How We Raise Our Puppies

At Viking Companions, every puppy is raised with care, attention, and a strong foundation for a healthy and happy life. We believe the way puppies are raised during their first weeks has a lifelong impact, so we take great care at every stage — from the health of our breeding dogs, to pregnancy, whelping, and early socialization.

 

Care for Our Sires & Dams:

The foundation of a strong litter begins with healthy parents. All of our sires and dams that are actively part of our breeding program receive:

  • Regular veterinary visits and wellness checks
  • Up-to-date vaccinations, including Rabies, Leptospirosis, and Bordetella
  • Routine parasite prevention and health monitoring
  • Relavant OFA evaluations
  • Genetic testing for inheritable conditions

We breed only healthy, sound dogs that meet breed standards and have been cleared for responsible breeding.

 

Care During Pregnancy:

Our dams are placed on a carefully balanced vitamin regimen throughout pregnancy to support their nutrition and the development of the puppies.

We avoid using chemical flea or tick medications, as well as other substances that could pose a risk of birth defects or adverse reactions. Instead, we focus on natural care and close monitoring. Expecting mothers receive extra rest, quality food, and gentle exercise to stay strong and healthy.

 

Whelping & Early Weeks:

When it’s time for whelping, our puppies are born and raised inside the home, never outside in a kennel. The first six weeks of life are critical, and during this period they stay in a safe, warm, and closely monitored environment.

  • Playpen environment: Puppies are kept in a secure pen (like a baby’s playpen) inside the house.
  • Early nutrition: Puppies begin nursing exclusively from their mother. Once weaning begins, we introduce goat milk puppy formula mixed into their gruel during the first week of the transition. This helps ensure they continue receiving adequate nutrition while adjusting from mother’s milk to solid food.
  • Clean environment: Bedding is changed frequently, and puppy pads are used to help keep things sanitary.
  • Human touch: From the beginning, puppies are handled daily, teaching them to accept human contact and affection.

 

Socialization in the Home:

Between birth and six weeks, our puppies are exposed to the sounds and rhythms of family life. They grow up around:

  • Other dogs (to learn canine communication)
  • Cats (to reduce prey drive and increase tolerance)
  • Children (to build confidence and reduce anxiety around young voices and movements)
  • Household noises such as vacuums, TV, music, and everyday activity

This early exposure helps build resilience and confidence in new environments.

 

Expanding Socialization:

Around 4 to 6 weeks of age, we begin carefully introducing the puppies to new faces — family members, friends, and trusted visitors. Meeting new people helps puppies learn that strangers are safe and friendly.

At six weeks, we also begin introducing puppies to the outdoors:

  • Walking on different terrains (grass, gravel, concrete, dirt)
  • Exploring new sights, smells, and sounds
  • Puppy pads are moved outside to help encourage early potty habits in the outdoor pen

This is not full housebreaking, of course, but it helps them form a connection between going potty and being outside.

 

Nutrition & Weaning:

We recommend and personally feed 4Health Puppy Formula dog food. It is affordable, healthy, and provides balanced nutrition for growing puppies.

Our weaning process includes:

  • Week 1 of weaning: Gruel made with puppy food and goat milk puppy formula to ensure smooth transition and adequate nutrition
  • Gradual reduction of goat milk supplementation over time
  • Transition to solid food by the time they leave for new homes

 

Veterinary Care for Puppies:

Each puppy receives thorough veterinary care before going to their new home. Our standard care includes:

  • Deworming at 2, 3, 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age (following veterinary guidelines)
  • A vet exam between 6–8 weeks of age, which includes their first round of vaccinations (timing varies depending on veterinary scheduling)
  • Monitoring and care for any issues that may arise between birth and the time they go home — if concerns ever come up, we immediately seek veterinary care

If you have already placed a deposit on a puppy, you will be notified of any issues right away. While problems are very uncommon, we believe in full transparency. Importantly, if your puppy requires any additional veterinary visits while still in our care, we do not charge you extra for those visits.

By the time your puppy leaves us, you will receive a record of their veterinary history, including deworming and vaccinations, to take to your own veterinarian.

 

Preparing for New Homes:

By the time our puppies are ready to leave at 8+ weeks, they have already:

  • Lived in a family-centered, indoor environment
  • Experienced regular human interaction
  • Socialized with other animals and children
  • Walked on varied terrains indoors and outdoors
  • Begun basic routines like early potty habits with pads
  • Transitioned fully to a healthy diet of solid food
  • Had their first veterinary exam and vaccinations

 

Our Philosophy

We don’t just raise puppies, we raise companions. From the health and care of our sires and dams, to structured socialization, veterinary care, and proper nutrition for each litter, every step is intentional. By the time they leave us, our puppies have the best possible start in life, setting them up for success in their forever homes