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Your retriever puppy is now home with you for
the first time and you want to ensure that the puppy is well cared for
in it's new environment. All aspects of caring for a new puppy is
very important throughout each day, just like a child. To ensure a healthy puppy
consider the following:
- Maintain a warm, comfortable home -
The puppy has been use to being in a house with the temperature
around 70 degrees and has been acquainted to the outdoors if the
weather wasn't too cold. Gradually increase the time you take
the puppy outside to potty or exercise. Usually 5 - 10 minutes
is a start, but if the weather is below 32 degrees limit the time
to just a few minutes for the puppy to potty only. If it is
raining or snowing, have a towel to wipe the puppy dry each time it
comes in from the outside.
- Kennel Crate - Have an x-tra large
kennel crate that has a divider which is adjustable as the puppy
gets older, a wire folding type is best so you can take it with you
when you travel. Adjust the size starting with a smaller size
by using the divider for the puppy to be comfortable when laying
down to rest. As the puppy gets bigger, adjust the area a
little larger. By limiting the space in the kennel the puppy
most likely will not want to potty in his/her resting area. If
the area has a draft, you may want to put a blanket over the
kennel. Provide a bowl for water (always keep water
available) and if at night, you may want to only have a small amount
of water. When a new puppy comes home with you, we
recommend that the water and food bowl be placed in the crate, this
way the puppy will know that this is his/her own domain place and will
be more comfortable in the crate. Many of our clients inform
us that they do this and when the puppy gets tired, the puppy will go
there to rest. Labradors will want to play in the water so check
the kennel pad/blanket to see if it is wet, then change it.
You do not want a puppy to be laying on a wet blanket.
- Food and Water bowls should be of
medium to large size, ceramic or stainless steel bowls are best,
plastic bowls will be chewed. Always keep water in the kennel
for the puppy. If you are gone longer than 4 hours you may
need to keep food out for the puppy also. It is best to feed
the puppy at least 4 times per day. Feed your puppy a
nutritious puppy food (for large breed growth) and monitor the
amount
 the puppy is eating daily. If the puppy is not eating
at least 3- 4 cups per day, observe the puppy closer and attempt to
get the puppy to eat more. Serving it wet (with warm water
added), they like it that way. If you notice the pup is not eating
or drinking, as well as, becomes a little depressed or listless,
immediately take the pup to the veterinarian! A reputable
breeder will give you some puppy food that the pup has been eating,
this way you can gradually mix the new food with it so it will not
upset the stomach. There are many types of puppy food to choose from
- be sure to read the label and compare as you do with your
own selection of food. Types of brand names are Hill's Science
Diet, Eukanuba, Purina, Nutro Max as well as many
others and the prices vary from $18.00 to $40.00 per 37+ pound
bag. It is best to get a 37-40 pound bag of food which should
last a month per dog and some dogs will eat more or less depending
on the exercise the dog gets and their metabolism rate. Our
pups will have plenty of energy. We supplement our dog food
with Nupro Supplements daily >
http://www.nuprosupplements.com which our dogs really like and gives them a boost. Don't
forget the treats - use sparingly to teach the puppy to sit and come
when the puppy first comes home. You should be able to teach a
puppy to sit after a few training sessions if the pup wants a
treat. Our dog - Bear learned it quickly within 5
minutes.
- Collar and Leash - When you pick up
your puppy you should have a collar already for the puppy
(Hunt-N-Dogs Estates provides you with the first collar at time of
pickup). The size generally is approximately a 9 - 12"
adjustable, breakaway collar. Frequently check the collar to
be sure it is not too tight as the puppy grows. (Not too tight
around the neck nor too loose that it will come off). If you
use a choke chain while training do not leave it on the dog,
especially when in the water. Dogs may get their feet caught
in the chain! Never tie a dog up outside with a chain.
Purchase a 6 foot high chain link kennel, 10x10 or larger and put a
roof on it for shade. Get a large dog house (insulated) - Igloo. Secure a bucket of water to
the fence so the dog does not tip the bucket, chocolate labs love to
play in their water. Alternatively, you can fence in your
yard, but dogs can jump a fence if not high enough, or install a
radio fence.
- Preventive Health - At the time you
pickup your puppy you will be given a health record by the
breeder. It is recommended that the puppy have an appointment
set within 1 week for a health checkup at your local veterinarian's
office.
 At this time, the veterinarian will check the puppy
for wellness and give you follow-up appointments for the inoculation's
and wellness program. It is recommended to take in a stool
sample for examination. Ask the veterinarian any questions you
have and always keep the emergency number posted in case the puppy
should have an injury.
- Puppy Toys and Chewing - Select
some toys for the puppy as a tennis ball, canvas (light weight)
bumper, or other toys specifically designed for puppies.
Chewing items as cow ears, pig ears or pig hooves are designed for
dogs. We do not recommend any type of rawhide as the puppy may
choke on it. *Be sure to wash your hands after touching the
cow ears, pig ears, or pig hooves!
- Exercise - As the puppy will
have plenty of energy, begin playing with the puppy in the
house. Play with the puppy by throwing a ball or toy and get
the puppy to run after it and bring it back. Walking the puppy
inside or outside (if weather permits) for a period of 15 minutes to
begin with and gradually increase the time,
 especially in the
evening. Good exercise makes a healthy puppy. As the pup
gets older (3-6months) you will notice that the pup is robust around
4-5 pm and may have a higher energy level than you, especially if
you work during the day. In warm weather, do not walk or run
your dog too long on cement or pavement, it may get blisters.
