Our Puppies
Blackforest puppies are raised in our house and receive the best care in order to prepare them for their future life as your companion. Below an article that I wrote for the Belgian Sheepdog Club of America Newsletter. It gives you a glimpse of their first 8 weeks in our family.
A Letter to Our Puppy Buyers
(How your Blackforest puppy is raised before coming home)
Welcoming a Belgian Sheepdog into your life is a big and joyful decision, and I want you to feel confident knowing exactly how your puppy is raised during their first eight weeks with us. These early weeks shape your puppy’s future, and we take that responsibility seriously — with structure, intention, and a whole lot of love.
From the Very First Day
Your puppy is born in our home, in a calm and carefully prepared whelping area. From birth, they are handled gently and consistently. During the first two weeks, we use Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) — a short, daily routine shown to support stronger stress responses, better adaptability, and long‑term resilience.
We also introduce early scent items (sheep wool, feathers, and our family’s scent) and tiny bottle‑feeding sessions with goat milk. These early experiences help your puppy associate humans with comfort, safety, and nourishment.
Age‑Appropriate Socialization
As your puppy grows, we follow Pat Hastings’ Rule of Seven, a structured approach to early socialization. This means your puppy will experience:
- New surfaces like grass, carpet, tile, wobble boards
- New objects such as tunnels, toys, PVC pipes, sensory items
- New locations inside our home, on the porch, and outdoors
- New challenges that build coordination and confidence
- Different feeding setups and eating locations
- New people — adults, children, and supervised dog visitors
Everything is introduced gradually and safely so your puppy learns curiosity without fear.
Three Learning Environments
Your puppy rotates through three thoughtfully designed areas:
Indoor Area
A cozy, den‑like space with tunnels, small kennels, and litter boxes for early potty training. This is where they learn to explore safely and begin forming healthy routines.
Screened Porch (Puppy Disneyland)
This area is filled with wobble boards, ball pits, swings, metal grates, and a custom sensory box. Toys are rearranged often to teach flexibility and resilience.
Outdoor Yard
Agility tunnels, fluttering tarps, kiddie pools, and wobble boards introduce movement, sound, and environmental variety. Puppies learn to navigate the world with confidence.
Real‑Life Experiences
Your puppy hears household noises, meets children and adults, and experiences different temperatures and textures. They learn to startle and recover — an essential life skill.
By six weeks, puppies take short car rides, visit our training center, and begin early clicker training. These experiences help us evaluate temperament and prepare each puppy for the right home.
Building Independence
During the final weeks, puppies enjoy:
- One‑on‑one sessions
- Individual feeding
- Basic manners (like not jumping on x‑pens)
- Exposure to livestock and new environments
- Carrier training for puppies flying home
This helps your puppy develop independence and prepares them for a smooth transition into your family.
When Your Puppy Comes Home
By eight weeks, your Blackforest® puppy is:
- Well‑socialized
- Confident and curious
- Comfortable with handling
- Accustomed to household life
- Prepared for travel
- Ready to bond with you
We raise puppies with intention, structure, and love — and we stay connected with our owners long after the puppies go home. Your puppy’s journey begins with us, but their story continues with you, and we are honored to be part of it.
Holst, Phyllis A., MS, DVM: Canine Reproduction, The Breeder’s Guide, 3rd ed., Alpine Publications, Inc. Crawford, CO. 2011.
Hastings, Pat, and Erin Ann Rouse. Another Piece of the Puzzle: Puppy Development. Portland: Dogfolk Enterprises, 2004. Print.
Lee, Muriel P. The Whelping and Rearing of Puppies: A Complete and Practical Guide. Neptune City, N.J.: T.F.H. Publications, 1997. Print.
Dr. Carmen L. Battaglia. Early Neurological Stimulation.
Puppy information from the Belgian Sheepdog Club of America.
Birth of the first puppy
