Go Home Info
See our Recommended Product page for more in-depth information on food, supplements, treats, toys, grooming, and things to consider as they grow. We offer Lifetime Breeder Support. If you don't see an answer on our info pages, don't hesitate to reach out to us. Contact us via FB, Insta, or email [email protected]
Prior to pick up, needs to be filled out. Thank you!
Updated 10/04/26 - work in progress
Current Food & Supplement Schedule
Our puppies are currently being fed 4health Strive All Life Stages Endurance 90 Formula Dry Dog Food. By the time they go to their new homes, they are typically eating between ½ cup and 1½ cups per meal, three times daily, depending on their size, growth rate, and individual appetite. For our puppies, as they grow, we increase the amount to 1.5-2 cups until they reach about 6 months, then go to two times a day instead of three.
We also add 1 cup of filtered water to their meals to help support hydration.
While we are happy to share our routine below, we do not expect or require new owners to follow the same schedule. This is simply the feeding and supplementation schedule that has worked well for the puppies we have raised and kept ourselves.
Breakfast (daily)
Lunch & Dinner
Extras
We also add 1 cup of filtered water to their meals to help support hydration.
While we are happy to share our routine below, we do not expect or require new owners to follow the same schedule. This is simply the feeding and supplementation schedule that has worked well for the puppies we have raised and kept ourselves.
Breakfast (daily)
- 1 whole egg (we start feeding the eggshells when they are around 2.5 months)
- Vitamin C (1 soft gel powder pill)
- Diatomaceous Earth (1/2 teaspoon)
- Bug Off Garlic (a pinch to start, then increase as they gain weight; 1 scoop per 60lbs)
- Puppy Bac Formula (1.5 scoops - we stop adding this around 2.5 months old)
Lunch & Dinner
- Puppy Bac Support Formula (1.5 scoops - we stop adding this around 2.5 months old)
Extras
- 3 times a week (MWF) Pumpkin Puree (1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon per meal added to breakfast & dinner)
- 3 times a week (TTHSat) Sardine, Mackerel, Salmon mix (about 1 tbsp added to breakfast)
- Every other day - Coconut Oil (1 teaspoon per 10lbs of weight)
Go Home Bag
These are the items you will currently get at pickup.
- Vaccination & deworming records
- Vet Check Exam Form
- Volhard Puppy Aptitude Test (PAT) Results
- Puppy is Microchipped (registration information for you to register)
- AKC pedigree
- AKC 30 Day Pet Insurance (AKC emails you this info once the puppy is registered to you)
- Starter food (about 3 days' worth)
- Treats - cookies, freeze-dried minnows, different types of bully sticks, hoof - items that they have been introduced to.
- Toys - a few different types, and one that smells like mom and siblings.
- Slip lead with a roll of poop bags attached
- Nature's Farmacy Starter Kit (we started doing this in 2025; we love the extra support this info gives)
- Dogzymes Daily Balance (Liver & Egg base - a probiotic for optimal gut health)
- Dogzymes Ultimate (vitamins, minerals, omegas - for skin & coat support)
- Canine Probiotic Paste for upset stomach and diarrhea
To Do List - Establish veterinarian care
One of the most important responsibilities of bringing home a new puppy is establishing care with a trusted veterinarian. While your puppy has already received age-appropriate care before leaving our home, continued veterinary care is essential to ensure they remain healthy and thrive throughout their life.
Per our purchase agreement, new puppy owners should schedule their puppy's first veterinary appointment within 72 hours of bringing them home. Depending on age, the 3rd or 4th vaccination shot is either due or upcoming. The go-home folder will have the medical information listed on when and what was given while with us.
It’s important to understand that vaccines do not provide immediate protection. Immunity develops over time—typically beginning within a few days, with full protection taking up to two weeks after vaccination. Because of this, puppies should not be exposed to public places such as parks, pet stores, or heavily trafficked areas until their full vaccine series is complete. Early caution is critical. Diseases like Parvovirus and Distemper are highly contagious and can be fatal in young puppies. Proper vaccination—and limiting exposure until protection is established—plays a vital role in keeping your puppy safe and healthy.
Your veterinarian will help you:
Regular veterinary visits are one of the best investments you can make in your puppy's future. Early detection and prevention of health concerns can help your puppy enjoy a long, healthy, and happy life.
Building a relationship with a veterinarian from the start also provides peace of mind, ensuring you have a trusted medical professional available whenever questions or unexpected situations arise.
Per our purchase agreement, new puppy owners should schedule their puppy's first veterinary appointment within 72 hours of bringing them home. Depending on age, the 3rd or 4th vaccination shot is either due or upcoming. The go-home folder will have the medical information listed on when and what was given while with us.
It’s important to understand that vaccines do not provide immediate protection. Immunity develops over time—typically beginning within a few days, with full protection taking up to two weeks after vaccination. Because of this, puppies should not be exposed to public places such as parks, pet stores, or heavily trafficked areas until their full vaccine series is complete. Early caution is critical. Diseases like Parvovirus and Distemper are highly contagious and can be fatal in young puppies. Proper vaccination—and limiting exposure until protection is established—plays a vital role in keeping your puppy safe and healthy.
Your veterinarian will help you:
- Maintain an appropriate vaccination schedule
- Establish heartworm, flea, and tick prevention - Texas (especially Eastern) as of June 2026 is having a higher-than-normal season for fleas and ticks. For fleas, we use Bug Off Garlic year-round for our dogs.
- Monitor growth and development
- Discuss nutrition and feeding recommendations
- Address training and behavioral questions
- Provide guidance on preventive care and overall wellness
Regular veterinary visits are one of the best investments you can make in your puppy's future. Early detection and prevention of health concerns can help your puppy enjoy a long, healthy, and happy life.
