HOW WE RAISE OUR PUPPIES

At Lucianhaus Working Dogs, we believe that the foundation of a dog's success begins long before they leave for their new homes. That’s why we are deeply committed to a comprehensive and intentional puppy-raising protocol. We recognize the critical importance of the early developmental stages in a puppy’s life and take our responsibility seriously to ensure each pup is given the best possible start.

Our goal is not simply to produce puppies — we raise well-rounded, stable, confident, and adaptable dogs that are equipped to thrive in a variety of environments, and their new homes. From day one, every puppy at Lucianhaus is raised with purpose and a clear developmental strategy tailored to their individual needs and potential.

Through carefully planned age-appropriate challenges, positive early experiences, and thoughtful exposure to a wide variety of environments, people, sounds, and stimuli, we nurture essential life skills that allow our puppies to grow into balanced, resilient, and reliable canine partners. Socialization is never rushed or overwhelming — it's done with intention, ensuring that each new experience builds confidence rather than fear.

We utilize a hands-on, developmental approach from birth through to placement, focusing on emotional stability, cognitive growth, physical conditioning, and early training foundations. Our puppies are guided through each stage with the support they need to develop independence, curiosity, and trust.

What truly sets Lucianhaus apart is the level of intention and care infused into every step of our program. We don’t raise dogs by chance — we raise them by design. Our structured protocols are not just about preparing puppies for the present, but equipping them with the tools to adapt, overcome, and thrive in any situation life throws at them.

Every Lucianhaus puppy is more than just a dog - they are a future teammate, partner, and loyal companion. Raised with integrity, purpose, and passion, they leave our program ready to embrace their full potential, no matter which path they pursue.

At Lucianhaus Working Dogs, we proudly implement the Avidog Breeder College system — a gold-standard, science-backed puppy raising program designed to develop puppies into physically capable, mentally sound, and socially resilient adult dogs.

The Avidog system goes far beyond traditional practices such as Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS). It provides a structured, week-by-week developmental framework that supports a puppy’s physical, emotional, and cognitive growth from birth through 8 weeks of age. This approach is designed specifically to lay a strong foundation for success in working, sport, performance, or active companion homes.

Days 0-3: Gentle Transitions

• Puppies stay close to the dam in a calm, temperature-controlled environment.
• Minimal handling supports bonding and regulation of vital systems.
• Maternal care is closely monitored, and supportive intervention is provided if needed.

ENS includes five brief, purposeful daily exercises:

• Tactile stimulation between the toes
• Holding the head upright
• Holding the head downward
• Supine (on the back) position
• Thermal stimulation with a cool cloth

These exercises promote:

• Faster stress recovery
• Improved cardiovascular and immune function
• Greater adaptability to new and novel environments

ESI introduces a new scent daily — such as pine needles, clove, leather, or soil — building:

• Olfactory curiosity and development
• Stronger scent recognition (key for detection, tracking, SAR, etc.)
• Increased motivation and food drive

As eyes and ears begin to open, the puppies’ world gently expands to include:

• A variety of textures, surfaces, and safe challenges
• Toys, tunnels, wobble boards, and new objects introduced regularly
• Positive human interaction with multiple handlers
• Early crate door exposure to build comfort and curiosity
• Weaning onto a high-quality, species-appropriate diet

This critical window shapes emotional resilience and problem-solving skills.

Puppies are introduced to:

• Common household and working environments: stairs, grooming tools, mirrors, vacuums, vehicles, etc.
• Supervised interactions with stable adult dogs
• Crate training, short separations, and solo time to build independence
• Engagement games and beginning food marker work
• Sound desensitization (e.g., thunder, fireworks, machinery, traffic)
• Mild “surprise” experiences that encourage recovery and optimism

• Volhard Puppy Aptitude Testing is conducted by an independent evaluator to assess drive, sociability, focus, and overall temperament.
• Puppies experience individual crate sessions, short car rides, and recovery assessments.
• Structured handling sessions simulate grooming, vet visits, and leash introductions.
• Foundational training is reinforced: name recognition, recall, and handler engagement.

