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If you have recently adopted one of our puppies, reading this page is ESSENTIAL.
Once you have made your selection from the available Labrador puppies for sale, it is important to make the necessary preparations for welcoming your new furry family member. Once you welcome a puppy into your home, you should anticipate dedicating a significant amount of time during the initial weeks. Your Labrador puppy necessitates unwavering attention and careful nurturing. They will be curious and inclined to engage in mischievous activities. It is advisable to carefully monitor and supervise the actions and movements of the Labrador puppy. It is important to remain patient and progress gradually in all matters. It is recommended to maintain a lighthearted attitude when dealing with a misbehaving puppy, as they will eventually outgrow this behavior.
It is important to take steps to puppy-proof your home and ensure you are prepared with the necessary items before bringing your Labrador puppy home. Two essential dog food options are Natures Domain Grain Free Puppy Food OR Taste of the Wild Puppy Food. Additionally, we kindly request that you make advance arrangements for the acquisition of NuVet Plus powder and NuJoint Plus. You may also purchase within the first 24-hours of bringing home your beloved puppy (THIS IS A REQUIREMENT UNDER THE HEALTH GUARANTEE AGREEMENT).
We highly recommend having a crate and absorbent puppy training pads readily available. A thick towel is one option that is suitable bedding for a puppy and is easy to clean in a washing machine. It is good to have two stainless steel dishes available, one for water and another for dry food. A puppy collar with leash (we will supply the collar), along with a selection of top-notch chew toys (such as KONG brand). An effective solution for restricting the puppy from accessing unwanted areas in the home include a baby gate and a "play pen" when the puppy is not under close supervision. We highly suggest opting for hard plastic play pens designed for young children as opposed to metal ones since they tend to be the most effective and found in popular retail stores (i.e Walmart, Target, etc.) including Amazon.
DOG & PUPPY FOOD WE USE
OTHER SUPPLEMENTARY DOG SNACKS WE USE
OTHER MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS WE USE
FEEDING YOUR PUPPY
Your puppy was raised on Kirkland Nature's Domain "Puppy Chicken & Pea Formula" and Kirkland Signature Chicken & Rice Formula Canned Dog Food. This is the food your puppy is currently fed. If you do not have a Costco membership, then another food item we accept is Taste of the Wild "Ancient Prairie Formula" or "Ancient Wetlands Canine Recipe with Roasted Fowl." Another option is any puppy food that is "grain free." Your puppy has not eaten this food (ONLY Kirkland) and for this reason you should switch to this formula slowly if there are any changes in food. We chose this dog food because we believe your puppy will maintain optimal health by feeding on this high quality food. We believe in these products and ask everyone to feed their puppies this food.
HOW MUCH YOU SHOULD FEED YOUR PUPPY
When a puppy leaves our home it will be eating 3 times a day. They eat about 3/4 to 1 cup of dry kibble each time. WE also add 1/2 scoop of POWDER NuVet ONCE a day.
weight : 10 to 20 lb < 8 to 12 weeks old > 2 1/2 to 3 cups a day
weight : 20 to 35 lb < 3 to 4 months old > 3 to 4 cups a day
weight : 40 to 60 lb < 5 to 7 months old > 3 to 4 cups a day
Weight : 60 to 80 lb < 8 to 12 months old > 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 cups a day
**When they are 3 to 7 months of age, feed them 2xs a day. When they are 8 to 12 month, you may feed them 1 to 2 times a day. TAKE PUPPIES OFF OF PUPPY FOOD AT THE AGE OF 7 MONTHS
AND PLACE THEM ON ADULT FOOD. Change food gradually, introduce 10% of new food a day. For example, first day 10%, next day 20% until the puppy is eating 100% of adult dog food.**
FOOD RISKS FOR YOUR PUPPY & DOG
It is crucial to acknowledge that the foods suitable for human consumption can be detrimental, and even fatal, if consumed by animals. It is important to keep in mind that animals, such as Labrador puppies, have distinct metabolisms that make it challenging for them to effectively digest a diverse range of foods.
Here is a compilation of food items that can potentially harm your puppy's health and should never be fed to dogs:
•Grapes and Raisins
•Hops
•Human Vitamins and supplements with Iron
•Large amounts of Liver
•Table Scraps
•Tobacco
•Alcoholic Beverages
•Bones from Fish, Poultry, or Meat
*Cedar landscape Chips
•Cat Food
•Chocolate, Coffee, Tea or Caffeinated products
•Citrus Oil and Extracts
•Fat Trimmings
•Raw Eggs
•Raw Fish
•Salt
•Sugary Foods
•Macadamia Nuts
•Milk and other Dairy products
•Moldy or Spoiled foods
•Mushrooms
•Onions and Garlic (powders, raw or cooked)
•Persimmons
•Pits from Peaches or Plums
•Potato, Rhubarb, and Tomato Leaves, Potato and Tomato Stems
Dangerous Items.pdfPUPPY PROOFING
It is important to remember that your new Labrador puppy will exhibit behavior similar to that of a curious toddler as they explore their environment and surroundings. A helpful guideline is to consider your Labrador puppy as you would a young child. Anything that poses a risk to a child is likely to pose a risk to your puppy as well.
PLEASE REFER TO AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB (AKC) WEBSITE FOR MORE INFOMRATION ON HOW TO PUPPY-PROOF YOUR HOME AND YARD.
