Our Program

Here at Dixie Creek Retrievers, our dogs are the priority. All puppies are whelped and raised in our home with extensive socialization protocols. This helps ensure that puppies are well rounded and ready to take on the world with their new families! Our main goal is to produce puppies that are both mentally and physically sound - this starts with health testing all of our breeding dogs above and beyond the breed parent club recommendations. We are proud members of the AKC Bred with H.E.A.R.T. program and the UKC HRC, as well as our local retriever club.

HEALTH

Dixie Creek Retrievers strives to produce the healthiest puppies possible, this starts by ensure all breeding dogs and outside stud dogs we use pass all breed relevant health testing.

BEAUTY

"The Labrador Retriever is a strongly built, medium-sized, short-coupled, dog possessing a sound, athletic, well-balanced conformation that enables it to function as a retrieving gun dog."

BRAINS

"The ideal disposition is one of a kindly, outgoing, tractable nature. The Labrador has much that appeals to people; his gentle ways, intelligence and adaptability make him an ideal dog."

FUNCTION

"Well balanced conformation that enables it to function as a retrieving gun dog; the substance and soundness to hunt waterfowl or upland game for long hours under difficult conditions"

Dixie Creek Retrievers ONLY breeds in standard colors
(Black, Yellow, and Chocolate)

Puppy Raising Protocols

Our goal is to raise the most well rounded, stable, and confident pups possible. We do so by utilizing a few different protocols when raising litters. We follow the Puppy Culture program from day one, as well as utilizing Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS), and Early Scent Introduction (ESI) from days 3-16.

We also introduce every puppy to real duck wings (at 4 weeks old) and whole birds (at 7 weeks old) while they're with us as well as introducing them to gun fire.

More about our puppy raising process can be found below!

Puppy Culture is a comprehensive, early-age socialization and development program that uses positive, age-appropriate methods to build confidence and good behavior in puppies from birth through their crucial socialization period. The program involves neurological stimulation, gentle exposure to new sights and sounds, and positive interactions with people and other animals to prevent fear, anxiety, and aggression later in life. It provides an organized, systematic approach for breeders and new owners, with specific protocols for crate training, house training, and adapting to new environments.

Key Components & Goals

Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS):

Specific daily exercises are performed with newborns to stimulate their developing nervous systems.
Socialization:

Gentle and positive exposure to a variety of experiences, including:
- People: Meeting new individuals.
- Environment: Experiencing different sounds, sights, textures, and surfaces (like grass and gravel).
- Crate Training: Positive and gradual introductions to crating.
- Car Rides: Short, positive experiences in a car.
Positive Interactions:

Learning to play appropriately with other dogs and humans.
Prevention of Behavioral Issues:

By building confidence and appropriate social skills, the program aims to prevent common problems like fear, anxiety, and aggression in adult dogs.
Organized Protocols:

The program offers a structured, systematic approach with age-appropriate protocols and lessons for breeders and new puppy owners.