We are happy to share our collection of product recommendations, companies we have partnered with, valuable information provided by our personal vet (who makes house calls for our puppies), and guidelines from our favorite Labradoodle-experienced groomer. If you have any questions, please get in touch with us!
1. Puppy Food - We will send you home with a sample bag of our puppy food. However, having food already purchased for your pup’s arrival is a good idea. We feed our’s NutriSource Small & Medium Breed Puppy food. Learn more below in Feeding & Supplements.
2. Water and Food Bowl - Look for durable and safe bowls.
3. Crate - Keep in mind the size of your full-grown dog while buying. You’ll want a crate that can grow with your puppy.
4. Collar and Leash - You will need to replace your dog’s collar as they grow.
5. Chew toys - Watch out for toys that can be broken up and choked on. Nylon bones are the safest option.
6. Training Treats and Tips - Set yourself up for success with helpful information and good behavior-enforcing treats. Check out the sections below on Obedience & Training as well as Feeding & Supplements for our recommendations.
7. Grooming Supplies - A good brush and nail clippers are essential. Check out the Grooming section below provided by our groomer for helpful guidance.
8. Supplements - Protect their health! Check out our recommendation below in Feeding & Supplements.
6 Weeks of Age:
• Vanguard Puppy (Canine Distemper - Adenovirus Type 2 - Parainfluenza Parvovirus Vaccine)
• Oral Wormer (Pyrantel)
• Kennel Cough (Parainfluenza - bordetella bronchiseptica - if desired)
8 Weeks of Age:
• Simparica Trio (kills fleas, 5 types of ticks, heartworm, roundworm, hookworm - repeat every 30 days)
9 Weeks of Age:
• Vanguard Puppy Booster
12 Weeks of Age:
• Vanguard Adult
• Rabies
• Lymes Vaccination (if desired - booster in 2 weeks)
6 Months of Age:
• Spay (female) or Neuter (male)
• Remove Declaws (if desired)
• Optional presurgical blood screen
1 Year Old:
• Vanguard Adult Booster
• Rabies Booster
• Heartworm Test (if not on preventative)
We recommend NutriSource dog and puppy foods to all of our families. Each of our puppies goes home with a sample of this food as they are accustomed to eating it. If you decide to switch your puppy’s food, please do so slowly by gradually mixing it in with the supplied food.
You can check out NutriSource’s full line of dog foods by visiting their website.
We have partnered with NuVet Labs! They provide nutrient-rich supplements and are on a mission to help our furry friends stay healthy for years to come.
Check out their website below and use our referral code when you order - #574749
I have created some grooming resources to help you along the way.
Don’t forget to grab our downloadable “How-to Groom a Labradoodle” cheat sheet below!
• Use a vacuum around them! The dryer groomers use is very loud, like a vacuum, so using one around them will get them used to the dryer's sound.
• Play with their paws. This gets them used to their paws being handled by the groomer.
• Take an electric toothbrush (with the head off) and run it over their body and on their paws. This simulates when a groomer is running the clippers over their body and filing their nails.
• Use a metal comb and then a slicker brush. The comb gets to the skin, and the slicker brush gets to the top of their coat.
• Practice holding your puppy’s chin to get them used to this. The groomer will hold them still this way in order to groom their head and face safely.
• Clean your puppy’s ears routinely. Play with the ears so the puppy gets used to them being handled.
• A good teeth brushing with help with dental care.
Puppies should start to be groomed at 12 weeks. Be sure they have had their 3rd round of puppy shots (Distemper/Parvo) before they go to the groomer. The first grooming appointment will consist of a bath, brushing, ear cleaning, and nail trim (ask for nail grinding as it is better for you, the pups, and your floors). It should also include a face, feet, and fanny trim. This is to introduce them to the grooming environment and process. Be confident when you drop off your puppy. They feed off your emotion; if you are nervous, they will be too!
I recommend your puppy/dog be groomed every 8 weeks with a daily brushing routine.
The Labradoodle is a very simple groom, but definite guidelines must be provided to a qualified groomer; otherwise, you may be very disappointed with the experience. Grooming a Labradoodle is probably one of the most difficult concepts for a groomer who has never groomed a doodle or never groomed a doodle correctly. Many groomers try to make a doodle look like a Poodle, Schnauzer, or something in between. This download should help keep your doodle groomed perfectly.
It is important to start brushing your dog from the early days when he/she joins your family. Brush your dog from head to toe at least 4 times a week until the adult coat is fully established. Your puppy will likely be around 18 months old when the adult coat has completely grown in. You will need a good brush and a de-matting comb to get started. You will probably want to purchase scissors with rounded tips to touch up around the eyes.
“These pups are loved from start to finish as well as vet checked & microchipped. Not just an “ordinary “ breeder.”