VETERINARIAN VISITS & AKC PET INSURANCE
One location that poses potential dangers for your young puppy is the veterinary clinic because this is where numerous ill dogs are brought, which can pose your puppy at risk of contracting viruses if precautions are not taken. Please AVOID placing your puppy on surfaces such as the floor where sick dogs have been. To ensure your puppy's safety, please make sure to keep them securely in the carrier (i.e crate, kennel, etc.) when taking them to the Vet. It is far more secure for your puppy to remain inside the carrier until they undergo their examination. Afterwards, please put them back in their carrier immediately.
By utilizing the AKC Veterinary Network Certificate Program, you have the opportunity to reduce your veterinary office expenses and SAVE some money. This initiative offers recently registered puppies and dogs from AKC with a certificate, entitling them to a FREE FIRST VET VISIT, when they choose to go to veterinarians within the AKC Vet Network. In order to obtain the certificate, simply provide your email address during the registration process of your puppy with the AKC. The online certificate should be emailed to you shortly. The certificate can be used within a 60-day period starting from the registration date of your puppy. The certificate is valid for the initial consultation at the office, excluding vaccinations, X-rays, medical treatments, or prescribed medications.
Moreover, you will receive FREE AKC Pet Insurance* coverage for 30-days as an extra bonus for registering your puppy with AKC. Please refer to the following links for more information.
VACCINATION INFORMATION
Labrador puppies will have acquired a degree of immunization through their mother's milk. This will lay the foundation for an exceptionally robust puppy. The puppy will require routine immunization shots or vaccinations administered by a veterinarian to develop resistance against specific diseases that affect canines. You can also administer these vaccinations yourself through the Canine Spectra Vaccine series. Please refer to the attached resources to learn more about these vaccines.
Upon sending your puppy home, they will have received their initial vaccination dose at minimum at 7-weeks of age. To ensure the well-being of your puppy, it is essential to consistently adhere to this protocol and administer their vaccines as recommended to fully protect the puppy. Your puppy will require a total of 4 shots, which should be administered every 2 to 3 weeks in a series. These are the initial vaccinations administered, comprising a combination of Distemper, Parvo, Adenovirus, and Parainfluenza. The Rabies shot is required for the puppy when it reaches 4 months of age.
Upon bringing your new puppy home, you can be reassured that it has already received deworming treatments at 4, 6, and 8 weeks of age. However, it is normal for dogs to have intestinal parasites, which is why veterinarians commonly recommend using preventives such as Heart Guard or Safe Guard to control the issue.
vaccinate-your-pets-heath-record.pdfKEEPING YOUR PUPPY SAFE FROM DEADLY ILLNESSES
To ensure the safety of your new puppy from potentially fatal illnesses found in public areas, certain precautions must be implemented. At Sunflower Hill AKC Labradors, we have made every effort to protect your puppy from these life-threatening illnesses until the moment they are brought home.
Once you bring your new puppy home, it becomes your responsibility to ensure their safety.
In the same way as you would with a newborn, it is advisable to ask individuals to properly cleanse their hands before handling or petting your newly arrived puppy. Until your puppy has completed its entire vaccination schedule, it is crucial to avoid taking them to public places where it may come into contact with or contract viruses or other illnesses. Public areas such as your open front yard, walks around the neighborhood, puppy parks, puppy training schools, pet hotel, beach areas, a pet store, and so forth, and similar locations are strictly off-limits. All of these locations listed can pose significant dangers to a partially vaccinated young puppy. It is advisable to confine your puppy within the boundaries of your home or a fenced backyard until it has been fully vaccinated.
Here are a few inquiries you might have:
Is it permissible to introduce my puppy to other fully vaccinated dogs?
The response is no. Even though these other dogs have received their vaccinations, it has only built their immunity to viruses so they will not catch it when exposed. But these same dogs can still harbor the viruses on their fur. Especially when they just came back from a dog park or a vet visit. Therefore, it is advisable to keep your puppy away from them.
What if I do have other dogs in the home?
It would be wise to bathe your other dogs and clean their bedding before introducing your new puppy at home. Furthermore, it is advisable to maintain a strict routine of no public visits for the other dog until the puppy has completed its vaccination process.
We deeply value our adorable puppies and sincerely believe that you share the same level of care and concern for your puppy. This safety protocol for your puppy is highly recommended. It is unfortunate to witness a puppy contracting Parvo as a result of disregard or impatience stemming from the desire to take the puppy outdoors. Parvo demands your earnest attention, as it can prove fatal for a puppy. Even if the puppy manages to survive with the aid of a veterinarian, the accompanying veterinary expenses will amount to a minimum of $1000! Kindly exercise patience and prioritize safety while caring for your new puppy. For more information about the other illnesses that your puppy can contract besides Parvo, please refer to the following AKC link.
In order to safeguard your puppy from viruses, it is crucial to maintain them in a high-quality diet such as grain-free puppy food and supplement it with NuVet, which enhances the immune system and ensures its optimal functioning.
SPAY & NEUTERING YOUR NEW PET
At Sunflower Hill AKC Labradors, we have recently implemented a policy stating that we will not allow any alterations (i.e spaying & neutering) to our puppies until they reach the age of 12-months. We believe that modifying pets when they are young can lead to growth complications and various health issues. Please refer to the following AKC link found below to learn more.
HELPFUL RESOURCES FOR TRAINING YOUR PUPPY
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