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Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)

We are committed to employing the most effective practices to ensure our puppies develop into well-adjusted, resilient companions. One of the key methods we utilize is Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS), a scientifically supported technique designed to enhance the physical and emotional well-being of our puppies from a very young age.

What is Early Neurological Stimulation?

ENS involves introducing mild, controlled stressors to puppies during their critical early development stage. These brief interactions—conducted daily for at least 21 days starting just a few days after birth—include actions such as:

Gentle handling in various positions: Helps puppies become comfortable with different human interactions.
Temporary removal from the litter: Encourages independence and adaptability.
Exposure to cool temperatures: Stimulates their physical responses.
Lightly touching different body parts: Familiarize them with handling, which is crucial for future veterinary care and grooming.

These short bursts of stimulation are designed to be beneficial rather than overwhelming, promoting a robust stress response system that enhances their overall development.

Benefits of Stimulation in Puppies

We understand the profound impact that early stimulation has on a puppy's development. Through techniques like Bio Sensor stimulation exercises, we have observed several significant benefits that contribute to healthier, more adaptable dogs.

Key Benefits of Stimulation:

Improved Cardiovascular Performance: Puppies exposed to stimulation demonstrate enhanced heart function, evidenced by improved heart rate and stronger heartbeats.
Stronger Adrenal Glands: Stimulation supports the development of robust adrenal glands, which play a critical role in stress management and overall health.
Increased Stress Tolerance: Puppies that undergo early stimulation show greater resilience to stress, making them more adaptable in challenging situations.
Enhanced Disease Resistance: Stimulation has been linked to a stronger immune response, providing stimulated puppies with better resistance to illnesses.
Active and Exploratory Behavior: Stimulated puppies exhibit greater curiosity and activity levels compared to their non-stimulated littermates, making them more confident and engaging companions.

Learning and Problem-Solving

The benefits of stimulation extend to cognitive development as well. In tests designed to assess learning, stimulated puppies consistently outperformed their non-stimulated counterparts. For example:

Calmness Under Pressure: While non-stimulated puppies often became overly excited and distressed during problem-solving tasks, stimulated puppies remained calm and focused.
Fewer Errors in Problem-Solving: In maze tests, stimulated puppies made fewer mistakes and showed greater adaptability, navigating challenges with ease.

These findings highlight the importance of early stimulation in fostering not just physical health, but also emotional stability and cognitive abilities.

Choose a Well-Developed Companion

When you choose a puppy from SGR, you’re selecting a companion that has been thoughtfully nurtured with proven techniques that enhance their overall well-being. Our commitment to early stimulation sets our puppies apart, ensuring they are well-prepared for a happy and fulfilling life in your family. Contact us today to learn more about our breeding practices and available puppies!

The Benefits of ENS

Research has shown that puppies exposed to ENS exhibit numerous advantages, including:

Increased Confidence: ENS puppies tend to be more exploratory and sociable, demonstrating a greater willingness to engage with both humans and other dogs.
Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills: These puppies show improved cognitive abilities, enabling them to tackle challenges more effectively.
Better Stress Management: Early exposure to mild stressors prepares them to cope with future challenges, making them more adaptable and resilient throughout their lives.
Improved Immune Response: Puppies undergoing ENS have been observed to exhibit stronger immune systems, contributing to their overall health and well-being.

We firmly believe that the early interactions provided by ENS create a strong foundation for lifelong learning and adaptability. This technique not only aids in developing a puppy's physical abilities but also enhances their emotional resilience, ultimately leading to happier, healthier dogs that integrate smoothly into family life.

Choosing a puppy from SGR means selecting a companion that has been thoughtfully nurtured through the early stages of life, setting them up for success in every future endeavor. If you're ready to welcome a well-rounded, confident puppy into your home, contact us today to learn more about our breeding program!

Raised in home with ample space to grow & play

We believe in raising our Golden Retrievers as beloved family members. This hands-on approach ensures that they develop into well-adjusted, well-mannered companions for your family. Each Golden produced here is treated like one of my own children; I couldn’t imagine leaving them in a back room, kennel, or outside where I can’t see or hear them.

