Important Points

Important Points:

WEIGHT. Keep your puppy from getting fat. A fat puppy will invalidate the hip guarantee as obesity can contribute to the development of hip dysplasia. It can also be the source of other health problems.
SHOTS. Keep your pets shots up to date! He is at risk until the final set up puppy vaccines have been given.
SOCIALIZATION PLAY. Tickle and squeeze between your puppies toes, stick your finger in his mouth, make him stand still, look in his ears & check his teeth every day starting today. Expose him to startling & loud noises. Expose him to quick, startling motions.
FOOD/TOYS. Take his food bowl away while he is eating and then pause before giving it back. Take things out of his mouth and pause before returning them. Do NOT permit or encourage growling or possessiveness of toys or food. Not with you & not with other dogs.
SOCIAL. While being cautious about exposure to potential sources of infections, socialize, socialize & socialize some more.
VACCINATIONS. Ask your vet about required vaccinations (eg, Oregon requires rabies vaccination by 6 months of age for first vaccination, followed by a booster one year later, followed by re-vaccination every 3 years). I don not recommend the use of the Lyme vaccine for tick born diseases as this vaccine is known to cause false positives and lacks in protection.
HEART WORM. In my opinion heart worm medication is necessary year round in the Pacific Northwest. It also will protect your puppy from all other internal parasites. I recommend Sentinel brand monthly for life. We require use of a monthly internal and external parasite treatment program for any dog that comes to our home to be a guest. (eg. Sentinel, which is internal and external protection in one given orally, Interceptor & Frontline combo, internal, external protections separately, Interceptor is oral and Frontline is topical or Revolution which is topical internal and external all in one)
VET. Please know that you have some knowledge that your vet doesn't. They are experts in canine medicine but you are the expert on your dog. You know what normal behavior looks like & when you are seeing abnormal behavior.
BREED STANDARD. Your puppy is close to the breed standard. Do no let others say that your puppy should be shorter, taller, blonder, redder or have a pointier head. Your dog is able to do obedience, sleep on the couch, hunt, play ball or track.
VET EXPENSES. Email or call us if you have concerns that are not emergent. We may be able to save you unnecessary vet charges.
CAN'T KEEP YOUR PUP. If, for any reason you are unable to keep your dog, even if he is 13 years old or has medical problems, we want him back. In fact, our contract insists on it!