How we prepare our pups for success!

Here at Masky Kennel we know it’s important that our parent dogs are the best examples of what a German Shepherd should be in order to breed the best puppies. Our parents are loyal, playful, have wonderful temperaments, and each undergo not only genetic, but also physical health testing that is recommended for their breed by the OFA.

​

​

​

​

Here at Masky Kennel, we believe that it is very important to socialize each pup as soon as they are old enough to walk to make sure they become the best version of themselves. Our puppies are around our whole family(including kids), other dogs, cats, horses and anything else we can put in front of them. Our dogs are raised on a beautiful farm located in North Carolina where each dog can roam freely on multiple acres of fenced yard.

Once puppies are born; we begin ENS (early neurological stimulation) and ESI (early scent introduction) at 3 days old! This is performed on days 3-16, including gentle handling and daily weights to closely monitor puppy health. ENS is known to improve cardiovascular performance, stronger heartbeats, stronger adrenal glands, more tolerance to stress, and greater resistance to disease. ESI improves nose awareness and confidence. Puppies that are naturally more scent focus vs human focus can make excellent blood tracking, bomb, or hunting dogs. 

At 6-7 weeks of age we conduct a puppy aptitude test on each individual puppy. During the test we focus on 12 important puppy temperament traits to help make sure you get a puppy that fits you, your lifestyle and your needs as well as honoring who the puppy is. Once temperament testing and vet checks are completed; families will have information on each puppy in order for them to make the right decision for their family on go home day. Picks are made in order of a families place on the waitlist during the last week with us.

Our dams are well taken care of during pregnancy from vet visits, ultrasounds, prenatal vitamins, food that supports pregnancy, on-call vet services, and pampered like the rockstars they are. Once their due date approaches; Moms are integrated into their whelping area to create a natural den like comfort. During whelping our moms receive close monitoring & delivery assistance as needed.

At 3 weeks we also begin daily curriculum activities that involves socializing our puppies to different sounds, sights, textures, things to climb on, run through, smell and more for their daily enrichment. We focus on empowering over enabling our puppies. We set them up to conquer physical and mental challenges every day. By doing this we build our puppies nerve strength and confidence as well as problem solving skills. It is our goal is provide our puppies with a stable and enriching environment for the first 8 weeks of their lives!