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We suggest a harness for walking your puppy until 4 months to avoid neck strain and better train-ability on leash.

We suggest sit stay come commands be started right away using their name frequently - reward treats should be different from toileting treats.

Take your puppy out every 2-4 hours. Any longer than that and she just won’t be able to hold it. Putting a set time (and place) to this activity also teaches her that this isn’t just

something she can do whenever and wherever she feels like it. Use a doggy doorbell, dinging it with the puppies paw when you take it out on a leash to toilet.

A doggy toilet

can be easily made to save a messy yard – a wood box – like a sandbox – with no bottom – 4’ x 6’ – fill half way with sand – top with pea gravel. Use a bucket with lid and small gardening shovel to scoop each time. Compost bucket contents when full. Bleach pea gravel each season- let bleach soak 2 hrs-rinse with hose.

https://youtu.be/sx0tvi2qMe4

Toileting routine:

Best times to take your puppy outside is:

-When you wake up

-right before bedtime.

-Immediately after your puppy eats or drinks a lot of water.

-when your puppy wakes up from a nap.

-physical activity promotes bowel movements

-before or after entering the crate.______________

16 BEHAVIOUR

Be loyal to and patient with your faithful companion

Make sure the expectations you have of your dog are reasonable and remember that the vast majority of behavior problems can be solved. Remember, not all "behavior" problems are just that; many can be indicators of health problems. For example, a dog who is suddenly growling or snapping when you touch his ears may have an ear infection.

Nipping or mouthing-

It's not always easy to convince a new puppy not to bite the hand that feeds them, pets them, or plays with them, for that matter.

When puppies play with each other, they use their mouths, so they may also be inclined to bite or "mouth" your hand during play or when being petted. This is rarely aggressive behavior meant to do harm, but it is a difficult habit to break unless you encourage your puppy to try an acceptable alternative behavior. The goal is to redirect your puppy's energy onto acceptable chew toys, and to teach them to be gentle when a hand is in or near their mouth.

THIS VIDEO WILL HELP YOU UNDERSTAND HOW TO TRAIN YOUR PUPPY NOT TO BITE.

https://youtu.be/5dNKZ27Fdts

Read all the articles on the website to be fully prepared:

https://lakewoodranchdoodles.com/caring-for-your-dog

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17 BONES:

Uncooked- frozen Cow bones from the butcher are part of the diet and teach self entertainment as well as reducing stress from the chewing action. Puppies NEED bones to chew.

It is a myth is that dogs should never be fed bones. 
I suspect that these myths came from the same people who came up with the idea that our dogs should eat nothing other than kibble made of wood chips, corn and meat by-products.

Chewing on the right kind of raw bones is the equivalent of a good dental cleaning, it removes plaque buildup and prevents gum disease!

Raw bones provide a highly digestible source of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals, however, based on the HairQ Test results of hundreds of dogs, feeding bones is not enough to provide all of the needed minerals. That is why we insist on TLC pet food because it has the correct ingredients.

Feeding bones makes the stomach muscle layers stronger, which prevents bloat.

Bones also have a cleansing effect as they provide roughage in the diet and bulk for healthy bowel movements.

Feeding raw bones also prevents anal gland problems. The bowel movements after feeding bones are harder which helps express anal glands and get rid of toxins.

Chewing on raw FROZEN COW OR LAMB bones keeps him occupied.

A dog’s teeth need to be monitored regularly to ensure she can eat properly.

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18 CRATE TRAINING

Getting into a routine One of the most important things you need to do for your puppy right off the bat is to establish a routine. Though it will be difficult initially for you to decide on a routine that will work for you, your family, and your puppy, don't wait too long to figure it out.

GET A DOG WALKER IF YOU ARE AWAY ALL DAY.

The crate is the dog’s DEN. Not a punishment. The space should be reduced so the puppy does not toilet in the crate. Just enough space to go in- turn around and come back out. About 8” to start.

Crate should be 42” deep. It’s his bedroom. Place to retreat. Cover with blanket. Door uncovered.

Crate training uses a dog’s natural instincts as a den animal. A wild dog’s den is his home, a place to sleep, hide from danger, and raise a family.

The primary use for a crate is housetraining. Dogs don’t like to soil their dens. The crate can limit access to the rest of the house while he learns other rules, like not to chew on furniture. Always put a COW BONE in the crate to chew. Nothing else!!! No food, water, toys or blankets

Never use the crate as a punishment. Your dog will come to fear it and refuse to enter it. Don’t leave your dog in the crate too long. A dog that’s crated day and night doesn’t get enough exercise or human interaction and can become depressed or anxious. You may have to change your schedule, hire a pet sitter, or take your dog to a doggie daycare facility to reduce the amount of time he must spend in his crate every day.

