Puppy Care – Cornwell Labradors

Welcome to the Cornwell Labradors Family!

Your comprehensive guide to successful puppy raising

Why You Made the Right Choice 🏆

First things first: congratulations on your decision. You’ve chosen a Cornwell Labrador, raised using our proprietary Puppy Structure methodology by a Certified Canine Behaviorist with over 10 years of experience. Your puppy has received an exceptional foundation for a healthy, well-adjusted life.

🎯 What Makes Puppy Structure Different?

While many breeding programs focus solely on genetics and basic care, we implement comprehensive science-based early development protocols that give your puppy significant advantages in behavior, temperament, and adaptability.

Your puppy has already experienced:

Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS) from days 3-16 to build stress resilience and emotional stability
Systematic environmental enrichment with diverse experiences and novel stimuli
Progressive socialization with humans of all ages and temperaments
Sound desensitization to household appliances, outdoor noises, and common environmental sounds
House training foundation including crate introduction and elimination schedules
Temperament assessment with detailed documentation of personality traits

What This Guide Covers 📚

This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about raising a healthy, well-adjusted Labrador. We’ve organized the information into clear, actionable sections that you can reference throughout your puppy’s development.

8

Major Topics

50+

Pro Tips

∞

Tail Wags

Socialization: The Foundation of Good Behavior 🌟

Building confidence and appropriate responses to the world

Why Socialization is Essential

Socialization is critical to your puppy’s development and future quality of life. Proper socialization prevents behavioral problems and creates a confident, well-adjusted adult dog. Behavior problems are the leading cause of death in dogs under 2 years old, and most of these issues stem from inadequate socialization during the critical developmental period.

⚠️ The Critical Window

You have until your puppy is 14-16 weeks old to maximize socialization opportunities. After this period, puppies become naturally more cautious and fearful of new experiences. What they learn to accept during this window will shape their behavior for life.

Socialization consists of two equally important components:

Part 1: Teaching Your Puppy to Be Comfortable with People & Dogs ▼

This involves creating positive associations with a wide variety of people and dogs. Your puppy should learn to be comfortable with:

People in different types of clothing and accessories (hats, sunglasses, uniforms)
Children of all ages and activity levels
Dogs of various sizes, breeds, and temperaments
People using mobility aids (wheelchairs, canes, walkers)

Key strategy: Always carry high-value treats. Reward calm, friendly behavior during new encounters to create positive associations.

Part 2: Habituation to Environmental Stimuli ▼

This teaches your puppy to remain calm and neutral around everyday sights, sounds, and experiences. Your goal is to help them understand that these things are normal and not threatening.

Important environmental factors to habituate your puppy to:

Household appliances (vacuum cleaners, dishwashers, garbage disposals)
Traffic and vehicle sounds (cars, motorcycles, trucks, sirens)
Different walking surfaces (grass, gravel, tile, metal grates)
Common objects (umbrellas, bicycles, strollers)

Your Socialization Action Plan

Before Vaccinations Are Complete: You can still socialize safely by carrying your puppy or using a stroller to expose them to various environments without allowing direct ground contact in public areas where unvaccinated dogs may have been.

Safe pre-vaccination socialization locations:

Pet-friendly stores (Home Depot, Lowe’s, outdoor retailers)
Outdoor patios and cafes (carry your puppy)
Private yards of friends or family where only vaccinated dogs have access
Your vehicle in busy parking lots for observing people and traffic

💡 Evaluating Puppy Classes

Your veterinarian may offer puppy socialization classes. These can provide valuable socialization opportunities when properly managed. Look for classes that match puppies by size and temperament, actively supervise play, and intervene when interactions become too rough or one-sided. Observe a class before enrolling to ensure it meets these standards.

Socialization Checklist 🎯

Aim for at least 3 positive experiences in each category. Yes, we made it easy for you:

Exercise: Appropriate Activity for Growing Puppies 🏃

The balanced approach to puppy fitness and development

The Exercise Guidelines

Proper exercise management during puppyhood is critical for long-term joint health. Both over-exercising and under-exercising can create problems. Your puppy’s growing bones and joints require careful management to prevent developmental issues.

🚨 The Most Important Exercise Rule

5 minutes per month of age, twice daily. A 3-month-old puppy should have two 15-minute walks per day, not extended hiking or running sessions. This guideline protects developing growth plates and prevents premature joint deterioration.

