Preparing for Your Puppy

This is a very exciting time and we are happy that you have chosen a Hunterberry Hill Labradoodle to join your life! We have compiled a bit of informative information that we hope you find helpful as you prepare to bring your puppy home!

Puppy proofing your home – Australian Labradoodle puppies are very smart and have a great sense of smell thus, you will need to keep a careful watch on what they find to put in their mouths.

Here is a list of items to be sure are not anywhere accessible to your puppy/dog

Home insect products
Anti-inflammatory medications (aspirin, ibuprofen, etc)
Acetaminophen
Sugarless chewing gum – the artificial sweeteners are toxic to dogs
Vitamins
Any prescription medications
Fabric softener sheets
Laundry detergent packets
Dishwashing detergent powder and packets
Pencils and pens
Mothballs
Lighter fluid
Tobacco products
Alcoholic beverages
Cat litter box and other animal feces
Cat food
Rat, Mouse, Slug, and Snail bait
Disinfectants and bleach
Toothpaste

Here are some human foods that are harmful

Grapes and raisins
Avocados, onions, garlic
Chocolate in all forms
Gum, candy, or foods sweetened with xylitol
Salt
Moldy or spoiled foods
Raw yeast dough

Some objects that you should be sure are up and out of reach

Buttons and any small hard objects i.e. nails, needles, scissors etc
Bread twisty ties and plastic wrap
Coins
Balls that are too small, or have a smooth coating
Cotton swabs, dental floss, string, yarn
Human hair ties, hair pins and rubber bands
Nylons
Ear plugs
Wax

Here is a helpful list of supplies that Hunterberry Hill recommends you have on hand in preparation for your puppy

Comfort & Safety items
Wire crate – appropriate size 30” minis, 36” mediums, 42” standards
Crate pad/liner – washable in machine
Puppy play pen
Adult collar/harness and leash (we send home puppy/collar/leash)
ID tag
Vet approved flea & tick treatment

Feeding

Puppy food – Your puppy has been fed the Life Abundance All Life Stage Food. We require you to continue with this food for at least the first 30 days your puppy is in your home. Your puppy will come with a 3 day supply. If you choose to feed a different food after the first 30 days please make the transition gradually as to not upset the digestive system of your puppy.
Food & water bowls
Food scoop & storage bin

Necessary Grooming Supplies

Stainless Grooming Comb (We love the Miracle Coat brush size Small available on Amazon.com)
Nail clippers
Ear wash/cleaner
Blunt edge scissors (for trimming around the eyes)

Housetraining

Optional – potty box with paper/wood pellets
Natures Miracle stain and odor remover (for accidents)
Pooper scooper
Waste bags for public places
Paper towels for quick clean ups

Toys & More

Chew and cuddle toys – squeaky (always a favorite for our dogs), bouncy, soft, some plush, hard chewy like Kong. We suggest buying a variety to start with so you can find out which ones your puppy prefers!
Fetch toys – tennis balls, jolly ball etc.
Chew treats – bully sticks, chicken strips, sweet potato chews etc.
NO RAWHIDES! We have found them dangerous as puppies and dogs will ingest too large of a piece and it may cause an intestinal blockage.
Bitter Apple is great to help curb puppies bad chewing habits on things they should not chew.

Training

Find a positive reinforcement trainer to come to your home within the first two weeks and/or to take puppy classes once vet approves puppy to go to puppy classes.
Here are a few suggested books & videos:
- Raising Puppies & Kid’s Together A Guide for Parents by Pia Silvani and Lynn Eckhardt [ click here ]
- The Loved Dog by Tamar Geller [ click here ]
- 30 Days to a Well-Mannered Dog: The Loved Dog Method by Tamar Geller [ click here ]
- How to Behave So Your dog Behaves – Sophia Yin [ click here ]

We hope you have fun shopping for puppy and enjoy all the preparations!