Steppinstone Dog Training

08/29/2026

Genetics are everything Kracker babies came with the “Sleep on our backs gene too” 😂

08/29/2026

Stella ready to roll ! She is full of life and fun
She is also part of my started dog program. Placing real life skills to prepare her for her next forever home.

* 🌲 Hiking
* 🐕 Small-group pack work
* 🎯 Recall
* 🦮 Off-leash reliability where appropriate
* 🚶 Loose-leash skills

* 🚗 Real-world environmental exposure

08/28/2026

This little girl is from a Breeder who is in My Dog program. I’ll be seeking her forever place in December.

08/28/2026

Stella growing like a w**d!!!!! Seeking her forever December 2026 🐾🐾🐾

08/27/2026

Labrador pups ready December 2026

08/27/2026

🐾 Started Labrador Family Companions — Anticipated December 2026 Placements 🐾

I’m excited to offer a small number of my Labrador puppies as started family companions, with the goal of having them ready for their forever homes in December 2026.

These puppies are being raised in my home and will receive much more than basic puppy care. They will be living, learning, and training alongside my mentor dogs while developing the foundation skills they need to become wonderful family companions.

What will be included:

* Basic obedience and foundation training
* Crate training
* House-training foundation
* Leash walking
* Recall foundation
* Sit, down, place and stay
* Impulse control and settling
* Learning to turn their brain off and relax
* Appropriate socialization and exposure to everyday life
* Car rides and outings
* Exposure to different environments
* Learning how to work around other dogs
* Continued confidence-building and enrichment
* A solid foundation for continuing training with their new family

My goal is not simply to sell you a puppy. I want to give each puppy a meaningful foundation before they leave my home, so the transition into their new family is easier for both the dog and the owner.

🦷 Go-Home Timing

I would like to place these puppies after their full set of adult teeth has come in, rather than sending them home simply because they have reached a certain age.

That gives me additional time to continue their development, evaluate their personalities and progress, and make thoughtful matches with their forever families.

Anticipated placement: December 2026

Because these are started and foundation-trained Labradors, families should expect a different investment than they would make for a typical young puppy.

Each puppy will be placed according to temperament, lifestyle and training needs whenever possible. My goal is to make the right match—not simply the quickest sale.

If you’re interested in bringing home a Labrador who has already had a strong start in life and training, message me to be added to the December 2026 Started Labrador interest list.

Steppingstone Dog Training & Labradors
Raising. Training. Matching. Preparing dogs for real life.

08/27/2026

Maturing nicely Reggie for his 1/2birthday 🐾🐶🐾🐶

08/27/2026

I think we have another professional her like his mom Kracker!!
Go Koji🐾🐶

08/27/2026

Shared we wipe alot in winter

🐾 Another Cause for Itchy Paws
If your dog is constantly licking or chewing her paws, allergies may not be the whole story.
Every time your dog walks through grass, yards, sidewalks, or outdoor spaces, her paws can collect pollen, mold spores, dust, fertilizers, pesticides, and other environmental irritants. Think of those furry feet as little Swiffers picking up everything in their path!
And simply wiping the paws off often isn’t enough. Irritants can hide between the toes, around the nailbeds, and deep in the paw pads.
One of my favorite simple strategies is a regular paw soak. 💚
A soothing foot soak can help physically remove environmental allergens and irritants from the skin while giving those hard-working paws a little TLC. For many dogs with seasonal paw licking, reducing their daily exposure can make a meaningful difference.
🐾 For medium and large dogs: use a bucket or basin and soak one paw at a time.
🐾 For small dogs: a shallow basin or sink works well.
🐾 Afterward: rinse with clean water and dry thoroughly, especially between the toes.
I’ve also included my Detoxifying Paw Soak recipe with green tea, apple cider vinegar, Epsom salts, and an optional antimicrobial addition.
Save this recipe for your next itchy-paw flare-up! 🌿🐶
And remember: if your dog’s paws are persistently red, swollen, painful, smelly, or she’s licking them obsessively, don’t assume it’s just allergies. Yeast, bacterial infections, parasites, foreign bodies, and other underlying problems can also cause paw irritation and deserve a veterinary evaluation.
Healthy paws start with reducing what touches them every day. 💚 Grab the recipe details in my blog, link in comments 🐾