By fostering a nurturing environment, our puppies are better prepared for family life once they leave us. The transition to their new homes is typically smoother because they are already accustomed to a routine. Our puppies learn to sleep in a crate at night and are on their way to being fully potty-trained outdoors. This foundation not only helps them adapt quickly to their new families but also sets the stage for a harmonious life together

Enrichment Experiences

The enrichment experience is a vital concept in ensuring the well-being of pets and wildlife alike. At SGR, we adhere to the original definition of enrichment: it means meeting an animal’s mental, physical, and emotional needs to empower them to engage in species-typical behaviors in healthy, safe, and appropriate ways. This broader understanding opens the door to various categories of enrichment that extend beyond the basics.

The 14 Categories of Dog Enrichment

While these categories were originally derived from zoo enrichment principles, they apply beautifully to our canine companions. Here’s a concise overview of each category:

Health/Veterinary: Focuses on physical well-being through regular veterinary care and health monitoring.
Hygiene: Encompasses grooming practices to maintain your dog's cleanliness and overall hygiene.
Diet/Nutrition: Includes not just meals, but also treats and chewables that contribute to a balanced diet.
Physical Exercise: Essential for a dog’s well-being, this includes activities like fetch, tug-of-war, hikes, and swimming.
Sensory Stimulation: Refers to engaging the senses—sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. It’s important to balance stimulation; sometimes less can be more.
Safety: Ensuring dogs are physically out of harm’s way, regardless of their emotional response to their environment.
Security: Involves creating an environment where dogs feel safe, even if their surroundings might be perceived as threatening.

8. Species-Typical Behaviors: Encourages dogs to engage in natural behaviors like digging, chewing, and barking.

9. Foraging: Involves activities that allow dogs to search for and find food, mimicking their natural instincts.

10. Social Interaction: Acknowledges that while dogs are social animals, their preferences for companionship can vary widely.

11. Mental Exercise: Engages dogs’ minds through training, puzzles, and foraging activities.

12. Independence: Supports dogs in becoming comfortable with exploration and being alone, fostering confidence and life skills.

13. Environment: Takes into account the dog's living conditions—urban versus rural settings, temperature, and more.

14. Calming: Emphasizes the importance of rest and relaxation, incorporating safe spaces, relaxation techniques, and massages to help dogs unwind.

By addressing these diverse categories, we ensure that our dogs lead enriched lives that fulfill their innate needs, enhancing their happiness and well-being.

Puppy Culture, Avidog, & BAB

At SGR, we are dedicated to producing not only beautiful dogs but also well-rounded, trainable companions that thrive in family environments. Our breeding program is grounded in the most innovative and proven methodologies in puppy rearing, ensuring that every puppy we raise is set up for a successful and happy life.

Our Proven Methods

We utilize a combination of the renowned Avidog, Puppy Culture, and BadAssBreeder programs, each contributing unique insights and techniques to our breeding process.

Avidog: This comprehensive program has transformed the way we approach puppy rearing. From optimal prenatal nutrition to the Early Scent Introduction program, Avidog equips us with the knowledge that influences the development of our puppies long before they are born. Their focus on genetics and environmental factors allows us to make informed decisions that enhance the quality of each litter. Our commitment to testing puppies before placement ensures that every family receives a puppy suited to their specific lifestyle and needs.

Puppy Culture: Founded by renowned breeder Jane Killion, this program emphasizes structured rearing techniques that foster socialization and adaptability. Our experience with Puppy Culture has refined how we set up our living spaces and the timing of developmental milestones, which contributes significantly to the puppies’ overall well-being. Additionally, it has enhanced our ability to prepare show puppies, ensuring they are confident and ready for the ring.

BadAssBreeder: While the name may be bold, the approach is nothing short of exceptional. This nationally recognized program focuses on producing service and therapy dogs, which aligns perfectly with our mission to create dogs that excel in various roles. The insights gained from BadAssBreeder have allowed us to nurture the potential in every puppy, preparing them for meaningful lives as therapy or service animals.