Your puppy’s growth plates (the soft cartilage areas in developing bones) don’t fully close until around 18 months. Over-exercising during this period can cause permanent joint damage and early-onset arthritis.

Exercise Guidelines by Age

Age	Walk Duration	Walks Per Day	Total Daily Exercise
3-4 months	15-20 minutes	2	30-40 minutes
4-6 months	20-30 minutes	2	40-60 minutes
6-9 months	30-45 minutes	2	60-90 minutes
9-12 months	45-60 minutes	2	90-120 minutes
1 year+	60+ minutes	2	2+ hours (go wild!)

💡 Mental Exercise Equals Physical Exercise

A 10-minute training session can tire your puppy as effectively as a 30-minute walk. Mental stimulation through training, puzzle feeders, and problem-solving games provides essential enrichment while protecting growing joints.

Bloat Prevention Through Exercise Timing

Labradors are at higher risk for gastric dilatation-volvulus (bloat), a life-threatening condition. Exercise timing relative to meals is critical:

❌ Never exercise immediately before meals
❌ Never exercise immediately after meals
✅ Wait at least 1 hour before AND after feeding before any exercise
✅ Use slow-feeder bowls to prevent rapid food consumption

Training: Building Good Habits from Day One ✨

Establishing communication and appropriate behaviors

The Foundation Principles of Puppy Training

Training is fundamentally about clear communication and positive reinforcement. Your goal is to teach your puppy what behaviors earn rewards, making appropriate choices more appealing than unwanted behaviors.

3

Seconds Attention Span (Start Here)

5-10

Minute Training Sessions (Max)

∞

Patience Required

Core Training Principles

1. Consistency is Essential ▼

Dogs don’t understand situational exceptions. If you don’t want your 80-pound adult Labrador on the furniture, don’t allow your 15-pound puppy on the furniture. Establish your household rules immediately and enforce them consistently. Changing rules mid-stream creates confusion and slows training progress.

2. Keep Sessions Brief and Frequent ▼

Puppy attention spans are very short. Training sessions should be 5-10 minutes maximum. Multiple short sessions throughout the day are more effective than one long session. End each session on a positive note before your puppy loses interest.

3. Maintain Positive Energy ▼

Use an upbeat, encouraging tone during training. Dogs respond better to enthusiasm than stern commands. Make training enjoyable for both you and your puppy. If training feels frustrating, take a break and resume later.

4. Vary Your Rewards ▼

While treats are valuable training tools, incorporate variety: verbal praise, physical affection, toys, and life rewards (like going outside). This prevents over-reliance on food rewards and keeps your puppy engaged in the training process.

House Training: Establishing Good Habits 🚽

House training is one of the most important early training goals. We’ve already begun this process with your puppy, giving you a significant head start. Success requires consistency, patience, and following a structured routine.

🎯 The House Training Schedule

Puppies need bathroom breaks: First thing in the morning, last thing at night, after every meal, after every nap, after playtime, after training sessions, and approximately every 30-60 minutes when awake. Set reminders if needed. Missed bathroom breaks lead to accidents.

Effective House Training Method

Designate a specific bathroom spot – Use the same location in your yard consistently. Dogs are creatures of habit.
Choose and use a cue phrase – Select a phrase like “go potty” or “do your business” and use it consistently while your puppy eliminates.
Always accompany your puppy outside – Don’t simply open the door. You need to be present to reward immediately after elimination.
Provide immediate, enthusiastic rewards – Treats and praise should happen within seconds of elimination to create strong associations.
Clean accidents properly – Use enzymatic cleaners specifically designed for pet accidents. Don’t punish accidents; instead, focus on better supervision and timing.

💡 Common House Training Mistakes

Feeding on an irregular schedule (makes elimination unpredictable)
Free-feeding (leaving food available all day)
Punishing accidents (creates fear of eliminating in your presence, including outside)
Using ammonia-based cleaners (smells like urine to dogs)
Expecting the puppy to indicate when they need to go (they’re too young to communicate this reliably)

Essential Commands (The Fab Five)

These five commands will make your life 1000% easier:

1. Name Recognition ▼

Teach your puppy that their name means “look at me and pay attention.” This is different from a recall command. Say their name, and when they make eye contact, immediately reward. Practice this frequently throughout the day to build a strong response.

