Prepare for Puppy
Bringing Puppy Home
Preparing for Your New Furry Family Member
Bringing home a new puppy is an exciting time for everyone. We make sure you’re fully prepared for this new adventure. From our Big Rock Puppy Starter Kit to one-on-one guidance, we’ve got you covered. Your new pup comes with a health check and in-depth early socialization to ensure a smooth transition into your home. Get ready for lots of love and playful moments — your furry friend is eager to meet you!
Remember, your puppy comes with a lifetime of support, so please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions.
Signature Puppy Bag
Each Puppy Goes Home With Our Bespoke Puppy Bag
As part of our commitment to a joyful start for you and your new Australian Labradoodle, each puppy goes home with our signature Big Rock Labradoodles’ Puppy Bag. This monogrammed welcome bag is our complimentary gift to you and is filled with puppy essentials: an appropriately sized leash and collar set, a fun-filled rope toy, an engaging squeaker ball, a chew-tough Kong, and a natural hoof for hours of play. It’s our special gift to ensure your puppy’s first steps into your home are happy and well-prepared.
Puppy Package
Big Rock Labradoodles Welcome Home Puppy Package
Each of our puppies is sent off to their new homes with our exclusive Big Rock Labradoodles’ Puppy Package. Not only will you receive a digital library filled with valuable documents, but you’ll also get our in-depth 37-page Big Rock Labradoodles’ Puppy Guide, crafted with care to help you and your puppy start on the right paw. Plus, depending on where you live, we provide a curated list of local referrals, connecting you with the best services for your new furry family member.
Why You Need The Big Rock Labradoodles’ Puppy Starter Kit
To ensure a smooth start, our comprehensive Big Rock Labradoodles’ Puppy Starter Kit is packed with everything your new companion needs. It's everything you need and nothing you don't to start your life with your new pup on the right foot. With our expertise and your love, your Wonderful Woofie will feel at home in no time.
What's Included in Your Puppy Kit
Every item is handpicked for quality and tailored to your pup's play style and chewing ability. We get volume discounts from our suppliers and pass the savings on to you. Plus, your pup comes home with our special monogrammed Puppy Bag, complete with a leash, collar, rope toy, Kong, squeaker ball, and a hoof. All set for a happy homecoming!
- Full-sized wire crate with pad and divider (for all life stages)
- Vehicle restraint harness (Kurgo brand)
- Poochie Bells for housebreaking
- Poop bags and holder
- 5-8 tough, high-quality Labradoodle appropriate toys
- Enzyme cleaner for quick accident cleanup
- Grooming kit (shampoo, conditioner, leave-in spray, combs, brushes, and de-matter)
- Food pad and water dish
- 10 lbs of RAW complete meal
- RAW bones
- Single ingredient treats
What's the Price Tag on Your Puppy Starter Kit?
Each Puppy Kit varies slightly in cost, depending on current product availability and our costs, but we aim for a range between $630-650. This includes a $50 service fee for hand-picking, storing, and assembling everything you'll need.
You'll be happy to hear that our savvy shopping and quality picks offer incredible value! Families who've chosen our Puppy Kit have been delighted with their decision, not just saving money but also avoiding the common pitfalls of ill-fitting gear, poor quality grooming products or toys that don't last.
Ready to simplify your puppy prep? Just let us know if you'd like to take advantage of this convenient and cost-effective service.
Labradoodle
Welcome to the journey of raising your new puppy! Here you’ll find essential tips and guidelines to ensure your furry friend grows up healthy and happy.
Daily Routine for Your New Puppy
Setting up a daily routine helps both you and your new puppy adjust more easily. Here’s a suggested schedule that covers the essentials, from feeding to potty breaks. By sticking to it, you’ll smooth out the transition as your puppy settles into their new home.
Morning Routine
Wake-Up and Potty Time: Carry your puppy outside as soon as they wake up. If they run out of the kennel, they’ll likely pee immediately.
- Wake-Up and Potty Time: As soon as your puppy wakes up, carry them outside. They’re likely to pee immediately if they run out of their kennel.
- Breakfast Time: After doing their business, it’s time for breakfast.
- Post-Breakfast Potty: Take your puppy outside between 5-10 minutes after eating. Given their small bladders and digestive systems, they’ll likely need to both pee and poo.
Afternoon Routine
- Play and Nap Time: When you’re back inside, engage in some playtime. Puppies are much like children — they’ll likely want a nap soon. Consistency is crucial for potty training, and puppies are quick learners.
- Post-Nap Potty: Once they wake up, it’s time to head outside again.
- Meal and Potty: If it aligns with your feeding schedule, have another meal and follow it with a potty break.
Evening Routine
- Supper Time: Your puppy should have their last meal during supper time.
