How our Puppies are Raised

at Twisted Clovers

Prime Parents

The breeding of each litter is carefully controlled. We take time to evaluate each parents' personality traits, pedigree, size, as well as other physical attributes. We also factor in trainability, desire to please, retrieve drive, and health clearances. We narrow our search for the perfect parent dogs by furth investigating health clearances in important areas deemed by the Labrador Retriever Club such as hips, elbows, eyes, heart, and DNA testing.

Amazing Mothers

From the moment of breeding, our females begin a prenatal regiment including the use of vitamins and high-quality food to ensure the best possible health for the puppies. Daily hikes and exercise ensure the mother is happy and healthy and prepares muscles for delivery. As delivery nears, we move our females into our whelping suite where we monitor their health closely and prepare to become a doggy midwife. Occasionally c-sections are performed for the safety of the mother and her puppies.

Early Interaction

From the time the puppies are born through the first five weeks, we closely guard the health of puppies and mother. The temperature of their environment is very carefully controlled - as the first 2 weeks are critical to their survival. Each puppy is observed thoroughly to ensure a healthy weight gain, socialization with the litter, and socialization with humans including Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS), Early Scent Introduction (ESI) and Rules of Seven. We do our best to ensure that all our puppies receive the best start possible to reach their full potential.​

Healthy Growth

At 3-weeks of age, we begin the weaning process. We begin feeding the puppies puppy mush food as well as nursing from the mother. All puppies will be weaned onto puppy food by 5-6 weeks of age.

  • From 2-8 weeks of age, the puppies will be dewormed. On their 6-week birthday the puppies will also receive their first round of shots. From this point on the puppies start eating their meals in a puppy crate, creating a positive first introduction. This helps monitor the health and weight gain of each puppy.

  • During week 6-7 we do a puppy overall wellness check with our veterinarian team. We will also give each puppy a unique microchip. 

  • At 7-weeks, we do the Volhard Temperament Test. This helps us determine the unity of the litter and helps us improve our breeding program. We are able to better place our puppies with the correct job path and family based off of this testing.

  • At 8-weeks the puppies are ready for their "New Home".

New Families & Careers

Each of the potential families or service dog organizations are monitored and go through a process of approval. We work closely with each family and organization to pair them with a matching dog. The pups may leave with their new family at 8-weeks of age or enter into a training program. Each pup comes with a go-home bag that prepares them and their new family for the best possible transition into their new home.