Clark's Labradors Retrievers

We are located located near New Castle, PA, about 30 minutes east of Youngstown, OH, 1 hour north of Pittsburgh, PA, and 2 hours south of Erie, PA.

No, we do not ship puppies. We encourage you to pick up your pup in person, where you will be able to meet us and the dam, and ask any remaining questions you may have. If you are unable to meet at our home, we can meet you at the Pittsburgh, Akron, or Cleveland airport so the puppy can fly back in the cabin with you (additional fees may apply).

Puppies are chosen in order of the deposits received. Upon the discussion we have when you inquire about a pup, you will be notified of how many puppies are available and which are already spoken for. Upon receipt of deposit, the your choice number will be confirmed. You may specify that you want a male or a female, or either.

The honest answer is it depends. Our primary concern is the health and well-being of the entire litter. We also know that meeting new people is a wonderful way to socialize the puppies, and gives you the best opportunity to observe them and help determine which puppy is best suited to fit with you and your family. So, if you are local and would like to stop by for a brief visit(s), we can arrange a time for you to come and observe them after they’ve had their first shots. But, we cannot permit every family to come and handle all of the puppies on multiple occasions before they are fully vaccinated.

Yes, once a deposit is received, we will send you updates and photos/videos at week 2, 4, and 6. We also add photos on our Facebook page, so be sure to check there for updates.

Our puppies are $2,500. A $500 non-refundable deposit is due in order to secure your pick of the litter. The $2,000 balance is due when you pick up your pup at 8 weeks. Partial payments may be made at any time. If the balance is paid by personal check, please send it at least 10 days prior to pick up.

We accept PayPal (through which you can use a credit card), cash, check, or money order. A 3.9% service fee applies for PayPal payments. If paying the final balance by check, it must be received a week prior to pick-up day.

We do not keep a waiting list, because we want anyone with specific requirements of color, size or timing to wait until pups are on the ground and thriving before placing the non-refundable deposit. Anyone who signs up for our Litter Announcements will be notified of a new litter 24-48 hours before we announce the litter on our website or social media, giving them first chance to make a deposit.

Once the pups are weaned, they will be eating Diamond Naturals Large Breed Puppy Formula. We suggest having the same food on hand for when your puppy comes home at 8 weeks. Should you choose to switch dog food, we recommend adding the new food slowly to what they’ve been eating and increasing the portion over a week or so. We highly recommend that your pup’s food does not contain corn, soy, or wheat. Read more about canine nutrition.

These are not affiliate links, but items we recommend:

• an XL crate with a divider, like this one (with one door), or this one (with two doors). It is really important when they’re little that they feel safe and secure in their new space. The divider is key to giving them that security while allowing them room to grow.
• Stainless steel food and water bowls in an elevated stand. We’ve found stainless steel is the easiest to clean, and an adjustable elevated stand that grows with them helps with digestion. If you find your pup is eating too quickly or is a messy drinker, this slow-feeder option is a good choice. We do not recommend a slow-feeder puzzle option like this. Our dogs just take them apart and dump the food. Spreading the food in a boot tray is a great option while working on the “wait” command (but not ideal for long term digestion).
• Collar/harness and leash. Learning to walk on a loose leash is such an important skill! The 2 Hounds Freedom No Pull Harness is a great option if you have a puller! If you are looking for something stylish, we love the Bearded Ladies collars (we’re partial to the Barre, that looks great on a yellow lab!)
• Durable rubber toys, especially a Kong. Fill it with peanut butter or freeze it with frozen yogurt. Just be sure you choose the correct size for your puppy. We also like to give an occasional Bully Stick, and recommend a holder if you give these.
• Furry Fresh Accidents (of all sorts) happen. We have found Furry Fresh works really well to break down the enzymes causing stains and odors. A gallon lasts forever!

The puppies live inside our home and are cared for by our family. Your puppy will be socialized and child conditioned, de-wormed multiple times, vet examined, have its first round of vaccinations, microchipped, nails clipped, and bathed.

We believe that training begins with the breeder. Our training process of Early Neurological Stimulation (ENS). Puppies who feel safe in their earliest days are prove to be resilient and highly-trainable. We work daily to ensure puppies feel safe and are exposed to new scents, sights, sounds, and experiences. We have found that the Puppy Culture program is very helpful for training from birth to 12 weeks. By the time your pup is 8 weeks old, they will have been introduced to the basic training skills of potty training, crate training, leash walking and sitting.

No, despite our best efforts, your puppy likely will not be house broken when you take him home at 8 weeks. The puppies are taken outside to potty after each meal, so they should have a strong association with going out to potty after eating, as well as in the morning and before bed. They are in a 12×8 foot pen, however, with these potty pads. Learning to potty in a particular place is a skill, even if it is inside.

When they get to your home, consistency is key! Before going inside, take them immediately to where you want them to potty, and keep going back to that spot. We recommend crating your puppy for naps and at night, so take your puppy to that spot immediately upon waking. Keep a close eye on your puppy during play time. If you notice any change in attention, take them out to potty. Set a timer, and take them out every 30 minutes when they’re not in the crate.

At eight weeks, your puppy can only tolerate being crated at night for about six hours. As soon as they wake, take them out. If possible, don’t turn on lights and don’t talk to them (except praise for “going,”). Return them to the crate immediately. Puppies need to learn that potty breaks during the night are not the same as being awake with play breaks during the day.

During the first few weeks at home, if puppy has an accident in the house, don’t even acknowledge it. Just clean it up, and realize that you failed to take puppy out before he needed to go. As your puppy grows and develops and he learns a consistent routine, house training will be a success. Training Canines has a great video on house training.

The most important thing you should do when bringing home your new puppy is to establish trust. Training Canines has a great video on this.

Labs are highly motivated by food. Spending a few minutes training before a meal is a great time to grab their attention. At other times during the day, offering a piece of their food or a small piece of string cheese is a great option. Pieces of fruit and veggies are often big hits too! You don’t need to spend a lot of money or give extra calories for routine training. For some more advanced skills, you may want a “higher-value” treat, like a piece of bacon or dried liver.

Spending just a few minutes training each day is enough. Exposing your new pup to new sights, smells, and experiences in the first 12 weeks is really important. Aim for one “new” thing each day.

We definitely recommend an in-person puppy class when available. If that isn’t an option, the Puppy Culture course, “Welcome, New Puppy,” is great. And we love the content Training Canines puts out on social media. We haven’t used any of the breeder/trainer courses yet, but find the reels so valuable!

We recommend and try to have all of the puppies go to their new homes on the same day. Generally, we try to do this on a Friday so that you have the weekend to spend with your new pup and get them acclimated to your home. If that is not possible, we can make arrangements to board your pup for a few days. Additional fees may apply.