Puppy Supplies

You can look forward to a lifetime of adventure and companionship with your Australian Labradoodle puppy. These are Liberty Labradoodles’s suggested supplies to have on hand to welcome your new arrival:

Crate: A crate comes with the purchase of your Liberty Labradoodles Australian Labradoodle puppy if you are shipping or picking up. At first we recommend an old towel or blankies as your puppy is training. The crate should have bedding, such as a sturdy cushion or mat. Over time if you plan on continuing to crate train we recommend the larger crate, but the shipping crate will work for them for at least 3 months.

This is what we recommend in time; we use the medium size for our girls (30″), our stud, Chief has the large size (42″):

2. Exercise Pen or Gate: Lightweight exercise pens or childproof gates will allow your new family member to be confined to controlled areas, yet be close to the family’s activities. We like the exercise pens from Pet Edge – prices starting at $30 – they come in 24, 36 and 42 inch sizes. We recommend the 36 to 42 inch size so you can attach it to your crate. They also come with extension panels.

In an earlier post the owner of Teddy took pictures and described her “set up” which I highly recommend.

3. Toys: Be sure to choose toys that do not have loose or small parts that can be chewed off and swallowed. Toys provide entertainment, but are also necessary for teething and training. Nylon or hard rubber bones and toys are excellent choices for teething puppies. Stuffed animals, which can be torn apart, should only be allowed under direct supervision. We love puppy kongs.

4. Dishes: Water and food dishes should be non-tip able and preferably made of heavy stainless steel or sturdy stoneware (ceramic). Make sure fresh water is always available. You may want to put a mat or tray under the dishes to protect your floor from spill. Liberty Labradoodles recommends the stainless steel dishes that don’t tip and are dishwasher safe. You can learn more information about the dishes at http://www.petedge.com.

5. Food: Check with your breeder or vet to see what to feed and how often to feed your puppy. Liberty Labradoodle puppies are feed Purina Pro Plan Puppy Chicken and Rice as it is readily available in the US.

6. Collar and Leash: You will probably need a training collar once your puppy starts “basic” training. I will email you the neck size so you can have a collar ready for your puppy to wear. Airlines restrict collars on puppies when they fly.

7. Grooming Tools: It’s a good idea to have basic grooming tools, such as flea comb and dog nail clippers. Liberty Labradoodles uses clippers to trim puppy nails as shown below.

Then, to the full size dog nail clippers:

We use flea combs for the area under the eye and the bottom (two different combs).  It is a nice little close and tight comb that can get lots of little pieces. This comb is also great to check the hairs under the ears. The combs come in all sorts of shapes.

We use a slicker brush to brush our dogs. When you get a new one, rub it on the concrete sidewalk to dull the wire ends. This works great to brush out the undercoat, with one hand pulling the hair towards you; the brush you brush in the direction the hair grows.  Ask your groomer to show you how:

8. Be sure to Puppyproof your home! Get on all fours and crawl around and watch those cords and curtain ties. When you first bring your new Australian Labradoodle puppy home, place him in a limited space with easily washable floors. An exercise pen, spread with newspaper, is ideal. Keep the puppy confined, but close to the family, so your puppy can be supervised yet still feel he is “part of the pack”. A room that usually perfectly fits these criteria is the kitchen or laundry room. Place your Australian Labradoodle puppy’s water dish, with fresh water, close at hand. Place your puppy’s crate, bedding and toys inside the pen. Observe your puppy’s actions and reactions carefully. Handle your puppy frequently and briefly. Don’t let him get overtired or over-stimulated. Supervise children’s activities with the puppy and keep those activities within common sense. Children must be made to realize that your new Australian Labradoodle puppy is a little baby and needs to rest often.

Your little Australian Labradoodle puppy is just like a human toddler. He has been taken away from his siblings and parents, flown a great distance and he has undoubtedly undergone stress. Don’t be surprised if he keeps you up by crying for a night or two (or three!). Visit your puppy once during the night for a check and/or potty break (or use the ugodog indoor potty system). He will get used to your smell and will soon realize that you are there to protect and comfort him. Australian Labradoodle Puppies will like to be held next to your skin where they can feel your heartbeat and your warmth. Put a hot water bottle, an indestructible stuffed toy or a windup, ticking clock wrapped in a towel in your puppy’s crate for comfort. Pet and talk to your puppy softly and tell him how glad you are that he is with you. Talking to your puppy in a soft, reassuring voice is extremely important.

