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The  Premier Breed Club of the 
Authentic Australian Labradoodle
 

Senior Person

RECOMMENDED PET CARE

REMEMBER - MOST AUSTRALIAN LABRADOODLES ARE NON-SHEDDING, THEREFORE, THIS IS A REMINDER.  HELP YOUR PUP BY ENSURING THEY ARE COMFORTABLE WITH BEING COMBED OUT REGULARLY, FROM HEAD TO TOE AND -  ALL THE WAY TO THE SKIN.
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The A.L.C.A. is here to provide information to our pet parents on the recommended care of their new family member.

 

  • We know that bringing a new puppy home can be quite the challenge for some  Questions come up as it pertains to nipping, chewing, jumping, eating, and the big one....POTTY Training!

  • Your puppy now depends on you for everything – food, water, exercise, training, good health, and hygiene. It is very important to meet the needs of your growing puppy. 

 

This page is designed to share information on all of these acute issues in the hopes, it will also ease your transition from puppy to fully grown, household family member and companion.

  • Grooming

    • Start brushing your puppy at least twice a week. Not just the top but all the way through the coat to the skin. You can work in sections and brush from back to front on the back, sides and tail.  On legs brush up. You don’t have to do this all at once.

    • This gets them ready for a longer brushing as they get older. At around seven months to a year (every puppy is different) the adult coat starts coming in and the baby coat does not shed. This is when brushing is vital to keep the coat from matting. The worst that can happen it gets matted, like a bear rug.  The coat will need to be shaved down at this point and you won't like it.. The coat will grow back in nicely though. 

    • Bathing should occur roughly every six to eight weeks.

    • For swimming if you want the puppy to keep the longer coat, put a cream conditioner on it before it goes into the water - pool, lake, river, ocean. When it comes out of the water, rinse it, and it will brush out well.

    • Females vaginal area needs a touch up cleaning at least once a week.  Baby wipes or dry shampoo works well for this. 

    • Ears - Keep coat short to ear leather (bottom of ear) this allows for air circulation as the doodle has flattened ears and needs better ventilation around the ear canal and keeps them dry when drinking or eating. Hair inside the ear....to pluck or not to pluck??? If plucking use a good antibacterial ear wash to soothe the ear and promote healing of any aggravated spots.  I sometimes use peroxide on a cotton swab and just wipe the area.  

    • Eyes - Keep coat trimmed out of the eyes. Trim the coat between eyes at top of nose. If you prefer longer lashes manage them well so as to prevent debris from irritating the eye. I also use a small flea comb to remove eye gunk from the inner eye.

    • https://www.vetmed.wsu.edu/outreach/Pet-Health-Topics/categories/cat-and-dog-anatomy/ special-senses-of-the-dog     

    • Legs - According to preference

    • Nails - Trimming the darker nail can be daunting. Your vet, during a visit, can show you how. Lighter nails are easier but still require caution.  If you look closely, you can see the vein in the toe. Stay at least a quarter inch away from this as it will cause bleeding. 

    • Flea and Tick Prevention: We recommend a monthly topical for pups for flea prevention until one year of age.  At this age, they may be able to tolerate all the combined ingredients without the side effects listed on the container. Some pups cannot tolerate so much, so soon.  There are several monthly options available.​

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  • Basic Physiological Needs

    • Feed three times a day from the time you bring your puppy home until about six months of age. Then you transition to twice a day.  Your veterinarian will tell you what is the best timing for this change for your puppy usually based on body composition.
    • Access to water throughout the day.
    • While in potty training mode, we recommend water with meals (all three), additional water in between meals, but take up once finished.  No water after 7 to 8 pm depending on what time you go to bed.
    • Stopping water a few hours before bedtime will help your puppy to not need to potty during the night.  Also, a final potty break just before the last person turns in will go a long way. 
    • Pups need to nap several times throughout the day. This allows them to organize what they have learned and to grow strong, as well enabling them to process information well.
    • Pups area should be kept clean at all times. When cleaning and consistency is not reinforced, it may take longer for your pup to adjust.  
    • Finally, an untrained puppy can be quite an annoying adult dog. No recall, no known commands, hence, no obedience. Lack of training does not equate to love. 

     

    Safety Physical and Emotional Safety

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    The first few days will be somewhat stressful for your new puppy. Everything is new - no mommy, no siblings, no familiar smells. They need to be loved and snuggled. Along with this there is a need for the following.
    • Containment or safety barrier. This is highly recommended for your puppy. This will aid in the success of house training your puppy. Some families use options like a play pen area, crate, baby gate in a small room (like a kitchen, office, mud room etc).  
    • Your puppy does not need free rein of a room or the house and will excel with proper boundaries. Just as it is not wise but could be extremely dangerous to allow a baby or toddler to roam a room or home freely, the same for a puppy.
    • When out of its crate or playpen, your puppy needs constant supervision. You don’t want them to get into things that are not good for them, or eat things that you prefer they not.... Be proactive for your puppy’s success.
    • When they are out of the play area and you are watching them, it is comforting for them to have a leash on and even dragging the ground. This gives them some sense of stability. Keeping them in a small area really helps them with security the first couple of weeks. They do not need to be taken all over the house. They are seeing, hearing, and smelling so many new and different things.

