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🥰2026 Education package

Puppy Care Info – Getting Ready for Your New Puppy

Bringing home a new puppy is exciting, but the first few days and weeks are important for building lifelong habits, health, and confidence. The time you invest now helps create a calm, well-adjusted adult dog.

A thoughtful, holistic approach can support long-term wellness through quality nutrition, routine, exercise, training, and preventative care.

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Feeding Routine

Fresh Water

Provide constant access to clean, fresh water throughout the day.

Diet

Feed a high-quality, wheat-free, corn-free, filler-free food with meat-based ingredients.

Food

Order TLC Pet Food (Auto-Ship) – Order Link (https://tlcpetfood.com/nutrition/lakewoodranchdoodles/105387/) Order puppy food. Switch to adult at one year of age.
When puppy is trained to potty outside you can free feed. (Grazing is best)

Order Name tag- call 877-328-8400 (mention “Lakewood Dog” for $5 off & free name tag).

First Week at Home

Some puppies may experience loose stools from stress or a new environment.

Helpful supports may include:

Canned pumpkin puree with DE
A probiotic
Keeping meals simple and consistent
Plenty of hydration

Feeding Schedule for Young Puppies

Feed 4 times daily:

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Evening snack (around 7 PM)

After house training improves, many owners transition to a schedule that best suits their household.

Reminder:
when at Home

-Bone in crate from Day 1 – frozen, uncooked only
-Dewormer – 1 syringe daily × 5 days (start day after go-home)
-Probiotic + Fibre – ½ Tbsp twice daily (until container empty)
-Feeding – small frequent meals to predict toileting → free feed after toilet training is completed; switch to TLC -All Life Stages at 12 mo
-Vet Visits – book next set of shots 3–4 wks after first set (avoid public places until vaccines are complete)

It’s not safe for puppies who are unvaccinated to be out in public- And
Keep your shoes away from the puppy. Do not wear shoes inside!!
It puts puppy at risk of bringing parvovirus back to your dog. Parvo is transmitted by people- shoes mainly.

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Probiotics & Gut Health

Digestive health plays a major role in overall wellness.

Many owners choose to use probiotics regularly to support:

digestion
stool quality
immune function
stress transitions

Immunity!

NU VET immunity builder!!!!
Order NuVet Plus Immune system builder - a must to keep your puppy safe
- puppies have very little immune system at this age – it can help protection them against infections and parasites.
👉call Canadian warehouse 800-474-7044 (Order Code: 454716)
(Do not order online! **** It will be shipped from the US warehouse at great shipping cost)

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Free health insurance

on day of pick up- call to set Up Free Trupanion Pet Insurance 30 days – call 855-266-2156
(Code: BR1LR92220) day before or day of pick-up (not on a weekend)

Toys & Chewing

Choose safe, durable toys such as:

KONG toys
Frozen uncooked Animal bone
supervised soft toys

Always inspect toys for choking hazards.

Chewing is natural and healthy. It helps with:

teething relief
boredom prevention
stress reduction
mental stimulation

Use only safe chews suited to your puppy’s age and size.

Animal BONES!!!!!!

We carry some in the boutique-
For when you get back home- locate Raw beef Marrow/Rib Bones/knuckle bones – uncooked, keep frozen. Available from butcher or as soup bones in grocery store. Helps clean teeth, teach self entertainment, helps with stress, the bone collagen protein is a structural components that help support the integrity of the digestive tract lining, reduce inflammation, and may help "seal" a damaged gut barrier.

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Potty Training

Young puppies need bathroom breaks every 2–4 hours.

Best times include:

Immediately after waking
After meals
After naps
After play
Before bed
Before and after crate time

Consistency creates success.

Many families like doggy doorbells to teach communication. Pick a spot in the yelped to make a doggie toilet box with sanitizable gravel.

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Establishing a Routine

Puppies thrive on structure.

Create regular times for:

meals
potty breaks
naps
play
walks
crate rest
bedtime

Routine builds confidence and speeds training.

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Behaviour & Training

Use positive reinforcement.

Reward:

calmness
toileting outside
sitting politely
responding to name
gentle manners

Start simple cue words such as:

Good
No
Come
Sit

Use your puppy’s name often.

If challenges arise, consult a qualified positive trainer.

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Identification

Every puppy should wear:

collar (proper fit: two fingers underneath)
Harness for walks
ID tag (TLC pet food offers for free)

This greatly improves the chance of safe return if lost.

Microchipping is not recommended due to risk of tumor forming around it and paralysis.
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Crate Training

The crate should be your puppy’s safe den — never punishment. Use a frozen animal bone ONLY in the crate. No food or water or bed.

Use only enough room to:

stand
turn around
lie down

General crate guideline:

2 months = 2 hours
4 months = 4 hours
6 months = 6 hours
8+ months = up to 8 hours max

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Safety Outdoors

Keep puppies leashed or in a secure fenced area.

Until vaccination series is complete, avoid:

dog parks
public pet areas
high-traffic dog spaces
Be careful of shoes that carry microscopic viruses (parvo) from the outside world into your home.

Use a harness for young puppies.

in our boutique- we will fit the required Harness & Seatbelt Leash for Travel
🚗 Crates not allowed for travel
🛍️ Harnesses & seatbelt leash ***Available in our boutique – we’ll fit your puppy harness on pick-up day

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Exercise Guidelines

Exercise should be gentle and age-appropriate.

Walking Guide

2 months – 10 min / 0.5 mile
3 months – 15 min / 0.75 mile
4 months – 20 min / 1 mile
5 months – 25 min / 1.25 miles
6 months – 30 min / 1.5 miles

Playtime also counts.

