Down East Setters

07/18/2026

🚫Puppy Biting – Why It Should Never Be Allowed

One of the most common questions new puppy parents ask is, “When does the puppy nipping stop?” The truth is, the better question is, “How do I prevent it from ever becoming a habit?”

Puppies naturally explore the world with their mouths. While this is normal, it doesn’t mean it should be accepted. Allowing a puppy to nip or bite—even in play—teaches them that putting teeth on people is okay. What seems harmless at 10 weeks old quickly becomes a serious problem at 10 months old, as your puppy grows stronger and more confident.

Here’s why it’s important to never allow biting from the start:

🐾1. It Prevents Bad Habits Early
Puppies learn very quickly what is and isn’t acceptable. If biting is allowed in play, it becomes a habit that’s much harder to correct later.

🐾2. Safety Matters

A playful nip from a young puppy might not hurt much, but once they become an adult, the same behavior can cause great injury. Teaching bite inhibition from day one prevents accidents, especially with children or elderly family members.

🐾3. Clear Boundaries Build Respect

Puppies thrive on structure. When you consistently redirect biting and show them appropriate ways to play (toys, chews, games of fetch), they learn respect for human hands and skin.

🐾4. Prepares Them for Training & Handling

Dogs who never learn to keep their teeth off people are harder to handle for grooming, veterinary care, or training because they have no respect for people. Establishing this boundary early makes for a well-mannered, trustworthy companion that is a joy to be around.

What to Do Instead: 👀

Redirect biting to an appropriate toy.

Stop play immediately and loudly yelp "Ouch" the second their teeth touch you.

Reward calm, gentle behavior. It is just as important to reward calm and good behaviors. Also tired is not calm, this is a huge confusion in the dog world. Calm must be taught with training and once taught can be asked to do so at any energy level or situation. So if your dog is only laying down being good because you played ball for 2 hours and they are so tired they dont want to move, you still have not taught calm. They will rest up and still be difficult to handle in challenging situations until they learn to be calm when asked.

Stay consistent—every family member should follow the same rules.

The key is to remember that prevention is always easier than correction. If a puppy never learns that biting people is fun, it won’t become an issue down the road. By setting this standard from the very beginning, you’re raising a dog who is safe, respectful, and a joy to live with. Remember dogs thrive on rules, boundaries and limitations. Giving a puppy a correction is not being mean, you're setting them up for success. Just remember reward is equally if not more important.

I do not believe puppies go through a "piranha stage" that they grow out of and I do not belive it is a teething thing either. Puppies grow up and get some size on them and the people they have been chewing on get sick of it and start corrections because "they are not a little puppy anymore" I am a firm believer in stopping an unwanted habit right from day one. I have multiple dogs from various pedigrees that I have raised from babies and one thing they all have in common is that we never did the "puppy teething piranha stage"

07/17/2026

One of the questions we get asked the most is, "How do you get your puppies started on housebreaking so young?"

We actually begin the process at just 3 weeks of age, and it's done through small, gradual steps that make sense to the puppies.

We start by placing large rabbit dropping pans filled with wood pellet bedding in the puppy area. Whenever the puppies wake up, finish eating, or begin showing signs they need to potty, we gently place them in the litter pan. Before long, they begin seeking out the litter pan on their own instead of going elsewhere in their pen.

Once they're consistently using the litter pan, we slowly begin moving it closer and closer to the doggy door. This teaches the puppies that when they need to potty, they walk toward the door.

At around 6 weeks of age, after they've received their first vaccinations, we move the litter pan just outside the doggy door. Now they're learning two important things at once: to go to the door and to go outside before they potty.

Once the puppies are reliably going outside to use the litter pan, we remove it completely and dump the wood pellets into the grass nearby. The familiar scent helps them transition naturally from using the litter pan to using the grass, and before long they're choosing the grass on their own.

This method has given our puppies an excellent foundation before they ever leave for their new homes.

A few tips for bringing your new puppy home:

🐾 The very first thing you should do is NOT bring your puppy inside to meet everyone. As exciting as that moment is, it's actually one of the biggest mistakes people make. The puppy has likely just traveled, is excited, and probably needs to potty. Bringing them straight inside often results in an accident that could have been easily avoided.

🐾 Instead, take your puppy directly to the outdoor potty spot you want them to use. Let them sniff around, relax, and hopefully potty there before ever entering the house. This is the first lesson you want them to learn, and it's one of the most important for making house training easy.

🐾 Choose one convenient potty area and be consistent. Bring your puppy to the same location every time. Dogs learn through repetition, and consistency will help them understand exactly where they're supposed to go.

🐾 Because our puppies grow up using a doggy door, don't be surprised if your puppy stands at a door, whines, or seems like they're searching for a way outside. Many times they aren't confused—they're actually looking for the doggy door because they've learned that's how they ask to go potty.

