Raising Your Puppy
Veterinarian RelationshipIt is important to have a relationship between you, your vet and your puppy. Your puppy will have been wormed, microchipped, and had its first round of shots, as listed on the “Vaccine and Worming” record that you will receive when you pick up your puppy. Your puppy will not need any additional shots until twelve (12) weeks of age, however, we do require you to take your puppy to your vet within the first seven (7) days after picking them up for a “Well Puppy Check-Up.” At this time, you should take a stool sample to your vet to double-check that your puppy is all clear of parasites. Even though your puppy has been wormed, it is not uncommon for them to reinfest themselves.
|
|
Food
At Goggins Lonestar Farms, we have always shied away from big box commercial pet food brands, preferring homegrown and reliable businesses, that care about the product they are putting out and the beloved pets that are consuming it. Too often these commercial brands end up outsourcing and cheapening their ingredients, especially the types of protein, to increase the bottom line. We have to worry about fillers, GMO’s, and animal by-products. Then, of course, there are new recalls and reports of contamination on an almost daily basis. We also know that what goes into your pet’s body is at the core of their overall health. Dogs are not meant to consume corn and many breeds, including our Champion Quality English Labradors Retrievers often have wheat sensitivities.
As Champion Quality English Labradors Retrievers, we had to make a critical choice in foods, when considering the specific dietary needs of our breed. Champion Quality English Labradors Retrievers, so it is very important that we save our clients from suffering the heartbreak of a sub-par diet that may plague their new family member with a multitude of health issues.
Life’s Abundance is a family-owned pet food company, founded by veterinarian Dr. Jane Bicks, over 20 years ago. Life’s Abundance All Life Stage Dog Food contains important pre and pro-biotics that aid in your dog’s overall gut health and digestion. These key ingredients, including several other needed vitamins, also support your dog’s overall immune system. It has NEVER HAD A RECALL—in its nearly 20 years of business. They make the food in small batches so when you get your food it has been made within the past month, no longer—and is in a temperature controlled warehouse until it leaves for arrival at your door. This ensures freshness and optimal ingredient strength as well.
This is the link to order Life’s Abundance All Life Stages Formula, should you decide to purchase a bag before coming to pick-up your puppy. We will also have 8 pound bags on hand, costing $25.00, if you would prefer to buy the first bag from us at your pick-up!
Also, the you can find more information regarding Life’s Abundance on our “Health & Nutrition” page.
As Champion Quality English Labradors Retrievers, we had to make a critical choice in foods, when considering the specific dietary needs of our breed. Champion Quality English Labradors Retrievers, so it is very important that we save our clients from suffering the heartbreak of a sub-par diet that may plague their new family member with a multitude of health issues.
Life’s Abundance is a family-owned pet food company, founded by veterinarian Dr. Jane Bicks, over 20 years ago. Life’s Abundance All Life Stage Dog Food contains important pre and pro-biotics that aid in your dog’s overall gut health and digestion. These key ingredients, including several other needed vitamins, also support your dog’s overall immune system. It has NEVER HAD A RECALL—in its nearly 20 years of business. They make the food in small batches so when you get your food it has been made within the past month, no longer—and is in a temperature controlled warehouse until it leaves for arrival at your door. This ensures freshness and optimal ingredient strength as well.
This is the link to order Life’s Abundance All Life Stages Formula, should you decide to purchase a bag before coming to pick-up your puppy. We will also have 8 pound bags on hand, costing $25.00, if you would prefer to buy the first bag from us at your pick-up!
Also, the you can find more information regarding Life’s Abundance on our “Health & Nutrition” page.
Vitamins/Supplement
Unfortunately, there is not a vaccine available for every canine illness. Because of our belief in building the immune system, and its support of bone and joint growth, we require that all Goggins Lonestar Farms puppies be kept on Life’s Abundance Wellness Food Supplement.
We do not typically have this supplement on hand for purchase when you pick up your puppy, therefore, you will want to purchase this prior to picking up your new addition. This is the link to order Life’s Abundance Wellness Food Supplement.
To prevent normal arthritis in senior years, we recommend you add Life’s Abundance Agility Formula when your dog reaches six (6) years of age.
We do not typically have this supplement on hand for purchase when you pick up your puppy, therefore, you will want to purchase this prior to picking up your new addition. This is the link to order Life’s Abundance Wellness Food Supplement.
To prevent normal arthritis in senior years, we recommend you add Life’s Abundance Agility Formula when your dog reaches six (6) years of age.
Water
Give the puppy bottled spring water ONLY for the first 2 weeks at home, and then gradually change to your own water at home by mixing the bottled water with your own. Changing a puppy’s water source abruptly can make it sick (diarrhea, vomiting, etc.). Each water system has its own unique properties that are introduced into the puppy’s system. We cannot stress how important it is that you follow these instructions. We have had people ignore these directions, or assume that the filtration system within their home was good enough, and it made their puppies very sick.
- Do not give distilled water.
- Do not assume your “Brita” is sufficient. It’s the DIFFERENT properties in waters that dogs, especially pups, react to. So change it GRADUALLY over the next few weeks.
- Do not assume if you have a water filtration system in your house that your water’s PH/minerals/etc. are identical to bottled spring water. It may be “as good as spring water” for you, but DIFFERENT for your pup.
Rest
Puppy’s will sleep a cumulative of 18+ hours a day. Please do not overtire your puppy or overplay with your puppy as it can get sick from exhaustion.
Health Recommendations
There are three seven-way booster shots that we recommend after receiving your new puppy. We recommend a nine, twelve and fifteen week shot. These shots help protect your puppy from Distemper, Parvovirus, Adenovirus, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, and 2 strains of Lepto. After the fifteen week shot, we recommend a seven-way booster shot yearly.
We also recommend getting your puppy the bordetella shot, even if you are not planning on boarding your puppy. The bordetella disease can be passed on in the waiting room of a vet clinic, a puppy park, a store or any other location you take your pet. This illness can be deadly to your pet, thus we suggest getting the shot every 6-12 months beginning at 12 weeks of age.
Lastly, we recommend starting heartworm medication at 12 weeks of age and rabies at four months of age. These are two more diseases that are deadly to pets and are preventable if you take the right precautions.
You can also discuss each of these shots and medications with your vet, as well as the time when they want you to begin them. Each vet is a little different but essentially will all say the same thing. Make sure you keep good, current records of what shots and medications your puppy is receiving and/or has received and when the next time will be that they need them.
We also recommend getting your puppy the bordetella shot, even if you are not planning on boarding your puppy. The bordetella disease can be passed on in the waiting room of a vet clinic, a puppy park, a store or any other location you take your pet. This illness can be deadly to your pet, thus we suggest getting the shot every 6-12 months beginning at 12 weeks of age.
Lastly, we recommend starting heartworm medication at 12 weeks of age and rabies at four months of age. These are two more diseases that are deadly to pets and are preventable if you take the right precautions.
You can also discuss each of these shots and medications with your vet, as well as the time when they want you to begin them. Each vet is a little different but essentially will all say the same thing. Make sure you keep good, current records of what shots and medications your puppy is receiving and/or has received and when the next time will be that they need them.
Training
We use and highly recommend a specialized training regiment called 'Puppy Culture' (also available on Amazon). This training regiment details appropriate, positive, techniques - comprehensively addressing major milestones in a puppies development;
- Puzzles, Games, and Problem Solving
- Anti-Aggression Protocols
- Leash Walking
- Potty Training
- Crate Training
- How to Find Appropriate Playmates
- Setting up Socialization Sessions
- Problem Prevention