2. Recall – The Most Important Command ▼

A reliable recall can save your dog’s life. Start training in a distraction-free environment. Use an upbeat tone when calling “come,” and reward generously when your puppy reaches you. Gradually increase distractions. Never call your puppy to you for something unpleasant (nail trims, baths, end of play). This will undermine your recall training.

3. Sit – Foundation Command ▼

A sitting dog cannot jump on guests, run through open doors, or counter-surf. Hold a treat above your puppy’s nose and slowly move it backward over their head. As they look up, their rear will naturally lower. Say “sit” as their bottom touches the ground, then reward immediately.

4. Stay – Building Self-Control ▼

Begin with very brief duration. Tell your puppy to stay, count to one, then release with a specific word and reward. Gradually increase duration. This teaches impulse control and patience, essential skills for a well-behaved adult dog.

5. Loose Leash Walking ▼

When the leash becomes tight, stop moving immediately. Stand still and wait. When your puppy looks back and the leash loosens, reward and resume walking. This teaches that pulling stops progress, while a loose leash allows movement. Initial walks will be slow, but consistency pays off.

Diet & Nutrition: Optimal Feeding for Growth 🍖

Providing proper nutrition for healthy development

Fundamental Feeding Principles

Proper nutrition is essential for your puppy’s growth and development. Labradors have hearty appetites and will eat well beyond satiation if given the opportunity. Structured feeding schedules are critical for both health and house training success.

🎯 The Feeding Schedule Rule

Feed scheduled meals, not free-choice feeding. Meals at consistent times each day create predictable elimination patterns, which significantly improves house training success. Free-feeding (leaving food available all day) makes house training much more difficult.

Feeding Schedule by Age

Age	Meals Per Day	Type of Food	Notes
8-12 weeks	4	Puppy food	Every 4 hours or so
3-6 months	3	Puppy food	Gradually increase portions
6-12 months	2	Puppy food	Morning and evening
12+ months	2	Adult food	Transition gradually over 7-10 days

⚠️ What We’re Currently Feeding Your Puppy

DO NOT change their food immediately. Their digestive system is used to what we’ve been feeding. Any food changes need to happen gradually over 7-10 days, mixing increasing amounts of the new food with decreasing amounts of the old. Otherwise, prepare for digestive disasters.

(Specific brand and amount information will be provided in your puppy’s individual packet)

Treat Management for Training

Treats are essential training tools, but should not exceed 10-15% of your puppy’s daily caloric intake. Excessive treats can lead to obesity and nutritional imbalances.

Effective Treat Usage:

Use very small treats (pea-sized or smaller)
Reserve high-value treats (chicken, cheese) for challenging training tasks
Use regular kibble for basic commands and easy training
Reduce meal portions on days with extensive training and treat usage
Avoid treats with artificial colors, flavors, or unnecessary additives

☠️ Toxic Foods – Keep These Away

The following foods are toxic to dogs and can cause serious illness or death:

Chocolate – Toxicity increases with cocoa content
Grapes & raisins – Can cause acute kidney failure
Xylitol – Artificial sweetener found in gum, peanut butter, and baked goods
Onions & garlic – Toxic in all forms including powder
Macadamia nuts – Cause neurological problems
Alcohol – Extremely dangerous for dogs
Coffee/Caffeine – Similar toxicity to chocolate

Keep ASPCA poison control number readily available: (888) 426-4435

Grooming: Maintaining Health and Appearance 💅

Essential care for your Labrador’s coat and overall health

Understanding Labrador Coats

Labradors shed significantly. They have a double coat designed for insulation and water resistance, which means they shed moderately year-round and heavily during seasonal coat changes (spring and fall). Proper grooming reduces loose hair in your home and maintains coat and skin health.

Remember “CHAIR” – The Five Benefits of Grooming

C – Cleanliness: Removes dirt, debris, and loose hair
H – Health: Stimulates healthy skin and coat, prevents matting
A – Appearance: Maintains a clean, well-kept appearance
I – Inspection: Regular checking for lumps, parasites, skin issues
R – Relationship: Bonding time and handling tolerance

🛁 Bathing Guidelines

Labradors don’t need frequent baths. Their coat has natural oils that provide protection and water resistance. Bathe only when visibly dirty or after rolling in something unpleasant. Over-bathing strips protective oils and can cause dry, itchy skin.

Recommended frequency: Every 2-3 months, or as needed. Always use dog-specific shampoo, as human products have incorrect pH levels.

