From Your First Application to Take Home Day

Adding a Labrador to your family is a big decision, and choosing the right breeder is just as important. We want you to learn about YFL, ask questions and make sure our program is the right fit for your family before making a commitment.

Our process is intentionally personal. You'll work directly with Mark Jr. from your initial application through litter placement, Family Day, puppy selection and beyond.

Here's how it works:

1. Get to Know YFL

Start by exploring our website, Facebook page, reviews and YFL Owners community to learn about our family, our dogs, how our puppies are raised, our health testing and what you can expect from us as your breeder. We want you to feel confident about who you're getting your puppy from, not simply find the next available Labrador.

2. Complete the YFL Puppy Application

The first official step is completing our YFL Puppy Application.

Tell us about yourself, your family, your experience with dogs, where your puppy will live and what you're hoping for in your Labrador. Whether you're looking for a family companion, hunting partner, service prospect, working dog or simply man's best friend, there are no perfect answers. We just want to get to know you.

Once we receive your application, Mark Jr. will personally reach out by text to schedule a phone call.

3. Talk With Mark

This isn't a sales call.  It's an opportunity for us to get to know each other. Mark will explain YFL, our dogs, upcoming breeding plans, anticipated timing and what you can expect throughout the process.

More importantly, bring your questions. We want you to understand exactly how YFL works before deciding whether we're the right breeder for your family.

4. Join the YFL Waiting List

If you decide YFL is the right fit, a $250 nonrefundable reservation deposit secures your place on our waiting list.

This initial deposit is based on your preferences for color, gender and anticipated timeframe rather than one specific puppy or litter.

Your reservation is flexible. Life changes. If you need to change color, gender or timing, we'll work with you and move your reservation accordingly.

5. Your Litter Arrives

This is when things start getting exciting. When a litter arrives that matches your preferences and your position on our waiting list, we'll contact you with the details.

You'll have the opportunity to accept that litter or wait for a future one. If you accept, a second $250 nonrefundable deposit confirms your placement on that specific litter and establishes your position in the puppy selection order.

Then you get to spend the next eight weeks watching them grow.

6. Follow Your Puppy’s First Eight Weeks

Once you're confirmed on a litter, we'll keep you connected as the puppies develop.

Those first eight weeks are spent at Labrador Land being raised inside our family home, where the puppies experience age appropriate socialization, household activity, children, adult dogs, new surfaces, outdoor exploration and plenty of hands on interaction.

This is also the time for your family to prepare for bringing home a puppy.

7. Family Day at Six Weeks

At approximately six weeks old, families with confirmed reservations on the litter are invited to Labrador Land for Family Day.

You'll meet our family, the puppies and their mom, spend plenty of time cuddling puppies and participate in a larger Q&A about everything from feeding and crates to potty training and what to expect during those first weeks at home.

No puppies are selected on Family Day. If you live out of state or cannot attend, that's okay. We'll make sure you receive the information you need and can arrange an individual conversation when appropriate.

8. Puppy Selection & Take Home Day

At approximately eight weeks old, it's finally time.

Each family receives an individual appointment time and selects their puppy in reservation order. Waiting until eight weeks gives us more time to watch the litter develop and gives you a much better opportunity to see the differences between the puppies than you would at six weeks.

You'll interact with the puppies available for your selection, and we'll share what we've observed about them to help you choose the Labrador that feels right for your family.

Once you've selected your puppy, we'll review their records, feeding, Fi microchip, AKC registration, Trupanion activation and final take home instructions.

Then your YFL Labrador goes home.

9. Or Stay for Puppy Kindergarten

Not quite ready to take your puppy home? A limited number of puppies from each litter can remain at YFL for our three week Puppy Kindergarten program. Instead of going home at eight weeks, your puppy stays with us while we begin working on Name Recognition, Here, Sit, Place and Down, along with crate routines and potty training foundations.

Space is limited to two puppies per litter.

10. Once YFL, Always YFL

Take home day isn't goodbye. Call us. Text us. Send pictures. Ask questions. Join our private YFL Owners Facebook group. Come back for training. Bring your dog to Mark Jr. for an AKC Canine Good Citizen evaluation. And please keep us updated as your puppy grows.

We raised your puppy for their first eight weeks, but we're here as a resource for the rest of their life. Many YFL families eventually return for their second or third Labrador, and there's no greater compliment to our family than that.

Family Raised. Purpose Bred. Supported for Life.