| Summerlin Puppies What to expect from our breeding program and puppies... |
| First of all... Not all Labradors are the same, and similarly, not all reputable breeders are the same. A Labrador puppy should never be an impulse buy, and should never be chosen based solely upon price and availability. Breeders do things very differently, and you need to feel comfortable that you are getting a well socialized, healthy puppy that is a good match for your family. Much thought and research needs to go into the purchase of a puppy. A well bred puppy from a breeder you trust and feel comfortable with is invaluable, and simply put, it's worth waiting for. Preface First and foremost, we are a hobby kennel. This means that we exist for the pure love of the Labrador Retriever. Every litter we have is bred with the intention of keeping a puppy or puppies to continue our lines and build on the dogs we have. We are not "in business" and do not attempt to make a profit on our puppies as any money made goes right back into the dogs. Puppies we don't keep are sold to pre-screened loving pet homes on Limited AKC registration with spay/neuter contracts. Because we are a hobby kennel, we are extremely particular as to where our puppies end up. We don't ship puppies and we rarely place puppies with anyone outside of Illinois and Wisconsin. We like to believe that our pups are given a great start on life. All puppy parents have at minimum OFA good or excellent hips, OFA Normal elbows and a current CERF exam and come from ancestry with similar clearances. At least one parent must be Optigen A1/Clear/Normal. These health screenings give your puppy a much better chance of being free from such genetic diseases that are common in Labradors. For the first 8 weeks of life, puppies are very vulnerable and also very impressionable. Because of this, much of what we do with the puppies is shaping, influencing and preparing them for the dogs that they will become. We care about every puppy that leaves our home and want every family to be successful in raising their puppy. Therefore, we make ourselves available at any time for any questions, advice, or trouble-shooting for the life of the dog. We are happy to help whenever as it is very important to see both the family and the dog happy! |
Summerlin Labrador puppies are given love and lots of
socialization from day one and they are lovingly handled by
children, even as newborns. We post updated puppy pictures on
our website at least once a week along with updates on their
growth and development.
Newborn puppies are marked with colored collars so that we
can monitor and record each puppy's weight and health.
Newborns are given Benebac to immediately add the "good
bacteria" to their digestive system and gut, and Benebac is
continued for several days and then administered weekly. At day
three, we begin early neurological stimulation exercises that were
developed by the US Military canine program. These five
exercises are designed to stimulate the neurological system in
order to give the dog a superior advantage. There are
documented benefits and we have found the use of these exercise
very beneficial in developing puppies who become quicker
learners. (Visit www.breedingbetterdogs.com/achiever.html for
more details and benefits)
One week old babies take turns being held by us for longer
periods of time to begin reinforcing that bond to humans.
Because the puppies are still blind and deaf, their sense of smell is
what they depend on for everything. Our holding/bonding time
is done in another room of our home to introduce the new smells
of a different environment.
Two week old babies are given their first dose of Nemex 2,
which is what we use as a de-wormer. Puppies are wormed 2 or
3 more times in the next six weeks. At this time, eyes have
opened and ears will be opening soon. Babies are starting to get
up on their feet and move around a little more. Socialization
continues with more bonding time and "play time" with us in our
family room, sleeping on the "big dog" bed as pictured above.
We also start leaving a radio on in the puppy room so that as ears
are opening, they are hearing different voices.
Three week old babies are taken outside in their portable puppy
box (plastic storage container) weather permitting. If the weather
is warm, puppies get to feel the grass beneath their feet for the
first time. Three week old puppies are walking around on all
fours quite well and are becoming much more interactive, playing
with each other and starting to play with toys. It is also at the 2-3
week old time frame that we introduce them to goats milk, the
first step in weaning them onto dog food. This is normally a very
messy event that we are sure to capture on film!
Four week old babies are moved into their puppy pen where 1/2
of the pen is a play/sleep area and the other half is a potty area.
It takes a couple of days, but with mom's help, the puppies potty
train themselves to eliminate only in the potty area, keeping their
bedding clean and dry. This comes in handy for when you begin
crate training and house breaking your puppy, because he is
learning not to mess his sleeping area.
Five week old puppies are introduced to a tunnel, both inside
and outside if weather permits. We also start bringing puppies
onto different surfaces and expose them to different noises within
our house such as the vacuum, microwave, hair dryer, etc.
Six week old puppies get regular time outside, even if it is for
short periods of time in the cold or rain! We create a puppy play
area that includes ramps, an agility tunnel, a slide, lots of toys,
and large objects to climb on and explore. We praise them for
eliminating outside and start using the word "potty" in hopes that
they will learn it by the time they leave here, making house
training easier for you. Puppies are introduced to a crate both
individually and as a group. We also start to evaluate puppies
for both show and personality at this time, and evaluations
usually include the opinions of several other breeders. At this
time I start to think about puppy possibilities for each family,
trying to match the best puppy for each family.
Seven week old puppies are professionally temperament tested
and evaluated using a test designed for Labradors. Puppies are
first evaluated for their conformation and structure, and then
encouraged to perform a series of exercises and are graded on if
they complete each exercise and how well. Each puppy is given a
written evaluation which usually helps me further in my goal of
matching each family with the best puppy for them. Puppies
continue to have outside time, crate time, and are socialized and
interacting with even more people and children.
