Reputable Breeder's Puppy Raising Philosophy

Our Puppy Raising Philosophy

At Ivy Hill, we are responsible English Springer Spaniel breeders committed to raising puppies with care, intention, and science-backed practices. We know that the first ten weeks a puppy spends with us are crucial — these early days lay the foundation for a confident, healthy, and well-adjusted adult dog.

We raise every litter in a loving, stable home environment with a focus on early socialization and safe, curated exposure. We use ENS (Early Neurological Stimulation) only when it is beneficial, and more importantly, we omit it from our puppy raising program when it may be detrimental to the wellbeing of your puppy (The Effect of Early Neurological Stimulation on Puppy Welfare..., 2023).

The Critical Socialization Window

Research confirms that puppies experience a critical socialization period between 3 and 14 weeks of age when their brains are especially receptive to learning about the world (Canine Welfare Science Group, Purdue University, 2023).

As a breeder who prioritizes puppies raised for the real world, we introduce gentle handling, household sounds, short car rides, safe toys, new textures, age-appropriate challenges, safe visitors and observation excursions. These carefully planned experiences help puppies build curiosity, adaptability, and confidence rather than fear.

A 2024 longitudinal study found that puppies exposed to rich early socialization between 7 weeks and 4 months developed into dogs with higher sociability, trainability, and emotional stability (Salonen et al., 2024; University of Helsinki).
Structured enrichment from 3–6 weeks, such as exploring new objects or mild noise exposure, fosters boldness and problem-solving skills (Kjellberg et al., Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 2023).

These findings guide our daily routines, ensuring that every Ivy Hill puppy benefits from scientifically supported practices.

Confidence Starts with Trust

Every puppy is handled with gentle care and positive reinforcement. We emphasize building trust and resilience, so our puppies learn that people are safe and that the world is full of rewarding experiences.

Our approach helps puppies develop emotional stability, stress resilience, and the social skills needed to succeed in new homes — a hallmark of a responsible English Springer Spaniel breeder.

Health, Cleanliness, and Calm

A calm, clean, and low-stress environment is critical for early development. Chronic stress during the first weeks can affect immune function and behavior later in life (Beerda et al., Physiology & Behavior, 1999).

We combine excellent nutrition including top of the line probiotics for microbiome support, low-stress handling, and early veterinary care to give each puppy the healthiest start possible.

Prepared for a Smooth Transition

Before leaving for their new homes, each Ivy Hill puppy is exposed to crate training, potty training foundations, basic manners, grooming routines, gentle strangers, short car rides and brief exploration excursions.

At Ivy Hill, we don’t just sell puppies — we raise confident, well-prepared English Springer Spaniels who are ready to thrive as loving family members.

Selected References

The Effect of Early Neurological Stimulation on Puppy Welfare in Commercial Breeding Kennels — Boone G., Romaniuk A.C., Barnard S., Shreyer T., Croney C. Animals, 13(1): 71 (2023). DOI: 10.3390/ani13010071.
Salonen, M., et al. (2024). Early-life socialization experiences predict adult canine personality and behavior. University of Helsinki; summarized on Phys.org (2023).
Kjellberg, M., et al. (2023). “Effects of early enrichment on fearfulness and boldness in puppies.” Applied Animal Behaviour Science, 261, 105935.
Canine Welfare Science Group. (2023). “Socialization in Puppies.” Purdue University Center for Animal Welfare Science.
Humane Society of Missouri. (2023). Puppy Behavior and Training: Socialization and Fear Prevention.
Beerda, B., et al. (1999). “Chronic stress in dogs subjected to social and spatial restriction.” Physiology & Behavior, 66(2), 243–254.
Scott, J.P., & Fuller, J.L. (1965). Genetics and the Social Behavior of the Dog. University of Chicago Press.