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Writer's pictureSierra Combs

Puppy Culture at Nosam Kennels





Nosam Kennels is proud to offer such an exceptional program with our litters!  As breeders, we strive to provide our litters with an enriched environment as this has been proven to develop a more confident and easily trained dog. Our goal is to set each puppy up for success! However, Puppy Culture takes that a step further! For us it was an obvious decision to add this invaluable tool to our program to further our puppies' development and well-being! As a dog trainer, I understand how important early socialization is and this starts with a committed breeder. In result, you will take home a puppy who is confident, outgoing and will adjust quickly to new situations. We are one of the very few breeders who have implemented this program. If you'd like to learn more we encourage you to visit the Puppy Culture website.


Puppy Culture represents a gold standard in puppy rearing and early socialization. Puppy Culture is a program used by Breeders and Puppy owners, all over the world to improve the lives of their puppies and to limit behavioral issues by helping puppies to cope with and move past things that would otherwise cause issues as adults. We believe Puppy Culture is a valuable resource for caring and ethical breeders, along with new and old puppy owners, rescues, and is a fantastic add-on to attending a good puppy preschool.  Breeders especially, by using Puppy Culture, can improve the lives of your puppies with just a few minutes each day and it dramatically makes a difference when comparing a puppy raised by Puppy Culture vs a puppy raised the alternative (non puppy culture) method. Less issues, more brain development, more bonding, more balance and the ability to adjust better, why wouldn't you! 

Did you know that the same exact gene can express itself as an extremely negative trait or an extremely positive trait?

Did you know that mother dogs who receive affection during their pregnancy may give birth to more docile puppies?

Once a breeding is done, the puppy will be dealt a genetic hand. While there is nothing you can do to control this genetic lottery, you can make a difference in how those genes express themselves. In this chapter, we take a look at how the pre-natal care and emotional support you give your mother dog can affect the ultimate health and personalities of her puppies.”


0-16 Days Early Neurological Stimulation Exercises

Listed in order of preference, the handler starts with one pup and stimulates it using each of the five exercises. The handler completes the series from beginning to end before starting with the next pup. The handling of each pup once per day involves the following exercises:


Tactical stimulation (between toes)

Head held erect

Head pointed down

Supine position

Thermal stimulation

Tactile stimulation - holding the pup in one hand, the handler gently stimulates (tickles) the pup between the toes on any one foot using a Q-tip. It is not necessary to see that the pup is feeling the tickle. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds. (Figure 1)

Head held erect - using both hands, the pup is held perpendicular to the ground, (straight up), so that its head is directly above its tail. This is an upwards position. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds. (Figure 2)

Head pointed down - holding the pup firmly with both hands the head is reversed and is pointed downward so that it is pointing towards the ground. Time of stimulation 3 - 5 seconds. (Figure 3)

Supine position - hold the pup so that its back is resting in the palm of both hands with its muzzle facing the ceiling. The pup while on its back is allowed to sleep. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds. (Figure 4)

Thermal stimulation—use a damp towel that has been cooled in a refrigerator for at least five minutes. Place the pup on the towel, feet down. Do not restrain it from moving. Time of stimulation 3-5 seconds. 

These five exercises will produce neurological stimulation, none of which naturally occur during this early period of life. Experience shows that sometimes pups will resist these exercises, others will appear unconcerned. In either case a caution is offered to those who plan to use them. Do not repeat them more than once per day and do not extend the time beyond that recommended for each exercise. Over stimulation of the neurological system can have adverse and detrimental results. These exercises impact the neurological system by kicking it into action earlier than would be normally expected, the result being an increased capacity that later will help to make the difference in its performance. Those who play with their pups and routinely handle them should continue to do so because the neurological exercises are not substitutions for routine handling, play socialization or bonding.


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

Greater resistance to disease

In tests of learning, stimulated pups were found to be more active and were more exploratory than their non- stimulated littermates over which they were dominant in competitive situations.

Secondary effects were also noted regarding test performance. In simple problem solving tests using detours in a maze, the non-stimulated pups became extremely aroused, whined a great deal, and made many errors. Their stimulated littermates were less disturbed or upset by test conditions and when comparisons were made, the stimulated littermates were more calm in the test environment, made fewer errors and gave only an occasional distress sound when stressed.


Weeks 3 to Four

  • The Enrichment Effect: Puppies receive an expertly enriched environment, the benefits of which will last a lifetime. This continues every week until puppies leave.


  • Puppies begin receiving visitors as socialization starts.

  • Startle Recovery exercises prime puppies for the challenges of a busy life.

  • Foundation exercises for the prevention of separation anxiety.

  • Puppies are moved into a larger weaning pen, with age appropriate enrichment.

  • Emotional Resiliency Exercises are done, giving the puppies the gift of “bounce back” from life challenges.

  • Problem solving games are introduced, these help puppies learn to handle life’s frustrations early.

  • Crate training starts!

  • Crates are introduced to the weaning pen (doors removed)

  • comfy beds are placed inside to encourage puppies to nap in crates.


Week 7-8


  • Problem behavior prevention protocols are started.

  • We teach the puppies to LOVE having someone take their food, food bowl, toys, bones, and other items. This helps prevent resource guarding later.


  • In addition to the Puppy Culture training exercises in Week 7, puppies are also taught:

  • To sit on cue.

  • To come when called.

  • To give up a toy.

  • Crate Training:

  • Enter crate when asked.

  • Eat in crate with door closed.

  • Chew bone in crate with door closed.

  • Nap in crate with door closed.

  • Car Training:

  • Puppies chew bones in the car with the engine running.


  • Fear Periods start. Fear periods are a normal part of puppy development, knowing how to deal with them, what to do, and most importantly what not to do, have lifelong implications for the adult dog and it’s family. With our expertise we are able to both recognize when a puppy is experiencing a fear period, to help them through the period, without allowing any trauma that might affect their temperament forever.

  •  Training continues as does practice.

  • Sit, Come, Crate on cue, hand targeting, are all continuing. Puppies continue to practice Manding (asking politely).

  • Crate training:

  • Enter Crate when asked.

  • Eat in crate with door closed.

  • Chew bone in crate with door closed.

  • Sleep overnight in crate.

  • Car Training:

  • Puppies have short car ride.

  • More work learning to love giving up: food, toys, bowls, and other resource guarding prevention is done.

  • Body handling, nail trims, grooming.



Puppy culture raised Vizslas
Manding Vizsla puppies

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