A Guide for Your Puppy’s First Days With Your Family

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Bringing home your River Springs puppy is the beginning of a wonderful new chapter. Your puppy is leaving the home, people, littermates, sounds, smells, and routines they have known since birth. A little preparation and a calm first few days can make that transition much easier.

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At River Springs Retrievers, our puppies are raised as part of our family. Our goal is to help you continue that same sense of security, structure, and love once your puppy becomes part of yours.

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Family Raised. Thoughtfully Bred. Loved from the Beginning.

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Before Your Puppy Comes Home

Having everything ready before Gotcha Day lets you spend those first few days concentrating on your puppy instead of shopping for supplies.

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We recommend having:

• The same puppy food your puppy is currently eating

• Stainless-steel food and water bowls

• An appropriately sized crate with a divider

• A comfortable collar and identification tag

• A lightweight 6-foot leash

• An appropriately fitted harness, if desired

• Several safe puppy chew toys

• A washable puppy bed or crate mat

• Enzymatic cleaner for accidents

• Puppy shampoo

• Dog toothbrush and dog-safe toothpaste

• Nail clippers or a nail grinder

• A Labrador-appropriate brush

• Small, soft training treats

• Waste bags

• Baby gates or an exercise pen

• Food storage container

• A secure method of restraining your puppy while traveling in the car

Your puppy will go home with information about the food, feeding routine, veterinary care, and daily schedule they have been accustomed to at River Springs. Keeping things familiar at first can make the transition easier.

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Puppy-Proofing Your Home

Think of puppy-proofing much like preparing a home for a curious toddler. Labrador puppies explore the world with their mouths, and they can find trouble surprisingly quickly.

Before your puppy arrives:

• Secure electrical cords and chargers.

• Keep medications and household cleaners out of reach.

• Pick up socks, shoes, children’s toys, and other small objects.

• Keep trash cans secured.

• Check your home and yard for toxic plants.

• Keep chocolate, grapes, raisins, onions, xylitol-containing products, and other foods that can be dangerous to dogs inaccessible.

• Secure antifreeze, fertilizers, pesticides, and automotive products.

• Check fencing for openings a small puppy could squeeze through.

• Block access to stairs, pools, ponds, and other hazards until your puppy can safely navigate them.

• Keep puppy-safe toys readily available so you can redirect inappropriate chewing.

Your puppy should be supervised whenever they are exploring a new area.

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Gotcha Day

The first day is exciting for everyone, but it can also be overwhelming for your puppy.

We recommend keeping Gotcha Day calm and simple.

As tempting as it may be to invite friends and family over immediately, give your puppy time to become comfortable with their new people and surroundings first.

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Start With the Potty Area

When you arrive home, take your puppy directly to the outdoor area you plan to use for potty breaks.

Give them a few quiet minutes to explore.

If they potty, praise them immediately.

Using the same area consistently helps your puppy begin understanding what you expect.

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Introduce the House Slowly

Your puppy does not need a tour of the entire house on the first day.

Start with a smaller puppy-safe area containing their crate, water, toys, and comfortable resting space.

Gradually introduce additional rooms as your puppy becomes comfortable and learns the household routine.

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Your Puppy’s Crate

We want the crate to become your puppy’s safe, comfortable resting place, never a punishment.

Place the crate somewhere your puppy can still feel connected to the family.

Make the crate comfortable, but keep safety in mind. Some puppies chew bedding, so monitor your puppy and remove anything they are trying to shred or swallow.

During the day, practice short, positive crate sessions. Treats, meals, and safe toys can help your puppy associate the crate with good things.

Your puppy is still very young and should not be expected to remain crated for long periods without potty breaks, activity, interaction, and exercise.

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Feeding Your River Springs Puppy

We will tell you exactly what your puppy is eating and the feeding schedule we have been following before your puppy goes home.

We strongly recommend continuing the same food initially.

If you decide to change foods, wait until your puppy has had an opportunity to settle into the new home and then make the change gradually, unless your veterinarian recommends otherwise.

Young puppies generally do well with multiple appropriately portioned meals throughout the day. Your puppy’s needs will change quickly as they grow, so follow the feeding information we provide at pickup and discuss ongoing amounts and body condition with your veterinarian.

Fresh water should be available regularly throughout the day.

After eating, drinking, waking up, or active play, assume your puppy may need a potty trip.

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Potty Training

Consistency is your greatest tool.

Take your puppy outside:

• Immediately after waking

• Shortly after eating or drinking

• After active play

• Before going into the crate

• Immediately after coming out of the crate

• Before bedtime

• Anytime you notice sniffing, circling, wandering away, or suddenly becoming restless

When your puppy goes potty outside, praise and reward immediately.

Accidents will happen. They are part of raising a puppy.

Do not rub your puppy’s nose in an accident or punish them after the fact. Clean the area thoroughly with an enzymatic cleaner and concentrate on supervision and getting them outside sooner next time.

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The First Few Nights

The first few nights away from littermates can be difficult.

Your puppy may cry or become restless. This does not necessarily mean anything is wrong. Everything is new.

Keeping the crate near you at night can provide reassurance while also allowing you to notice when your puppy wakes and may need to potty.

Young puppies often need nighttime potty trips. Keep them quiet and boring: outside, potty, gentle praise, and back to bed.

