Five-stage sensory integration
A five-stage puppy development program designed to build healthy foundations, resilience, sensory integration, individualized preparation, and family connection.
Dorenlee Darling Doodles
The right puppy begins long before puppy pick day. Each stage supports confident, emotionally balanced companions who are better prepared for the families they join.
The first days of a puppy's life are some of the most important. Members of the family and puppy care team rotate around the clock to care for both mother and litter, helping every puppy nurse well, grow appropriately, and begin life in a calm, secure environment.
Between days 3 and 16, each puppy participates in Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) and Early Scent Introduction (ESI), gentle exercises that support resilience, adaptability, confidence, problem-solving, and healthy development.
Around three weeks, puppies enter a major sensory development window. Verbal cues, hand signals, scent, touch, mealtime etiquette, and bathroom communication routines are intentionally paired with positive experiences.
At six to seven weeks, each puppy completes the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test and is thoughtfully matched. Each puppy receives leash, harness, crate, car ride, grooming, socialization, confidence, and household experiences.
Long before puppies meet their new families, labelled scent items and, when possible, their future crate become part of daily positive interactions, rest, play, and training to build familiarity before homecoming.
Next steps
Explore the complete puppy process, then tell Dorenlee what you are hoping for so the team can guide fit, timing and next steps.