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At Faubion Malinois, we are committed to producing well-rounded, confident, and capable puppies. One of the key tools we use to achieve this is the Puppy Culture program. Developed by Jane Killion, Puppy Culture is a comprehensive guide to raising puppies in their first critical 12 weeks of life. It emphasizes positive early experiences and proactive exposure, helping puppies develop into emotionally resilient, behaviorally sound dogs.
Puppy Culture is a scientifically-based program designed to guide breeders through the most critical stages of puppy development. From the moment puppies are born, they are exposed to controlled stimuli and experiences that shape their behavior for the rest of their lives. This program covers everything from early neurological stimulation (ENS) to socialization and problem-solving skills, all while using positive reinforcement methods.
We believe that a puppy's early environment plays a huge role in their lifelong temperament and behavior. Here's why Puppy Culture is an essential part of our breeding philosophy:
Optimal Socialization: The first 12 weeks of a puppy's life is a crucial period for learning how to interact with the world. Puppy Culture focuses on age-appropriate socialization, exposing puppies to new environments, people, and other animals in a safe and controlled manner. This sets them up for success in various situations, whether it's a busy home, active sports, or working environments.
Confidence and Resilience: Through controlled exposure to novel stimuli—such as different sounds, surfaces, and objects—Puppy Culture helps puppies develop confidence and learn how to recover quickly from new or stressful situations. This resilience is vital, especially in high-drive working dogs like Malinois, who need to handle challenges with a clear, stable mind.
Problem-Solving and Enrichment: Puppies are given opportunities to explore and solve problems, such as navigating obstacle courses or figuring out puzzles. These challenges stimulate their minds, promoting cognitive development and teaching them to think independently. This enrichment is particularly important for intelligent, high-energy breeds like the Belgian Malinois.
Polite Puppy Manners: Teaching puppies basic manners is part of the Puppy Culture protocol. Through positive reinforcement, they learn valuable skills such as crate training, bite inhibition, and appropriate play behavior with humans and other dogs. This foundation helps ensure that when your puppy comes home, they are well-prepared to integrate into your family and lifestyle.
From day one, our puppies are introduced to the Puppy Culture program. Here's a brief overview of what we do:
Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS): Starting at just three days old, we implement ENS exercises to help puppies develop strong immune systems, increase stress tolerance, and improve cardiovascular function.
Gradual Socialization: Puppies are gradually exposed to different environments, textures, sounds, and people. We introduce them to gentle handling, toys, and various objects to engage their senses.
Problem Solving and Confidence Building: We challenge our puppies with puppy-safe obstacles and enrichment toys, encouraging them to navigate different situations and learn new skills. These activities stimulate both their mental and physical development.
Puppy-to-Human Bonding: We take extra care to ensure that each puppy builds a healthy bond with humans. This includes structured playtime, handling exercises, and teaching basic commands using positive reinforcement.
Sound Desensitization: We expose puppies to different sounds, such as household noises and more complex sounds like thunderstorms or fireworks, to help prevent future anxiety and noise phobias.
By following Puppy Culture, we give our puppies the best possible start in life, ensuring they are well-adjusted and ready for any challenge. Whether you're looking for a family companion or a working dog, our puppies are raised to be confident, well-rounded, and eager to learn.
When you choose a puppy from Faubion Malinois, you can trust that they’ve been raised with care, love, and the proven methods of Puppy Culture.