Building a relationship with a veterinarian from the start also provides peace of mind, ensuring you have a trusted medical professional available whenever questions or unexpected situations arise.
Puppy Road Rules
PUPPY TRAINING & HOUSE MANNERS
Once your puppy has completed their final vaccinations (around 4–6 months), we encourage you to enroll them in a Puppy Kindergarten class. We're happy to help recommend trusted trainers in your area. The effort you put in early directly shapes how enjoyable your dog will be to live with—good manners start with you. We don't recommend dog parks as part of socialization.
POTTY TRAINING & CHEWING
Discipline should be clear and timely—never harsh. Spanking or severe correction is not effective. If your puppy chews something inappropriate, calmly interrupt with a firm “No chew,” then redirect to a proper toy. Correction only works in the moment—anything delayed will confuse them. Supervision is key. Keep eyes on your puppy at all times; if you can’t, use a crate. Puppies need frequent potty breaks—until their bladder matures. A doggy door can help, but consistency from everyone in the household is essential. Before leaving or getting busy, take your puppy out, then crate if needed.
Our puppies are litter box and pee pad trained. If you have a lot of rugs in your house, we recommend putting them up until your puppy is fully house-trained, since to them a rug looks like a pee pad.
SPAYING / NEUTERING
We do not recommend spaying or neutering before 18 months of age, as early alteration may negatively impact your puppy's growth, development, and long-term health. Additionally, altering your puppy before 18 months of age will void the replacement guarantee outlined in our purchase agreement.
Until your dog is altered, it is your responsibility to prevent accidental breeding. Please ensure your dog is securely contained at all times and avoid off-leash dog parks or other uncontrolled environments while your dog remains intact.
FENCING & CONTAINMENT
A secure setup is a must: either a 6-foot fenced yard or a fully covered kennel (minimum 6’ x 6’ x 12’) with proper shelter. Labradors are intelligent and determined—if bored, they will find a way out. Reinforce your perimeter with materials like cement pavers or railroad ties to prevent digging.
FEEDING YOUR PUPPY
Proper nutrition plays a major role in long-term health, including joint development. Feed measured meals twice daily (or our recommended 3x's a day that we've talked about) —never free feed. Choose a high-quality food (avoid grocery-store brands with fillers). See our Recommended Products Page.
Large breed puppies should grow steadily, not quickly. Avoid overfeeding. By 16 weeks, most puppies do well on 2–2½ cups per meal, twice daily. If not feeding a large breed formula, use an adult formula—not standard puppy food—to help control growth rate.
To reduce the risk of bloat, feed two meals per day and avoid exercise immediately before or after eating.
EXERCISE & DEVELOPMENT
Until 18 months of age, avoid forced exercise such as jogging. Stick to natural, free play to protect developing joints. Jumping from heights over 3 feet should also be avoided—use a ramp or lift your dog when needed.
After 18 months, you can gradually introduce more structured exercise, though softer surfaces are always preferred over hard pavement.
Once your puppy has completed their final vaccinations (around 4–6 months), we encourage you to enroll them in a Puppy Kindergarten class. We're happy to help recommend trusted trainers in your area. The effort you put in early directly shapes how enjoyable your dog will be to live with—good manners start with you. We don't recommend dog parks as part of socialization.
POTTY TRAINING & CHEWING
Discipline should be clear and timely—never harsh. Spanking or severe correction is not effective. If your puppy chews something inappropriate, calmly interrupt with a firm “No chew,” then redirect to a proper toy. Correction only works in the moment—anything delayed will confuse them. Supervision is key. Keep eyes on your puppy at all times; if you can’t, use a crate. Puppies need frequent potty breaks—until their bladder matures. A doggy door can help, but consistency from everyone in the household is essential. Before leaving or getting busy, take your puppy out, then crate if needed.
Our puppies are litter box and pee pad trained. If you have a lot of rugs in your house, we recommend putting them up until your puppy is fully house-trained, since to them a rug looks like a pee pad.
SPAYING / NEUTERING
We do not recommend spaying or neutering before 18 months of age, as early alteration may negatively impact your puppy's growth, development, and long-term health. Additionally, altering your puppy before 18 months of age will void the replacement guarantee outlined in our purchase agreement.
Until your dog is altered, it is your responsibility to prevent accidental breeding. Please ensure your dog is securely contained at all times and avoid off-leash dog parks or other uncontrolled environments while your dog remains intact.
FENCING & CONTAINMENT
A secure setup is a must: either a 6-foot fenced yard or a fully covered kennel (minimum 6’ x 6’ x 12’) with proper shelter. Labradors are intelligent and determined—if bored, they will find a way out. Reinforce your perimeter with materials like cement pavers or railroad ties to prevent digging.
FEEDING YOUR PUPPY
Proper nutrition plays a major role in long-term health, including joint development. Feed measured meals twice daily (or our recommended 3x's a day that we've talked about) —never free feed. Choose a high-quality food (avoid grocery-store brands with fillers). See our Recommended Products Page.
Large breed puppies should grow steadily, not quickly. Avoid overfeeding. By 16 weeks, most puppies do well on 2–2½ cups per meal, twice daily. If not feeding a large breed formula, use an adult formula—not standard puppy food—to help control growth rate.
To reduce the risk of bloat, feed two meals per day and avoid exercise immediately before or after eating.
EXERCISE & DEVELOPMENT
Until 18 months of age, avoid forced exercise such as jogging. Stick to natural, free play to protect developing joints. Jumping from heights over 3 feet should also be avoided—use a ramp or lift your dog when needed.
After 18 months, you can gradually introduce more structured exercise, though softer surfaces are always preferred over hard pavement.
