How We Raise Our Puppies

At Millie’s Goldendoodles, our passion for this wonderful breed inspires everything we do. We are committed to giving each puppy the very best start in life by providing exceptional care, intentional early training, and a nurturing home environment.

We believe that raising a well‑adjusted adult dog begins long before they leave our home. From the moment they’re born, our puppies receive daily love, handling, and gentle guidance to help them feel safe and confident in the world around them. Early neurological development is a key part of this process, and we incorporate proven methods to support healthier, happier, more adaptable puppies.

From days 3–16, we use ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation) and ESI (Early Scent Introduction) to help strengthen their developing systems. As they grow, we follow the BAB (Badass Breeder) Puppy Curriculum, which includes sound desensitization starting at 16 days old and continuing until they go home. This helps prepare them for everyday life—vacuum cleaners, doorbells, thunderstorms, and more.

We also introduce our puppies to a variety of enriching experiences through play. They explore uneven surfaces, wobble boards, tunnels, and small stairs to build confidence and problem‑solving skills. These early exposures help them become resilient, curious, and ready to take on new situations with ease.

All of our puppies are raised right in our home, surrounded by the normal sights, sounds, and rhythms of family life. They hear household noises, experience different environments, and receive plenty of interaction from both adults and children. This foundation helps them transition smoothly into their forever homes and become loving, well‑rounded companions..

Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) Early Scent Introduction (ESI)

ENS was originally developed by the U.S. Military to enhance the performance and resilience of future working dogs. These gentle exercises are performed once daily from 3 to 16 days old, a period believed to be especially important for neurological growth and development.

Puppies who receive ENS have shown several long‑term benefits, including:

Improved heart function
Stronger adrenal glands
Better tolerance to stress
Increased resistance to disease

These early experiences help set the foundation for healthier, more adaptable adult dogs.

ESI introduces puppies to a variety of scents during the same early developmental window. This simple but powerful enrichment helps strengthen their sense of smell, which plays a major role in cognitive development and emotional stability.

Benefits of ESI may include:

Enhanced problem‑solving abilities
Improved social skills and temperament
Greater adaptability to new environments
Increased confidence and reduced fearfulness in unfamiliar situations

Together, ENS and ESI help our puppies grow into well‑rounded, confident companions who are ready to thrive in their new homes.

Sound Desensitization

We begin sound desensitization at around three weeks of age, when the puppies’ ears start to open and they become more aware of the world around them. During this stage, we gently introduce a variety of sounds—starting with soft crinkling noises and gradually progressing to louder, everyday sounds such as vacuums, fireworks, and other noises that can often be stressful for dogs.

This gradual exposure helps our puppies develop resilience and reduces sensitivity to loud or unexpected sounds. It’s an important part of their early development, preparing them for the wide range of noises they’ll encounter in their future homes.

The benefits extend well beyond puppyhood. By the time they leave us, our Goldendoodle puppies are better equipped to handle common challenges like thunderstorms, fireworks, household activity, and even the busy energy of city life. Our goal is to help them grow into confident, well-adjusted companions who feel secure no matter what environment they enter.

Where our puppies are raised

Whelping area

Our whelping area is thoughtfully designed to keep both mom and her puppies safe, comfortable, and well‑supported from the very beginning. We use a 4x4 whelping space equipped with a pig rail, which helps prevent puppies from accidentally getting trapped between the wall and their mom. This simple but important feature adds an extra layer of safety during those early, delicate days.

We also use a heating pad to ensure the puppies stay warm whenever mom steps out for a break. Maintaining proper warmth is essential for newborn puppies, and we monitor their environment closely to keep them cozy and secure.

As the puppies grow and become more mobile, we gradually expand their space to give them room to explore, play, and build confidence. This transition helps them develop naturally while still feeling safe and supported.

Play Area

As the puppies grow, we expand their space to include a connected indoor play area where they can interact with us, explore new toys, and build confidence through supervised play. This space gives them room to stretch, tumble, and learn important social skills in a safe, enriching environment.

When the weather is nice, we also introduce the puppies to our outdoor play area, where they can experience fresh air, new textures, and natural sights and sounds. Outdoor time is always carefully supervised and tailored to their age and developmental stage.