| 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 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. Puppies may go to
their new homes beginning three days after their vaccination, to ensure
that there are no vaccine reactions.
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. Puppies may go to
their new homes beginning three days after their vaccination, to ensure
that there are no vaccine reactions.
| Our girls are bred to only the best, most complimentary stud dogs from around the country, selectively chosen for health, temperament and type (appearance). 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. We 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. A lifetime of consultation and advice is provided for every puppy as we truly care about the welfare of each puppy and the relationship between you and your dog. All puppies are microchipped, given their first vaccination, examined by my veterinarian, and temperament tested. Toys and a blanket with the scent of the litter is provided for each puppy to help make the transition to it's new home a little easier. Every puppy is sold with a written agreement that is to be understood and signed prior to puppy pick up day. We ask that a minimum vaccine schedule be followed for the life of the dog. The price for a Summerlin Labrador pet puppy on AKC Limited Registration is $1000 *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 contact you. |
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