Raising a Litter

Raising a litter starts long before the birth of the puppies. We have been breeding for over 17 years and our goal for every dog we bring in and produce is for them to be better than the last. We focus on temperament and health with all of our dogs. We know each dog intimately and have a mutual trust and respect that grows with each day. Everything from diet to training to living space is so important for the growth of each puppy. Take a look at some of the ways we invest in these babies so they can grow to be your best friend and trusted companion for years to come.

The Whelping Room

From the time we breed our mamas, the whelping room becomes their safe space. Did you know the health of the puppies is highly effected by the stress of the mama? Both the physical health and mental health of puppies can be negatively impacted if the mama is stressed during pregnancy.
This room is designed to help the expecting mother feel calm and comfortable so when the time comes to birth puppies, she is not panicking about her space. It has everything we need to successfully whelp a litter. Mama's have access to the whelping pen, a crate, food and water as well as soft dog bed.
We have cameras set up so we can watch mom and puppies without interfering. This room is right off our dinning room. This allows up quick access and easy supervision.
The puppies stay in the whelping pen until they are a few weeks old. We start training and handling them at just 2 days old, but we allow mama to keep them in here so they are safe. We listen to our mamas and take cues from her. If she is unwelcoming to us being in there, we back off and let her handle it. Most of the time our mamas love showing off their babies and are always trusting us, but that relationship is build over time long before puppies are born.

Transitional Areas

Living Room Whelping Pen

Once the puppies are a few weeks old, have their eyes and ears open, we move them to the whelping pen in the living room during the day. This allows them to be exposed to the noises and sites of being in a home. They get time out of the pen every day to explore the house, interact with our kids and their friends, as well as play with the other members of the pack. This helps them learn dog behaviors and builds confidence with normal household items and noises. (Think things like dishwasher, TV, vacuum, doorbell and more.) They still sleep in the whelping room as that is where they are most comfortable. We want them getting good sleep so they can grow and keep their immune system strong.

We introduce the puppies to crates at a young age. The crates are set up so when they go exploring they get to go into them on their own terms. We will hide treats in there too so its a reward to do the new thing and step into the crate. Once they are 5 weeks old, we start letting them nap in the crates throughout the day. The crates are set up side by side so they do not feel alone with their littermates right next door. This helps them form a good bond with the crate and makes the transition into their new home a bit easier.

Crate Time

The puppies love their outdoor space. This space was built for all the needs of our litters. The pups get playtime in this yard every day once they hit 4 weeks as long as weather is nice. They get to explore the feeling of dirt and grass under their feet, learn about the sounds of birds and outdoor noises. We change out the toys in this space almost every day so they always have something new to explore and discover when they come out to play. Our pups are never outside unsupervised and we make sure everyone has good experiences. This helps the pups become confident and brave which lessens their likelihood of having behavioral issues later in life.

Outdoor Play Yard

Training

Training starts just after birth at Liberty Shepherds. I have spent years working with rescue dogs as well as some of the highest trained military and police K9s and everything in between. Over the years I have pulled information and training from programs like Puppy Culture, as well as my own experience as a animal behaviorist, dog trainer and AKC Judge.
I begin training by helping the brain form pathways for problem solving and stress regulation at just a few days old. As they get older they get exposed to more and more in a controlled environment. This allows me to watch their reaction, guide their response and build confidence so they can face these things in the future without fear.
We show these pups that humans are to be trusted and they are their comfort and protection. My puppies know my voice and know when they see me they can accomplish anything because I will be there to support and protect them.
We want our pups to form strong bonds with their owners for a lifetime of trust and love. This sets these dogs up for great success in the future with proper training and love. Does this mean they are perfect and will never chew up a shoe: unfortunately no. Training needs to continue well into their adult life, but by starting so young, we offer pups great building blocks for future training.