The Puppy Development Awards recognize breeders and programs that intentionally support puppies during their earliest developmental windows.
This award area honors the work that happens before puppies go home — including prenatal support, neonatal care, early neurological development, sensory exposure, environmental preparation, emotional regulation foundations, recovery work, confidence building, and puppy-family transition support.
01 · CRITERIA
What This Award Recognizes
- ◆Prenatal care and maternal support
- ◆Neonatal observation and care
- ◆Early neurological development
- ◆Sensory exposure
- ◆Safe environmental preparation
- ◆Sound, surface, object, and handling exposure
- ◆Emotional regulation foundations
- ◆Recovery and decompression awareness
- ◆Puppy confidence building
- ◆Service and therapy dog foundation exposure when appropriate
- ◆Puppy-family transition support
02 · TIERS
Possible Recognition Levels
TIER 1
Bronze Puppy Development Recognition
TIER 2
Silver Puppy Development Recognition
TIER 3
Gold Puppy Development Recognition
TIER 4
Platinum Crown Puppy Development Recognition
TIER 5
Legacy Crown Development Recognition
03 · DOCUMENTATION
Documentation May Include
- ◇Developmental schedules
- ◇Puppy observation notes
- ◇Exposure logs
- ◇Photos or videos of development work
- ◇Handling and sensory protocols
- ◇Socialization practices
- ◇Recovery and decompression practices
- ◇Family transition materials
- ◇Veterinary guidance where applicable
- ◇Written explanation of puppy development philosophy
DISCLAIMER
Crown & Collar Institute puppy development awards recognize documented developmental practices. They do not guarantee future temperament, service-dog success, therapy-dog success, behavior outcomes, or placement outcomes.