Eight week old puppies receive their first vaccination and are
microchipped during their puppy wellness exam. The entire litter
is also taken to a canine ophthalmologist for their first CERF eye
exam. Puppies may go to their new homes beginning three days
after their vaccination, to ensure that there are no vaccine
reactions. Puppies are sent to their new homes with a puppy
packet that includes lots of information, articles and
recommendations, a health record, a four generation pedigree,
pictures and health clearances of the parents, and a CD of puppy
"baby" pictures.
socialization from day one and they are lovingly handled by
children, even as newborns. We post updated puppy pictures on
our website at least once a week along with updates on their
growth and development.
Newborn puppies are marked with colored collars so that we
can monitor and record each puppy's weight and health.
Newborns are given Benebac to immediately add the "good
bacteria" to their digestive system and gut, and Benebac is
continued for several days and then administered weekly. At day
three, we begin early neurological stimulation exercises that were
developed by the US Military canine program. These five
exercises are designed to stimulate the neurological system in
order to give the dog a superior advantage. There are
documented benefits and we have found the use of these exercise
very beneficial in developing puppies who become quicker
learners. (Visit www.breedingbetterdogs.com/achiever.html for
more details and benefits)
One week old babies take turns being held by us for longer
periods of time to begin reinforcing that bond to humans.
Because the puppies are still blind and deaf, their sense of smell is
what they depend on for everything. Our holding/bonding time
is done in another room of our home to introduce the new smells
of a different environment.
Two week old babies are given their first dose of Nemex 2,
which is what we use as a de-wormer. Puppies are wormed 2 or
3 more times in the next six weeks. At this time, eyes have
opened and ears will be opening soon. Babies are starting to get
up on their feet and move around a little more. Socialization
continues with more bonding time and "play time" with us in our
family room, sleeping on the "big dog" bed as pictured above.
We also start leaving a radio on in the puppy room so that as ears
are opening, they are hearing different voices.
Three week old babies are taken outside in their portable puppy
box (plastic storage container) weather permitting. If the weather
is warm, puppies get to feel the grass beneath their feet for the
first time. Three week old puppies are walking around on all
fours quite well and are becoming much more interactive, playing
with each other and starting to play with toys. It is also at the 2-3
week old time frame that we introduce them to goats milk, the
first step in weaning them onto dog food. This is normally a very
messy event that we are sure to capture on film!
Four week old babies are moved into their puppy pen where 1/2
of the pen is a play/sleep area and the other half is a potty area.
It takes a couple of days, but with mom's help, the puppies potty
train themselves to eliminate only in the potty area, keeping their
bedding clean and dry. This comes in handy for when you begin
crate training and house breaking your puppy, because he is
learning not to mess his sleeping area.
Five week old puppies are introduced to a tunnel, both inside
and outside if weather permits. We also start bringing puppies
onto different surfaces and expose them to different noises within
our house such as the vacuum, microwave, hair dryer, etc.
Six week old puppies get regular time outside, even if it is for
short periods of time in the cold or rain! We create a puppy play
area that includes ramps, an agility tunnel, a slide, lots of toys,
and large objects to climb on and explore. We praise them for
eliminating outside and start using the word "potty" in hopes that
they will learn it by the time they leave here, making house
training easier for you. Puppies are introduced to a crate both
individually and as a group. We also start to evaluate puppies
for both show and personality at this time, and evaluations
usually include the opinions of several other breeders. At this
time I start to think about puppy possibilities for each family,
trying to match the best puppy for each family.
Seven week old puppies are professionally temperament tested
and evaluated using a test designed for Labradors. Puppies are
first evaluated for their conformation and structure, and then
encouraged to perform a series of exercises and are graded on if
they complete each exercise and how well. Each puppy is given a
written evaluation which usually helps me further in my goal of
matching each family with the best puppy for them. Puppies
continue to have outside time, crate time, and are socialized and
interacting with even more people and children.
Eight week old puppies receive their first vaccination and are
microchipped during their puppy wellness exam. The entire litter
is also taken to a canine ophthalmologist for their first CERF eye
exam. Puppies may go to their new homes beginning three days
after their vaccination, to ensure that there are no vaccine
reactions. Puppies are sent to their new homes with a puppy
packet that includes lots of information, articles and
recommendations, a health record, a four generation pedigree,
pictures and health clearances of the parents, and a CD of puppy
"baby" pictures.
| Our girls are bred to the best, most complimentary stud dogs from around the country, selectively chosen for health, temperament and type. Our breedings are done via artificial insemination, and a great deal of time, research, money, planning and effort go into each and every breeding before puppies are even here. The price for a Summerlin Labrador puppy is $1000. This includes: *Microchipping *First Vaccination *Puppy Wellness Exam *Professional temperament test and written evaluation of your puppy *Health guarantee *Food *Toys and a blanket with the scent of the litter *Support, consultation and trouble-shooting for the life of your puppy! We also provide an informative 100 page puppy packet that includes pictures and copies of health clearances of the parents, a four generation pedigree, food, articles, recommendations, a health and vaccination record and more. *References are available by request to approved homes.* If you are interested in a Summerlin Labrador puppy, please fill out and return my puppy questionnaire, and once it is reviewed I will call you. |
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