Waitlist and Picking Puppies A $250 deposit is required to get on my waitlist, you can apply here. Applications are accepted at anytime!
The puppy picking process will begin after conformation evaluations around 8 weeks of age. Mount Zion Kennels will have the Breeder’s Picks first. If multiple are chosen from a litter, one will likely be available to a guardian or co-own home. After Breeder’s Pick, depending on the number of suitable prospects in the litter, Show Homes will get to pick their puppies next. After the Show Prospects have been picked, the Service Prospects will be picked next. After that, I will help Companion Homes pick the most suitable puppy for their family, based off of their lifestyle and desires in a puppy.
If you choose to pass on a litter, you will be moved up to the next litter.
All puppies will have docked tails and dewclaws intact.
Temperament Testing At 7 weeks of age, our puppies will be temperament tested by a professional trainer. The trainer will create different contexts and observe each individual puppy's response to the situation and score them. This information is given out to everyone waiting for a puppy, and we use it to find the right match.
How the Puppies will be Raised My puppies will be exposed to my 7 younger siblings of all ages, different sounds, sights, smells, and different forms of exposure before going to their new homes. I will utilize the following enrichment methods: Early Neurological Stimulation/Bio Sensor Exercises, Household Desensitization, Socialization with Children and Other Animals, and the Rule of 7's. I will also be doing ESI (Early Scent Introduction), grooming desensitization, as well as temperament and conformation evaluations. Some puppies may also have health, color, and diversity testing done.
ENS and Bio Sensor: From 3 to 16 days of age the puppies will be exposed to early neurological stimulation through Bio Sensor exercises. This is also called The "Super Dog" Program. Five benefits have been observed in canines that were exposed to the Bio Sensor stimulation exercises. The benefits noted were:
- Improved cardio vascular performance (heart rate) - Stronger heart beats - Stronger adrenal glands - More tolerance to stress and - Greater resistance to disease.
The Rule of 7's Socialization Method: By 7 weeks of age, puppies will have been exposed to a variety of new situations and experiences. They will have been in 7 different safe locations, eaten from 7 different containers, met at least 7 different people, ridden at least 7 miles in a car, been in a crate at least 7 times (more is better), played with 7 different kinds of toys, been exposed to 7 different contexts, been played with or taken somewhere alone (without mom or litter mates) 7 different times.
Introduction to Grooming Starting around 4 weeks of age, puppies will have their faces, feet, and tails (just the base) shaved. They will also be introduced to the bathing and drying process. This will prep them for regular grooming when they leave to their new homes.