Raising Happy, Healthy Puppies: What a Good Cocker Spaniel Breeder Does from Day 1 to 8 Weeks

At Sirandi Poodles, Oodles and Cocker Spaniels, we believe the first eight weeks of a puppy’s life are absolutely crucial in shaping their future as confident, well-rounded companions.

Whether you’re searching for spoodle puppies for sale, a cockapoo in Brisbane, or a toy cavoodle dog, understanding how a responsible breeder raises their puppies is key to finding the right fit for your family.

Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at what goes into raising a litter—from day one to eight weeks—and why it matters.

Week-by-Week Puppy Development Timeline

Day 1–14 (Neonatal Stage)

Puppies are born blind, deaf, and completely reliant on their mother. During this time, we focus on gentle handling and begin bio-sensory exercises (also known as Early Neurological Stimulation). We also ensure everyone stays nice and warm. These daily routines help develop stronger heartbeats, better stress tolerance, and more robust immune systems.

Week 2–3 (Transitional Stage)

Eyes and ears begin to open, and little personalities start to emerge. We begin Early Scent Introduction, exposing puppies to a variety of safe smells to develop their scenting ability—especially beneficial for breeds like cocker spaniels and spoodles, who often excel in scent work.

Week 3–4 (Awareness Stage)

Puppies begin to explore! They start to stand, walk, wag their tails, and interact with littermates. At this stage, we introduce age-appropriate crate exposure and soft chew toys, helping them associate the crate with comfort and fun. We begin clipper desensitisation by running the clippers near them without actual contact. Gentle exposure to household noises, like vacuum cleaners and hair dryers, also starts. Early toilet training is introduced.

Week 4–5 (Socialisation Begins)

Puppies become more curious and active. We start exposing them to varied environments, different textures, and farm noises, if applicable. They begin to meet children, adults, and friendly adult dogs, building positive associations with people and other animals.

Their first clip is done with patience, helping them feel relaxed during future grooming sessions.

Week 5–6

Early toilet training is well underway—puppies now eliminate in a designated area on fake turf with reasonable consistency. Social and environmental exposure continues to be a daily part of their routine.

Week 6–7

Puppies grow more adventurous. Crate training is increased, ensuring they feel safe and secure in their own space. They are exposed to a wider range of farm and household experiences, reinforcing confidence and adaptability.

They also attend the vet for a health check, microchip, and vaccination.

Week 7–8

Final touches! Puppies are now used to handling, noises, crates, chew toys, grooming sounds, and more. By this point, they’re ready to make a smooth and confident transition to their forever homes.

What a Good Breeder Really Does

Raising a litter isn’t just about feeding and cleaning—it’s about setting each puppy up for success. A good breeder:

• Carefully matches parent dogs for health, temperament, and breed type

• Uses bio-sensory and scent work to strengthen early development

• Prioritises crate and chew toy acclimatisation

• Actively socialises puppies with adults, children, other dogs, and various environments

• Begins toilet training, grooming desensitisation, and positive reinforcement from an early age

• Provides lifetime support, ensuring any puppy can return home at any stage of life

Whether you’re searching for a spoodle for sale, cavoodle, cockapoo in Brisbane, or spoodle puppies in QLD, choosing a breeder who invests this much in your puppy’s first eight weeks makes all the difference.

Looking for your next best friend?

Learn more about our puppies and ethical breeding practices at Sirandi Poodles, Oodles and Cocker Spaniels—your trusted cocker spaniel breeder and source for spoodles, cockapoos, and cavoodles in Queensland.