Your Grooming Toolkit

Invest in these now, thank yourself later:

Tool	Purpose	Frequency
Slicker Brush	Daily brushing, removes loose fur	Weekly (daily during shedding season)
Undercoat Rake	Gets deep undercoat during shedding	As needed (spring/fall)
Nail Clippers/Grinder	Prevents overgrown nails	Every 2-4 weeks
Ear Cleaner	Prevents ear infections	Weekly (Labs have floppy ears!)
Dog Toothbrush & Paste	Dental health	Daily (ideally)

👂 Ear Care is CRITICAL for Labs

Those adorable floppy ears are basically moisture traps. Check and clean them weekly with a dog-safe ear cleaner. Signs of infection include:

Bad smell (yeasty or foul)
Redness or swelling
Head shaking or scratching
Discharge

Catch it early = easy fix. Ignore it = expensive vet bill and miserable puppy.

Health & Wellness: Keeping Them Thriving 🏥

Because an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of vet bills

Your Puppy’s Health Foundation

Good news: we’ve already started your puppy’s health program. They’ve been dewormed, started on vaccinations, and come from parents with exceptional health testing. But now it’s your turn to keep the momentum going.

📋 What Health Records You’re Getting

Your puppy pack includes detailed records of:

All deworming treatments with dates and products used
Vaccination history (what they’ve had, when the next ones are due)
Parent health testing results (both parents cleared for genetic diseases)
Microchip information

Take these to your first vet visit – they’ll love you for being organized.

Vaccination Schedule (Don’t Skip These)

Vaccines prevent diseases that can kill your puppy. We’re not exaggerating. Some of these diseases have 90%+ mortality rates in unvaccinated puppies.

Vaccine	Age	What It Prevents
DHPP (1st)	6-8 weeks	Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Parainfluenza
DHPP (2nd)	9-11 weeks	Booster for above
DHPP (3rd)	12-14 weeks	Final puppy booster
Rabies	16 weeks	Rabies (required by law in most states)

Your specific puppy’s vaccination dates and what they still need will be in your individual puppy packet.

🦠 Until Fully Vaccinated…

Avoid places where unvaccinated or unknown dogs have been:

❌ Dog parks
❌ Pet stores (unless you’re carrying them)
❌ Public trails
✅ Your yard (if no unknown dogs visit)
✅ Friends’ homes with vaccinated dogs
✅ Puppy classes (where vaccination is required)

Common Health Issues in Labs (Let’s Be Real)

Labs are generally healthy, but they have some breed-specific concerns. Knowledge is power, so here’s what to watch for:

Hip & Elbow Dysplasia (Joint Issues) ▼

Good news: Both your puppy’s parents have excellent hip and elbow scores (OFA Good for hips, Normal for elbows).

Your job: Don’t mess it up! Prevent this by:

Following exercise guidelines (no over-exercising young dogs)
Maintaining healthy weight (fat puppies = joint stress)
Avoiding jumping off furniture until growth plates close (~18 months)
No running on hard surfaces until fully grown

Obesity (The #1 Lab Problem) ▼

Labs will eat until they explode. It’s not cute, it’s dangerous. Obesity causes:

Joint problems and arthritis
Diabetes
Heart disease
Shortened lifespan (up to 2.5 years less!)

How to tell if they’re overweight: You should be able to feel their ribs easily (but not see them prominently). They should have a visible waist when viewed from above. If you’re not sure, ask your vet.

Ear Infections (Floppy Ear Problems) ▼

Those cute floppy ears trap moisture and create a perfect environment for bacteria and yeast. Weekly ear cleaning is non-negotiable. After swimming or baths, dry their ears thoroughly.

Bloat (Life-Threatening Emergency) ▼

We mentioned this in exercise, but it bears repeating: bloat (gastric dilatation-volvulus) can kill your dog in hours.

Prevention:

No exercise 1 hour before or after meals
Use slow-feeder bowls
Avoid raised food bowls
Don’t let them gulp water after exercise

Emergency signs: Distended abdomen, unproductive retching, restlessness, drooling. If you see these, GET TO A VET IMMEDIATELY. Don’t wait, don’t Google, DRIVE.

