Puppy Information & New Owner Guide

Before Pickup Day: Your Pre-Arrival Checklist

• Suggested Supplies (not required before pickup): Crate (36-42″), bedding, puppy food (Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy), stainless steel bowls, collar/harness, leash, ID tag, enzymatic cleaner, baby gates, safe chew toys, nail clippers. You’ll receive a starter kit with food, a blanket, and health records—everything else can be purchased at your convenience.
• Vet Appointment: Schedule first visit within 3-5 days of pickup. Ask about vaccination protocol, parasite prevention, puppy wellness plans, and spay/neuter timing.
• Home Setup: Puppy-proof one room. Remove cords, toxic plants, small objects, and chemicals. Create a safe confinement plan (crate or exercise pen).
• Pet Insurance: Research policies. Enrolling in the first week avoids pre-existing condition exclusions.
• Support System: Save our contact info and locate a 24-hour emergency vet (see Emergency Resources below).
• Mental Prep: The first week is exhausting. Plan to limit commitments; puppies need consistency and supervision 24/7.

Health & Vaccination Schedule

What Your Puppy Has Received

Your Responsibility: Next Steps

• 12-13 weeks: Second DHPP booster (due ~3-4 weeks after first vaccine).
• 15-16 weeks: Third DHPP booster + Rabies. Colorado requires Rabies by 4 months; discuss timing with your vet.
• Until fully vaccinated: Skip dog parks, pet-store floors, and busy trails. Carry your puppy for safe socialization.
• Parasite Prevention: Start heartworm and flea/tick prevention at your first vet visit; Colorado has year-round risk.

Feeding & Nutrition

Current Diet

We raise all Cornwell puppies on Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy Formula (Chicken & Rice). Keep your puppy on this food for at least the first month; transitions are stressful.

Feeding Schedule by Age

Body Condition

You should be able to easily feel your puppy’s ribs with light pressure, but not see them prominently. Overfeeding large-breed puppies is dangerous for joint development.

Changing Foods (If You Must)

Wait at least 7-10 days after bringing your puppy home. Transition over 10 days: 25% new/75% old for days 1-3, 50/50 for days 4-6, 75/25 for days 7-9, 100% new on day 10. Diarrhea means you’re going too fast—slow down.

The First 72 Hours: Settling-In Protocol

Day 1: Arrival Home

• Direct outdoor potty before entering the house. Use the same spot every time.
• Supervised exploration: Let your puppy explore one small area on leash. Do not give free run of the house.
• First meal: Offer half the normal amount (stress can upset stomach).
• Bedtime: Place the crate in your bedroom. Expect whining; comfort briefly but don’t remove from crate.

Days 2-3: Building Routine

Follow this biological cycle:

• Upon waking (any nap): Go outside immediately. The bladder fills during sleep.
• Within 5-15 minutes after eating: Go outside. The gastrocolic reflex triggers bowel movements after meals.
• Immediately after play/excitement: Go outside. Activity stimulates both bladder and bowels.
• Every 30-45 minutes during active time: Go outside. Young puppies have limited bladder capacity when awake.
• Right before crate time/nap: Go outside to ensure empty bladder for rest.
• Overnight: Set alarm for every 2-3 hours initially. Puppies can hold it 2-3x longer when sleeping than when awake.

Rule of thumb: At 8 weeks old, a puppy can hold their bladder approximately 2 hours during the day when active, and 4-6 hours overnight. Add 1 hour per month of age.

Housetraining: The Cornwell Method

Housetraining is 90% management. If your puppy has an accident, you moved too slowly or missed a biological trigger. Here’s the system:

The Schedule (First 2 Weeks)

1. Immediately upon waking—any time they open their eyes from sleep
2. 5-15 minutes after eating—their digestive system is reflex-driven at this age
3. Immediately after play/excitement—activity triggers elimination
4. After drinking water—especially if they gulped a large amount
5. Every 30-45 minutes during active time—young puppies simply can’t hold it longer
6. Right before crate time—set them up for success
7. Overnight: Set alarm for every 2-3 hours initially

Reward & Interrupt

• Praise & treat the moment they finish outside. Use a special “potty treat” they only get for this.
• Interrupt accidents: Say “Ah-ah!” mid-stream, scoop up, finish outside, then praise.
• Never punish accidents you didn’t witness. Clean with enzymatic cleaner (Nature’s Miracle, Rocco & Roxie).

