Puppies & Placement
Thoughtful evaluation and responsible placement ensure each puppy goes to a home prepared for their needs.
Our Puppies
More photos will be added as litters are born and develop.
Early Puppy Development
We implement proven, research-backed protocols during the critical first weeks of life to give every puppy the strongest possible neurological and behavioral foundation.
Days 3–16 of Life
Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)
Originally developed by the U.S. Military's "Bio Sensor" canine program, ENS involves five specific handling exercises performed once daily during the narrow window between days 3 and 16 of a puppy's life. Research has shown that mild, controlled stressors during this neonatal period stimulate the neurological system in ways that produce lasting benefits.
Each exercise is performed for 3–5 seconds only. The goal is brief, gentle stimulation, not prolonged stress. This protocol has been widely adopted by serious working dog breeders and is supported by decades of research into early neurological development.
The Five ENS Exercises
- Tactile stimulation, gentle pressure between toes with a cotton swab
- Head held erect, puppy held upright in both hands
- Head pointed down, puppy held securely with head tilted downward
- Supine position, puppy cradled on its back in both hands
- Thermal stimulation, paws placed on a cool, damp towel
Documented Benefits
- Improved cardiovascular performance and stronger heartbeats
- Stronger adrenal glands and greater stress tolerance
- Greater resistance to disease and improved immune response
- Enhanced problem-solving ability and confidence
- Better performance in competitive and working environments
Scent Development
Early Scent Introduction (ESI)
ESI is a companion protocol to ENS that focuses on developing a puppy's olfactory awareness and confidence during the same neonatal period. By introducing novel scents individually and recording each puppy's reaction, we support the development of scent discrimination, a foundation for detection work, tracking, and general environmental confidence.
ESI Protocol
- Each puppy is individually presented with a novel scent for a brief period
- Reactions are observed and recorded to track neurological development
- Scents include natural items such as herbs, spices, fruit, leather, and game
- Performed once daily from days 3 through 16, alongside ENS exercises
Enrichment & Socialization
Beyond ENS and ESI, our puppies are raised with structured enrichment protocols throughout their time with us. These experiences build on the neurological foundation established in the first weeks and prepare puppies for confident transitions to their new homes.
Sound Desensitization
Gradual, age-appropriate exposure to household sounds, recorded gunfire, thunderstorms, sirens, and other environmental noises to build confidence and prevent noise sensitivity.
Surface & Texture Exposure
Puppies are introduced to a variety of surfaces, grass, gravel, wood, metal grates, wobble boards, to develop proprioception, balance, and environmental confidence.
Barrier & Problem-Solving Challenges
Simple obstacle courses and barrier exercises encourage independent thinking and build the confidence puppies need to navigate novel environments later in life.
Structured Socialization
Controlled exposure to new people, gentle handling by multiple individuals, and supervised interaction with stable adult dogs during critical developmental windows.
Puppy Evaluations
Every puppy in our program is evaluated at 7-8 weeks by experienced working dog evaluators. This isn't a simple temperament test, it's a comprehensive assessment of each puppy's individual potential and the type of home where they will thrive.
Evaluation results are the foundation of our matching process. We assess each puppy's nerve strength, drive profile, and temperament, then match them to families based on the family's intended purpose for the dog. A puppy destined for protection work has different requirements than one going to an active family or a working farm.
This purpose-driven matching ensures that every puppy is set up for success in the role they were bred and selected for, and that every family receives a dog genuinely suited to their life.
Evaluation Criteria
- Nerve strength and recovery from novel stimuli
- Prey drive and engagement
- Environmental confidence
- Social behavior with people and dogs
- Physical structure and movement
- Overall balance and suitability for placement type
Pricing Structure
Pricing varies based on the puppy's evaluation results and placement type. We are transparent about why different puppies command different prices.
Tier 1
Active Companion / Farm
Dogs suited for active families, farm life, and property management. May have slightly lower drive or different temperament profile than protection prospects.
Excellent family dogs that can still provide deterrence and alert capability.
Tier 2
Working / Protection Prospect
Dogs with the temperament and drive profile for protection training. Suitable for personal protection work with professional training.
Recommended for experienced handlers or those committed to professional training.
Tier 3
Elite Prospect
Exceptional puppies showing outstanding temperament, drive balance, and structure. Suitable for high-level competition or professional protection work.
Limited availability. These puppies are rare and priced accordingly.
Contact us for current pricing. Prices are subject to change based on market conditions, breeding costs, and the specific qualities of each litter.
Placement Philosophy
Every placement we make is driven by one question: what is this family's intended purpose for the dog? A family seeking personal protection, an active household wanting a confident companion, a professional needing a working prospect, each requires a different dog with a different temperament profile.
We match the puppy to the purpose, not the other way around. This is why we evaluate thoroughly, ask detailed questions about your lifestyle and goals, and ultimately make the pairing decision ourselves. It's the only way to ensure lasting success for both the dog and the family.
- Puppies are matched to families based on the family's intended purpose for the dog
- Evaluation results determine which puppy fits which home, not buyer preference
- A family seeking a protection dog receives a puppy with the drive and nerve for that work
- A family seeking an active companion receives a puppy with the temperament for that lifestyle
- Color preference is always secondary to purpose and temperament matching
- Companion Kennels retains the right to refuse placement if the match isn't right
- All placements include spay/neuter agreement unless breeding rights purchased
- Lifetime return policy, we take back any dog we produce, no questions asked