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SoftMaple Curly Coated Retrievers
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SoftMaple Since 1979.... Kinky since 1993!
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All our pups are whelped in the home environment. I have an average of 1 to 2 litters a year.
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I don't believe in churning out sub quality pups just to meet a demand for puppies. Each litter is a huge commitment, and has to be given careful consideration. The pros and cons of each parent are assessed. No dog is perfect. Pedigrees must be studied, dogs must be evaluated. You breed what you think is the best to the best, and then hope for the best!
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Feeding Time at the Zoo!
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I have had several large litters. (one mother had 17 pups!) I don't let the mom struggle with too large a litter. I take enough time off from work so I am here with the pups in case they need supplemental feedings. It is also a great way to handle the pups each day, while giving mom a rest. Each pup is weighed daily to make sure they are gaining.
The pups are introduced to collar and leash. They are all given litter collars when they are born. Later these are replace with a heavier nylon collar. They get to drag around leashes to get used to the slight pull. Pups experience things like first bath. Nail clipping. Ear cleaning. The pups are introduced to Crates at an early age. Open Crates are put in the puppy room. Small food dishes are put in the crates at times to form a pleasant impression. Later the pups are taken for several short rides in the crates to get used to the sound, movement and being away from mom.
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Bio Sensor, or Super Dog program of puppy Stimulation
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At SoftMaple, we have adopted the Bio Sensor method to start our new pups off in life. The "Bio Sensor" program was also concerned with early neurological stimulation in order to give the dog a superior advantage. Its development utilized six exercises, which were designed to stimulate the neurological system. Each workout involved handling puppies once each day. The workouts required handling them one at a time while performing a series of five exercises. You can read more about the Bio Sensor Method below.
Bio Sensor method of early neurological Stimulation
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The puppy playroom lets me watch the pups interact with each other
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The puppies have access to a large playroom. The playroom has swings suspended from the ceiling. Toys with sqeakies and bells hanging from above. Ramps, tunnels, toys, stairs, rugs, balls, bones, boxes . Different textures, sounds and surfaces for the pups to explore. The pups are introduced to birds, wings and feathers.
At about 6 weeks, the pups are introduced to water under supervision. If the weather is warm, I can take the whole mob of them to the lake where they follow their mother into the shallow waters. If the weather and water are cold, I take an extra large Vari-Kennel bottom, line it with rubber bath mats, fill it with three inches of warm water. I place this in the puppy room, with a couple of toys floating in it. The boldest pups are soon in there! No pushing or forcing, I just let them go at their own pace.
The litter is photographed to help evaluate structure. The pups also participate in a Puppy Aptitude Test to help evaluate a puppy's future personality, and better place each puppy in the appropriate home.
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The pups have dewclaws removed. First set of shots, wormed and are all checked out by a NYS licensed Veterinarian prior to leaving SoftMaple.
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For Information about our next litter:
SoftMaple's Next litter
Order your copy of the book, The Puppy Diary
Available through Trafford Publishing
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