Avoid turning a 2:00 a.m. potty trip into playtime.

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Sleep Is Important

Puppies need a lot of sleep.

An overtired puppy can become mouthy, wild, frustrated, and seemingly unable to settle. Sometimes what looks like a puppy who needs more exercise is actually a puppy who desperately needs a nap.

Build quiet time and naps into the daily routine.

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Socialization: Quality Matters

Socialization does not mean exposing your puppy to everything as quickly as possible.

Our goal is to help puppies learn that new experiences are safe and manageable.

Continue introducing your puppy positively to:

• Different people

• Household sounds

• Different surfaces

• Car rides

• Grooming and handling

• Appropriate, healthy dogs

• New sights and environments

• Everyday household activities

Never force a frightened puppy toward something. Give them time, create distance if necessary, and use praise and treats to build positive associations.

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Introducing Your Puppy to Other Pets

Introductions should be slow, controlled, and supervised.

Your resident dog may need time to adjust to having a puppy in the home.

Consider beginning with controlled introductions using a gate, exercise pen, crate, or leashes. Give both animals opportunities to disengage and have their own space.

Do not expect an older dog to tolerate unlimited puppy behavior.

Feed dogs separately initially and supervise toys and high-value items until you understand how everyone interacts.

Never leave a new puppy unsupervised with another household pet until you are confident they are safe together.

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Veterinary Care & Vaccinations

Your River Springs puppy will leave with documentation showing the veterinary care, vaccinations, and deworming they have received while in our care.

Please schedule an appointment with your veterinarian soon after bringing your puppy home and take the River Springs health record with you.

Your veterinarian can establish the remaining vaccination schedule and recommend appropriate:

• Parasite prevention

• Heartworm prevention

• Flea and tick prevention

• Fecal testing

• Nutrition

• Growth monitoring

• Microchip registration

• Ongoing preventive care

Vaccination schedules can vary based on age, health, lifestyle, product used, and your veterinarian’s assessment, so follow the schedule your veterinarian establishes for your puppy.

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Protecting Your Puppy Before Vaccinations Are Complete

Young puppies are particularly vulnerable to infectious diseases such as parvovirus.

Until your veterinarian tells you your puppy has adequate vaccine protection, be thoughtful about where those little paws go.

Avoid high-risk areas heavily traveled by unfamiliar dogs, such as dog parks and other places where canine waste may contaminate the ground.

At the same time, early socialization is extremely important.

Ask your veterinarian about safe ways to continue socialization while your puppy completes their vaccine series. Controlled interactions with healthy, appropriately vaccinated dogs and carefully selected environments can allow your puppy to continue learning while reducing unnecessary exposure.

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Chewing & Teething

If you have a Labrador puppy, you are going to experience chewing!

Provide several safe, age-appropriate chew options and rotate them to keep them interesting.

If your puppy grabs something they shouldn’t have, calmly trade it for an appropriate toy or treat rather than chasing them through the house.

Regularly inspect toys and discard anything that is breaking apart or small enough to become a choking or intestinal obstruction hazard.

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Collar & Identification

Your puppy should have identification containing at least your current telephone number.

Check collar fit frequently. Puppies grow quickly.

You should be able to comfortably fit approximately two fingers between the collar and your puppy’s neck.

We also strongly recommend keeping your puppy’s microchip registration information current throughout their lifetime.

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Establish Your Normal Routine

It can be tempting to take several days off and spend every moment with your puppy.

Enjoy that bonding time, but also begin teaching your puppy what normal life in your home looks like.

Practice short periods of independence. Establish regular meal, potty, play, training, crate, and sleep routines.

Your goal isn’t to entertain your puppy every minute. It is to help them grow into a dog who feels safe and confident whether the family is actively interacting with them or they are relaxing independently.

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Training Starts on Day One

Your puppy is learning from you from the moment they arrive.

Keep training sessions short, positive, and fun.

Early skills might include:

Name Recognition • Come • Sit • Down • Leave It • Drop It • Walking With You • Waiting Calmly • Crate Comfort

Reward the behavior you want to see repeated.

At this age, relationship and communication are more important than perfection.

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When to Call Your Veterinarian

You will quickly learn what is normal for your puppy.

Contact your veterinarian if you are concerned about significant changes such as persistent vomiting or diarrhea, unusual lethargy, difficulty breathing, refusal to eat or drink, signs of significant pain, or other symptoms that concern you.

With a young puppy, it is better to ask your veterinarian than to wait when something seems wrong.

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And Most Importantly... Enjoy Your Puppy

The puppy stage goes incredibly fast.

There will be accidents. Something may get chewed that wasn’t supposed to be chewed. There will probably be muddy paw prints and a few sleepless nights.

There will also be first swims, first retrieves, first road trips, sleepy puppy snuggles, and countless little moments you will wish you could keep forever.

Take the pictures.

Enjoy the puppy breath.

Celebrate the little victories.

You aren’t simply bringing home a puppy.

You’re bringing home a River Springs Retriever.

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Once a River Springs Puppy,

You're Always Part of Our Family

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Our relationship with your family does not end on Gotcha Day. Questions about your River Springs puppy? We’re always here.

If at any point during your dog’s life circumstances change and you are no longer able to care for your River Springs Retriever, please contact us first. We want to be a resource and help determine the safest and most appropriate next step for the dog.

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