Lab Puppies I'm fostering

Introduce them (in the safety of your home, or your arms) to as many different people as you possibly can.  People with beards, in wheelchairs, long hair, short hair, tall, thin, fat, short, people in different types of uniforms.  Give them safe toys of a variety of different sizes, shapes and textures.  Have them walk on as many different types of surfaces as you can, whilst adhereing to being sensible about their current state of vaccinations.  Play different kinds of music.  See if you can find a tape or other recording of thunderstorms, fireworks, anything that might later become a source of fear, and play them quietly but with absolutely no fuss - just act as if it is an everyday occurence. 
 
Remember that pups go through a fear stage between 8-10 weeks, so any introduction to new things at this time should be gentle and not overwhelming.
 
HTH!
 
Kate

Those are some great ideas, thanks.

I don't think I'll have to worry about an audio tape of thunder and lightning, we've had some monster storms in the past two weeks and it's supposed to continue. We actually had a whopper of a storm Sunday evening and I was worried that they'd have a hard time because my brother (the litter is from his dog) was leaving the puppies outside and they went through a couple storms out there and as he put it, they "wouldn't go in the dog house." To top it off, he had brought their momma inside for the storms, so the pups were on their own. (I could just strangle him sometimes!) So, I was worried that they'd freak Sunday evening, but they were just fine and happy-go-lucky pups.

Another thing would be to pay attention to them seperately.  Take one out of visual range, into another room, and interact with him/her.  Don't leave the pup alone, just interact with this pup seperate from the others.  Do this every now and then so that they don't "panic" when they can't see or aren't with the litter.

Well, one of the pups is going to his new home this afternoon. I met the family with all of the pups last Sunday so their dog could meet them and we could make sure she wouldn't have a problem with them. The pup is going to belong to the 10 year old daughter, who was extremely gentle and intelligent in her handling of the pups. They current dog is completely spoiled and the picture of obedience and helath.

So, yea! One down, three to go. They are going to be at Petsmart today, so hopefully more will get homes as well.

Different surfaces!  Thats one thing that seems to be overlooked.  They should be used to walking on tile, grass, concrete, grates, all kinds of things! 

Two have been adopted out and I have a good prospect for a third. Yea!