Getting Ready for Your New Puppy
Feeding
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Until 6 Months of Age - Feed your pup 3 times a day (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
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6 Months to Adult - 2 times per day (breakfast and dinner)
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For suggestions on high-quality food options, please talk with your breeder or veterinarian.
Water
Pups should have unrestricted access to water from morning until about 7:00 pm. Limiting water in the evening will help limit your pups need to toilet in the night.
Containment
For the safety of your pup, and to assist in house training, it is important to consider some form of containment. ! In some countries, it is common to train puppies to be content in a crate. In other countries, it is not only uncommon, but can be illegal. If a crate is not used, it is common to contain the pup in room or part of a larger room (i.e. a kitchen) with indoor fencing. We encourage you to discuss containment with your breeder. It is believed by some that crate training appeals to a dog's natural instincts as a den animal. However, if a crate is not used correctly, a dog can feel trapped and frustrated. Never use the crate as a punishment. Puppies under six months of age shouldn't stay in a crate for more than three or four hours at a time except at night. They can't control their bladders and bowels for that long.
Training
Housebreaking
House training can be one of the most difficult and important parts of training your dog. It can be frustrating and definitely demands a lot of effort. Although it is possible to avoid accidents in the house at a young age through extreme diligence on the part of the family, full house training takes several months. A young pup can’t be expected to hold their need to toilet for long, so if you aren’t paying attention, don’t be surprised to find a mess in the house.
Respectful Interaction
Puppies and dogs deserve to be treated with respect. They are not stuffed animals, but living creatures with their own desire for affection and respect. Puppies should not be carried around excessively but should be allowed to walk freely or, if they are to be restricted, on a leash. Puppies should not be restrained or forced to sit with someone they don’t want to. Puppies should be invited to interact. If they accept the invitation, they should be handled gently and respectfully. If they decline the invitation, their refusal should be respected.
Exercising Your Pup
Physical Exercise
Puppies have lots of energy and need to exercise. The most common cause of behaviour issues is a lack of exercise and mental stimulation.
Mental Exercise
Mental exercise is as important as physical exercise. This means challenging your pup to use its brain! A dog’s most sensitive sense is its nose, and challenging its nose is one the best ways to use its brain.
Training and sports (obedience, agility, fly ball, etc) are also great ways to challenge your dog mentally. There are many puzzles and games available for your dog.
Veterinary Care
Going Home - Be sure to take any health care and/or vaccine records from your breeder with you to your first vet appointment.
Often breeders will require you to see your veterinarian within 3-5 days of taking your puppy home. This is for you to make contact with your vet so they can look over your puppy and check their health care record to be sure your new puppy's immediate and future health care and vaccine needs are matched to your lifestyle and location.
Dogs need protection from heartworm, fleas, and, depending on where you live, ticks for 6 to 12 months a year. Please discuss the appropriate options with your veterinarian or breeder for protecting your pup from these pests.
Your Vet may also suggest a set of Non-Core Vaccines to give your puppy additional protection. Please discuss these additional vaccinations with your veterinarian. Some breeders have limitations on their Health Warranty for certain vaccinations. Always get as much information as possible before vaccinating your puppy.
Resources: WALA
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ALAA Grooming Tutorial
Trimming Your Dog’s Claws
Nail Care
Keeping your Labradoodle’s claws in check can be a daunting task, but it is absolutely necessary. You must trim your dog’s claws on a regular basis, usually once or twice a month. Don’t forget the dew claws on the inner side of the front paws! They are easily forgotten but must be trimmed like every other nail. If you do not trim them, your dog much more likely to snag them on something and tear them. A torn dewclaw is a very painful thing for your dog and often results in a trip to the vet.
The frequency with which you trim your dog’s nails will vary depending on its lifestyle and activity level. If you are not comfortable trimming or feel unprepared to do so, have a groomer or vet show you how.
Clipping your dog’s claws (from the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. Fantastic pictures!)
Cleaning Ears & Plucking Ear Hair
Ear Care
Cleaning your dog’s ears isn’t the world’s most entertaining job, but it should be part of your normal grooming routine. Your dog’s ear health depends on you. Infections come on quickly, and keeping your dog’s ears clean and dry is the best way to ward them off.
If you notice your dog scratching at his or her ears, or if you see redness in the ear or detect an unpleasant odor coming from the ear, your dog may have developed an ear infection. Visit your vet if you notice any of these symptoms, as cleaning alone won’t clear up the issue.
The frequency with which you trim your dog’s nails will vary depending on its lifestyle and activity level. If you are not comfortable trimming or feel unprepared to do so, have a groomer or vet show you how. Examining and cleaning ears, from the Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine. More terrific pictures!
Eye Care
Eye Care
Take these three simple steps to prevent eye infections in your dog. Regular cleaning and care is a must.
Keep hair trimmed away from your dog’s eyes using blunt tipped scissors. Hair that rubs against the eye can introduce bacteria, leading to infection.
Keep your dog’s eyes clean by using an eye wash or pads designed to wipe away debris and gunk.
Check your dog’s eyes regularly, and schedule an appointment with your vet if you detect any irregularities.
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eth Care
Teeth Care
Your dog absolutely requires good dental care. Fortunately, preventing oral disease is easy by brushing your dog’s teeth regularly. Learn more:
Resource: ALAA