Why Our Puppies Stand Out

By integrating these three methodologies, we ensure that our puppies are not only physically sound but also mentally balanced and emotionally resilient. Each dog we raise benefits from an environment rich in positive experiences and tailored training, making them easier to handle and train.

Choosing a puppy from SGR means selecting a companion who has been nurtured with care and expertise, resulting in a dog that is not just a pet but a cherished family member. Our commitment to using the best practices in puppy rearing distinguishes us from other breeders and ensures that your new friend is well-equipped for a fulfilling life.

We invite you to experience the difference that our dedicated approach can make. Reach out today to learn more about our upcoming litters and how we can help you find the perfect addition to your family!

Properly Socialized

At SGR, we prioritize proper socialization for all our Golden Retrievers, raising them in a loving home environment where they are exposed to everyday life alongside their human companions. From the start, our puppies encounter a variety of sounds—like vacuuming, banging pots and pans, and outdoor noises such as storms and fireworks—helping them develop resilience and confidence.

Socialization is truly a family affair here. Each puppy enjoys one-on-one playtime with our family members, including my young nieces, which teaches them how to interact appropriately with humans of all ages. Our approach is enhanced by the methodologies of PuppyCulture, Avidog, and BAB, making the socialization process not only easier but also more beneficial for our Goldens.

Families who have adopted our puppies often share how seamlessly their Goldens adapt to new environments and other pets. They appreciate that our dogs are accustomed to everyday noises, eliminating worries about fearfulness. After all, who wouldn’t want a dog that can confidently accompany them anywhere, regardless of the situation? This is one of the many freedoms and joys you can expect when welcoming one of our Goldens into your home.

Rule of 7 – Puppy Socialization Technique

Our Rule of 7 was adapted from Dr. Carmen Battaglia’s guide for increasing puppy’s exposure:

Dr. Carmen Battaglia created the Rule of 7’s as a guide to increase a puppy’s exposure. You do not have to follow it to the letter, but make sure your puppy is current on all shots before taking him out into a strange area. By the time a puppy is 3 months old, make sure he has:

Been on 7 different types of surfaces: carpet, tile, linoleum, concrete, wood, vinyl, grass, dirt, gravel, and wood chips.
Played with 7 different types of objects: rope toys, plush toys, big balls, small balls, soft fabric toys, squeaky toys, paper or cardboard items, metal items, and sticks.
Been in 7 different locations: front & back yard, basement, kitchen, car, garage, laundry room, bathroom, kids room, living room, hallway, Vet’s office, and groomers.
Met and played with 7 new people: children and older adults, someone walking with a cane or in a wheelchair or walker, someone tall, and someone in a hat.
Been exposed to 7 challenges: climb on a box, go through a tunnel, climb steps, go down steps, climb over obstacles, play hide and seek, go in and out of a doorway with a step up or down, run around a fence.
Eaten from 7 different containers: metal, plastic, cardboard, paper, human hands, pie plate, tin pan, frying pan, Frisbee, and elevated bowl.
Eaten in 7 different locations: crate, yard, exercise pen, basement, laundry room, living room, bathroom, and back yard.

Each new, positive experience will help your puppy flourish into a confident companion. The rule of 7 is a technique we learned to help introduce our Golden Retriever puppies to new environments and get them used to many different things they may encounter in their lives.

Much like ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation) the Rule of Seven introduces the pups to small stresses that will help boost confidence, social behavior, and their train-ability.

Our rule of 7 works by introducing pups starting at 4 weeks of age to 7 new things they hadn’t had a lot of contact with before. Four days later we changed these to 7 new items. So by the time you pick up your Southern Golden puppy, they have been introduced to 49 different or new things/changes. When your puppy goes home they can be a cute, confident pup ready to trek across carpet, tile, or wood floors, play with balls, squeaky toys, and chase sticks, and begin to work on