PUPPIES
If you are interested in a North Legacy puppy, please fill out our online application form found below.
All North Legacy puppies are sent home at 8 weeks of age with the following:
First set of vaccinations (DAP) at 7 weeks of age and health certificate
Dewormed at two and four weeks of age with Strongid (Pyrantel pamoate) and Panacur (Fenbendazole) at six weeks
Microchipped
Complimentary 4 weeks of pet insurance through Trupanion
Free small bag of Purina ProPlan or a $36.00 coupon to put towards a large bag
Goodie bag that includes an information package, coupons for Purina ProPlan products and a blanket with the mother’s scent
2-year health guarantee on hips, elbows, eyes and heart
Obligatory non-breeding and breeder buy-back contract
Lifetime breeder support
*Please inquire for pricing.
Early Neurological Stimulation
Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) was developed by a US Military member to improve the performance of future military dogs. It requires handling the puppies daily from day 3 to 16 while performing a series of five exercises. These exercises are designed to stimulate the neurological system of the puppy, improving the growth and development of the pup’s immune system, cardiovascular system, and stress tolerance.
When performed correctly, ENS kicks the neurological system into action earlier than would be normally expected, resulting in an increased capacity later in life. Five major benefits have been observed from ENS in canines: improved cardiovascular performance, stronger heartbeats, stronger adrenal glands, higher stress tolerance, and greater resistance to disease.
To perform ENS, the puppies undergo five different exercises for a maximum of 3-5 seconds.
Tactile stimulation by gently tickling the pup between the toes with a Q-tip.
Holding the puppy with the head held erect (straight up).
Holding the puppy with the head pointed down.
Holding the puppy in supine position (on its back).
Thermal stimulation by placing the puppy feet down on a cold damp towel.
These exercises are repeated daily for 13 days at which point the puppies will have started to open their eyes. At this point, we stop ENS and begin introducing alternative stimuli such as various textures, colors, and toys.
Leigh, P. (2021, April 13). Puppy socialization starts with the breeder: Early neurological stimulation. American Kennel Club. Retrieved March 11, 2022, from https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeding/breeder-puppy-socialization-early-neurological-stimulation/
Our Puppy Culture Program
The first 12 weeks of a puppy’s life are extremely important in terms of socialization and development. We take every precaution to ensure our puppies have the healthiest genetics to start their life, but we also take great care with the 8 weeks they share with us to expose them to a variety of stimuli and experiences to better their social wellbeing. Here are a few things we do from week 3-8 to stimulate our puppies and challenge their physical and mental development.
Auditory Stimulation
We love playing the radio and various music genres for our puppies. Not only does this develop their taste in music, but it conditions them to a variety of sounds from commercials, radio hosts, and various frequencies of sound. We also introduce small exposures to a combination of animal noises (dogs, cats, horses, cows, sheep etc.), thunderstorms, construction noises, fireworks, and other unusual sounds while providing lots of positive reinforcement to create a positive association between some of these problematic noises. These interactions are kept short and lots of treats are provided throughout.
Tactile Stimulation
We introduce various textures to our whelping pen to expose the puppies to several surfaces. We try to incorporate smooth, rough, grippy, bumpy and plush surfaces to name a few. Once the puppies reach 6 weeks of age, we begin introducing a variety of toddler jungle gym equipment to help build confidence, curiosity, and muscle strength.
Visual Stimulation
Although dogs are partially color blind, we still introduce a variety of color pallets to their pen in addition to mirrors and various toys. We try to introduce at least one new toy per day for them to explore. The more entertainment the better!
Taste and Scent Introductions
In small amounts, we introduce a variety of primarily fruits and vegetables to the puppies between week 6 and 8. This stimulates both their sense of smell and taste, and is fun for the pups to explore different textures and consistencies. A few of our favorites are cucumbers and melons.
Socialization
We allow our puppies to interact with other dogs in our home that we know are fully vaccinated and parasite free. These interactions are fun for both puppies and adult dogs and form the foundation to proper puppy play. In addition to other dogs, we encourage future families to visit, our own families and friends, as well as our nieces and nephews to get the pups used to children and strangers. Our pups also receive visits from our two-house cats and distanced visits with our horses if they’re lucky enough to make it outside in nice weather.
CURRENT WAITLISTS
Please note a $200.00 non-refundable deposit is required to hold your place on our waitlist.
We are currently accepting applications for 2023 and 2024. Although we do not have concrete plans for breeding pairs, we are planning on breeding Maple fall of 2023 and 1-2 litters in 2024 out of Raven and Palmer pending clearances. We know this is a long wait but if you are interested in a NLL puppy we encourage you to reach out. I love getting to know my puppy homes well in advance and developing a strong relationship. NLL reserves first pick of all litters.
