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At Valley Goldens, we believe in raising happy, confident, and well-adjusted dogs. Our approach to breeding and training is rooted in proven methods that ensure each puppy gets the best start in life. We believe that early exposure and training are crucial for the development of our puppies, setting them up for success as they grow.

We follow the practices detailed below because we know they make a difference in raising well-rounded dogs. From early neurological stimulation (ENS) and early scent introduction (ESI) to regular socialization and exposure to different environments and sounds, our methods are designed to create a strong foundation for our puppies. Our goal is to provide our dogs with the experiences they need to become adaptable, confident, and well-mannered companions.

ENS is a process used in raising puppies that involves exposing them to mild stresses during the early stages of their life. The method was originally developed by the U.S. military's "Bio Sensor" program, which later became known as the "Super Dog" program. ENS is designed to improve the development of our puppies' neurological system, enhancing their ability to handle stress and promoting stronger health.

How ENS is Conducted: ENS involves a series of exercises performed on puppies from day 3 to day 16 of their life. These exercises are brief, lasting only a few seconds each, and are performed once a day. Our ENS exercises include:

1. Tactile Stimulation: Gently tickling the puppy between the toes with a cotton swab.
2. Head Held Erect: Holding the puppy's head upright for a short period.
3. Head Pointed Down: Holding the puppy's head downward.
4. Supine Position: Holding the puppy on its back.
5. Thermal Stimulation: Placing the puppy on a cool, damp towel.

Benefits of ENS:  There's a few key benefits behind why we perform ENS:

• Improve cardiovascular performance.
• Strengthen heartbeats.
• Strengthen adrenal glands.
• Improve tolerance to stress.
• Enhance resistance to disease.

ENS results in puppies that are more adaptable, confident, and resilient, which can be particularly advantageous for working dogs, service dogs, and even our good 'ol house pets.

Early Scent Introduction (ESI) is a process used in puppy rearing that involves exposing young puppies to various scents in a controlled manner. This practice aims to enhance the puppies' olfactory capabilities and promote cognitive development. ESI is often implemented alongside Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) to provide a well-rounded early development program.

How ESI is Conducted:

ESI involves introducing puppies to a new scent daily from day 3 to day 16 of their life, the same critical period used for ENS. The scents can be anything safe and non-toxic, such as:

• Herbs (like basil, mint, or rosemary)
• Fruits (like apple, orange, or banana)
• Flowers (like lavender or chamomile)
• Natural materials (like pine cones or leaves)
• Household items (like leather or wool)

During each session, we present the chosen scent to the puppy for a few seconds, allowing them to sniff and explore it. 

Benefits of ESI:

ESI is believed to offer several benefits, including:

1. Enhanced Olfactory Development: By exposing puppies to a variety of scents early on, ESI can help improve their sense of smell, which is beneficial to their navigation in the world.
2. Cognitive Stimulation: The introduction of new scents stimulates the puppies' brains, encouraging neural development and cognitive growth.
3. Behavioral Benefits: Puppies exposed to ESI  show increased curiosity, confidence, and adaptability as they grow older. They are also better prepared for scent-based activities like tracking, search and rescue, and detection work!

Manding is a training technique used in puppy rearing that teaches puppies to "ask" for things politely by sitting calmly and making eye contact. This method is rooted in positive reinforcement and is designed to encourage good behavior and communication between puppies and their humans!

How Manding is Taught:

1. Introducing the Concept: Puppies are shown that sitting calmly and making eye contact will earn them rewards. We start as early as 5 weeks old.
2. Consistent Reinforcement: Whenever a puppy sits and makes eye contact, they are immediately rewarded with a treat, praise, or attention. Consistency is key to reinforcing the behavior.
3. Shaping the Behavior: Over time, the puppy learns that sitting politely is the best way to "ask" for things, whether it’s food, attention, or playtime. The behavior is shaped by consistently rewarding the puppy whenever they sit calmly.
4. Generalizing the Behavior: Once the puppy consistently sits to ask for things,  the behavior is generalized to different contexts and environments. This helps the puppy understand that sitting calmly is the appropriate way to ask for anything, not just in specific situations.

Benefits of Manding:

1. Improved Communication: Manding helps puppies learn how to communicate their needs effectively and politely, reducing the likelihood of undesirable behaviors like jumping or barking.
2. Positive Reinforcement: This technique relies on positive reinforcement, which is a humane and effective way to train puppies. It strengthens the bond between the puppy and their human.
3. Calm and Polite Behavior: By teaching puppies to sit calmly to ask for things, manding promotes overall calmness and self-control, which are important traits for well-behaved adult dogs.
4. Foundation for Further Training: Manding provides a strong foundation for further obedience training and can make teaching other commands easier.

This process involves gradually introducing our puppies to a range of sounds to help them become accustomed to and less fearful of different auditory stimuli. The goal is to ensure that our puppies grow up to be well-adjusted dogs who are not easily startled or stressed by everyday noises!

How Sound Desensitization is Conducted:

• Choosing the Sounds: A variety of sounds can be used for desensitization, including household noises (vacuum cleaners, washing machines), outdoor noises (traffic, thunderstorms), and other common sounds (doorbells, fireworks, children playing).
• Gradual Introduction: Sounds are introduced to the puppies at a low volume initially. The volume is gradually increased over time as the puppies become more comfortable and less reactive to the noises.
• Positive Association: During the exposure to sounds, positive reinforcement such as treats, praise, or playtime is provided to create a positive association with the noises. This helps reduce any anxiety or fear the puppies may have.
• Controlled Environment: Sound desensitization is typically conducted in a controlled environment where the puppies feel safe and secure. This helps them focus on the sounds without becoming overwhelmed.
• Regular Exposure: Regular and varied exposure to different sounds is important to ensure that puppies become well-adjusted to a wide range of auditory stimuli.

Benefits of Sound Desensitization:

• Reduced Fear and Anxiety: Puppies that are exposed to a variety of sounds at an early age are less likely to develop phobias or anxiety related to noises as they grow older.
• Improved Adaptability: Dogs that are comfortable with different sounds are better able to adapt to new environments and situations, making them more confident and well-adjusted.
• Enhanced Training: Sound desensitization can make future training easier, as the dog is less likely to be distracted or frightened by noises during training sessions.
• Better Behavior: Dogs that are not fearful of noises are less likely to exhibit undesirable behaviors such as excessive barking, hiding, or destructive chewing when they hear unfamiliar sounds.