How to care for your labrador puppy
There is a significant level of responsibility that comes along with your new friend; so to ensure that your puppy is kept happy and healthy you will be provided with a 'puppy pack'. This will provide you with;
- Health Records (Including vaccination & worming history)
- The Puppies Registration and Pedigree
- A week supply of food
- A favourite play toy
- A dog training clicker
- A general guide booklet (feeding tips, how to puppy proof, etc.)
Please continue reading if you would like additional information about caring for your puppy!
- Health Records (Including vaccination & worming history)
- The Puppies Registration and Pedigree
- A week supply of food
- A favourite play toy
- A dog training clicker
- A general guide booklet (feeding tips, how to puppy proof, etc.)
Please continue reading if you would like additional information about caring for your puppy!
LOVE
The first thing to remember is that your puppy has just come from their siblings and familiar surroundings - so whilst they are already weaned they will be relying upon you to provide them with lots of attention and love to make the transition that little bit easier. Snuggle them lots, play with them lots and keep them close (though of course they need lots of sleep!).
NUTRITION
What to eat: When your puppy first arrives they will still have a whole lot of growing to do! This means that they will need lots of highly nutritious and natural food. This includes dried food, eggs, chicken and mince or vegetables. Once you have settled on a feeding routine it is best to stick to it to avoid upsetting your puppies tummy. This routine should include feeding your puppy two to three meals a day (breakfast, dinner and possibly lunch). Our puppies receive Black Hawk chicken and rice large dog puppy biscuits with chicken mince for breakfast and more nuts with puppy milk for dinner. For at least the week following collecting your puppy you should continue this diet while gradually changing to your diet of choice in order to allow their tummy to adjust. This is why we include a week's worth of the Black Hawk puppy food for you so that you can either gradually wean your puppy or use the supply until you buy some more.
What NOT to eat: All dogs (including your new puppy) should not have any alcohol, avocado, chicken bones, chocolate, caffeine, corn on the cob, grapes, nuts, onions, cows milk, salmon or yeast. Each of the above can cause serious issues in your pet and avoiding them should be taken seriously.
Water is just as important! Your puppy should have access to a clean water source at all times.
What NOT to eat: All dogs (including your new puppy) should not have any alcohol, avocado, chicken bones, chocolate, caffeine, corn on the cob, grapes, nuts, onions, cows milk, salmon or yeast. Each of the above can cause serious issues in your pet and avoiding them should be taken seriously.
Water is just as important! Your puppy should have access to a clean water source at all times.
EXERCISE
Young puppies bones are still developing, and whilst there is very little evidence to suggest excessive exercise can impact their joints there is the slight chance. Labs are prone to dysplasia and as such we do encourage limiting huge amounts of exercise whilst your pup is growing. We recommend taking your puppy for little walks, you shouldn't have to actively limit their activity but just keep an eye on how much activity they get up to. We encourage letting your labrador live the lifestyle that they want to though, you should not have to restrict them extensively.
Whilst we do take as many precautions as possible to avoid hip and elbow dysplasia issues in our puppies, there is an environmental element that we are unable to control so please do take care with the exercise.
Whilst we do take as many precautions as possible to avoid hip and elbow dysplasia issues in our puppies, there is an environmental element that we are unable to control so please do take care with the exercise.
VACCINATIONS & WORMING
Your new pet will need to be wormed every 2 weeks until they are 12 weeks old, and after that every month until they are 6 months old. After this, worming needs to be done every 3 months. In order to remember this we worm our dogs each change of the season, eg. first day of Spring, Winter, etc.
They also need to be immunised regularly; before being sold the puppy will have been immunised with C3 that will protect your pet against distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus. The next immunisation should occur at 12 weeks of age so ensure that you book in with your vet. A vaccination schedule is included in your puppy pack. It is important to remember that as they are only young your puppy will have a weak immune system and as such should not be overly exposed to other cats and dogs.
They also need to be immunised regularly; before being sold the puppy will have been immunised with C3 that will protect your pet against distemper, hepatitis and parvovirus. The next immunisation should occur at 12 weeks of age so ensure that you book in with your vet. A vaccination schedule is included in your puppy pack. It is important to remember that as they are only young your puppy will have a weak immune system and as such should not be overly exposed to other cats and dogs.
SHADE & SHELTER
Your pup should be able to access shade at all times of the day and also be able to seek protection from the elements 24/7. Ideally somewhere that is going to keep them nice and warm during Winter but cool in Summer.