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Coastal Labradoodles
Care and Training
Quick Guide
Each puppy family receives a more extensive amount of information and support in the form of education and resources.
We believe every puppy deserves the best start possible.
Here we share some of of what we have learned in 15+ years of breeding and learning about the ALD and best breeding practices.
Bonding
The most important, and first, thing to do with your new puppy is spend some time on bonding. It is the human-canine bond that is both unique and wondrous. Without it, a dog often becomes confused or lost. You are the most important creature in the world to him, a best friend. There is nothing a puppy wants more than to be loved.
Children and Puppies
Role play with your children before puppy arrives. Children need to have a calm voice for commands and a sweet, happy voice for praise. While pets can teach responsibility, be reasonable in your expectations and be ready to pick up the slack. Children fearful of dogs should not be around dogs. Dogs need confident, kind direction, consistent expectations and gentle handling.
Education
Take the puppy to puppy classes if possible. Read books. Start with Love Is All You Need by Jennifer Arnold. We also love The Power of Positive Dog Training by Pat Miller.
Other good training books: Kids and Dogs Without Losing Your Mind by Coleen Pelar. We also love: The Perfect Puppy in 7 Days.
For those who like videos: You Tube’s Zak George also has some good training videos.
One of our favorite online training programs is www.dogsthat.com. Susan Garrett has trained dogs and other animals all over the world. She has a positive, fun approach to training. Her Crate Games video series is a game changer!
Feeding
If stools are too soft, it could be you are feeding too much. Start with least recommended amount on bag and divide by 3 for 3 feedings per day. Gradually increase if puppy still seems hungry.
Should your puppy develop an upset stomach and soft stools during his first few days with you, usually due to stress, of new environment, pure canned pumpkin (not pumpkin pie filling) can quickly and easily help this problem, one tablespoon mixed in with each meal.
Keep fresh Drinking water available at all times.
Teeth Cleaning
Provide your puppy with lots of hard chew toys, such as bully sticks or porky puff chews from LA to help keep their teeth clean. Weekly brushing helps too.
Coat Grooming
To avoid matting, brush your puppy 2x a week for about 20 minutes. Learn to brush from the skin to the ends of the fleece, starting with the bottom layer and moving up, not just the top of the coat as matting can be happening underneath. Complete groom every 8 weeks.
Ear cleaning
Using LA ear cleaner once a week is important. It has an ingredient that brings any bad things out of the canal to the surface where you can wipe out with a cotton ball. All natural ingredients does not strip ear of natural oils and good bacteria.
Exercise
DO NOT run with your puppy or go up and down a lot of stairs before he is at least 16 months old! Puppy joints are going through a lot of development very quickly. Your puppy will enjoy short walks around he yard. By 16 months walks can be increased to however long puppy wants as joints are now grown.
Mental Excercise
Mental exercise is as important as physical exercise. ! Nose work, puzzles or games like hied and seek are fun and challenging.
Mouthing
We start teaching the puppies to have respect for their mouths, teeth and bite from a very early age.
When puppy puts something in their mouths that does not belong there, take it away and replace it with a dog toy or chew. Then praise puppy for taking it.
Use fun retrieving games, “Find It” games, and proper chew toys to encourage the mind and mouth to behave properly.
Touching
It is also important for your puppy to allow you to touch all parts of his body, look into his mouth and ears, handle his food bowl, and take toys or bones out of his mouth. When relaxed, pet him, starting with is back.
Your puppy should allow any member of the family to touch him or his food bowl while he’s eating. Play the trade game. Take something from his mouth or bowl and replace it immediately with something better.
Potty Training
Your Coastal Labradoodle puppy began “housebreaking” at an early age. Your puppy’s Mother kept herself, her puppies, and her whelping area clean to teach her babies good habits.
We helped the puppies along by providing a potty area for them that we kept tidy. Soon they learned this was the place to "go." Once the puppies are old enough, we take them for puppy walks and they are free to go potty as well. We praise when they go outside.
Place your puppy on a schedule with eating, sleeping, playing, and going to the bathroom. Take your puppy out every couple of hours at first, and lengthen time as she grows. Keeping puppy on a long leash can help you see when she begins to sniff or circle for a place to "go."
Take out also after each meal and before bed.
If your puppy has an accident, and because you were busy elsewhere in the household, you didn’t see her do it, it is your mistake. Quietly clean it up, using a chemicaldeodorizer/cleanser that breaks down the scent, and move on.
Crate Training
Your Coastal Labradoodle puppy began “crate training” at an early age for short periods of time.
Young puppies should be sleeping in their crate at night (near where you sleep), during daytime naps, and anytime you cannot directly supervise them. During the day, place the crate in a location that is central to your Family, and where the puppy can easily go in and out of the open door of the crate at any time during his play sessions. Place toys or treats in the crate.
At night, make sure puppy has a soft, cuddle toy, Make sure he is tired and empty whenever he goes in his crate. If the puppy makes objections to being placed in a crate, ignore him.
If puppy whines or barks in the middle of the night, take him outside to go, then immediately return him to the crate. Make sure to offer water to puppy at this time in case he is thirsty.
