Chapel Hill Kennels was established in 2001. My Son Jordan who is the manager. My husband Randy, and myself Sue, started by breeding labs. Then I saw a need for families with limited tolerances. Families that would love a pet, new family member. After considerable research I bred my 1st litter of Labradoodles in 2003. After the delivery of the first litter I was head over heels in love. Though I love my labs pups, I have never seen, as in the Doodles, such loving, caring, genital and loyal personalties. Yes it is in the parents make-up. But I have to say I have a wonderful breeding parents.
I put a great deal of time and care into my pups!! My mothers dogs are given Iams puppy chow and a mix of wet meat dog food after whelping until the pups are 4 weeks old. Then I slowly return my mothers back to their normal diet of Iams Adult . I move my Mother dogs in a private bedroom with myself about 2 weeks before the delivery date. My mothers DO NOT go through labor and delivery alone! My son Jordan who manages the our Kennel and I are with them every step of the way, no matter what time day or night. And we have had some long! Sleepless nights. We help deliver each pup and cut the cord our self. If you let the mothers do it, often they pull on the cord to try to remove it and this can cause health problems to the pup. (ie: hernia) We also make sure the puppy airway is clear. After each pup is born the cord is cut and they are all cleaned up by mommy, We put the puppy on a nipple and make sure it begins nursing. This also helps the mother dog to deliver other pups. It is so important for the mother that each nipple is being used equally. It is imperative that each pup eat well several times a day! I make sure the "runt" is on a lower fuller nipple. This assure a bit of more milk to help them grow. This is why I spend hours and hours with puppies for the first few weeks after whelping. Living in the same room as mom and the bobies. This is another reason why my pups are so well socialized. This is my system for a happy healthy loving puppy.
Before your puppy leaves my home they will have had their dew-claws removed (at 2 days old), 3 worming's (1 @ 4weeks and 1 at 6 wks and 1 at 8 wks), 3 sets of vaccines, and they will have taken a trip to the Vet to insure they are in great health. All of my pups are Vet checked! All of my puppies are well socialized! I spend a lot of time with all of my dogs and my puppies. I observe the pups personalties to help with the transition to a new home This way I can help match just the right puppy with your families lifestyle. For instance, A puppy who is real active and likes to play a lot would be better with an active family maybe with kids. A puppy that is a little more laid back and prefers to watch the action from afar, might be better for a quiet home. Bringing your new baby home. The first day home for a new puppy can be scary for them. After all they have been hearing the same voices, smelling the same scents, and they are used to being with their litter mates. We want to make the transition as easy as possible. We send a uesd! Puppy toy to the new home. Some new parents have brought toys or blankets up to leave with their puppy. I encourage that! That way the puppies will have something from their old home to take with them to their new home. It helps to give them a since of security. they feel safe with something familiar. Bring your puppy home on a quiet day. A day that you are not expecting any company and you will be able to stay home as well. Your puppy will need his or her "own room". What I mean by that is they have to have an area of their own where they know they will be safe. This is the 1st place you should show your pup when they get home. At night or when your not home your puppy should be confined to an area where it won't hurt itself our damage your home. Possible a crate. A lot of people use crates for this, or you can simply corner off an area of your house with a baby gate, and put in a bed, food, and chew toys. If you use a crate it must be a large enough crate for your puppy to grow, and be able to stand and move around in. Keep the area or crate open when you are home so the pup can walk in and out as it pleases. You only need to do this until your puppy is trained, and knows the rules of the house. Do not use his area/crate for punishing!!!! Dog proof your house just like baby proofing there are some things you need to do. Keep household cleaners out of reach, or in a cupboard. watch your plants! some plants are dangerous to dogs, Poinsettias, azaleas, rhododendrons, Japanese yew, English ivy, and probably more but these are the ones I know. Keep you floor clean, they can find the smallest little things to eat off the floor. Especially when they are pups and teething. Also it is very important to cover or hide electric cords. If you have a pool or hot tub that are not fenced in you need to be careful. Dogs could walk out onto a pool cover. They may fall in! So far all my pups are water dogs and play in small pools in the summer and water buckets in the winter. Pups will not do something bad just to be a bad dog. Remember they will chew on stuff. I recommend chew bones made in America only, As imported ones may have preservatives in them that can be harmful or even fatal to your new family member Meeting the children - Kids get so excited bringing home a new puppy. Here are some rules to explain to them: NO TEASING! that can and usually does lead to bad habits like jumping up on people or even biting. Teach your children to be gentle when they play no tail pulling. Supervise your children when thy are holding puppies. Some puppy no mater how loving may not like to be held.
Training - When you get your puppy home before taking them inside, show them their yard and their boundaries. Praise them like they just saved the universe when they go potty outside. Treats can help with that!! You have to be consistent and simple when you train a pup. Use the same simple one syllable words over and over. Such as NO! The tone of your voice is important too. You do not have to yell at your puppy just use a stern voice and stay consistent! It is important to teach this to your children, they will be part of the learning process for your puppy. If everyone in your house is using the same simple words and staying consistent, your pup will be trained a lot faster. Also remember when training use their names. for instance when they go potty outside don't just say "good girl". Say "Good Abbey". When abbey is caught chewing on a shoe say "bad abbey", NO!" Most dogs just want to please their owners, when you're happy, they are happy. Frequent bathroom breaks the 1st week or 2 is the best way to housebreak. Be sure to take them out about 10 minutes after they have eaten and right after they wake from a nap!
Bring a new puppy home is a big decision. And I want to help you in any way. No questions is a stupid questions . This will be a new family member for years to come. Training may take time but will be worth it in the end.