Always have water available for you and the puppy. On very
warm days, offer water frequently. When the weather is hot -
80+, do not over exercise your dog, they can have heat exhaustion,
nor leave your dog in the sun, always provide shade.
- Love and Attention - Give your
puppy all the love and attention you can, give hugs, kisses and rub
the tummy and behind the ears. We socialize our pups starting on
Day 1 by holding, rubbing gently, and always talking to the pups with
tender loving care and always praise the pup.
- Night time - Select the schedule for
night time for the puppy and maintain the schedule, ie. bedtime at
10pm and up at 6am. Select for the puppy to sleep in a kennel
crate or let the pup sleep in bed with you or by the bed. Rub the puppies
tummy to get them to go to sleep. You may want to put an older
sheet or blanket on top of your bedspread - remember labs love to
chew.
- Bathing & Brushing - While the
pup is small you will want to use a small comb (flea comb) to keep
your puppy's coat clean and shinny. As the pup gets large a
dog brush works well. Brush at least weekly. Bathing the
puppy - put the puppy in the bath tub and use a special shower hose
for pets (when you turn the water on be sure the water is not too
hot, test it for atleast 30 seconds or longer on your arm for
correct temperature each time you click on the nozzle to spray) and
make it a fun time, do not pour water over the pups head as you do
not want to get water in the ears or scare it. Clean the dog's
ears with a clean, damp cloth. If you notice unusual or excessive
discharge take the dog to the vet. A mild puppy shampoo works
good and rinse well. When the weather is rainy outside, it is
best to train the pup to step in a small tub of water to rinse the
feet off before he/she comes in the house. This will train the
pup as it gets older and will become a routine for the dog and very
helpful to keeping the house clean on those muddy days.
- Clipping toenails - Our puppies nails
are trimmed at least 3 times before going to their new homes.
Routinely check the nails for length, if they start to curl under
and appear long, then use a nail clipper for small pups and for
older dogs you will need to get a dog nail clipper - we recommend
getting one from Foster & Smith or your local
veterinarian. If you do not know how or have questions ask
your veterinarian upon your first visit. If dogs are outside
running on the ground or on cement/pavement normally the nails won't
need to be trimmed.
- Pups around other dogs - It is
best not to have your
 new pup around other dogs if you do not know
if their vaccines are up-to-date. When walking your dog, keep
it away from other pet feces. Always clean up the pup's feces
while walking or at least daily in your yard. Save those
grocery sacks, invert the bag over your hand and use like a glove to
pick it up or carry a small shovel with you to pick it up and put in
the bag. Dispose of it properly - do not litter.
- Potty Time - Be consistent on potty
time with the puppy. First thing each morning, let the puppy
out upon wakening to potty if you have a fenced in yard.
Otherwise, take the pup out on a leash for a short walk to
potty. Use words ie, potty, potty and use the pup's name ie.
Callie potty, then repeat. After this is done, reward the
puppy and give a treat. After feeding the pup, go outside again to
relieve the pup. Potty the pup after playtime or every hour at
first then every 2 hours, etc. Training the pup goes slow at
first and may only take a week or two, but you may have a few
accidents if you aren't watching for the signs ie. the pup starts to
smell around or go in a circle, etc. If the pup does mess in
the house, do not use a cleaner that has ammonia!
- Water - When the weather is warm take
the pup out for a swim.
 Most labs will jump right in the
water. In the summer our college daughters take the new pup
out in the water and have the puppy swim back and forth to each
other, away from the bank - they learn very fast this way.
Then spread the distance for the swim. Then throw a bumper for the
pup to retrieve. If you know someone with a dog go out with
them to the water, the pup will follow what the other dog does.
- Dog Identification - All of our
puppies have a Home Again Microchip before they leave to their new
homes. You can register your dog and the Human
Society will check any animal taken to them that is found.
This easy identification process helps locate owners of missing
dogs.
- Plants that may be dangerous to dogs:
With skin or
mouth contact these may cause a rash!
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Creeping
& Weeping Poinsettia, Chrysanthemum |
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Will cause
the mouth to swell and could cause staggering and collapse!
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Boston Ivy,
Dieffenbachia, Lily, Calla and Peace, Mother-in-Law's Tongue
(Snake Plant), Philodendron, Silver Pothos |
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These may
cause vomiting & diarrhea, cramps, and some cause
tremors, heart, respiratory or kidney problems!
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Aloe Vera,
Asparagus Fern, Amaryllis, Azalea, Bird of Paradise,
Daffodil, Elephant Ear, English Ivy, Ferns, Mistletoe,
Rubber Plant, Schefflera, Umbrella Plant |
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| If
you have questions regarding your plants ask your
veterinarian. |
Training your puppy is critical if you want a well
behaved dog and a great hunting labrador or hunt test dog. If
you have never trained a pup, it is best to contact your veterinarian
and enroll in an obedience class. This is for the owner and the
pup. Our pups are smart and they will learn quickly but it does
take repetition and consistent training techniques. For training a
hunting dog or hunt test dog, if you do not know how, we suggest you
consider a professional trainer. It is well worth the
money.
Kathy Stevens, a professional trainer in
California, has been training several of our pups that are with their
new owners and she has provided you with her "Training Tips"
for the first three weeks that the puppy is in his/her new home. Click
on the button >
.
Bill Davis is another great trainer in Ohio,
near Columbus and is training several of our new client's puppies >
oharcher@columbus.rr.com
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