Preparing for your Labrador Puppy
Preparing for Your New Labrador Puppy
Bringing home a Labrador puppy is exciting, but having the right supplies prepared in advance will make the transition much easier for both your family and your puppy.
The following are products and supplies I personally recommend to families preparing for a Dole Hill Labrador puppy.
Food
Our puppies are raised on Purina Pro Plan Sport 30/20 Chicken and Rice, which comes in a purple bag. Young puppies eat the food softened with water before gradually transitioning to dry food.
Purchase Purina Pro Plan Sport 30/20 Chicken and Rice
This is an all-life-stages formula. New families should have a bag ready before bringing their puppy home. Keeping a puppy on the same food during the transition can help prevent unnecessary digestive upset.
NuVet Plus
Our puppies receive NuVet Plus, an immune-system and nutritional support supplement, during their development.
Puppies receive one-half tablet per day.
You can learn more at NuVet’s website.
To order, call 1-800-474-7044 and use breeder code 46808.
Families purchasing a Dole Hill puppy will receive a small starter supply, but ordering ahead is recommended so there is no interruption.
Pet Insurance
Pet insurance is strongly recommended for every Labrador puppy. Look for a policy that covers accidents, illnesses, hereditary conditions, genetic conditions, diagnostic testing, and emergency surgery.
Trupanion and AKC Pet Insurance are two options families may wish to consider.
Labradors are curious, active dogs and are known for swallowing socks, toys, rocks, and other household items. An intestinal blockage can quickly become a medical emergency requiring expensive surgery.
Labradors may also develop orthopedic or joint conditions. Responsible health testing reduces risk, but no breeder or veterinarian can predict every injury or health condition a dog may experience during its lifetime.
Crates and Crate Training
Crate training is one of the most important things a family can do for a Labrador puppy. A crate provides a safe place for the puppy to rest and prevents dangerous chewing or swallowing when direct supervision is not possible.
A 36-inch wire crate is a practical size for the puppy stage. Most adult Labradors will eventually require a 42-inch crate.
Choose a crate with a divider so the available space can be adjusted as the puppy grows.
Families who want a sturdier option for home and vehicle use may prefer this setup:
Heavy-Duty Crate and Travel Setup
Avoid putting a stuffed bed in the crate during the puppy stage. Puppies frequently chew beds and may swallow the filling. A simple bath towel is safer, inexpensive, and easy to wash.
Grooming
Labradors have a practical wash-and-go coat, but they should not be bathed more often than necessary. Their natural skin and coat oils provide important protection throughout the year.
Regular brushing helps remove loose undercoat and reduces shedding around the home.
Recommended Labrador Grooming Comb
For those unavoidable muddy Labrador moments, this is a shampoo I recommend:
Always rinse shampoo thoroughly and make sure the puppy is completely dry during cold weather.
Collars, Leads, and Harnesses
Collars should not be left on puppies while they are unsupervised or inside a crate. A collar can become caught on furniture, fencing, crate wires, or another dog and create a serious safety risk.
A properly fitted flat collar may be used during supervised outings. A martingale collar can be helpful for puppies that may back out of a traditional collar.
A slip lead is convenient for short, supervised trips and puppy pickup.
Retractable leashes are not recommended. They offer less control, can become wrapped around people or animals, and may cause injuries.
When choosing a harness, look for one that allows natural shoulder and front-leg movement. Some harnesses restrict movement and may place unnecessary pressure on a growing puppy’s shoulders.
Toys and Safe Play
Labrador puppies love to play, but their growing joints should be protected from excessive repetitive exercise.
Repeated ball throwing may encourage a young puppy to run, jump, turn sharply, and stop suddenly long after they should rest. Lower-impact, self-directed play is often a better option during growth.
My dogs love Jolly Balls because they provide entertainment while allowing the dog to control the pace of play.
Avoid rope toys and toys that can easily be shredded, torn apart, or swallowed. No toy is truly indestructible, so supervise play and remove damaged toys immediately.
Flea and Tick Prevention
Flea and tick prevention should be discussed with your veterinarian. Every product has potential benefits and risks, and the best choice may depend on your dog’s health, lifestyle, location, and level of exposure.
When practical, I prefer lower-chemical approaches, careful tick checks after outdoor activities, and routine Lyme disease screening during veterinary visits.
This is one natural spray option for walks, wooded areas, and outdoor activities:
Recommended Natural Flea and Tick Spray
Natural products do not guarantee complete protection from fleas or ticks. Families should work with their veterinarian to create a prevention plan appropriate for their individual dog.
Outdoor Puppy Pens
A secure outdoor puppy area can be useful even for families with a fenced yard. Young puppies may need to be separated from larger dogs, gardens, driveways, pools, or other areas of the property.
Portable exercise pens are easy to arrange and can be used to create a temporary puppy-safe space.
Once your puppy outgrows the pen, the panels can also be repurposed as a temporary garden barrier.
Puppies should always be supervised outdoors. Make sure the pen is properly secured and never leave a young puppy outside unattended.
A Note About Product Links
Some links on this page may be affiliate links. This means Dole Hill Labradors may receive a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you.
I only recommend products that I personally use, have experience with, or believe may be helpful to our puppy families.