My puppy owners, be sure to visit my resource links for more information on preparing for your puppy, the arrival, and the first couple of weeks.

The 8th week …

Here it comes; the 8^th week. Hopefully your all prepared!

I am preparing packets which will contain pedigree, registration, health records (parent information as well), contact information, avid microchip information, puppy general information booklet. I will put your copy of the signed contract in the packet as well. The first thing I want you to do when you get the packet is complete your microchip information and register your puppy. I don’t suggest you put the microchip tag on your puppy collar but store it in a safe place. Everything is tied to the microchip number and I have it if you ever need it. But, the chip is of no use if you don’t register the puppy with Avid. Remember if you ever move to change your contact information with them. The next thing I hope you do is think about the first aid supplies and kit information in the booklet. “Be prepared and hope nothing will be needed”.

 

This packet comes from Purina Pro Plan which also has a $5.00 off coupon for the puppy food we use.  We will send you a little baggie of the food as well. We feed the puppies Purina Pro Plan Select Chicken and Rice (please don’t get any thing else by Purina; this is their “top line” ). We give them this dry food 2 times a day and give them a mix of wet for the afternoon meal. The wet is the Purina Pro Plan Select canned, chicken and rice.  We also occasionally feed them a bit of ground meat (venison or burger), slightly cooked with the dry. You will over time adjust the puppy to your schedule, and not ours as well as your food of choice. I will be mailing the packets out later today. Chloe’s mom, I will hand deliver to you when I see you at the airport.

 

For those of you who have a puppy that has been desexed, you will want to inform your vet that the puppies have been desexed and will need to have their stitches removed when you take them in. They are not supposed to be bathed until the stitches are out so I use Puppy wipes to keep them clean until then. I will add their care instructions in the packet. When they fly they will be finished on their “pain meds”.

 

The puppies will be due for their second series of shots on 4/2. Different states have different shot requirements so check with your vet. The have had their DHLPP+C (it will be in your packet) on 3/12. You do not want to take your puppy out and about until they have had their full series of shots. Since their second shots and stitches can come out on 4/2 you may want to make your vet visit for then and we can consider that still under the health contract if you wish.

 

Diet will be another thing you will want to discuss with your vet.  We use this food as it is one that tends to be readily available all over the country and is a quality dog food. Some people are very into the raw diet or human grade diet; some are not. I encourage you to talk to your vet about high quality diets. We personally feed our dogs Purina Pro Plan (the higher grade of Purina lines and one of the very few lines not “contaminated” with the bad rice scare). We also boost it up every once and a while with cooked venison, carrots or chicken blended in the food processor. You do have to change food slowly over time with puppies as to not upset their digestive system. We are in the middle of looking over other food options.  Connie, another puppy owner has provided us with some wonderful samples of food that I am going to try over time and I will keep you posted. What ever your food selection, please change their diet slowly over time to not upset their tummies.  As a precaution; please also stock your cabinet with canned pumpkin and pediolite (I might have already told you this) as a preventative measure in the event of loose stools. Finally, talk to your vet about teeth and ear care if your not familiar with it. We like to have the groomer pluck their ear hairs when our dogs are groomed and any time they get wet (swimming, bath) we use vet solution. We do this as a preventative measure and don’t have ear problems. If you do not know, you might also ask your vet to show you the proper way to trim their nails.

 

I will give the puppies a little sani-cut (trim up of the rear end) eye trim, and bath (or puppy wipe on the desexed ones); Jeff will trim nails tonight.  Wait until they have had their full range of shots completed before you visit the groomer or any “public place” with your puppy.

 

Another item I want to inform you as we have gotten several panic calls… The puppies may be running and then all  of a sudden let out this “bloody murder” scream of pain… check the rear end if this happens. Sometimes little bits of “rear end nuggets” glue rear end hairs together and it pulls their hair as they run which produces the scream.  You think you can see it; but you can’t until you look closely (this is why I give them a little sani cut).

