Nursery & Husbandry

Nursery & Environment

The pack first and foremost are part of the family. They live with me in my home. You can find them running around the yard, creepily staring at anyone who comes to visit or passed out on one of the couches. The even have their own human bed all to themselves in the living room.

I kennel train all of my dogs. For more information about why kennel training should be a priority in your household regardless of lifestyle read this blog post. Once they are full trained and can be trusted they can sleep anywhere they want during the night or when I am out. Some still choose to sleep in their kennels. Their kennels, awards, and supplies are in the "dog room", which is just a spare room in my home.

The nursery is a temporary set up in my living room. This way, they get to be in the busiest room in the house with the most interaction and I can watch them 24/7 easily. The puppy pen is sanitized twice a day and the puppies start litter box training at around 3 weeks old. Livestreams are only on Wednesdays from 12-3, recordings will be on YouTube.

Puppies

Puppies undergo age-appropriate socialization and enrichment activities. Puppies are all socialized with introductions to different sounds, grass, concrete, public spaces, smells, older dogs, different humans, children, cats, etc at appropriate ages. They will also be in contact with all sights, sounds, and smells, of daily household living. At the appropriate age, puppies will interact with the other pack members learning how to play and feeling comfortable around older dogs.

Puppies are raised using the Puppy Culture program.

Puppies sleep with mom right in the living room! So starting at just a few days old your puppy is handled, loved and snuggled daily. ​

Puppies:

• Go to their new home at 10-12 weeks, depending on their social develoopment. Read about the reasoning for this here.

• Dewormed at 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 weeks.

• Are Microchipped and vaccination at 8 weeks. Read why here.

Dams & Sires

Always confirm breeder health testing claims by going to the OFA database.

You can find Shimmermint's health results and titling in either the SIRES or DAMS page.

Active Dams & Sires in Shimmermint's breeding program are 2 years old or older and have:

• AKC registration

• CHIC certification

• OFA Hips Good or Excellent

• OFA Elbows Good

• Eyes Normal

• SPS1 Clear

• SHPN1 Clear

• HUU Clear

• AKC DNA profile

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Dams have the ability to come and go. Dams are never forced to stay in with older pups nor forced to stay away. Pups nurse as long as mom allows. Puppy mush is given when natural weaning happens, usually between 3-5 weeks.

Bitches consent to mating. There is never human intervention during the mating process. I firmly believe that if human intervention is needed, those animals should not be breeding. Methods such as dog breeding stands where the bitch is restrained are never used. If a bitch is showing signs of not being ready such are shying away, sitting down when the male is trying to mount, hiding, crying - attempts stop immediately.

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A bitch will never be bred if she is underweight, ill or emotionally struggling. Bitches will not be bred more than twice a year. They will be considered retired at 8 years old or if their last litter was a struggle in any way.

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Dams take prenatal and postnatal vitamins and the whole pack eats raw or raw coated kibble and toppers. Though, there are a few who are picky eaters, and they eat what they are willing to eat. I do believe in "fed is best."

All of my dams and sires stay with me for LIFE. Animals are too good for this world and should never be exploited, abused or passed around. Regardless of when or how often one of the pack members has bred, they stay with the pack and in their home until their last breath. I do use stud services for my program. Studs are held to the same standards as Shimmermint Sires.

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