bringing home your new puppy
Top Notch Silver Lab puppies stay with their littermates for health evaluation and proper socialization until they are 8 weeks old. The balance of your puppy’s price will be due in full at that time. You may pay in cash, cashiers check, postal money order, or online through Paypal. Personal checks will only be accepted two weeks prior to pick up to allow clearance.
When it is time for your puppy to go home, you will be given the following items:
- Your puppy’s health record, including vaccinations and deworming
- American Kennel Club (AKC) registration application papers
- Information to activate micro-chip.
- Blanket with mom and siblings scent on it to help your puppy feel more comfortable and ease the transition to a new home
- A two-day supply of food the puppy has been eating (to be integrated into the high quality puppy food you choose) and a suggested feeding schedule
AKC Registration and Microchips
All Labrador puppies purchased at Top Notch Silver Labs come with limited AKC (American Kennel Club) or upon request full AKC registration. When purchased, owners will leave here with their puppy’s AKC paperwork in hand. Owners must complete their portion of the paperwork and mail in the registration or complete online with the AKC along with the proper fee.
As an additional service there has been a microchip injected below the skin at the back of the neck, between the shoulder blades of your puppy. We highly suggest registering this permanent dog identification, as it supports the return of your dog should it ever run loose and get lost. You will need to enroll your dog’s microchip ID number with the necessary contact information so that you can be reached if your dog is found.
Traveling Home With Your New Puppy
On the day you pick up your new Labrador puppy, bring a small crate in which your puppy can travel home. Otherwise, if you plan to hold your puppy during the drive home, bring a few small towels to place on your lap to protect your clothes.
Puppies tend to get car sick during their first car rides, so bring paper towels for clean up. Don’t feed or offer water to your puppy on the way home, as this can make your puppy more nauseous.
We highly recommend that you DO NOT stop at rest stops, dog parks, or parks to let your puppy go potty. Your puppy will not have received all of its parvovirus shots yet, so exposing your puppy to areas where other dogs have been increases the risk of your puppy contracting parvo. Instead we recommend that you find places that have concrete or hard surfaces like a paved parking lot.
In the summertime, be conscious of the surface your puppy is walking on. Keep its paws off dark asphalt as this can burn your puppy’s paws on a hot summer day.
At Home Care For Your New Puppy
The first 24 to 36 hours in your new home is an acclimation period for your puppy to get settled in your home. The puppy’s activity level will be minimal to what it will be in the future, so don’t be surprised if your puppy’s energy level is lower during this time.
It is common for your Labrador puppy to have diarrhea or loose stool the first week it is in your new home. It is acclimating to a new world and a different schedule. Be very mindful about what kind of dog treats and toys you supply the puppy to chew on. Anything new introduced into the puppy’s diet can cause loose stool. Treats add additional bulk and calories that interfere with your puppy’s nutritional needs at this time. During their acclimation to your new homes, we recommend you keep treats to a minimum or ideally none at all.
Don’t give your puppy bully sticks, rawhide or bones. These are too rich and too hard on their systems.
Wait at least 24 hours before giving your puppy a bath.
You are more than welcome to keep in touch with us during this time and ask questions via email or text. If you have any concerns please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Feeding Your Lab Puppy
We will review the amount of food to feed and suggest a schedule with you when you pick up your puppy, and give you a two-day supply of the puppy’s current diet. Integrate the puppy’s current diet into whatever food you decide to continue feeding.
If your puppy has a weak appetite during the acclimation period, contact us for advice.
Ensure your puppy always has access to fresh, clean water during the day. If you are housebreaking your puppy, remove access to water at least 4 hours prior to bedtime.
Introducing Your Puppy
If your have other dogs in your home, you should introduce them to the puppy in neutral territory. This is ideally in the front yard and not in the house or in the backyard. Keep your older dog on a leash so you can add correction if needed.
Be mindful of your new puppy not having all of its shots yet. Keep your puppy off the grass in parks or neighbor’s yards until your puppy has been fully vaccinated. It’s safer to keep your puppy on concrete or asphalt when outside your home.