Raising Resilient Puppies: Five Modern Practices That Undermine Natural Development (and What to Do Instead)

Puppyhood is not just a phase—it is a biological blueprinting window.
What a puppy eats, how their immune system is supported, whether their hormones are honored, and the environments they’re exposed to all shape their long-term health, behavior, and resilience.

Many well-intentioned modern practices are rooted in convenience, fear, or outdated models of health. When viewed through the lens of evolutionary biology and terrain-based wellness, it becomes clear that some of these norms actively work against a puppy’s natural design.

Below are five of the most common ways puppy development is unintentionally compromised—and what a more biologically aligned approach looks like instead.

1. Feeding Ultra-Processed Kibble During Growth

What a puppy eats during growth influences everything from skeletal development to behavior, immune strength, and metabolic health.

Most commercial kibble diets are:

• High in carbohydrates

• Cooked at extreme temperatures

• Preserved with synthetic antioxidants

• Made with rendered ingredients and conventionally grown crops

These factors matter deeply during development.

AGEs (Advanced Glycation End Products)

AGEs are inflammatory compounds formed when proteins and fats are exposed to high heat—exactly how kibble is manufactured. Chronic AGE exposure has been linked to:

• Increased oxidative stress

• Cellular inflammation

• Disruption of normal growth signaling

• Long-term metabolic strain

A growing body exposed to AGEs during its most critical developmental window is more likely to experience inflammation-driven issues later in life.

Glyphosate Exposure

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in many agricultural herbicides, is frequently detected in grains and legumes commonly used in kibble.

Glyphosate has been shown to:

• Disrupt the gut microbiome

• Interfere with mineral absorption

• Act as an endocrine disruptor

• Increase detox burden on the liver

Why Raw Meaty Bones Matter

An evolutionary diet built around raw meaty bones supports:

• Even, steady skeletal growth

• Proper calcium-phosphorus balance

• Jaw and neurological development

• Stable blood sugar and digestion

Puppies fed biologically appropriate diets often show:

• Improved emotional regulation

• Better focus and calmness

• Easier house training

• Fewer digestive and skin challenges

2. Ignoring Immune Timing During Early Development

Puppies are born with an immature immune system and rely initially on maternal antibodies, transferred through colostrum. These antibodies provide protection while the puppy’s own immune system learns how to function.

Introducing immune challenges before this process completes can lead to:

• Immune confusion

• Heightened inflammatory responses

• Food sensitivities and allergies (commonly chicken and eggs)

Nosodes: A Gentle Immune Support Tool

Nosodes are homeopathic preparations made from highly diluted biological material. They contain no antigens, preservatives, or adjuvants and do not function like vaccines.

In holistic practice, nosodes are used to:

• Gently stimulate immune awareness

• Support immune pattern recognition

• Encourage balance without overactivation

They are often used temporarily during early development or periods of vulnerability, always under the guidance of a trained holistic or integrative practitioner.

Key distinction:
Nosodes are not about forcing immunity—they are about supporting the body’s innate intelligence and developmental timing.

3. Early Spay or Neuter (Before Hormonal Maturity)

Reproductive hormones are essential to healthy development. They guide:

• Growth plate closure

• Joint and ligament integrity

• Metabolism

• Confidence and emotional resilience

Early removal of these hormones has been associated with:

• Increased risk of orthopedic disease

• Ligament injuries

• Altered stress responses

• Reduced long-term vitality

Hormone-Sparing Surgical Alternatives

Responsible population control does not have to mean hormonal deprivation. Many veterinarians now offer options that prevent reproduction while preserving natural hormone production.

For males:

• Vasectomy – Prevents sperm transport while leaving testes and hormones intact

For females:

• Ovary-sparing spay (OSS) – Removes the uterus while keeping the ovaries

• Hysterectomy – Prevents pregnancy while preserving endocrine signaling

These alternatives:

• Prevent unwanted litters

• Maintain hormonal balance

• Support long-term musculoskeletal and metabolic health

They require experienced veterinary care but offer a powerful middle ground between responsibility and biology.

4. Chemical Pesticides in Early Life

A puppy’s liver, kidneys, and detox pathways are still developing. Introducing chemical pesticides early adds toxic load at a time when elimination systems are least prepared.

Potential impacts include:

• Neurological stress

• Liver burden

• Immune suppression

• Chronic low-grade inflammation

More biologically respectful approaches focus on:

• Strengthening terrain so parasites are less likely to thrive

• Environmental management

• Targeted, minimal use only when truly needed

• Supporting detox pathways naturally

A healthy internal terrain is often the most effective form of prevention.

5. Raising Puppies Without Soil Exposure

Modern puppies are often raised indoors on sanitized surfaces, limiting their exposure to the microbial world their bodies evolved alongside.

What Are SBOs (Soil-Based Organisms)?

SBOs are beneficial bacteria found in healthy soil, leaf litter, and natural outdoor environments. These organisms were a normal part of canine development for thousands of years.

SBOs help:

• Seed and diversify the gut microbiome

• Train the immune system to distinguish friend from foe

• Support digestion and nutrient absorption

• Reduce the likelihood of allergies and autoimmune patterns

Safe, controlled exposure to soil and common environmental bacteria helps build immune tolerance. Over-sanitization leaves the immune system undertrained and more reactive.

Important reminder:
A puppy exposed to nature appropriately is not at risk—they are being biologically prepared.

The Bigger Picture: Terrain Over Protocol

Resilient puppies are not raised through rigid checklists.
They are raised through:

• Whole-food nutrition

• Respect for immune timing

• Hormonal integrity

• Low-toxin living

• Microbial exposure

• Thoughtful, individualized care

When we stop trying to control nature and instead work with it, we raise dogs who are stronger, calmer, healthier, and more adaptable.

Puppyhood is where lifelong health begins.
Honor it accordingly. 🐾