Farm Raised

Hickory Creeks Collies

Farm Raised

Our Collies are raised on our farm at Hickory Creeks. Our dogs are free to be who they are and develop their own personalities without worry of developing bad behaviors.



Although the temperament of a dog is partly genetic, puppies are brought in to the world with highly plastic brains; in other words, they are extremely susceptible to environmental influences. They are very similar to human toddlers in so many ways. This window of susceptibility closes at around 16 weeks (although it may take until 5 months to close completely), by which time the brain has more or less completed its development. After this, although the dog can still learn, he will not be as adaptable and susceptible as in those early weeks. The impressions created in those first few weeks literally affect the way the brain develops, and are extremely difficult to eradicate later. Puppies are said to be imprintable through this stage. Hickory Creeks Collies are all imprinted during this most critical stage. Many animals can be "imprinted". Another example of Imprint Training can be seen at my dear friend Diane Sczepanski's Northern Foundations Farm:

http://www.northernfoundationsfarm.com/page%204.html

Northern Foundations Farm is a small family owned breeding farm near Whitehall, WI. They preserve the old and rare heritage bloodlines from Tennessee. Their goal is to preserve the signature gait this breed was known for in a usable horse of sound mind and body.



Check out her gorgeous new foals she has for sale!



More details on how we imprint our puppies are found below.

Happy puppies come from happy homes and we take pride in providing a safe and happy home for all our puppies.

Our Collies are raised in our family and develop their individualities and personalities from the family within.

Farm raised puppies have much more freedom and get the necessary exercise they need to grow properly. This is important for the mental health of a puppy as for its muscle development.

Here are Hickory Creeks Collies we take the opportunity to start work early in producing your family companion. We give special care from day one with each and every puppy. This is the best start for their early developmental needs. The investment of time and care we put in during their puppy-hood results in a tenfold return for the life of your dog.

We take the time to start at the 10-14 day stage by handling and talking to the puppies on a daily basis. While we are holding the puppy in our hands we roll them over on their stomach, side, back and so on speaking softly to them at the same time. Their hearing is just now starting to develop, (same age their eyes begin to open). We take notes of the reactions we get from each and every puppy. Some will be very relaxed no matter what positions they are in and others may squirm and squeal at first or become tense. We can start evaluating them even at this early age and begin to pick up on their personalities as well. We make a point to do this at least twice a day. Handling and talking is important at this age. I let my children have hands on petting and talking softly when monitoring to ensure they are being handled gently. When family, friends, relatives come to visit I like them to take a turn as well so the puppies get use to different people handling them. I continue this process until they are about three weeks old.

info@hickorycreekscollies.com

PH: 715-284-0644

At three weeks of age socialization is very critical not only with humans but with their littermates as well. They can now hear and see well, and their sense of smell is become more intricate. At this point I will move them from the whelping box to a larger area big enough for them to play and get exercise which also has a comfortable place for their sleep and another separate area for them designated as the elimination place. The smell in this area will teach them at a very early age how to recognize the place where they are supposed to eliminate. This is the very beginning phase of house training. I also include an area for mom and make it possible for her to go in and out as she pleases. We believe in letting mom remain with the pups as long as she desires. This will build puppy's confidence by continuing their sense of security with her. Their nervous system is developing rapidly at this time which is why we like to expose them to unfamiliar places, people and experiences in the weeks to come. The environment we provide stimulates and fosters their development. This creates a well rounded and more secure companion that will last through out their lifetime.

We will start as early as four weeks of age with obedience training. The puppies become more stable on their legs, has full sight and hearing and their brain is physically mature for the final stages of physical development. They are ready to start learning what we teach. This is NOT an easy task and does not happen overnight. I do not work outside the home but do not consider this my job either. I am doing what I love. I set up routines they keep every day. Repetition and consistency is a key to their success. They have very short attention spans and will be receiving several short sessions each day. We allow the same amount of time for each puppy for training sessions each day. We do not use physical force on the puppies in any way; this is why each puppy decides on their own what they will learn during their stay here. An important part of training is winning your puppy's trust so that they love to learn and they will love to please you in any way. Please try to allow time to continue obedience with them beyond Hickory Creeks in order to maintain their positive qualities. Obedience training is one of the best things you can do for your puppy. It opens a line of communication and is the basis for a happy partnership.

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