Raising Ridgebacks the Natural Way

At Ember Ridge, we believe that how a dog is raised matters just as much as what they’re bred for. That’s why we’ve created a holistic, home-centered, and intentionally low-intervention approach to raising our puppies — one that honors the natural resilience and noble roots of the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Our process isn’t just about producing dogs. It’s about shaping lifelong companions with strong bodies, sound minds, and unshakable bonds with their families. Here’s how we do it:

Raised in the Heart of the Home

From the moment they’re born, our puppies are part of our family — raised in the daily rhythms of our toxin-free, love-filled home. They’re handled gently and intentionally, exposed to real-life sights, sounds, smells, and routines that set the stage for confident, well-adjusted adult dogs.

We keep a peaceful, structured environment where puppies can learn to self-regulate, explore safely, and engage with people of all ages including our own children. This kind of early socialization helps build emotionally intelligent, resilient dogs who can adapt with ease to new families and environments.

Holistic Puppy Care

We follow a natural rearing philosophy rooted in ancestral health, holistic wellness, and functional nutrition.

• Nutrition-First Approach: Our dogs and puppies are fed a species-appropriate, homemade diet that includes raw and gently cooked foods like pasture-raised meats, organ meats, bone broth, fresh vegetables, and daily eggs from our free-range backyard chickens. No kibble, ever. We believe food is foundational to development — and our pups are proof.

• Filtered Water: All of our animals drink clean, filtered water, free from fluoride, chlorine, and environmental toxins. It’s a small detail that reflects our commitment to total wellness.

• No Early Vaccinations: We do not vaccinate our puppies. Instead, we rely on strong maternal immunity, optimal gut health, and natural immune support to build true resilience. We are happy to work with families on individualized, minimal vaccine schedules if desired.

• No Dewclaw Removal: We do not remove dewclaws, as we follow the guidance of holistic veterinarians who emphasize the important role dewclaws play in joint stabilization, balance, and long-term musculoskeletal health. Research shows removal may increase the risk of arthritis and injury in active breeds like Ridgebacks.

• No Early Spay/Neuter Pressure: We strongly encourage families to wait until full maturity before considering sterilization, in alignment with current research supporting proper hormone development and skeletal growth.

Development & Socialization

We believe the early weeks of life are a sacred window for shaping temperament, trust, and neurological development. Our puppies are raised with:

• Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS): Starting at just a few days old, we introduce gentle neurological exercises that promote improved stress responses, heart health, and brain development.

• Early Scent Introduction (ESI): Puppies are exposed to a variety of natural scents to support olfactory development, curiosity, and learning pathways.

• Structured Socialization: From about 3 weeks onward, our puppies begin engaging with new surfaces, toys, textures, sounds, and age-appropriate challenges. They meet our children, chickens, and adult dogs, learning healthy boundaries and confidence along the way.

• Natural Weaning: We allow dams to naturally begin weaning their puppies around 5–6 weeks, offering support with fresh whole foods and bone broth as their digestive systems mature. No commercial kibble is used at any stage.

Matching Puppies with the Right Families

At around 6-7 weeks, we begin temperament evaluations to ensure every puppy is matched with the right home. We consider your family’s lifestyle, experience, energy levels, and preferences — not just color or birth order. You’re not just picking a puppy, we’re helping you find your dog.

Go-Home Day & Lifelong Support

Puppies go home between 8–9 weeks old, with:

• A detailed puppy packet

• A personalized transition plan

• Nutrition and natural health recommendations

• Access to us — for life

When you bring home an Ember Ridge puppy, you become part of our extended family. We’re here for questions, training help, holistic wellness guidance, and support every step of the way. Our commitment doesn’t end on Go-Home Day — it’s just beginning.

The Ember Ridge Difference

We don’t cut corners. We don’t chase trends. We raise our Ridgebacks with the same care we give our children, because that’s what they deserve.

Intentional. Natural. Family-centered. That’s our process.
And if you’re here, it’s probably your process too.