- Water Limit: After supper, limit access to water to prevent overnight accidents.
- Bedtime: Your puppy has been used to going to bed around 10:30 p.m. at Big Rock Labradoodles. Keep their crate beside your bed during the first few nights. If they cry, comfort them with a toy that smells like their siblings.
Remember, this is just a general guideline, and you may need to adjust the schedule based on your puppy’s individual needs and your daily routine. Be flexible and observe your puppy’s behavior to make necessary adjustments. Additionally, incorporate short training sessions throughout the day to help with basic commands and socialization. Consistency is key in establishing a routine and will contribute to a happy, well-adjusted puppy.
Puppy Food
Your puppy is currently eating Modern K9’s ultimate turkey/beef blend, which is a fully balanced, complete meal including organ meat and tripe. However, this monthly delivery service is only available in the Calgary area. If you’re in the Edmonton area, Big Rock Labradoodles’ North is an authorized seller of The Complete Canine. If you’re not local or can’t commit to monthly orders, we recommend alternatives like Big Country Raw or Carnivora. These can usually be found at local raw food pet stores. To help with house training, keep feeding your puppy three meals a day with fresh water. By the time they’re 4 months old, you can switch to just breakfast and dinner.
Monitoring Growth
Keep an eye on their weight. Young puppies should eat raw food equal to 7-10% of their body weight. Adjust the portions as they grow. Over time, this percentage will decrease. By adulthood, they’ll likely need about 3.5% of their body weight in raw food. This usually kicks in at around 10-11 months, though it may take longer for males.
Adjusting to Your Schedule
Your routine might start earlier than usual, but over time your puppy will adapt to your schedule and begin to wake up when you do.
Getting Your Home Puppy-Ready
Preparing your home for a new puppy is crucial for both their well-being and your peace of mind. These tips will guide you through setting up safe spaces and creating a harmonious living environment for your new four-legged friend.
Supervision is Key
If you work all day, don’t leave your puppy alone. It’s important to note that your puppy can only be in a crate for one hour more than its months of age (ie a 2-month-old puppy can only go 3 hours in a crate) It’s crucial, especially in the beginning, to have someone check in on your puppy throughout the day. You might want to consider options like having a family member come by, hiring a dog walker to come in twice a day in the beginning, or taking your puppy to work with you if your work allows.
Designated Spaces
Do not allow your puppy free rein of the house. Instead, designate a specific area like the kitchen, laundry room, or porch where it’s okay for them to have accidents. Use a crate or block off this area to keep them confined safely.
Carpet Concerns
We advise against letting your puppy roam on carpeted areas for a while, as they may mistake it for grass and have an accident. If you want to bring your puppy into a carpeted room, hold him or keep him on a leash so he stays near you.
Understanding Puppy Signals
Pay attention to your puppy’s behaviors. Sniffing and walking in circles are signs that he needs to go. If an accident happens, don’t lose your cool. An immediate trip outside will suffice. Labradoodles are sensitive. They respond to positive reinforcement — ignore the behavior you don’t want to see and reward the behavior that you do want to see.
Crate Training a New Puppy
Crate training is a valuable method for house training your puppy. It helps your puppy realize he doesn’t have to relieve himself the moment he feels the urge. This sense of control is likely why crate-trained puppies have fewer accidents as they mature.
Dogs, by nature, do not like to soil where they sleep. To capitalize on this instinct, place your puppy in a crate with a space that fits just his bed. By following these guidelines, you’ll not only make house training easier but also help your puppy develop important life skills.
Choosing the Right Crate
Select a crate that will be large enough to accommodate your pup as an adult. Make sure it has a divider so you can adjust the space for your puppy’s current size. A crate that’s too big can lead to messy habits, defeating the purpose of crate training.
If the space in the crate is too big, your puppy might go in one corner and then track the mess all over. If this is allowed to continue, the instincts about not soiling his bed or lying in the mess will be forgotten. Then you’ve got a house training method that’s turned into a behavior problem as the puppy’s newly formed poor hygienic habits become his way of life. So pick the right size and use that divider.
The Basics of Crate Training
Crate training encourages puppies to control their bladder and bowels. During the day, puppies who are 4 months of age or less only have control for a few hours, though, during the night, it can be longer as their systems slow down naturally.
- During housebreaking, whenever the puppy is inside the home but cannot be watched, he is placed in the crate. This might be while you are cooking, reading to the children, or even away from the home.
- The last thing you do before you put the puppy in the crate, is take him outside to his favourite spot.
- The first thing you do when you take the puppy out of the crate is another trip outside.
- No food or water goes in the crate, just a blanket and maybe a chew toy to occupy his time.
- Overnight is definitely crated time.
- As your faith in the puppy grows, leave him out for longer and longer periods of time.