    Psychological Needs

    • Your puppy will need affection, training, and proper socialization.  The first sixteen (16) weeks are critical for this stage!

    • Puppies need to be mentally stimulated. You can make sure you are properly stimulating your pup by allowing them to work to earn resources, i.e., learning cues and self control through consistency and positive reinforcement training.

    ​ When puppy is in its crate or play pen, have toys that make the puppy work and play and get rewarded, such as Kong toys with kibbles inside, noise makers, cows hooves, but not toys that can be chewed up.

    Additionally, pups need me time.  This will offset separation anxiety in the future.  Napping or sleeping in their crate overnight is a good thing, not neglect.  GBut remember, pups should not be in a crate more than 3 hours at a time.

  • Pet Care

    Training

    Physical Exercise

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    Although some dogs need more physical exercise than others and some dogs might need more mental exercise, all dogs need sufficient daily off-leash exercise. Please make sure that your dog is in a safe environment.
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    • A puppy should not have more than 20 to 30 minutes of leash walking at a time - in other words, no long hikes or 5 mile walks with them until they are over a year.

    • If they get tired when playing in the yard or house, they will stop and lay down.

     

    Proper Training

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    It is best to start training your puppy immediately but smoothly. Dogs are pack animals and are looking to you for leadership and guidance when they join your pack. It can be very exciting and rewarding when your pup learns something new! Along with potty training the first few days, you can also start teaching them a few commands. Starting at only minutes a session.
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    • Some cues you can start with are “place”, “sit”, “down”, “stay”, “crate or house” and “go potty”.
    • You can do these on your own or you can have a trainer come to your home and help you or watch some videos together so each of the family members are using the same commands and sounds.
    • It is important to enroll your puppy in a puppy kindergarten class or puppy school once your vet has given you the go ahead that your puppy is finished with its vaccinations and is safe from Parvovirus. They will get to socialize, start learning self-control and begin on basic obedience tasks and many more benefits.

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    • Crate training is strongly suggested to use as a great tool to help aid you in potty training. Puppies will rarely potty where they sleep. If you cannot watch your puppy or it is nap time, tuck them into their crate.
    • In the beginning you need to carry them right outside having the leash ready to snap on when you put them down in their potty spot. If you don’t carry them, they sometimes squat after just a few steps!
    • When your puppy has an accident, just clean it up thoroughly after taking puppy out. Try not to react. Rubbing their nose in it, yelling is not beneficial and can be harmful to your puppy’s progress.

     

    Depending on your bedtime schedule....

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    • Last feeding of the day is around 3 to 4 hours before bedtime.
    • Remove food and water 2-3 hours before your bedtime to allow the puppy a greater chance of holding it all night. Your puppy’s bladder will not be fully developed until he or she reaches five months old.
    • If you do have to take your puppy out during the night, use caution not
      make this a play session. Keep it strictly “business” (as little talking and interaction as possible).
    • Praise the potty behavior and put your puppy right back into the crate. These puppies are very bright and if they know that you will get up in the middle of the night to play, talk sweetly and love on them, they will start waking you for this extra special attention. In general, your pup will need to potty every 30 minutes as well as after a nap, vigorous play, exiting the crate and following meals Then you can build your time up as they are successful. When in doubt, just take your puppy out! There are many good training methods for this period in your puppy’s life. If your breeder recommended one, using it will help you save lots of time and challenges.
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    • Socializing and Developmental Stages

     
    You should be cautious of Parvovirus, a highly contagious and very dangerous virus that can live in any environment for years and can be easily tracked into your own house on your shoes. It is a good idea to clean your house before your puppy comes home and keep your shoes at the door. Using a bleach solution of 1: 28 kills parvovirus. Use caution and avoid areas with other dogs such as puppy play parks or walking areas. Brief and safe socializing is important to the proper development of a puppy.
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    Let your vet tell you when it is safe for your puppy to be out and about.Steer clear of other unknown dogs and any areas populated by puppies and other dogs until your veterinarian has administered your puppy’s vaccinations
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    Once your puppy is finished its vaccinations and your vet gives you the go ahead, having your puppy around other people, dogs, new locations, in the car, stores that allow dogs etc. will create a much happier, well-socialized dog. You will be so proud and it will be a joy to take your pup with you on the go, and your puppy will enjoy and excel meeting new people and visiting new place.This is a very exciting time for you and your family and your new puppy!
     
    Remember the puppy is still a “baby” and having to learn and adjust to so many things all at once.
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