School Lane Kennels & Cattery

03/08/2024

Snuggles with mum 🩷💙

03/08/2024

This lovely bundle are growing so fast.

18/06/2024

Happy 1st birthday to this gorgeous bundle 🎊🎉

13/06/2024

First pup to leave for his new home. Looks like he has settled in well with their other dogs who are also from us 5yrs ago

09/06/2024

19/05/2024

Nearly 6wks old. Gorgeous chunky pups

19/05/2024

Getting naughty now!!!

28/04/2024

Fat puppies 2 1/2 wks old. Mum doing an excellent job

22/04/2024

Beautiful girl 10mths old

13/04/2024

Nearly 10mth old pup we kept kept back from our last litter to do some basic training.
Both parents fully health tested.
The pup has been vet checked and microchipped and is up to date with his vaccinations.
Lovely natured boy and as you can see great with children
Soon to be ready for his new home.

12/04/2024

Pedigree labrador puppies 4 days old

12/04/2024

FYI

10/02/2024

One of last years gorgeous pups in her new home. Looks like she has settled in really well.

24/12/2023

Merry Christmas to our past, present and future customers 🎄

28/11/2023

Last boy remaining

22/10/2023

Love cuddles

22/10/2023

Sunday afternoon chilling 💙

17/10/2023

Getting active now
Yellow boys available

13/10/2023

New babies yellow boys and black girls available

18/09/2023

Great to see 2 of our pups choc 7yrs and one of this year's litter happy together

02/09/2023

One of our latest pups has gone to live with his big brother (one of our previous pups)

29/08/2023

Last boy available.
Kc Reg, both parents extensively health tested, pup has been vet checked and microchipped
Happy, confident outgoing pup

19/08/2023

Another pup on his way to his new home. Looking very stressed in the car 😂😂

17/08/2023

Another pup settled into his new home

06/08/2023

2 beautiful boys available.
7wks old today. Kc registered both parents fully health checked.
Pups have been wormed, microchipped and vet checked.

08/07/2023

Pups 3wks old

30/06/2023

A MUST READ FOR NEW PUPPY OWNERS.

Auther Unknown

As puppies head to their new homes I wanted to touch base on a common issue that breeders come across with new owners.

Realistic Expectations

You go to the breeder’s home. The pups are all social. They are quiet in the pen. The breeder shows you videos of them being totally relaxed at a dog show. All looks amazing and you bring your puppy home.

Then reality hits. The puppy may cry in the crate for the first few nights making you tired and agitated. The happy social puppy is refusing to greet the half dozen overly excited friends you invited over to see your new puppy. The puppy refuses to walk on a leash. Many are wondering how did my perfect puppy turn into a nightmare.

So let’s discuss realistic expectations of when a puppy goes home. First of all the puppy has been in the breeder’s home since birth. They had their mother and often littermates. They had their routine, were taught expectations and were completely in their comfort zone.

Now suddenly they are taken to a totally new environment. Picture yourself being dropped into an unknown country, often in a different part of the world. You know only a few words of their language. Differnt trees, animals, smells, temperature and people. Now in the middle of this we are switching up your routine, decide to have a party with people you dont know, and ask you to do jobs you have no idea about. Overwhelming to say the least.

This is what every puppy goes through when going to their new home. Stress manifests in different forms. From not eating, reluctancy to play and greet people. Being apprehensive at the vet’s office or as strangers reach for them. Diarrhea, vomiting and depression can occur.

So what can you as a new owner do to help your little one acclimate?

- most puppies take 3-4 weeks to acclimate to their new home. Repeat after me THREE to FOUR WEEKS! Not a 1-2 days. I can’t stress this enough about how much time is needed for a dog or puppy to feel comfortable in their new home!
- limit guests during the first week. We understand you are excited to show off your new baby but they need time to adjust. Plan on waiting 1-2 weeks before inviting people over
- ask guests to sit on the ground and let the puppy approach them. No squealing and grabbing the puppy
- set up a good routine
- restrict the puppy to a small area of the house. This not only reduces them being overwhelmed but also allows you to watch them
- don’t expect a 9-13 week old puppy to walk on a leash. Instead work at home with a leash where they are comfortable. Let them drag the leash, use treats to encourage them to walk with you
- if your puppy is refusing to walk give them time. My first trips to town with puppies a walk around a small block took 1 1/2 hours. We only move when they initiate the movement as they need time to take in the different environment
- understand your puppy needs time to see you as family. Expecting an immediate bond is unrealistic
- train your puppy. This not only helps you to bond but the puppy to look to you for direction and input
- lastly be patient. Don’t declare “omg there’s something wrong with this dog”. Nothing occurs overnight. Outings should be planned at puppy speed. So while you might imagine a fun walk around the lake in reality your puppy might only be able to handle walking a short distance that day.

Most outings for me take a long time, as I am often just standing still as the puppy cautiously explores the new environment. Patience is key!

Remember if the puppy was wonderful at the breeder’s house but now is struggling, you as the owner, need to help the puppy adjust which takes time, patience and training. Have realistic expectations and give the puppy positive experiences. Each puppy is an individual, don’t compare your current puppy to past pets and judge their behavior based on how another dog handled things. Lastly, try to see things from a puppy’s perspective and adjust situations accordingly.

28/06/2023

We have some kc registered labrador puppies.
Colours range from fox red to pale cream.

15/06/2023

Holidays & Day Excursions.
Private Groups.
Airport Transfers.
Private Hires for Any Occasion.