Puppies are fed Diamond Skin & Coat. It is formulated for all life stages, budget-friendly but still high quality, and does not contain chicken, which can upset some dog’s stomachs. Your puppy may not have any stomach issues, but I always recommend this food to promote a healthy coat.

Puppies need to be crate-trained. I recommend a 42” with a divider so you can make the crate small and gradually increase the size with age.

It is hard for puppies to leave their mom and littermates. Since they are not used to sleeping alone, i recommend this stuffed toy because it has a fake “heart beat”.

It is very easy to potty train your puppy with bells. Have your puppy ring the bell every time before taking it out and they will learn in no time!

You can alternate between your puppy staying in the crate and in the playpen. Make sure to get 32” or higher and 6 panels or more.

These will protect your floor when your puppy has accidents. Do not buy disposable, they have a scent that teaches your puppy to go on them and then you are training them to go in the house!

Labs love food and eat fast! To prevent bloat and throwing up, always feed in a slow feeder.

Hanging a water bucket stops your puppy from playing in their bowl. Get a 2 quart or more. Make sure to also get a carabiner and hang it in their crate and playpen.

Rescue is the best cleaner on the market and they even make it in wipes! Make sure to disinfect your puppy’s crate.

You can stuff Kongs with peanut butter, nonfat plain yogurt, or wet food and freeze it! This will keep your puppy busy. Get a medium or larger.

Normal tennis balls have toxins that wear down your dog’s teeth with time and they don’t have holes to allow for air flow. These are safe!

Make sure your dog never swallows one whole, they need to be supervised while chewing. When they reach the end it needs to be taken away. All edible chews need to be digestible. Some chews are bully sticks,yak chews, and beef cheek. All edible chews need to be digestible.

Patience is crucial when training an 8-week-old puppy because they are just beginning to learn about the world. Here’s why:

Short attention span – Puppies at this age can only focus for a few minutes at a time. Expecting too much too soon leads to frustration for both of you.

Learning basic skills – They’re just starting to understand housebreaking, crate training, and simple commands. Progress takes time and consistency.

Emotional development – Puppies are easily overwhelmed. Harsh or rushed training can create fear or confusion instead of trust.

Building trust – Patient, positive interactions help your puppy feel safe and connected with you, which is key for long-term obedience and bonding.

Preventing bad habits – Gentle, repetitive guidance prevents unwanted behaviors from forming while reinforcing good ones.

In short: slow, consistent, and kind training lays the foundation for a well-adjusted, confident adult dog.

Consistency is important when raising a puppy because it helps them learn faster, feel secure, and develop good habits. Here's why:

Clear expectations – Puppies thrive when they know what to expect. If rules and routines are consistent, they learn what’s right and wrong more quickly.

Faster learning – Repeating the same commands, cues, and responses teaches puppies through repetition. Mixed messages confuse them and slow progress.

Builds trust – A consistent environment helps puppies feel safe and confident. They begin to understand your behavior and bond more closely with you.

Prevents bad habits – Inconsistent reactions (e.g., allowing jumping sometimes but not others) make it harder to correct unwanted behaviors.

Supports house training – Regular feeding, potty breaks, and praise help establish reliable bathroom habits.

In short: consistency creates structure—and structure helps puppies grow into well-behaved, confident adult dogs.

It’s important to have age-appropriate goals with puppies because they’re still developing physically, mentally, and emotionally. Here’s why:

Developmental limits – Young puppies have short attention spans and limited control over their bodies and impulses. Expecting too much too soon sets them up for failure.

Avoiding frustration – Unrealistic expectations can frustrate both you and your puppy, making training feel negative instead of fun and rewarding.

Proper pacing – Puppies learn best in small, manageable steps. Age-appropriate goals ensure training builds gradually and successfully.

Preventing stress – Pushing a puppy too hard can lead to anxiety or fear, especially during early socialization and handling.

Encouraging confidence – Achievable goals give puppies a sense of success and help build confidence and trust in their environment and in you.

In short: age-appropriate goals respect your puppy’s stage of development and set the foundation for long-term success.

Socializing a puppy means gently introducing them to a wide variety of people, animals, environments, sounds, and experiences so they grow up confident and well-adjusted.

This Means:

Teaching your puppy that the world is safe.

Helping them stay calm and friendly in new situations.

Preventing fear, aggression, or anxiety later in life.

How to Socialize a Puppy:

Start Early (8–16 weeks)
This is the critical window when puppies are most open to new experiences.

Introduce New People
Let your puppy meet people of different ages, appearances, and voices. Keep interactions positive and low-stress.

Expose to Other Dogs and Animals
Use safe, well-vaccinated dogs or puppy classes. Avoid crowded dog parks early on.

Experience New Environments
Walk on different surfaces (grass, tile, gravel), visit new places (car rides, vet office, pet store), and hear common sounds (vacuum, traffic, thunder recordings).

Use Treats and Praise
Reward calm, curious behavior so they associate new things with positive outcomes.

Go at Their Pace
If your puppy seems scared, don’t force it. Back off and try again more gently later.

Practice Handling
Touch their paws, ears, tail, and mouth daily so they’re used to being groomed or examined.

Socialization is not about overwhelming—it's about positive, gentle exposure that builds confidence and trust.

Here are safe and effective ways to discipline a puppy without causing fear or harm:

1. Redirect unwanted behavior

Instead of punishing, guide them toward what you do want.
Example: If they bite, give them a chew toy instead.

