One week into life, and so much has already happened. In just seven short days, these puppies have nearly doubled in size, grown stronger by the hour, and settled beautifully into the rhythm of eat, sleep, and grow. While their eyes and ears are still closed, their world is far from quiet or inactive. Their sense of smell is already at work, guiding them to mom, and their tiny bodies are learning coordination, warmth, and comfort. You’ll see gentle wiggles, little stretches,

One of the most amazing things to watch this early is just how powerful a puppy’s sense of smell already is. Even while sound asleep, the moment mama steps into the pen, their bodies come alive. Wiggles start instantly. Heads lift. Tiny noses begin working. At just one week old, puppies rely heavily on scent to understand their world. Their eyes and ears are still closed, but their nose is already fully engaged. They can identify their mother, locate her, and move directly to

Today I am showing one of the ways we start building service dog foundations before eyes even open: Early Scent Introduction (ESI). ESI is a simple daily protocol done during the newborn window, usually days three through sixteen, where each puppy is briefly exposed to one new scent. It is gentle, it is short, and it is always followed by going right back to mom. ESI is not just about “novelty.” Studies looking at early scent exposure found that puppies who received structure

One thing you’ll see us doing very early with our puppies is ENS, or Early Neurological Stimulation. It’s brief, gentle, and always done during a very specific window of development, but it plays a powerful role in how the nervous system matures. ENS is performed during the first couple of weeks of life, when a puppy’s brain and stress response systems are rapidly developing. Research originally conducted through the U.S. military’s canine program showed that puppies exposed

By day three, the puppies are settling into a steady rhythm of nursing, sleeping, and growing. While much of their time is still spent resting, there is already a lot happening beneath the surface. You may notice tiny muscle twitches during sleep—little paws moving, whiskers fluttering, or even brief tail flicks. This is called active sleep (sometimes referred to as REM sleep), and it is a critical part of early neurological development. During active sleep, the brain is busy

The NICU Stage of Puppy Development The first several days of a puppy’s life are often quiet, but they are anything but passive. This period is best described as the NICU stage of development, where growth, regulation, and survival take priority over stimulation. Newborn puppies are born neurologically immature. Their nervous systems are still learning how to regulate body temperature, digestion, heart rate, and stress responses. During these early days, the goal is not activ

The puppies have all settled in well during their first full day of life. Day one is a big transition for newborns as they move from the constant environment of the womb to regulating everything on their own. During these first 24 hours, nearly all of a puppy’s energy is directed toward staying warm, resting, and taking in nourishment. Newborn puppies are born without the ability to regulate their body temperature, so close contact with mom and littermates is essential. You w

Kristoff was born at 12:16 pm, and he weighed 495 grams. Elsa was next at 1:06 pm weighing 443 grams. Sven was born at 2:18 pm. He weighed 541 grams. Anna was the 4th born at 3:46 pm. She weighed 500 grams. The last one born was Honeymaren, and she weighed 530 grams. The puppies and momma are all healthy and strong.

We are officially in the first stages of labor with Reba, and for those who love following along behind the scenes, this is one of the most important (and exciting) windows before puppies arrive. One of the biggest signs we watch for as breeders is a drop in body temperature. This morning, Reba’s temperature dipped below 99 degrees, which we consider a true temperature drop. In most dogs, this drop happens about 12 to 24 hours before active labor begins, making it one of the

How many puppies do you think Reba is carrying, and what day do you think she will have them? Reba is due December 28, and we are deep in the final stretch. We are officially in puppy watch mode now. That means temperature checks twice a day, daily belly rubs, and staying close so she is never left alone. At this point, labor can start at any time. In these final days, the puppies are growing fast. They are finishing lung development, gaining weight, and preparing for birth,

Merry Christmas everyone! Be prepared for extra Christmas posts come in from the family! Here is the first one! SDG Family Check-In: Luna 🥰

Maverick has lost his first 2 teeth

"Hi Sarah! Hope all is well with your family. Just dropping a note to say Ivy is enjoying the fall, and she continues to get compliments on her sweet and gentle nature from friends and strangers alike. She’s such a perfect companion, especially for a first time dog owner!"

"Happy Thanksgiving! Frosty is the best!! Since we’ll be living on naval bases for the next few years, I’m hoping to get him involved with the USO as a therapy dog. I think he would thrive! 😍🥰 "

"Hi Sarah! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!!  I hope you all have a wonderful day!🦃😊❤️ The pups are doing great and growing like weeds!!"