Time in a crate should not exceed age- 2 months = 2 hours 4 months = 4 hours; 6 months = 6 hours; 8 months or older – maximum of 8 hours. No food, water or soft toys should be in the crate. Bones only. The process of Introducing a puppy to a crate is very important. Go slow. Let him explore it on his own. Put a treat inside to encourage him. More info on how to start crate training is on our website. “Training tips”

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19 COLLAR vs HARNESS:

The dog’s collar should not be tight; it should fit so two fingers can slip easily under his collar. Remember: HARNESS only for leash walking a puppy until at least 4 months.

WALKING YOUR DOG

When you're off your property, keep your dog on leash

Even a dog with a valid license, rabies tag and ID tag should not be allowed to roam outside of your home or fenced yard. It is best for you, your community and your dog to keep her on a leash and under your control at all times. Do not take your infant puppy off your property until after 4 months of age due to lack of immunity. Puppies under 4 months should be walked using a HARNESS – not a collar.

EXERCISE

Give your dog companionship

A fenced yard with a doghouse is a bonus, especially for large and active dogs; however, dogs should never be left outside alone or for extended periods of time. Dogs need and crave companionship; they should spend most of their time with their family, not alone outside.

Give your dog enough exercise to keep him physically fit (but not exhausted)

Most dog owners find that playing with their canine companion, along with walking him twice a day, provides sufficient exercise. Walking benefits people as much as it benefits dogs, and the time spent together will improve your dog’s sense of well-being.

Exercise and play

Starting to think you’re never going to have any fun with your new puppy? Well, you can relax, because it’s also important to build time for exercise and play into your schedule.

Ideally, you want to begin your pup’s day with exercise before she has her first meal. After breakfast, try a pack walk followed by some bonding or play time. You’ll repeat this general routine throughout each day. Exercise, meal, exercise, bonding, meal, and so on.

By creating a good schedule for your puppy and starting small with tasks like feeding times, potty times, teaching keywords, and exercising and playing, you will not only save yourself innumerable future headaches, you’ll also ensure that your new bundle of joy grows up to be the best that he can be.

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20 PAW WAX

Other contaminants such as road salt can be avoided by using a NATURAL PAW WAX. It’s a barrier to prevent salt being absorbed into the body.

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21 BATHING SWIMMING GROOMING

Professional Grooming at every 2 – 3 months; Nails should be trimmed monthly; Regular brushing of hair is a must to avoid tangles; Bathing with water only anytime; Dog soap- no more than once per week. Teach your puppy to swim in the bathtub right away. If your dog swims in a salt water pool you must rinse the dog afterwards as salt is not good for dogs.

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22 HOLISTIC APPROACH

A combination of food choice, avoiding using chemicals, and over medicating our puppies with toxic flea drops. Also We DO NOT do any altering or invasive procedures such as microchipping – which is a health risk due to high rate of tumor and paralysis. We suggest a name tag instead. CALL TLC PET FOOD FOR A FREE -name tag. Read website to understand about toxins; unsafe foods and plants for your dog.

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23 CANCER PREVENTION: raise your puppy as “green” as possible - holistic approach will keep your dog healthier in the long run. Retrievers have known skin allergies and digestion sensitivities. Do not use food with any wheat or a raw diet. It is very important to use SAFE products on these hybrids. Do not use toxic drops for fleas and ticks. No plastic bones or raw hide.

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24 DELIVERY of your pup: (contactless) $1 per km one way. (if you live 50km away its $50)

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25 WARNINGS

• DOG PARKS are breeding grounds for bacteria and illness

• DOG PARKS – be careful of other poorly trained abusive dogs and feces not scooped

• PUDDLES, STANDING WATER, FECES are main sources of illness in dogs

• SWIMMING POOLS – Chlorine and SALT are harsh on your dog’s skin – rinse well.

• ANTI FREEZE for your car (GLYCOL) will kill your dog

• CHEWING GUM/ MINTS/PEANUT BUTTER Can Contain XYLITOL WILL KILL your pet.

• HOLIDAYS BRING CHOCOLATE! WATCH YOUR PET.

• SUMMER HEAT DEHYDRATION – GATORADE OR PEDIATRIC ELECTRALYTES

• DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DOG IN VEHICLE ALONE.

• BE KIND TO YOUR DOG - STRESS LEADS TO DEHYDRATION WHICH LEADS TO DEATH.

• INFANT PUPPIES HAVE LITTLE OR NO IMMUNITY TO DISEASES, BACTERIA OR PARASITES – KEEP THEM AWAY FROM PUBLIC PLACES & OTHER DOGS

• Be aware that cocoa, chocolate, milk products, grapes, onions, AVOCADO and other human foods are toxic.