2. Use a calm “no” or “uh-uh”

Say it firmly but gently. Avoid yelling—tone matters more than volume.

3. Ignore attention-seeking behavior

If your puppy jumps or barks for attention, turn away and don’t engage. Reward calm behavior instead.

4. Use time-outs

Briefly remove the puppy from the situation (e.g., calmly place them in a safe, quiet space for 30–60 seconds). This helps them reset.

5. Reward good behavior consistently

Puppies repeat what gets them positive results—treats, praise, or play. Catch them being good!

6. Be consistent

Make sure everyone in the household responds the same way. Mixed messages confuse puppies.

7. Prevent mistakes before they happen

Use crates, gates, and supervision to avoid giving them the chance to misbehave.

8. Stay calm and patient

Discipline should guide, not scare. Puppies need time, structure, and love to learn.

Avoid:

Hitting or yelling

Alpha rolls or forced dominance

Shock or prong collars on young puppies

Discipline = teaching, not punishing. The goal is to help your puppy understand, not fear you.

It is not okay to put a shock collar on a puppy under 6 months old because:

Too young to understand – Puppies at this age are still learning basic communication and behavior. A shock collar doesn't teach—it punishes without context, which leads to confusion.

Fear and anxiety – Early negative experiences like shocks can cause long-term fear, nervousness, or even aggression. This damages your puppy’s trust in you and in their environment.

Hinders learning – Young puppies learn best through positive reinforcement, not fear. Aversive methods shut down curiosity and slow development.

Physical risks – Their necks, nerves, and skin are still developing. Shock collars can cause physical harm or lasting sensitivity.

Better alternatives exist – At this age, gentle guidance, consistency, and reward-based training are far more effective and humane.

In short: puppies need patience, structure, and positive guidance—not punishment. A shock collar at this age is both inappropriate and potentially harmful.

Vaccinating your puppy involves a simple, step-by-step process to protect their health. Here’s how it’s done:

1. Visit a Veterinarian

Schedule a check-up with a licensed vet when your puppy is around 9 weeks old(we give their first shots at 6 weeks).

The vet will assess your puppy’s health and create a vaccination schedule based on their age, lifestyle, and local risks.

2. Follow the Core Vaccination Schedule

Typical core vaccines include:

Distemper

Parvovirus

Adenovirus (Hepatitis)

Parainfluenza

Rabies (usually given at 12–16 weeks)

💉 Puppy vaccine timeline (may vary by vet):

6–8 weeks: First round (DAPP)

10–12 weeks: Second round (DAPP booster)

14–16 weeks: Final booster + Rabies

Yearly or triennial boosters after that

3. Keep Track of Appointments

Ask for a vaccination record or pet passport.

Make sure to complete all boosters—partial vaccination is not full protection.

4. Watch for Side Effects

Most puppies only experience mild reactions like sleepiness or slight swelling.

If you notice vomiting, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing, call your vet immediately.

5. Limit Exposure Until Fully Vaccinated

Avoid dog parks, public areas, or unknown dogs until all puppy shots are complete (usually around 16 weeks).

In short: Work with your vet, follow the schedule, and stay consistent—this keeps your puppy safe, healthy, and protected.

Vaccinating your puppy is essential for their health and safety. Here's why:

1. Protects Against Deadly Diseases

Vaccines prevent serious, often fatal illnesses like parvovirus, distemper, and rabies—diseases that are common in unvaccinated puppies and can spread quickly.

2. Builds a Strong Immune System

Puppies are born with limited immunity. Vaccines help build long-term protection as maternal antibodies fade.

3. Protects Other Dogs and People

Vaccinated puppies are less likely to spread diseases to other pets and even humans (like rabies or leptospirosis).

4. Required for Travel and Boarding

Most vets, groomers, boarding facilities, and training classes require proof of vaccinations.

5. Saves Money Long Term

Preventing illness is far less expensive than treating a severe infection.

In short: vaccinations are a safe, proven way to keep your puppy—and the animals and people around them—healthy and protected.

Feeding a puppy according to AAFCO standards is important because it ensures your puppy is getting complete and balanced nutrition for healthy growth and development.

Here’s why it matters:

1. Scientifically Backed Nutrition

AAFCO (Association of American Feed Control Officials) sets nutritional guidelines based on research to meet all a puppy’s essential needs—protein, fat, vitamins, and minerals.

2. Supports Proper Growth

Puppies have different needs than adult dogs. AAFCO-approved puppy food supports healthy bones, joints, brain development, and organ function.

3. Avoids Deficiencies or Imbalances

Feeding a diet that isn’t AAFCO-approved risks under- or over-supplying nutrients, which can lead to stunted growth, poor immunity, or orthopedic problems.

4. Gives Peace of Mind

If a food meets AAFCO standards for “growth” or “all life stages,” it has been tested or formulated to support healthy puppy development.

5. Helps You Choose Quality Food

AAFCO labeling helps pet owners identify trustworthy, nutritionally complete products. Look for this statement:
“This food is formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth.”

In short: AAFCO-approved puppy food takes the guesswork out of feeding and ensures your puppy is getting exactly what they need to thrive.

✅ How to Spot It on the Bag

Search for wording like:
“Formulated to meet the nutritional levels established by the AAFCO Dog Food Nutrient Profiles for growth (puppies).”
or “Animal feeding tests using AAFCO procedures substantiate that [product] provides complete and balanced nutrition…” By choosing puppy food meeting AAFCO nutrient profiles, you're ensuring balanced, science-backed nutrition that supports growth, immunity, and long-term health.