Puppy Culture Rearing

At Setareh Yorkies, we raise all of our litters with the Puppy Culture Socialization Program—a proven, science-based approach to giving puppies the best possible start in life. It’s not just for their first 8 weeks here with us—you can continue the program in your own home to help your puppy reach their fullest potential.

💡 Want to learn more? Watch the Puppy Culture video here and explore the full program. We recommend purchasing a bundle so you can continue your puppy’s development after they leave our care.

What is Puppy Culture?

Founded by skilled trainer and breeder Jane Killion, Puppy Culture is a structured, week-by-week protocol designed to guide breeders and new owners through the most critical early weeks of a puppy’s life.

The first 12 weeks are a “magic window” when the right experiences, introduced at the right time, shape a puppy’s temperament, resilience, and lifelong skills. Our goal is to raise emotionally intelligent, confident, and well-adjusted dogs—whether they grow up to be family companions, therapy dogs, or sport champions.

Stages of Puppy Culture at Setareh Yorkies

Prenatal Period

We start before puppies are even born. The health and emotional well-being of the mother directly affect her litter. Gentle handling, belly rubs, and calm environments set the tone. Research shows that puppies from mothers who receive prenatal massage are often more relaxed and enjoy human touch from the start.

Neonatal Period (0–14 Days)

From day 3 to day 16, we introduce Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS)—gentle, structured exercises that improve stress tolerance, immune function, and overall resilience. This is a once-in-a-lifetime developmental window that can’t be recreated later.

Transitional Period (14–21 Days)

This phase begins when the puppies’ eyes open and ends when they first react to sound. Every puppy matures at their own pace, so we watch for these milestones rather than relying on dates alone.

Critical Socialization Period (3–12 Weeks)

True socialization is more than just exposure—it’s about teaching emotional intelligence. Puppy Culture focuses on 7 key areas:

Communication – Giving puppies a voice and teaching them how to engage.
Emotional Stability – Helping them recover quickly from new or startling situations.
Habituation – Building comfort with a variety of sounds, sights, and textures.
Enrichment – Encouraging curiosity and problem-solving.
Health – Supporting physical and neurological development.
Skills – Introducing everyday life skills like crate training, recall, and leash walking.
Love – Creating positive emotional associations with both humans and dogs.

Weeks 10–12: Transition to New Homes

Puppy Culture recommends puppies go to their forever families between 10–12 weeks. This allows them two critical weeks of socialization in their new home, helping them adjust to their family’s lifestyle, routines, and environment.

Why We Believe in Puppy Culture

Raising a litter this way takes more time, effort, and commitment—but the results speak for themselves. Families tell us their Setareh Yorkie puppies are confident, adaptable, and eager to learn from the moment they arrive home.

We truly believe this program is a gift we can give to every puppy we raise—and to every family who loves them.

Illustration of five small Yorkshire terrier puppies playing outdoors on a sunny day. Some puppies are on a wooden balance beam, others on the ground, surrounded by colorful flowers, tall trees, and scattered balls and toys.

An informational poster about puppy culture rearing at Setareh Yorkies, featuring a cartoon illustration of a puppy and a dog with a beige background and brown text. The poster describes the different stages of puppy development from prenatal to postnatal periods, emphasizing health, socialization, and training.

Promotional image for Jane Killion's Puppy Culture program, featuring a red heart and text about raising puppies.

Four black and tan Dachshund puppies and a small plush Dachshund toy on a white background.

Close-up of a cute Yorkshire Terrier puppy with vivid blue eyes, surrounded by colorful fabric and rainbow patterns.

Four adorable Yorkshire Terrier puppies standing on a sunlit floor near a window.

What Does This Mean for You, as the Future Owner of a Puppy Culture Puppy?

It means you’ll be taking home a puppy who is truly ready to take on the world. From the moment they opened their eyes (and even before), these puppies have been learning — not just passively observing, but actively engaging with their environment. They’ve been taught how to learn, given opportunities to explore, make choices, and have those choices respected.

This is the foundation of the confident, well-adjusted dog you’re looking for — one who knows they have a voice, trusts their environment, and trusts you.

But here’s the important part: the work doesn’t stop when you take them home. To maintain that confidence, you’ll need to continue what we’ve started — training, enrichment, and positive reinforcement from day one. Puppy Culture pups are curious, brave, and eager to be part of your life. Without continued attention and purpose, they can quickly become bored… and bored puppies get creative in ways you might not love!

These are not “just pets.” They’re companions, partners, and family members who thrive when their humans are actively engaged in their growth. In return, you’ll get a bold, joyful, and adaptable dog who is as comfortable in the human world as their genetics will allow.

So, take the reins and enjoy the ride — life with a Puppy Culture pup is full of fun, adventure, and a bond like no other.

Puppy Culture and Exercise

The Puppy Culture Exercise Chart is an excellent guide for both breeders and owners. It outlines safe, age-appropriate activities for every stage: 8–12 weeks, 12–16 weeks, 4–6 months, 6–12 months, 12–18 months, and 18 months to 2 years. Following these guidelines helps your puppy develop physically, mentally, and emotionally in a safe, structured way.

📌 Want to learn more about Puppy Culture and get the tools to continue your puppy’s training at home? Click here to explore and purchase.