Acclimating to new home/Bathroom breaks –   Pups go out at 10:00 pm, then 5:30am. Do not take them out of crate during night, even if they whine.  Keep sleeping area dark or cover crate with a sheet. They go out about every 2 or 3 hours during the day. Males need to urinate twice before being brought in. Bring pup to area of yard that which you have chosen as a good “relief” spot, say a command you want them to void with, ie: hurry, go, pee,etc. Let pup play ½ hour or so and return to crate until next potty time. If pup does go to the bathroom inside, verbally correct him/her if you catch them in the act, and bring them outside. Make sure you remove scent from spot in house.

Barking or whining – Kong type toys (rubber toys with donut hole) which are filled with food with peanut butter or yogurt put at ends for when pup is left alone keeps them busy.  Nyla bones are durable chew toys.

Behavior - Be careful not to allow behaviors now that you do not want when grown.  Pups will act like pups until 18 months to 2 ½ years when they really settle down. Pups go through several fear periods in the first year of life.  It is your job to show you will protect pup from aggressive dogs or unruly children. Stand between pup and frightening thing or object to show you’ll take care of it.  This prevents shyness from developing. Shyness in humans and dogs is generally a reaction to stress.

Diarrhea – Puppies are prone to diarrhea.  It can be from changes in environment such as switch from well water to city water, etc.  1 cup canned pure pumpkin fed before food at meal time should make stool normal, if not give 1 cup cooked rice.  If diarrhea persists it may be due to worms or an internal parasite such as Coccidia (from pup eating rabbit stool – a dog delicacy) or Guardia  (from drinking out of puddles, ponds, etc.) Both Coccicidia and Guardia need a basic antibiotic.

Existing dogs- If pup is going into a home with a dog already present it is best to let resident dog retain dominance.  Feed them first, let them out first, etc. Read Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage and Enjoy Your Multi-Dog  Household by Patricia McConnell, PhD.

Ears- after swimming or if ears smell yeasty, wipe them with witch hazel.

Feeding – Iams Smart Puppy for Large Breeds. Give about 1 1/3  cup each feeding. We feed at 6:00am, 12:00pm, and 5:30pm.  If you wish to change brands mix Iams with new brand for a week, then use new brand. Switching too quickly from one food to another will give diarrhea.  Change to adult food at 4 months.   Always choose a food with meat as first ingredient.  Adult dogs should be fed twice a day.  Feeding only once a day may cause fatal gastric torsion. As pup matures, you may wish to remove food after 15 minutes if they are showing dominate behavior.  In a dog’s mind, he who controls food is to be respected.  Help younger children to feed pup if pup dominates children. As soon as they are trained, pups should do a short sit or down before being fed. 

Hips – hip dysplasia is partially genetic and partially environmental. We have bred carefully to prevent dysplasia but please be careful with pup’s hips the first year of life.  No high jumps off the back of a pick-up the first year J!  Michigan State University has recently done a study that shows over feeding greatly increases chances of hip dysplasia as does irregular or over  exercise in the first year. Feeding puppy food too long will increase risk as will over exercising pup in first year.

Independent phase – many pups become suddenly disobedient around 6-9 months.  The following regime used for 2 weeks or so should cure this.  Keep on leash whenever out of kennel.  Make them sit 5-10 minutes prior to being fed.  Make them sit before going out or in home or kennel or vehicle.  Do not give physical contact or food or treats without making pup work for it, such as a good sit stay or down stay or fetch.  Don’t allow them on couch or bed with you during this time. Show pup who’s in charge and limit freedom and they’ll come out of this phase very obedient and charming.

Leaving pup for more tha n2- 3 hours- attach exercise pen/toddler pen to crate and lay down newspaper.  Puppy cannot stay clean and dry for more than 2 or 3 hours.

 Obedience/Hunt training- please train your pup! Even the best bred dog needs training.  Training should begin at 10 weeks. Puppy classes and obedience courses are an excellent place to start.  The following videos/books are also great resources.

 -Your Puppy 8 Weeks to 8 Months  www.leerburg.com

Books by Particia McConnell, PhD.

( These small booklets are available on Amazon, are inexpensive and chock full of excellent training tips.)

          -Family Friendly Dog Training

          -How to Be Leader of the Pack, and have Your Dog Love You For It!

-Feeling Outnumbered? How to Manage and Enjoy Your Multi-Dog  Household  

Richard Wolters training methods: 1-800-310-4418

-Family Dog

-Gun Dog

-Water Dog

-Game Dog

-Ten Minute Retriever by John and Amy Dahl www.gundogsupply.com 

- Hey Pup, Fetch it Up by Bill Tarrant

- Leerburg Video Productions www.leerburg.com

Retrieve Drive/Chewing/Nipping –  If you plan to hunt or play Frisbee, etc., be careful not to squash retrieve drive.  Teach pup “give” inappropriate items to your hand.  Praise pup when they retrieve to hand. Pup’s instinct is to play “keep away”, put pup on long line (i.e. clothes line) and pull pup in to you and praise (watch long lines around children as children can get tangled, pulled and dragged).  Keep acceptable toys and trainers available and replace inappropriate item with appropriate.  Nyla bones are great for chewing. For nipping, hold snout and say sharply “NO!” Put pup in crate when you cannot monitor him/her.

Temperature – Labs can handle cold much easier than heat.  Do not leave pup outside without a shady spot and lots of water in summer. If you do not have air conditioning, you may wish to get a kiddie pool for pups under 10 weeks, watch them the first few times in pool. Also, dogs do need shelter in cold.  We recommend a  heat source if dog is kept in outdoor kennel when it is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Heating pads from www.leerburg.com are great.

Tugging on leash – This can be prevented if pup is taught to “watch” you when told. Using a Gentle Leader or prong collar may also help. Never go same direction as pup when they are pulling. Twirling leash in front of their face while healing also helps.

Vet Care – pups have been seen by our specialist reproductive/puppy veterinarian at 3 days and 6 weeks.  Initial shots have been given.  Pup should be brought in to your veterinarian within 1 week of coming home.  Pups should have shots about every 3 to 4 weeks or per your veterinarians protocol.

Underground Fencing – underground fencing is good, however dogs can develop dominant/protective behavior if allowed to bark or growl along fence line or if teased on the other side.

Water/swimming–  first water experience should be positive or they may resist water.  Puppies need to be introduced to warm (room temp) water in a familiar environment first. If water is too cold it may imprint dislike to all water in the future. Pup has been given baths by us and play in creek in summer.