All our big dogs are treated with a monthly dose of advantage so they do not have ear mites, fleas, heart worm, etc. We brush them and handle their feet and ears daily so they are use to the grooming process. I have two flea combs, not for fleas but one specifically to comb the puppies ears, eyes (what we call “eye buggers), and another one I use just for “nuggets” on the rear end. I use a sharpie pen and write on the comb which is which.

 

Regarding bathing and other supplies, I have a document with links that I am finalizing and going to put up on the online journal.  Pictures help I think when you see what I use. I use pet edge and walmart for many basic supplies; you don’t have to purchase them there but I will link to the items so you can get a “visual” of the grooming tools and pet supplies we have.

A reminder that if you are planning on continuing on with the UgoDog and have not ordered it you might want to visit the journal and click on the link to purchase one online so it is there before your puppy arrives. We have the crate in one corner, the food/water in another corner and the ugodog in another corner. The puppies are very into redecorating their space right now.

 

Feel free to email me your questions; I have to run some errands today and then prepare your packets to mail off.  I will be emailing you each your puppy neck size so you can get your puppy collar and leash. Hopefully you will get an engraved name tag as well.

 

 I hope this answers most of your questions and your excited about you puppy coming! And know, we are here for you if you need us.

~Vicky

Reflection or too much worry?

What a day Thursday was. It is 3 AM on Friday and I am checking up on puppies that were desexed in the wee hours of the morning here. Everyone is sleeping and all is well. We did have them kenneled but everyone disagrees with that; both those in the kennel, those out worrying about their pack and momma and grandma were downright stubborn about it.

They are all sleeping on top of each other now. I find myself looking back at the photos of the litter as I think about what is unfolding for them and their new forever homes. I wonder how they will be once they leave us. I know they are all going to the most excellent homes and I hope they bring life and joy to their new families; along with the love and happiness and whimsy that comes with the package.

Thursday I took my son to the airport as he returns to Baghdad. That was my surprise earlier I could not talk about. There are rules to keep our traveling soldiers safe. Although this is his second tour of duty in “the sandbox” taking him to the airport to return rips at my heart as a mom.

As I picked up the babies from the vets later that evening I found I did a flash back on my son tonsil surgery when he was “just a boy”. All the things you do to make try to keep babies safe, healthy, happy. And then, the unknown.

I am reflective on my life journey at this quiet time of morning. I think of myself and my family growing up and my first dog; Liebschen who was there with me as my buddy; and we were “peas and carrots”. She lived and traveled through many adventures with our family. She ran, played, swam, fished, guarded, camped, danced, pranced, protected and loved the whole household. She lived until she was 16 years old and when she died I mourned and still think about her. We grew up together and truly… I never dated anyone my dog did not like. I trusted her judgment. We had other dogs who joined the pack growing up .After I left the nest myself had other dogs but I will never forget my first.

I think of that as I prepare the babies to go to you. I hope you give them training, love, guidance, and care for the rest of their lives with you. I hope your all happy even with what is coming in the “puppy stages”; like… discovering the toilet paper roll “toy” they are sure is for them…and how fun it is to drag it out through the hallway and into the dining room and have people chase you. Or the laptop cord that might be a new teething ring. They will bring you so much joy and during other stages of adolescence where you may wonder what was I thinking? I hope you “enjoy” the ride.

I think of my daughter and son and hope as they are out there without me (how dare they fly the coop!).. I think of all the love and joy they gave to me; still give to me. I think of how lucky I am to have Jeff. I think of a saying..”What you get out of life is what you put into it”. It is true with dogs, with people, with family. I am so thankful for the ride and have enjoyed it although I am told, I worry too much.

For all my loves (my family, my puppies) I gave them all love and caring and pieces of me to take away. I pray God watches over them and their life is full of wonder, love, joy and they help others that they can along the way. I hope I taught them to enjoy the ride.

I think in this wee morning following the flight of my son and my babies desexing I am again worrying too much. But, I have to get up and check. It’s a mom thing. I am much too reflective and need to go back to bed. God bless you all.

7 Weeks and wanting to get out of their pen and romp

Zoe also not posing; she is watching her litter mates romp without her

Sydney loves Jeff as well; it’s Mutual I think

Lil’ Lady (Chloe) prefers to kiss Jeff then Pose for the Camera

Lil’ Lady; not a good shot as she moves..

Zoe

Copper’s Family