Puppy Life at High Desert Goldens
Our puppies are raised in a loving home with 24 hour love and care. They are raised with ens, esi, and puppy culture. It is our goal to send each puppy to their new home with the best foundation of health and behavior possible.
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Whelping healthy, strong, stable puppies doesn’t start when they are born, it starts with the dam’s pregnancy. We take pregnancy very seriously here and make sure mom has the best of everything while pregnant. Our prenatal care for the dam is essential to our process, as we know that a calm, enriched prenatal environment produces puppies who are better adjusted and more tolerant.
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We ensure our mothers-to-be receive proper nutrition, exercise, and gentle handling, fostering a serene setting that positively impacts their pups. Studies show that stress-free dams raise more docile, social puppies, and we see this reflected in the personalities of our litters. Throughout her pregnancy and nursing period, the dam is provided with a high-quality, nutrient-dense raw diet to support both her health and the healthy development of her puppies. We carefully select premium raw ingredients to ensure she receives the right balance of proteins, fats, and essential nutrients that promote optimal energy levels, immune function, and overall vitality. Her meals include fresh meats, organ blends, and bone content, supplemented with essential vitamins and minerals to address the specific needs of a pregnant and lactating mother. This raw diet mirrors what dogs were naturally designed to eat, supplying bioavailable nutrients that contribute to stronger bones, muscle tone, and healthy milk production. A nutrient-rich diet not only enhances the dam’s well-being but also directly benefits her puppies, as they receive a steady supply of high-quality nutrients through her milk. This natural approach ensures that the puppies begin life with robust immune systems and improved resilience.
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Our entire family is deeply involved in caring for the puppies, making sure they experience a rich and stimulating environment during their time with us. Raising a litter of puppies is a full-time commitment that demands our family’s complete dedication, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, for over eight weeks. from the moment the puppies are born, they become the heart of our household, and every member of our family plays an essential role in their care. It's a labor of love that requires constant attention, teamwork, and a willingness to go above and beyond to ensure that each puppy receives the best possible start in life. During those crucial weeks, we’re hands-on with every aspect of their care—monitoring their growth, adjusting their environment to meet their changing needs, and providing endless hours of socialization and enrichment. We engage the puppies in activities that foster physical, mental, and emotional development, helping them grow into curious, confident dogs. early mornings, late nights, and everything in between are filled with tasks like feeding, cleaning, and tending to the dam’s needs, along with plenty of bonding time with the puppies. Our family works together seamlessly, with each person bringing a unique touch to the puppies’ experience. Our team effort introduces the puppies to a variety of sounds, scents, and people, laying the groundwork for their adaptability and trust in humans. Through this intense and rewarding experience, we’re not just raising puppies; we’re raising future companions who are confident, well-socialized, and ready to bond with their new families. It's a round-the-clock job that requires devotion and energy, but seeing the puppies thrive makes every moment worth it. our family wouldn’t have it any other way—this commitment is our passion, and we’re proud to give each puppy a nurturing, attentive start to life.
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We dedicate endless hours to each puppy, implementing specialized protocols to give them the best start in life. From birth, our puppies are raised in a nurturing, family-centered environment, surrounded by children, adults, other golden retrievers, and even cats. this exposure helps them grow comfortable with various people and animals, from toddlers to seniors, creating a foundation of social ease and adaptability. Our program is designed around extensive research by animal behaviorists and experts, incorporating a rich variety of early learning protocols.
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Starting at 3-4 weeks, we transition puppies to a raw food diet, beginning with nutrient-rich raw goat’s milk, to support their growing bodies naturally. alongside this, we introduce sound desensitization, car rides, and crate training, all geared toward developing resilience and confidence in each puppy. By stimulating their senses and easing them into new experiences, we prepare our puppies to approach life with curiosity and calmness.
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Socialization is a core focus, with puppies meeting new people, experiencing diverse environments, and gradually adapting to different sounds and sights in a low-stress manner. Our protocols include puppy culture, a structured program that enriches development through critical periods when puppies are most impressionable. Through sound conditioning, scent introduction, and tailored enrichment exercises, our puppies become confident in various settings and learn to respond well to new challenges.
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Human bonding and social exposure are central to our program, instilling each puppy with confidence and enthusiasm for learning. We use positive reinforcement training, and enrichment activities to encourage problem-solving and adaptability. By seven weeks, each puppy undergoes a temperament test to help us match them with the right families and potentially prepare them for future roles, such as therapy work, agility, or family companionship.
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Grooming conditioning starts from day one, with gentle touch and handling to make each puppy comfortable with routine care. By the time they leave at eight weeks, they’re accustomed to bathing, brushing, ear cleaning, nail trimming, and body checks, making grooming a positive experience. We also prioritize potty training with a designated area from three weeks old, helping them develop good habits early.
Physical and mental challenges are part of daily life, with a “playground” of ramps, tunnels, wobble boards, and toys that build strength, coordination, and confidence. As they explore this enriched environment, they learn to tackle new experiences with enthusiasm. By the time they go to their new homes, our puppies are prepared to thrive in changing environments and new social settings.
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​Raising puppies this way takes dedication and time, but it ensures they go home with the skills and confidence to thrive. By the time they’re ready for their new families, our puppies are well-prepared, resilient, and excited to bond with their people. we’re proud to help each one start life with the best possible foundation.
Early Scent Introduction
Early Scent Introduction (ESI) is a procedure that helps puppies develop their nose awareness and confidence, enhancing their ability to identify and react to scents. Similar to Early Neurological Stimulation, ESI is introduced between days 3-16 of a puppy’s life and has been found to be very beneficial for their development. A seven-year breeding test conducted by Gayle Watson PhD with Gaylan’s Golden Retriever litters demonstrated the significant benefits of ESI. The test showed that dogs that underwent early scent introduction had more total scenting titles and achieved these titles in more complex scenting categories compared to those that did not undergo ESI. Additionally, the research found that the ESI pups achieved these titles at a much younger age, between two and a half to five years earlier than the non-ESI pups.

Puppy Culture
