Transform Your Life with Low Shed Lab Puppies!
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Our comprehensive crate training program for Low Shed Lab puppies begins nightly at 9 PM. The initial two weeks present significant challenges as puppies adjust to their new environment, often exhibiting crying and occasional soiling within their crates.
We are committed to teaching our Low Shed Labs the principle of a "clean den" from an early age. Our dedicated puppy raisers and I work diligently to maintain a pristine and hygienic environment. This consistent effort encourages puppies to increasingly hold their bladders and bowels until they achieve full control. By not immediately responding to crying, we teach them that these vocalizations will not result in an immediate release from their crate, thus reinforcing the understanding that crying is unproductive.
To aid in your puppy's adjustment, we recommend using white noise near your puppy's crate and in any adjacent rooms where activity might occur. Additionally, if you need to move around at night, such as for a restroom break, please do so as quietly as possible. Waking a sleeping puppy can make it very difficult for them to maintain bowel control.
Our puppies begin their day at 6 AM, released from their individual crates for feeding, watering, and outdoor playtime until 8 AM. Before puppies are fully crate trained overnight, they have access to a large, enclosed indoor play area throughout the day, where they learn to use potty pads. We promptly replace soiled pads to reinforce the concept of a "clean den."
Once puppies achieve consistent overnight crate training, we discontinue daytime pee pad use. Their play area transitions into individual playpens, each furnished with a comfortable towel. After consistently maintaining a clean playpen, puppies are then introduced to toys.
To establish a routine, encourage mindful eating, and prevent food anxiety, puppies are fed in their individual crates around 6 AM and 6 PM. Following their meals, they are released outdoors for supervised playtime and potty breaks until 9 PM.
To prevent boredom-induced digging, especially in warm weather, we recommend keeping outdoor sessions short and supervised. Puppies may dig and lie in the dirt to stay cool. Instead of leaving them unsupervised for extended periods, monitor them from a window or remain outside with them. If your puppy begins to dig in a particular spot, immediately redirect them from the area and cover the disturbed ground.
Once puppies consistently hold their bowels overnight, we begin house training and basic obedience.
Every two hours, and before each training session, puppies are taken outside as a group for a "go pee" break. We feed and water your pup twice a day, which is excellent for their health and significantly accelerates the house-training process.
I teach the "go pee" command by making eye contact and offering enthusiastic praise like, "Good boy, go pee Max!" when I catch them in the act. They then receive a piece of chicken as a reward. Taking them out as a group enhances their learning; it also gives them a little time to romp and play, much like a school recess.
Always pick up poop right away. When you take your pup out to "go pee," seize the opportunity to practice training commands. Manage their food and water portions by feeding and watering twice a day, unless they've been outside panting in the heat, in which case, water them as needed.
Video coming soon! At around 12 weeks in age, we introduce the collar & leash.
I start by placing their collar on them, then having them “follow me” around our air conditioned garage, giving them rewards when they follow me. Like most of their training, at first, I have to lure them.
After they are successfully following me in a modest heel position, I attach their leash and let it drag, continuing the same routine.
After they are leash acclimated, I begin to loosely hold the leash, following the same routine.
Eventually, I slowly but surely shorten the length so they are right next to me In a proper heel position.
After a pup is heeling properly inside the garage, I move them outdoors to the street, walking up & down.
After having succeeded, we begin to take them on car rides, teaching them “up” and “off” (in & out of car), to my favorite pet friendly places, having them “off” (exit) the car, and walk through the parking lot, where we begin public acclimation training.
Video coming soon! I love going to Trader Joe’s because it’s so close to my house that I can walk the pups on leash, one at a time, sit outside of the entrance in the shade. Pups get lots of love & socialization as people go in & out, and they learn a PAWSITIVE association with loud noises, busy places, other dogs, and new faces. It’s also a great time to show off their basic obedience commands in a public environment.
I also frequent Lowes, Home Depot, & ACE Hardware because they are so pet friendly, I can take them inside. The employees are always so wonderful, often having puppy treats ready for our visits! 🤗🥰🎉🙏❤️❤️❤️
With the help of my husband, when possible, we take pups for 15 minute walks on the greenway next to my house, where they meet lots of dogs, children, and people.
Take Home Tip: At around 5 months in age, Pups can go into a “scaredy-cat“ phase that can last for several months, or that may come & go intermittently. This is normal, how you handle it makes all the difference. Google an article for tips on what to do should this happen with your pup.
Be careful who you leave your dog with and who you allow it to socialize with and in what setting. A poorly trained pup with bad habits will teach your pup their bad habits! Pups are social learners. For example, if you have a play date with another dog, that is a digger, they will teach your pup to dig! A dog that can scale fences will teach your pup how to scale a fence.
NEVER pick your pup up, except to move them from one place to another, don’t cradle Or pet them. Although I still don’t recommend it, only pick them up if they are sleeping or in sleepy mode. Picking your pup up while they are in active mode to give them attention, teaches them to jump up as they are used to receiving attention in this way. It starts off cute until they are full grown and it’s no longer desired.
DO NOT lay on the ground and let your pup walk on you or lick you, this teaches them to be dominant. You are the master, not them. If anything, you should be pinning your dog to the ground, to teach them your dominance.
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