For you to cherish always. Thank You for being a part of Wild Labradors.
Cute brown Labrador puppy resting on a beige sofa in Massachusetts, perfect for dog lovers.
Care handbook for your puppy:
a month–by–month guide
Welcome to the world of puppy care! This handbook is designed to provide a structured roadmap for raising a healthy, happy, and well-mannered dog. From feeding schedules to developmental milestones, we’ll guide you through each stage of your puppy’s first year.
Focus: Building trust and establishing routines.
Goals: House training, crate training, and bonding.
Pro Tip: Keep training sessions short and fun (5–10 minutes).
Focus: Expanding training and introducing leash walking.
Goals: Develop good leash manners and improve recall.
Pro Tip: Practice short walks and use rewards for staying calm and focused.
Focus: Socialization and basic commands (sit, stay, come).
Goals: Expose your puppy to new environments, people, and other dogs.
Pro Tip: Use positive reinforcement to make new experiences enjoyable.
Focus: Reinforcing good habits and curbing bad behaviors.
Goals: Address jumping, biting, and chewing before they become habits.
Pro Tip: Use redirection for unwanted behaviors and keep training consistent.
Puppies need consistent meals to grow and thrive, but life is busy, and that’s okay.
Here’s a straightforward approach:
2–3 Meals a Day: Start by feeding your puppy two to three meals daily. This gives flexibility for your schedule while keeping your puppy satisfied.
Monitor Their Appetite: Puppies’ appetites can change as they grow. If your puppy seems hungrier (e.g., chewing more or scavenging), consider increasing their portion size.
Transition to Twice a Day: By around six months, most puppies can settle into two meals a day, which is sustainable for working families.
Pro Tip:Mealtime is a perfect opportunity to reinforce basic commands like “sit” and “stay.”
Puppies thrive on routine.
Morning: Take your puppy outside immediately after waking up.
After Meals/Drinks: Always take your puppy out 10–15 minutes after eating or drinking.
Before Bed: Establish a final potty trip to prevent overnight accidents.
Pro Tip:Use positive reinforcement like treats and a happy voice to reward successful potty trips.
Crate training provides a safe, secure space for your puppy
8–12 Weeks: Introduce the crate as a positive space. Use it for naps and overnight sleep.
12–16 Weeks: Gradually extend crate time during the day to build independence.
4–6 Months: By now, your puppy should sleep through the night in their crate.
6–12 Months: Use the crate for quiet time, travel, and overnight sleep.
Pro Tip: Never use the crate as punishment. It should always feel safe and inviting.
Your Puppy’s Journey: Now to Home
Weeks 1–3
The first few weeks of your puppy’s life are magical. Their birth story and weekly updates will be shared exclusively in the Litter Lounge. You can look forward to:
Weekly weights and photos.
Updates about milestones, such as their eyes opening for the first time.
These early moments are precious, and you’ll have a front-row seat to all the tiny milestones that mark their growth.
Weeks 4–6
Ever seen a puppy establish their gait, learn to walk, or even attempt to run on wobbly, unstable little feet? This stage is full of exploration and adorable firsts. You’ll hear about their:
First barks.
Early curiosity about their environment.
Feelings of excitement or uncertainty when meeting humans.
At this stage, we focus on appropriate stimulation to nurture their natural curiosity while ensuring they feel safe and secure.
Weeks 7–8
This stage brings big developments as puppies prepare to transition to their forever homes.
Week 7 Vet Checks: Comprehensive health checks are completed to ensure your puppy is thriving.
Foundations of House Training: Puppies are gently introduced to crate training and nighttime lighting routines, with access to outdoor areas for potty use.
Referral Incentive Program
Do you know someone who would love to join our fostering program and provide a loving home to one of our exceptional Labradors? If so, you can help us expand our community while earning a reward for your recommendation!
Refer a Family: Share our fostering program with friends or family who might be interested.
Application and Approval: The referred family must successfully complete our application process, be approved, and officially join our program.
Dog Placement: Once the referred family is paired with one of our breeding Labradors, they’ll begin fostering.
First Litter Milestone: After the first litter is born in their care (minimum of three salable puppies) and those puppies go home to their new families, we’ll send you a one-time $500 compensation as a thank-you for your referral.
Important Details:
The referred family must meet all fostering requirements and be a good fit for our program.
The compensation will only be issued after the dog successfully produces a litter of at least three salable puppies while under the referred family’s care.
Payment is processed once the puppies from that litter go home to their new owners.
This is a one-time payment per referred family.
How to Refer a Family:
Direct them to our fostering page and encourage them to fill out our application form.
Ensure they mention your name as the referring family during the application process.
Stay in touch—we’ll update you on their progress through the program! By participating, you’re not only helping us expand our network of caring foster families, but you’re also contributing to the success and well-being of our Labradors. Thank you for being part of our journey!