🧬 Genetic Disease Clearances

Your puppy CANNOT develop these genetic diseases because both parents tested clear:

✅ PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) – an eye disease
✅ EIC (Exercise-Induced Collapse)
✅ CNM (Centronuclear Myopathy) – muscle disease
✅ DM (Degenerative Myelopathy) – neurological disease

Copies of all parent health testing available upon request.

About Your American Labrador 🇺🇸

What makes these dogs so darn special

American vs. English: What’s the Difference?

Your puppy comes from American Labrador lines. Here’s what that means (and why it matters):

Characteristic	American Labs (Field)	English Labs (Show)
Build	Taller, more athletic, leaner	Stockier, heavier, blockier
Energy Level	Higher energy, more driven	More laid-back
Purpose	Bred for hunting/fieldwork	Bred for conformation shows
Head Shape	Slightly longer muzzle	Broader, blockier head
Best For	Active families, outdoor enthusiasts	Families wanting calmer dogs

💪 What This Means for Your Puppy

Your American Labrador puppy will:

Require higher levels of daily exercise and mental stimulation
Be highly trainable with strong desire to please
Excel at dog sports such as agility, dock diving, and retrieval activities
Need both physical exercise and mental challenges for optimal wellbeing
Make an excellent companion for active, outdoor-oriented families

American Labs are best suited for active households that can provide regular exercise and engagement.

Labrador Temperament (What You’re In For)

Labs are called “America’s Most Popular Dog” for a reason. Here’s the personality breakdown:

10/10

Friendliness

9/10

Intelligence

10/10

Food Motivation

8/10

Energy Level

Strengths:

Extremely Friendly: Welcoming to strangers and visitors (not ideal as guard dogs)
Excellent with Children: Patient, gentle, and playful with kids of all ages
Highly Trainable: Eager to please and food-motivated, making training straightforward
Natural Water Dogs: Bred for water retrieval, swimming is instinctive and enjoyable
Adaptable: Can thrive in various living situations with appropriate exercise

Challenges:

High Energy: Particularly as puppies and young adults (activity level moderates around 2-3 years)
Mouthy Behavior: Strong retrieval instinct means they enjoy carrying objects, including hands during play
Food Stealing: Will eat anything within reach without hesitation
Heavy Shedding: Significant hair maintenance required
Exuberant Play: Young Labs can be physically overwhelming, especially for small children

Size & Growth Timeline

Here’s what to expect as your puppy grows up:

Age	Weight Range	What’s Happening
8 weeks	10-15 lbs	Tiny potato stage
3 months	20-30 lbs	Rapid growth phase begins
6 months	40-55 lbs	Teenage awkwardness (all legs and ears)
12 months	55-75 lbs	Nearly full height, still filling out
18-24 months	Males: 65-80 lbs Females: 55-70 lbs	Fully grown (finally!)

📏 Growth Plate Timeline

Important: Growth plates close around 18 months. Until then, follow these guidelines to protect developing joints:

No repetitive high-impact activities (wait until growth is complete before jogging together)
No jumping off furniture or elevated surfaces
Minimize stair usage (carry puppy when possible)
Follow the 5-minutes-per-month exercise guideline

These precautions protect long-term joint health and prevent premature arthritis.

Expected Lifespan & Life Stages

Average lifespan: 10-12 years (many live longer with excellent care)

Puppyhood (0-2 years) – The Chaos Phase ▼

High energy, constantly learning, probably destroying something right now. This is when training matters most. Invest the time now, reap the rewards for the next decade.

Young Adult (2-5 years) – The Peak Performance Years ▼

This is your adventure buddy in their prime. High energy, athletic, ready for anything. Perfect time for dog sports, long hikes, and outdoor adventures.

Mature Adult (5-8 years) – The Sweet Spot ▼

Still active but calmer. The perfect balance of energy and chill. They’ve figured out life and are just enjoying it with you.

Senior (8+ years) – The Golden Years ▼

Lower energy, may develop age-related health issues. Extra vet care needed, but still your loyal companion. Adjust exercise, consider joint supplements, and cherish every moment.

We’re Here for Life 🤎

When you get a Cornwell Labrador, you’re not just getting a puppy – you’re joining our family.

📞 Lifetime Support

Call or email anytime with questions about training, behavior, or health

🏠 Return Policy

Life happens. Your dog can always come back to us if needed

📸 Share Updates!

We love seeing how our puppies grow up

Cornwell Labradors

Longmont, Colorado

www.cornwellabradors.com

Made With A Love for Labradors, Caroline Cornwell