The isolation, loneliness and lack of physical contact that is part of living with COVID-19, has driven many people to buy a dog. Tragically, many new owners discover that their sweet puppy, cannot be trained, destroys their house and clothing, and cannot be left alone. Why is this? Mainly it is how they are raised before they reach the new owner.

In many puppy mills, dogs are often raised in crates or confinement. Naturally curious, they have no space to explore. Naturally affectionate, they have little human contact. Contact with their mother is abruptly removed when they are weaned. The result is that many puppies are anxious, and have stunted development. Doodles, who tend to be sensitive, are especially vulnerable.

So, when Cynthia Royea bred Rose, a three year old Doodle, Cynthia was determined to raise the puppies differently.

Rose’s eleven puppies were given the run of the house. Their appetite for exploration satisfied, they don’t chew stuff, and are calm. Rose had the space to control when the puppies fed. Rose naturally weaned the puppies in her own time. When they were not asleep, the puppies were loved-up by the family. Logan, Cynthia’s 11 year old son, slept with two puppies every night.

Granny, Kathleen Mullarkey, had afternoon naps with at least one a day. Relaxed and feeling loved and safe, within six weeks, the dogs were using the PeePeePad most of the time. New owners make house visits regularly and relationships between puppy and owners are well-established.

The Puppies had their vaccinations last week. “New Vet in Town”, Megan Hlusko, kindly came over to do the deed. She told Cynthia that she had never met such well-adjusted puppies.