Early Scent Introduction is the exposure of different scents to your puppy.  This practice is especially beneficial for working dogs, such as search-and-rescue dogs and service dogs, but can also help pet dogs develop confidence and adaptability. Puppies exposed to various smells from a young age tend to be more adaptable to new environments and experiences. 

At approximately 4/5 weeks old, we take our training a step further and do physical and mental challenges with our puppies. We have designed our puppy maze with structured challenges that assess and enhance our puppies problem solving abilities and resilience.  The more challenges they face and conquer, the more confident and resourceful your dogs will be.  We developed our maze following the research of Bonnie Bergin, an American canine researcher.  Bergin founded the Canine Companions for Independence, the first program to train assistance dogs.  Many institutions and organisations use puppy mazes and challenges in the world of Assistance and therapy dogs. 

 We also take our puppies on 'adventure walks' around our paddock to ensure they learn to follow and learn through their sense of smell all aspects of the walk.  We call this their 'snifari'.

At Fairway Creek Retrievers, we practice these  early training techniques to ensure that your puppy has the absolute best start in life.  We want your puppy to have the best emotional development so that when you take him or her home, there will be little or no surprises. The challenging situations that they do encounter will be managed well with reassurance from the people they trust.  

We want your puppy to be a confident and resilient dog who is easily trainable – hence the time and effort we have put into your growing puppy.  We do a lot of training  and practice for your puppies to learn to come, sit,  be comfortable with crate training, toileting, halti wearing, following, showering, water play, nail clipping and grooming  as well as getting them to focus on us.

You must carry on your puppies training and socialisation once you get him or her into your home.  The more situations that you expose him or her to in these early weeks and months will solidify the training we have done here at Fairway Creek Retrievers.  We want your grown retriever to be a confident, well mannered and well socialised dog.  

 With love, attention and proper training from their new families, our puppies will grow into well- adjusted and happy companions, eager to explore their new surrounding.  We provide a strong foundation for learning through our early training, setting them up for success, while ongoing guidance and training from their families ensure they reach their full potential.