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  1. #1
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    Meeting Puppies Next Week

    We had the call with the breeder this past weekend. She was beyond phenomenal with answering all of our questions. We made sure to ask most, if not all of the questions that everyone on this forum gave to us. Thank you again to everyone for taking the time to help us out!

    The breeder said we could visit the puppies next week. They will be ~5-6 weeks old. Should we bring anything? Toys? Blankets? I'm not sure the proper etiquette for these types of things. I know we will want to meet the mom- the dad does not live with the breeder. We will also see where the puppies are being raised.

  2. #2
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    Always exciting to visit your potential future pup! 5-6 weeks old is a great time as they are starting to show some personality at this point.

    Personally I wouldn't take anything on this visit. Just go and interact with the pups and have a good time. Make a list of questions you may have to make sure you don't forget anything.

    One thing I would ask is whether crate training will be started before the pick up day. It's not imperative, but it's a good thing to know for day 1 at the new home. When you do pick up take a few old towels with you and rub them all over the other pups and the mom. This way you'll have something with a familiar scent for the pup to snuggle with.

    Can't wait to hear about your visit!

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  4. #3
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Ditto what Barry said. We have not taken anything with us for the 5-ish week visit either. The breeders have been super cautious about bringing any illnesses into their home. The first breeder had not selected which puppy would go to which family yet so it turned out that our boy was the one who slept through our entire visit. I did take one photo of him sleeping beside a little stuffed animal that I still love, love, love. Don't let that discourage you if that happens for you. Chase was a sweetheart in every way, especially when his landshark phase ended.

    Agree also about bringing a towel or something to rub around on the Mom when he comes home. The first time I brought a bath mat that was furrier than the breeder really liked- too thick and the strings too likely to be pulled out or chewed on. Of course, that was our only dog who actually liked chewing on fabric and ate a number of socks while we were adjusting to the shock of having a lab puppy. That boy, somehow she knew he'd go for fuzzy things. So what I'm saying is it doesn't have to be a nice furry item. Something more towel like is OK.

    We have crate trained all our labs and it was so easy with all of them, they must surely have had some experience before coming home.

    We look forward to a detailed report!
    Sue

    Chase 9/29/2006- 6/30/2017 Always in our hearts
    Lark 12/25/2012- 2/2/22
    Henry 7/14/18
    Joey 5/14/2022

    “Because of the dog's joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift. It is not the least reason why we should honor as well as love the dog of our own life, and the dog down the street, and all the dogs not yet born. What would the world be like without music or rivers or the green and tender grass? What would this world be like without dogs?”

    Mary Oliver, Hidden Content

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  6. #4
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    I took the Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test with me and both breeders thought it was fun and interesting. It was quite new with Oban and I have lost the original version but here is a link. This version looks a bit different. Six weeks old might be too young for it yet. https://www.volharddognutrition.com/...Qmy7_2Vb7aGWMV

    Another tip from me, make sure you wear easy to move in clothes that can get dirty when you get down on the floor with the puppies. Maybe take an extra set of clothes for yourself.
    Hidden Content

    Castilleja's Dubhgall Oban, the Black Stranger of The Little Bay
    Oct. 15, 2007 - June 13, 2021
    Oxtongue Rapids Park. Oct. 2019 Hidden Content

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    Myboo (10-02-2024)

  8. #5
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    We were able to see the puppies last week! I was so anxious and excited driving to the breeder’s house I actually made the wrong turn twice. Eventually, we found her house without even having to look at the house address number because there was labrador decor in the front of the house.
    We met the breeder and she was so nice and knowledgable about her dogs and the lines they came from. The puppies were in the kitchen and they all came running when the breeder said “Puppies! Puppies!” To see these small little furballs all coming at once was the most wonderful thing I might have ever seen in my life. The breeder was keeping a close eye on the temperament and character of each of her pups and felt that a particular puppy would be best for our family. We spend some time in the backyard playing with him and giving him lots of love. He was so sweet and soft. He was trying to chew on my watch so I’m going to have to keep an eye on that later. We then met the mom. She was just so happy and friendly. We were giving her lots of pets, tummy rubs, and ear scratches. She couldn’t get enough. I thought I might be there all day playing with her. The puppy was already getting super tired and almost fell asleep under the chair and near my foot. We were there for al little more than an hour and it felt like only a few minutes. I haven’t had that much joy in a long time.


    As we drove home, I couldn’t help but think I wouldn’t have even come this far if it wasn’t for the lab forum. Hide’s passing was so sudden and painful. I honestly thought I wouldn’t get another lab for many years. Thank you again everyone!

  9. The Following 7 Users Say Thank You to Myboo For This Useful Post:

    barry581 (10-26-2024), Berna (10-28-2024), Jeff (10-28-2024), Macy (10-28-2024), smartrock (10-26-2024), Snowshoe (10-26-2024), Woody (10-26-2024)

  10. #6
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    Looking forward to seeing you new pup!!!!

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  12. #7
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    That sounds like so much fun! Do you have a pick up date?
    Sue

    Chase 9/29/2006- 6/30/2017 Always in our hearts
    Lark 12/25/2012- 2/2/22
    Henry 7/14/18
    Joey 5/14/2022

    “Because of the dog's joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift. It is not the least reason why we should honor as well as love the dog of our own life, and the dog down the street, and all the dogs not yet born. What would the world be like without music or rivers or the green and tender grass? What would this world be like without dogs?”

    Mary Oliver, Hidden Content

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    Myboo (10-30-2024)

  14. #8
    Senior Dog Macy's Avatar
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    What an exciting day. I love hearing about a roomful of puppies running all together.

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    Myboo (10-30-2024)

  16. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by smartrock View Post
    That sounds like so much fun! Do you have a pick up date?
    Sorry for the late update. The puppy is home and we are working on little sleep Will update when things are settled!

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  18. #10
    Senior Dog Jeff's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Myboo View Post
    Sorry for the late update. The puppy is home and we are working on little sleep Will update when things are settled!
    LOL, Cliff is little over 7 months I am still working on sleeping in
    Hemi Loved Forever. (7-19-2011 - 3-3-2024)

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    Myboo (11-03-2024)

 



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