Crate Training: Why & How

We strongly recommend crate training; it’s the safest, fastest way to raise a well-adjusted dog. A crate-trained dog is:

• Safe when unsupervised (no chewed cords, no ingested socks)
• Calmer during vet stays, travel, and emergencies
• Easier to potty train—dogs won’t soil their sleeping area

Step-by-Step Introduction

1. Make it inviting: Add bedding, a safe chew, and the blanket from our home (littermate scent). Cover three sides with a sheet for den-like security.
2. Feed meals inside: Builds positive association.
3. Close the door: After meals, close for 5 minutes while you sit nearby. Gradually increase.
4. Nighttime: Crate in bedroom for first 2-4 weeks.

Size: For Labrador puppies, a 36″ crate with divider is ideal. Enough room to stand, turn around, and lie down—no more.

If you choose not to crate, you’ll need a puppy-proofed room or exercise pen and must be hyper-vigilant about supervision and alone-time training.

Socialization: The Critical 8-16 Week Window

The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior states that inadequate socialization before 12 weeks is the leading cause of behavioral problems. This is your most important job.

Socialization is not just exposure—it’s positive, controlled exposure where your puppy feels safe. A bad experience now can cause lifelong fears.

Safe Socialization Checklist (Weeks 8-12)

What to Avoid Until Fully Vaccinated

• Dog parks, pet-store floors, busy trails, shared water bowls.
• Carry your puppy in public places to socialize without disease risk.

Training & Manners: Start Day One

The First Five Commands

1. Name Recognition: Say name, then treat. Repeat 20x/day. Puppy looks at you when you say their name.
2. Sit: Hold treat at nose, move back over head; butt hits ground, say “Sit,” treat. Practice before meals.
3. Come: Use a leash indoors; say “Come!” and gently reel them in, treat heavily. Never call for something unpleasant.
4. Leave It: Place treat on floor, cover with hand. When puppy stops pawing, say “Leave it,” reward from other hand.
5. Down: From sit, lure treat to floor between paws; when elbows touch, say “Down,” treat.

Bite Inhibition: Teaching Gentle Jaws

Labrador puppies are mouthy. Teach them human skin is delicate:

• Yelp & withdraw: When teeth touch skin, say “Ouch!” in a high-pitched voice, remove your hand, and ignore for 10 seconds.
• Redirect: Immediately offer a toy. Praise for chewing appropriate items.
• Time-out: If mouthing continues, give a 30-second crate time-out (calmly, not punitively).

All family members must be consistent. This phase peaks at 12-16 weeks and resolves by 6-7 months if managed properly.

Handling & Grooming Foundations

Touch paws, ears, and mouth daily. Pair with treats. This prevents fear of nail trims, ear cleaning, and vet exams later.

Exercise & Development

Common Puppy Challenges (Solved)

🐾 Jumping up

Ignore—turn away, no eye contact. Reward attention only when all four paws are on the floor.

🎁 Housetraining regression

Every regression means the puppy had too much freedom. Go back to strict schedule and supervision. No punishment.

🦴 Resource guarding

If puppy growls over food/toys, do NOT punish the growl. Trade for high-value treat. Contact us or a certified behaviorist immediately—this requires professional guidance.

🌙 Nighttime crying

Normal for first week. Tap crate, say “Shh,” place your fingers through door for comfort. Do not remove from crate unless for potty.

Microchip Registration: Already Paid, Just Finish It

Every Cornwell puppy goes home microchipped with lifetime AKC Reunite enrollment prepaid ($20 value). The chip is already implanted and paid for—your only job is to finish the free transfer into your name.

1. Visit akcreunite.org or call 1-800-252-7894
2. Enter your microchip number (provided in your puppy packet and on your invoice)
3. Complete registration with your current contact info
4. Save your login credentials: Update immediately if you move or change phone numbers

Just-In-Case Contacts (Puppies Arrive Healthy, But Life Happens)

What’s in Your Puppy Packet

At pickup, you receive:

• Complete health records & vaccination schedule
• Microchip number & AKC Reunite registration instructions
• 3-day supply of Purina Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy food
• Section of littermate bedding (familiar scent for transition)
• AKC registration papers (if applicable) and pedigree information
• This guide, printed and digital
• Lifetime breeder support commitment

Review everything before your first vet visit and bring all health records.

Cornwell Labradors Lifetime Support Commitment

You’re part of our extended family now. We have worked with your puppy since birth and know their individual personality and temperament. This context can be invaluable for troubleshooting issues.

We are available for:

• Behavioral questions and training guidance
• Feeding and nutrition advice
• Socialization strategies
• Health concerns (to help you decide if vet visit is needed)
• Updates and photos (we love these!)
• Emergency boarding assistance (if we have space)
• Rehoming assistance (if ever needed—puppies always come back to us)

Contact us: Text or call 720-534-5189 (7am-9pm) or email caroline@furbabyhaven.com. For urgent matters, text is fastest. For detailed questions, email works best.