Did you know I also run a dog shelter? Puppies to be more specific. I've probably taken in an placed thousands over my career. That's where the protocol for puppy socializing took shape. Long before it was cool, I recognized the power of sleep and novel things. Litter-mate syndrome and behavior modification. Building confidence and the power of positive training techniques. 

One day, a long time ago, I got asked to travel to another province and take in dogs. My friend loaded her van with kennels and we were off. We brought home 4 golden retrievers (all 10 months all thought to be pregnant). None had been in a car, or out of the barn stall. None had been to a vet or on a sofa. None had experience with a collar or a leash, or strangers. In their space where they lived, they were lively. The moment they were out of that space, they froze in fear. 

I took in another batch from them, the same concerns. Zero introduction to life, house breaking, friendly strangers, taking treats. One of those gals is here for boarding. It makes my heart happy to see all the work her Momma has put into her. While she isn't bold, she is willing to try. She approaches me with 85% ease. She's still not overly interested in toys. She stands on her hind feet and plays patty cakes with such joy. She can still get herself worked up. But, she has this beautiful freedom and love. And it shows. 

She is deeply loved and cared for. She is gets ongoing training. She gets snacks and conversation. Walks and snuggles. Her life is perfect for her, I couldn't be happier with her progress and how much she is loved. I cannot help but wonder what she would have been ....if. If her start was filled with love and socializing. With confidence building and adventures designed to make the world vaguely familiar. 

I took in a litter of 6 month old pups a couple weeks ago. Similar circumstance, but lived in a home, an unplanned litter. No socializing, no confidence building. No training. They fight, they are almost/are breeding age (and could possibly be pregnant). They needed some extra time to warm up. Days, in fact. They would have fear bitten if I had of tried to touch them. No collars/leashes/car rides. Not house broken or even started. They are learning toys. They are 85% doggy door trained now. They are eager to take liver from my hand. We are currently working on them sitting prior to treats, them choosing to be calm. They will find their homes and become whole dogs. There will always be a missing link, that intangible thing that says "something is missing"  That little tan pup, laying down, took 33 hours to leave the crate to potty/eat/drink. Slowly her safe bubble has grown.

Growling in fear is not to be mistaken for feisty. Huddled in a corner is not normal. Breeders ignoring questions about health of parents is a red flag. Charging the same price as a properly raised, health checked pup is more smoke and mirrors, these pups have not had the man hours, money or consideration put into them. Please reconsider buying a pup from these places. These are the dogs that end up in shelters. 

Currently I have one little boy Jack still looking for his home. He is younger than a litter I just brought in. He met strangers on Sunday, he drove there, was on a deck, high off the ground. New furniture, new treats, new smells on the family that was visiting. Never once did his tail tuck. Never once did I worry about him going over threshold and biting. Not once was I worried about him being fearful about a noise or touch. Not once. 

When you meet a litter of puppies, they really should run to greet you. They should have experienced people and places outside the home. Home raised, is often code for "never left the property" Pups here are systematically introduced to as many sights/sounds/movements/dogs/people as their little brains can process. And that is a key. A positive encounter with 5 people is better than a flooded encounter with 100. Learning language from a variety of dogs, good (play with me) and bad (stay away) are equally important. A pup shouldn't get hurt feelings for long, recovery is an important factor. A pup shouldn't turn to bite you is frightened. They should climb you like a jungle gym. They should be animated and move freely without stress or coaxing. 

The pups from the puppy mill couldn't do that. 

The pups "raised at home" cannot do that. 

The pups, purposefully bred, properly raised.... they can do that.