** Note: All pups from this litter are currently reserved.
Welcome to the Week 6 puppy update for our Fall 2025 litter. It is hard to believe how quickly the last six weeks have flown by. These puppies are growing fast, gaining confidence, and becoming more independent with each passing day. With pickup day just around the corner, this week’s update focuses on development, outdoor time, growth milestones, and some very important advice on puppy toys as you prepare to bring your puppy home.
Water Is No Longer Just for Drinking
One of the biggest changes we have seen this week is the puppies discovering that water is not only for drinking but also for playing. Early in the week, they realized the indoor water bowls could double as entertainment, much to their delight. Purple, in particular, found the water bowl fascinating and clearly enjoyed splashing around while we tried to redirect her enthusiasm.
Thankfully, they have also discovered the outdoor water bowls and are using those more appropriately. It is actually a great developmental milestone to see them seeking out multiple water sources on their own. Learning where to find water and recognizing thirst cues is an important step as they become more independent.
More Confidence and Independence Outdoors
The difference between Week 3 and Week 6 is remarkable. Just a few weeks ago, outdoor time lasted only five to ten minutes and the puppies stayed close together, unsure of their surroundings. Now, they are spending close to 40 minutes outside at a time and exploring the yard confidently.
Instead of huddling together, each puppy is now off doing their own thing. Some are exploring, some are playing, and others are simply enjoying the space. They are becoming adventurous, curious, and much harder to convince to come inside for naps. This growing independence is exactly what we want to see at this stage.
Growth and Weight Updates
These puppies are getting big. We are seeing noticeable size differences, but all of them are thriving and growing well.
Our largest puppy this week is the dark blue male, weighing in at 15.7 pounds. At his current growth rate, he could be close to 20 pounds by the time he goes home. On the smaller end of the group, Purple, our female, is weighing approximately 11.5 pounds. While there is a difference in size, all puppies are healthy, active, and progressing exactly as they should.
Based on their current weights and structure, this is shaping up to be a litter of big boys and girls.
Puppy Toys
With pickup day getting closer, we want to spend some time talking about puppy toys. Choosing the right items early can make a big difference in your puppy’s safety, behavior, and overall happiness once they are home.
Puzzle Bowls for Fast Eaters
If you have never owned a Labrador before, one thing to know is that many Labs are aggressive eaters. This does not mean aggressive behaviorally, but rather that they eat very fast. Eating too quickly can lead to upset stomachs, vomiting, and poor digestion.
For fast eaters, we strongly recommend puzzle bowls. These bowls slow down eating by making the puppy work around raised sections to reach their food. This not only helps prevent stomach issues but also provides mental stimulation during mealtime.
Not every dog needs a puzzle bowl. Ginger, for example, has always eaten calmly and thoughtfully. Charlie, on the other hand, has been a fast eater since the day we brought her home and still uses a puzzle bowl today. While she may not love it, it has helped slow her down and prevent her from getting sick.
Choosing Safe and Durable Puppy Toys
Puppies need toys. If they do not have appropriate toys to chew on and play with, they will find their own entertainment, which often means shoes, carpet, furniture, or walls. Having enough stimulating toys available is essential.
We are big fans of Kong toys. These rubber toys are extremely durable and can be stuffed with treats or food to provide both physical and mental engagement. Puppies enjoy figuring out how to get the treats out, and the unpredictable bounce makes them great for playtime.
Kong also makes soft stuffed toys, which the puppies currently have in their pen. They often snuggle with them, treat them like part of their puppy pack, and play with them throughout the day. While Kong toys are more expensive than many options, they tend to last significantly longer and are worth the investment.
Another brand we like is Tuffy. Like Kong, these toys are designed to withstand heavy chewing. The puppies already have some Tuffy toys and enjoy playing with them outside. They are durable, safe, and long lasting.
A money saving tip is to check HomeGoods. While they do not always have these brands in stock, we have found both Kong and Tuffy toys there at significantly lower prices than online retailers.
Toys to Avoid
We strongly recommend avoiding cheap import toy packs that offer large quantities of toys for very little money. These toys do not last, especially with Labradors. They are easily chewed apart, and puppies can swallow plastic pieces or stuffing, which can make them very sick.
It is better to spend a little more money on fewer high quality toys that will last and keep your puppy safe.
We also do not recommend tennis balls or any toy that compresses when chewed. Tennis balls and racquet style balls can become slippery from saliva and compress enough to slide down a dog’s throat, creating a serious choking hazard. Sadly, there are many documented cases of dogs choking and dying from tennis balls.
For fetch, we recommend balls that do not compress and are large enough that the dog cannot swallow them. For our adult dogs, we use softballs. They are durable, non compressible, and safe. For puppies, a baseball sized ball may be more appropriate, transitioning to larger balls as they grow.
Looking Ahead to the Final Week
That wraps up our Week 6 update. Next week will be our final video update, where we will talk about pet insurance and last minute preparations before pickup day.
