u003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #000000;u0022u003eu003cstrongu003eTraining schedule and outline: The purpose of the training outline is to help our clients better understand what their puppy is learning and why each phase is important. u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022color: #000000;u0022u003eu003cstrongu003eu003cspan style=u0022caret-color: #ffcc99;u0022u003ePictures or Videosu003c/spanu003e of training will be linked to Cue or Example Videos in u003cspan style=u0022color: #000000;u0022u003etanu003c/spanu003e color below:u003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eu003cbr /u003eNewborn - One month old: u003c/strongu003e u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eStarting on Day 3, going till Day 16, performed once a day, the pups will start  Early Neurological Stimulationu003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eThe US Military developed this method, designed to improve the performance of future military working dogs, according to the Breeding Better Dogs program developed by Dr. Carmen Battaglia, esteemed breeder, judge, seminar presenter, and AKC board member.u003c/pu003enu003cpu003eENS requires handling the puppies one at a time while performing a series of five 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.u003c/pu003enu003cdiv data-subtree=u0022aimfl,mflu0022 jscontroller=u0022v48btu0022 jsuid=u0022xjs9kb_9u0022 data-processed=u0022trueu0022u003e u003ca href=u0022https://sundanceretrievers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG_6290.movu0022u003eEarly Neurological Stimulationu003c/au003e (ENS) in puppies is crucial for accelerating nervous system development, enhancing stress tolerance, and improving long-term health. u003cspanu003eThese five, 3-5-second daily exercises stimulate the puppy's cardiovascular, immune, and neurological systems, helping create calmer, more resilient, and healthier adult dogs.u003c/spanu003eu003cspan jsuid=u0022xjs9kb_bu0022 class=u0022uJ19be notranslateu0022 jsaction=u0022rcuQ6b:u0026amp;xjs9kb_b|npT2mdu0022 jscontroller=u0022udAs2bu0022 data-wiz-uids=u0022xjs9kb_c,xjs9kb_du0022 data-processed=u0022trueu0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022vKEkVdu0022 data-animation-atomic=u0022u0022 data-wiz-attrbind=u0022class=xjs9kb_b/TKHnVdu0022 data-processed=u0022trueu0022u003eu003cspan aria-hidden=u0022trueu0022 data-processed=u0022trueu0022u003e u003c/spanu003eu003c/spanu003eu003c/spanu003eu003c/divu003enu003cdiv data-subtree=u0022aimfl,mflu0022 jscontroller=u0022v48btu0022 jsuid=u0022xjs9kb_9u0022 data-processed=u0022trueu0022u003eu003cspan jsuid=u0022xjs9kb_bu0022 class=u0022uJ19be notranslateu0022 jsaction=u0022rcuQ6b:u0026amp;xjs9kb_b|npT2mdu0022 jscontroller=u0022udAs2bu0022 data-wiz-uids=u0022xjs9kb_c,xjs9kb_du0022 data-processed=u0022trueu0022u003eu003cspan class=u0022vKEkVdu0022 data-animation-atomic=u0022u0022 data-wiz-attrbind=u0022class=xjs9kb_b/TKHnVdu0022 data-processed=u0022trueu0022u003eu003cspan aria-hidden=u0022trueu0022 data-processed=u0022trueu0022u003eu003c/spanu003eu003c/spanu003eu003c/spanu003eu003c/divu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e 1 .u003cstrongu003eTactile stimulationu003c/strongu003e - 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. u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e2. u003cstrongu003eHead held erectu003c/strongu003e - 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.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e3. u003cstrongu003eHead pointed downu003c/strongu003e - 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.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e4. u003cstrongu003eSupine positionu003c/strongu003e - 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.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e5.. u003cstrongu003eThermal stimulationu003c/strongu003e - 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. u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eu003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eAt two weeks old, the litter's eyes and ears are opening, and they are becoming more mobile. This is also when the litter will have their u003ca href=u0022https://sundanceretrievers.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/IMG_6248.movu0022u003enails clippedu003c/au003e for the first time.u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eu003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eWeek 3 -4:u003c/strongu003e u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eYour pup is 3-4 weeks old and is starting to eat blended puppy food, which begins the weaning process from their mother. This is when we introduce the food whistle.u003c/spanu003e u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e What is the “food whistle”u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e The “food whistle” is a training tool that pairs a distinct whistle sound with positive reinforcement to establish a reliable recall command. u003c/spanu003e u003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eu003cstrongu003eWu003c/strongu003eu003c/spanu003eu003cstrongu003ehy do we do it? u003c/strongu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eTeaching a puppy the whistle at that age is particularly effective because puppies at this age have heightened auditory perception and are highly receptive to forming associations. Early training helps solidify the connection between the whistle and the reward, creating a deeply ingrained response. This early conditioning ensures the puppy will respond promptly to the whistle, even in distracting environments, enhancing their safety and control as they grow.u003c/spanu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eu003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003e

u003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eu003c/strongu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eTwo Months Oldu003c/strongu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eFive - six weeks old :u003c/strongu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eYour pup is enjoying exploring the reception room with littermates. Going out on short outdoor walks, weather depending, exploring mud, puddles, snow, and grass.  This age is also when we lightly introduce Sit. u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eWe start introducing the “sit” cue at roughly 6-7 weeks of age in a familiar, low-distraction area. u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eWe do this by using food to lure them back into a sitting position and using our clickers to mark the desired action. With enough consistent repetition, our puppies start to have this down within 3 to 4 training sessions. We then maintain this by cueing them to sit whenever we stop walking, when they come in or out of doors, and before they eat. u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eThe “sit” command is the most important command. It's the gateway to all of the other commands. It teaches self-control and focus.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eu003cstrongu003e7-8 weeks old:  u003c/strongu003eYour pup is continuing to work on sit lessons. We are also introducing eye contact and settling. u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eWhy is it important? u003c/strongu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e Eye contact while working with a dog is crucial because that’s how you connect and communicate. Just like with people, it shows that they’re engaged and paying attention to you. If your dog isn't looking at you, they're probably not listening to you. They’re not communicating with you. Teaching them to look to you for direction makes the learning process much easier and can be important for your dog's safety in emergency situations. It also teaches them how to settle and be ready for their next command.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cstrongu003eHow do you teach and maintain that?u003c/strongu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003e The process of teaching eye contact is simple and a rather fun exercise that can be maintained at all life stages. We start this after they learn the “sit” command. Once they know sit, we start clicking when they look at us. We use a verbal “Look” command, and then when we get the desired result, we click and then reward them for the desired behavior.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eYour pup is learning intro to down. We start teaching the “down” command at roughly 8-9 weeks of age, after the pup has mastered the sit command. We do this by using treats to lure them into a down position and using our clickers to mark the desired action. With consistent repetition, our puppies develop this skill set within 3 to 4 training sessions. We maintain this by having them practice the skill set in everyday training. The Down command is important because it teaches the settle cue. u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eYour pup is also working on Cup Drills. Cup drills are awesome for building precision, confidence, and focus. This drill involves placing treats on top of a cup or bucket, then letting your puppy go get them. Once they get the treats, we recall them back to us and reward them with a little more treats and lots of pets. This also helps teach the concept of lining by encouraging them to focus on a specific target in a straight line, improving their ability to follow directions and stay on course during retrieves.u003c/spanu003eu003c/pu003enu003cpu003eu003cspan style=u0022font-weight: 400;u0022u003eu003c/spanu003eu003cstrongu003eWhere can you successfully cue for this skill set?  u003c/strongu003eIn a known, low-distraction environment with high-value rewards.u003c/pu003e