Raising Our Puppies at Blackgold Toy Poodles
In our home, raising puppies is a labor of love that begins the moment they take their first breath. When one of our girls gives birth, it happens right in my bedroom. For the first two weeks, the puppies stay by my side 24/7. I check on them constantly—just like a mother would—making sure they are warm, fed, and thriving.
After those early weeks, the litter moves to a dedicated puppy room equipped with a special whelping box. Here, I set up pee pads and a small plastic potty to begin gentle potty training. I slowly introduce high-quality food like Purina Pro Plan along with raw nutrition to give them the best start.
Socialization starts early. I handle them daily—touching their paws, ears, and tails—to help them grow comfortable with human contact. They’re introduced to new toys, different sounds, and playful interactions with me. This is their first step in learning confidence, curiosity, and trust.
As they grow, we build on these early experiences:
• Gradual Noise Desensitization: I expose them to household sounds like the vacuum, TV, and soft music so they won’t be startled later.
• Exploring New Textures: Puppies walk on different surfaces—carpet, tile, grass—to build coordination and confidence.
• Early Crate Familiarization: Brief, positive crate time prepares them for smooth transitions to their future homes.
• Gentle Grooming Practice: I introduce brushes, nail clippers, and light blow-drying so grooming feels normal, not scary.
• Exposure to People: Friends and family meet the pups, giving them positive interactions with different voices, smells, and handling styles.
By the time our puppies are ready to leave for their forever families, they are well-adjusted, curious, and already have a foundation of potty habits, healthy eating, and trust in people. Raising them this way takes time, care, and devotion—but seeing them thrive makes every sleepless night worthwhile.