Puppy Raising

The experiences a puppy has during its first few weeks of life shape the dog they will become. Every puppy at Fianna Collies is raised intentionally, using evidence-based enrichment and socialization to help them develop into confident, resilient, and adaptable companions.

Our Goal

At Fianna Collies, we don't simply raise puppies—we intentionally shape future family members.

By combining Puppy Culture, ENS, ESI, thoughtful socialization, structured enrichment, and individualized care, our goal is to send every puppy home as a confident, resilient, and well-prepared companion ready to thrive in whatever path their family chooses—whether that's the show ring, performance sports, therapy work, or simply being someone's best friend.

Birth - 2 Weeks | Building the Foundation

During this stage, puppies receive:

  • Daily health checks and weight monitoring

  • Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)

  • Early Scent Introduction (ESI)

  • Individual handling every day

  • Regular nail trims

  • Deworming beginning at two weeks

  • A clean, temperature-controlled whelping environment

  • Plenty of uninterrupted time with their mother

These brief daily exercises help encourage resilience, stress tolerance, and healthy neurological development.

3 Weeks | Eyes Open, World Opens

Around three weeks of age, puppies become much more aware of the world around them.

They begin:

  • Exploring outside the whelping box

  • Meeting new people

  • Walking on different textures

  • Age-appropriate enrichment

  • Introduction to toys

  • Beginning litter box training

  • Continued handling and grooming

This is when curiosity really begins to blossom.

4 Weeks | Learning Through Play

Confidence continues to grow.

Puppies experience:

  • More advanced Puppy Culture exercises

  • Exposure to umbrellas, hats, wheelchairs, walkers, bicycles, etc.

  • Different flooring surfaces

  • Grooming table practice

  • Blow dryer introduction

  • Individual crate time

  • Beginning leash and collar introduction

5 Weeks | Building Confidence

Puppies begin experiencing more of the world.

They are introduced to:

  • New environments

  • More challenging obstacles

  • Safe household noises

  • People of different ages

  • Supervised interaction with stable adult dogs

  • Individual one-on-one time

  • Problem-solving games

6 Weeks | Preparing for the Real World

Now the puppies begin learning important social skills.

Activities include:

  • Puppy Culture enrichment

  • Novel objects

  • Balance and confidence equipment

  • Sound desensitization

  • Short car rides

  • Supervised outdoor exploration (weather permitting)

  • Beginning grooming sessions

  • Introduction to crates

This is one of the most important confidence-building stages.

7 Weeks | Evaluation Week

This is an exciting milestone.

Puppies receive:

  • Professional temperament evaluation

  • Structural evaluation

  • Continued enrichment

  • Confidence-building adventures

These evaluations help determine the best home for each puppy based on personality, structure, and lifestyle.

8 Weeks | Ready for New Adventures

As puppies near the age when they begin joining their new families, they continue building life skills.

This includes:

  • Car rides

  • Veterinary preparation

  • More crate training

  • Increased independence

  • Individual training sessions

  • Continued socialization

  • Basic grooming practice

  • Confidence in new places

9–10 Weeks | Graduation Day

Before leaving for their forever homes, each puppy will have:

  • Veterinary examination

  • Age-appropriate vaccinations

  • Routine deworming

  • Microchip

  • AKC registration paperwork

  • OFA CHIC certificate

  • Temperament evaluation

  • Structural evaluation

  • Puppy Culture foundation

  • A comprehensive puppy binder

  • Lifetime breeder support