By 8 weeks, Lucianhaus puppies raised through Avidog are:

• Emotionally stable and socially aware
• Physically coordinated and capable
• Mentally curious, motivated, and eager to learn
• People-neutral or socially engaged, depending on their unique temperament
• Ready to transition seamlessly into active homes — whether for work, sport, or companionship

Avidog is not just about raising puppies — it’s about raising partners. By supporting each stage of development with proven methods, we significantly reduce the risk of fear-based behaviors, rehoming, or shutdown responses in high-stress environments.

This system is ideally suited for German Shepherds and Belgian Shepherds — breeds known for their intelligence, drive, and dedication. The Avidog method helps us shape these naturally gifted dogs into confident, balanced, and trainable companions capable of excelling in demanding roles.

At Lucianhaus Working Dogs, this approach aligns perfectly with our mission:
To raise emotionally resilient, physically sound, high-drive shepherds that are both genetically and environmentally prepared to thrive — whether on the job, in the sport ring, or by your side.

At Lucianhaus Working Dogs, every puppy undergoes a comprehensive Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test at 7 weeks of age. This research-backed temperament evaluation is a valuable tool that helps us better understand each puppy’s natural instincts and personality traits—before formal training and environmental influences begin to shape their behavior.

The Volhard test examines a variety of key behavioral markers, including:

• Social Attraction – How willingly a puppy seeks out and engages with people
• Following Instinct – The pup’s desire to stay near or move with a human
• Response to Restraint – Tolerance for mild stress or gentle physical control
• Sensitivity to Sound & Sight – Reactions to new or surprising auditory and visual stimuli
• Prey & Object Drive – Interest in movement, toys, and retrieving behavior
• Startle Recovery – How quickly a puppy bounces back from sudden surprises
• Touch Sensitivity – Comfort with being handled and touched in various ways
• Confidence in Novel Environments – Willingness to explore unfamiliar surroundings independently

This test is not about passing or failing—it’s about building a clear behavioral profile. When paired with our weeks of hands-on observation and experience raising the litter, the results give us powerful insight into each puppy’s temperament, drive, and suitability for different types of homes and work.

By using the Volhard test as part of our placement process, we ensure each Lucianhaus puppy is matched with the environment, handler, and lifestyle that will allow them to thrive—whether that's in a working role, competitive sport.

We provide thorough, forward-thinking veterinary care tailored to each puppy's needs.

Every puppy benefits from:

• Comprehensive physical exams at key developmental milestones
• Consistent weight tracking and a structured deworming schedule
• Core vaccinations administered in accordance with AAHA standards
• Routine fecal screenings to detect and prevent parasites
• Microchip implantation prior to adoption for lifelong identification

Intentional Exposure Without Overwhelm

From 3 to 12 weeks of age, puppies experience a critical period of social development—where early interactions shape lifelong behavior and confidence. At Lucianhaus Working Dogs, we don’t leave this stage to chance. Every human and environmental interaction is thoughtfully designed to support stable, resilient working prospects.

Socialization isn’t about volume — it’s about precision.

We prioritize quality over quantity, exposing puppies to the right people, in the right way, at the right time.

Puppies are introduced to a variety of visitors in calm, low-pressure settings to nurture trust, emotional neutrality, and sound judgment. Each session is structured and purposeful, with a clear goal: shaping dogs that are confident in unfamiliar human encounters, without being overstimulated or overly affiliative.

Our visitor socialization includes exposure to:

• Adults with diverse physical traits (e.g., hats, glasses, beards, different ethnicities and body types)
• Children (strictly supervised to ensure the puppy’s safety and comfort)
• Seniors and individuals using mobility aids (wheelchairs, walkers, canes)
• Calm, dog-experienced handlers and strangers using neutral posture and movement

Every interaction is designed to support:

• Curious, composed engagement
• Positive experiences with novelty
• Quick emotional recovery from hesitation or startle
• Respect for space and development of self-control

We never allow visitors to handle puppies excessively, crowd them, or create chaotic environments. There's no forced affection or constant chatter — just calm, respectful interaction that reinforces a puppy’s natural confidence and observational awareness.

Our focus is on emotional stability, not hyper-social behavior.

This approach helps prevent fearfulness, over-excitability, and reactivity — producing young dogs with balanced social expectations, ready to process new situations with clarity and calm.