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Veterinary Care

Schedule a wellness visit shortly after bringing puppy home.

Discuss:

vaccines
spay/neuter timing (after 1 year old)
long-term wellness plan

Use a veterinarian you trust and feel comfortable with. (Beware of pushing too many products and tests. )

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Grooming & Swimming

Brush regularly to prevent mats.

General grooming schedule:

nails monthly
brushing weekly
professional grooming every 2–3 months (coat dependent)

Introduce water gradually and safely.

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Flea & Tick Prevention

Use safe prevention strategies such as DE or flea and tick powder on the body.
Natural pest repellent spray - our Lakewood ranch holistic brand is available in our boutique
trust your yard with DE from a farm supply using a grass seed spreader if you have ticks.

Things to Arrange Before Pickup

(Many items are available on gotcha day our our Lakewood ranch pet boutique)

✔ Crate
✔ Food bowls
✔ Collar & leash
✔ harness & seatbelt leash
✔ ID tag
✔ order Puppy food
✔ Toys & chews
✔ Vet appointment
✔ Trainer / puppy class
✔ Cleaning supplies/ enzyme for remover
✔ Bed
✔ Baby gates
✔ Insurance (optional)

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Your puppy doesn’t need perfection — just consistency, patience, and love.

The habits you build now create the dog you enjoy for years to come.

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‍CANCER PREVENTION:
GOLDEN RETRIEVERS ARE AT RISK FOR CANCER. SUPPLEMENTS SUCH AS PROBIOTICS, PREBIOTICS AND DIGESTIVE ENZYMES are being linked to raising immunity and gut health and cancer prevention. To reduce the risk of some cancers raise your puppy as “green” as possible - holistic approach will keep your dog healthier in the long run. Fertilizers are a risk to avoid on your grass.

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/NYLON BONES or RAW HIDE - THEY ARE MADE WITH TOXIC CHEMICALS. NEVER FEED THEM TO YOUR DOG.

‍
******
ILLNESS
‍
ADDISONS DISEASE
‍
is something that can happen to any dog, with some breeds having it happen more. Poodles and other breeds on that list.

Https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/addisons-disease/

Do we know that specific dogs are genetically passing on Addisons? We do not. No breeder could. No vet could know. Any dog could potentially have something trigger it. So there is no way to eliminate parents in a breeding program because there is no evidence to support that.

There is no science or test to predetermine which dog will get addisons. Only a test to diagnose once symptoms occur.
SIMILAR TO CANCER- It is not predictable through testing .

‍PARASITES / GIARDIA
‍Can dogs recover from Giardia without medication?

If a dog has no clinical signs of giardia, you don't automatically need to treat it – they may recover by themselves if they are healthy and have a strong immune system.

GIARDIA IS EVERYWHERE!

Giardia is everywhere. Your back yard, on sidewalks, on trails and forests. Animals and birds carry it – they Poop and rainwater disburses the giardia cysts. Cysts can live in cold and last for months. They are microscopic so you can’t see them.

Probiotics is a necessary part of your dogs daily routine.
USE THEM FOR YOUR DOGS ENTIRE LIFE.

BEWARE OF VET TRICKS!

1. DO NOT go to the vet before the dog has been home 4 weeks STRESS DROPS YOUR PUP’S IMMUNE SYSTEM.
2. NO NEED to take a POOP sample to the vet when you take your dog home. We test STOOL before pups go home. Be sure to advise your vet that your puppy has already been given preventative parasite medication THE TEST WILL NOT BE ACCURATE
3. DO NOT TAKE YOUR VETS ADVISE OF WHAT TO FEED YOUR PUPPY-
4. DO NOT BUY THE PUPPY PACKAGE FROM YOUR VET You will want to test the waters with a vet and see if you LIKE their approach before committing to a FULL YEAR PACKAGE - that offers things like flea and tick chews that we DO NOT RECOMMEND.
5. If they are too pushy - guilting you into buying things you feel you don't need - get a new vet.
6. DO NOT LET YOUR VET SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR DOG AT 6 MONTHS. WAIT UNTIL ONE YEAR SPAY OR NEUTER- ASK US FOR A LIST OF SPAY AND NEUTER CLINICS for spay or neuter at a reduced price
7. Vets are subjected to people coming in with puppies that are NOT from licensed breeders. Do not blindly do things the vet is requesting if you do not understand or feel comfortable doing them. Call us ANYTIME IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS before proceeding with anything your vet tells you...

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.
• DOG THEFT IS ON THE RISE
. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR DOG IN A SITUATION WHERE HE CAN BE STOLEN.
• THC (CANABIS) POISONING IS ON THE RISE. PUBLIC PLACES MAY BE DANGEROUS IF YOUR DOG EATS A BUTT OFF THE GROUND..

Some ESSENTIAL OILS AND SCENTS can be POISON!

Some essential oils are poisonous to dogs. This includes oil of cinnamon, citrus, pennyroyal, peppermint, pine, sweet birch, tea tree (melaleuca), wintergreen, and ylang ylang. These oils are toxic whether ingested by mouth or spread on the skin.

As for which scents your pets are more likely to be OK with... Avoid those made from (or with) paraffin, as that can release more potential impurities and irritants that can bother both your and your pet's respiratory system.

DO NOT USE DEODORIZING SPRAYS OR AIR FRESHENER OR FEBREEZE.
THEY CAN BE TOXIC TO DOGS. SOMETIMES THEY APPEAR AS SKIN IRRITANT AND OFTEN ARE DIAGNOSED AS AN ALLERGY..

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