Timing is Key
For puppies under 4 months, expect a few hours of bladder control during the day and longer during the night. Always take your puppy outside right before and immediately after crating him. Gradually extend the time he spends out of the crate as you gain more confidence in his ability to hold it in.
Raising a Well-Behaved Puppy
Discover how to nurture a well-mannered puppy through effective training techniques.
The Power of Obedience Classes
Make a point of going to positive reinforcement style obedience classes and practicing. Your puppy will love the time he gets to spend with you and all the praise he gets because you’re his favourite thing in life! Australian Labradoodles are highly intelligent and love to learn.
Puppy Socialization
Consider adding puppy socialization classes to your training schedule. They offer double benefits — you get good advice on how to behave with a puppy, and it lets the puppy play with other puppies, which is good for socialization.
Leash and Door Etiquette
Before stepping out, make your puppy sit and then put on his leash. Use commands like “sit” before leaving and “come” when you’re ready to go. This trains him not to rush out the door without permission. Your dog trainer can help with this as well.
The ‘Wait’ Command
One of the best commands to teach is “wait.” This is taught in obedience classes and is crucial for keeping your dog safe, especially when opening car doors, on the street, etc.
8 Developmental Stages
Understanding your puppy’s key developmental stages is essential for providing the right care, training, and socialization at each phase of their growth.
1. Neonatal Stage (0-2 weeks)
Puppies are born blind, deaf, and completely dependent on their mother. They spend most of their time sleeping, nursing, and gaining weight. This quiet and precious time with their littermates and mom is the first stage of socialization — and it really holds the key to their future as well-rounded family members.
2. Transitional Stage (2-4 weeks)
Puppies start to open their eyes and ears and become more aware of their surroundings. They begin to crawl and explore their immediate environment. This stage is crucial for early sensory experiences.
3. Socialization Stage (3-16 weeks)
Puppies continue to interact with littermates, learning important social behaviors. They also start to explore the broader environment, encountering different people, places, sounds, and objects. Positive experiences during this stage are crucial for preventing fear and anxiety later in life. Basic training and exposure to various stimuli are vital to their development.
4. Juvenile Stage (3-6 months)
Adult teeth start coming in, and they begin a second teething stage. Play will increase, as will exploration and the development of hierarchy within the home pack. Basic training and ongoing socialization with other dogs and people continue to be an important part of their development.
5. Adolescent Stage (6-12 months)
Puppies undergo puberty, and their energy levels may increase. This stage is marked by the growth of adult teeth, increased independence, and testing of boundaries. Training becomes more critical to establishing good behavior.
6. Young Adult Stage (1-2 years)
Puppies reach physical maturity, and their energy levels stabilize. Families should continue to refine training and behavior. Sexual maturity is usually reached during this stage, and if not spayed or neutered, they may display more pronounced gender-specific behaviors.
7. Adulthood (2-7 years)
Dogs are considered adults, and their behavior becomes more consistent. This is the prime of their life. They are generally well-trained, and their energy levels are more predictable. Annual veterinary check-ups become essential for maintaining optimal health.
8. Senior Stage (7+ years)
Aging signs become more noticeable, and the dog may slow down. Health issues may arise, and regular veterinary care is crucial. Adjustments to diet and exercise may be needed. Senior dogs may need more comfort and attention.
Teaching Kids with a New Puppy
Introducing a new puppy to your home is an exciting time, especially for kids. However, it’s crucial to teach your children how to play safely with their new furry friend to ensure a happy and harmonious relationship for everyone.
Avoid Rough Play
It’s really tempting for kids to get rough while playing with a new puppy. Games like tug-of-war or teasing the puppy with a toy may seem fun, but this will train your puppy to play aggressively and treat your kids like littermates, which is too rough and can lead to problems when the puppy grows into an adult.
Choose Safe Games
Instead of roughhousing, steer your kids towards safer options like fetch or hide-and-seek. These games are not only fun but also help in building a healthy relationship between your kids and the new puppy.
Supervision and Boundaries
Always keep an eye on playtime. If things start to get too wild, it’s time to step in. Put the puppy in a designated area like an Ex-pen or a crate to cool down.
Teaching Respect
It’s key to teach your children the right way to act around the new puppy. Proper behavior from both sides will make the bonding experience better for everyone.
New Puppy FAQs
Big Rock Labradoodle Puppies
Your Perfect Pup Awaits!
Choosing to bring a puppy into your family is both a big decision and an exciting adventure! There's lots to learn but we're dedicated to being reliable partners throughout the whole journey so you can feel confident in your choice of breeder. Continue to check out our site to learn more about this incredible breed and we'll be here when you're ready to take the next step.
Check out one of our litters—OR—submit our Adoption Application!