🐾 Finally, limit your puppy's freedom inside the house until they've established that outdoor potty routine. The goal is to never let them choose an indoor "bathroom spot." Once a puppy develops the habit of using a particular place inside the house, it can take much longer to retrain them.

Every puppy is different, and no method is completely accident-free, but by starting early and building each step gradually, our puppies leave with a solid understanding of where they're supposed to potty. We believe giving our families that head start makes the transition into their new homes much easier—for both the puppy and their new family.

07/11/2026

07/11/2026

They were definitely happy to get out of the van!

07/11/2026

Hi everyone! Tomorrow I'll be reaching out to each of you to finalize pickup and delivery arrangements for your new puppy.

I know a few of you have already reached out, and we've made tentative plans, but a lot can change over two months. I like to confirm all of the details during the last couple of weeks before the puppies head home so everyone is on the same page.

The puppies are scheduled for their next round of vaccinations on Friday, July 24th, and they'll be ready to go to their new homes beginning Saturday, July 25th.

I can't believe how quickly these past several weeks have flown by! We're so excited for each of these little ones to begin the next chapter with their forever families, and I look forward to talking with each of you tomorrow to get everything finalized.

07/11/2026

A few slight protests to the 5 hour trip but we are home!

07/11/2026

One of the realities of living in rural Maine is that it's absolutely beautiful... until you need an in-town amenity like a veterinarian. Today's appointment meant a 2-hour drive each way, so by the time everyone had their exams, vaccines, microchips, and we made the trip home, it turned into about a 5-hour adventure.

Overall, the puppies were fantastic travelers! Most rode like little pros. A couple got carsick, but that's completely normal at this age since their inner ears are still developing and they're learning how to handle the motion of riding in a vehicle.

Everyone received a clean bill of health. One puppy has a very slight heart murmur, but our veterinarian isn't concerned and expects it to resolve on its own—possibly even before their 8-week checkup.

Today they all received their first DA2PP vaccine and were microchipped, another big milestone as they continue growing into healthy, confident puppies.

And the excitement doesn't stop there... tomorrow is another huge milestone! We open the doggy door, and the puppies will get to experience the great outdoors for the very first time. We can't wait to watch them explore, play, and discover a whole new world.

They are growing up so fast! ❤️🐾

07/09/2026

It's hard to believe how fast these little ones are growing! ❤️🐾 Can you belive they are almost 6 weeks old already? Like where has time gone.

Tomorrow is a big milestone for the puppies as they head out on their very first little road trip. The pups will receive a complete health check, their age-appropriate vaccinations, routine deworming, and their permanent microchips from Akc Reunite.

These appointments are always bittersweet. It's exciting to watch them grow into healthy, confident puppies, but it also reminds us that they're getting closer to leaving for their forever homes. We've poured so much time, love, and care into raising this litter, and we couldn't be prouder of how they're turning out.

Please keep your fingers crossed that everyone gets a clean bill of health tomorrow! We'll be sure to post an update and, of course, plenty of pictures afterwards.

After this appointment they get access to the outside puppy yard and play area. We also really start pushing the potty training even more now that they can go outside. They start sleeping in their individual crates at night and are fully weaned from moms milk at this point, she still has lots to teach them over the next 2 weeks!

Thank you to everyone who has followed along on this journey with Penny, Spencer, and their beautiful puppies. Your support means more than you know. ❤️
— Down East Setters and Labs

07/03/2026

🎆 Fireworks and Your Dog: Helping Them Through the Holiday 🐾

For many of us, the Fourth of July is a time to celebrate. For our dogs, however, it can be one of the most stressful nights of the year. Loud, unpredictable noises can trigger fear and anxiety, but there are several things you can do to help them feel more comfortable.

🐶 Try these tips:
• Play calming music or white noise to help drown out the fireworks. YouTube has several playlists specifically designed to help relax anxious dogs.
• Close windows, curtains, and blinds to reduce both the noise and flashing lights.
• Give your dog a safe, quiet place where they feel secure, such as their crate or a favorite room.
• Stay calm and confident. Dogs often look to us for guidance. If you become anxious, they may feed off your emotions.
• Avoid excessively comforting or petting your dog while they're actively panicking. While it's natural to want to reassure them, constantly rewarding fearful behavior can unintentionally reinforce it. Instead, encourage calm behavior with a confident, positive attitude and reward them once they begin to relax.
• In extreme cases its best to reach out to your veterinarian as they can prescribe medicine to keep them safe and calm.

At Down East Setters and Labs, we start preparing our puppies long before they ever go home. In our whelping room, we regularly play recordings of fireworks, thunderstorms, traffic, and other everyday sounds to help desensitize them during critical stages of development.

That said, every dog is different. Some puppies are naturally more confident and take these experiences in stride, while others may still develop sensitivities despite early exposure. Early socialization and sound conditioning can greatly improve the odds, but genetics, temperament, and life experiences all play a role.

Most importantly, plan ahead. Make sure your pets are safely indoors, wearing identification, and never leave them outside unattended during fireworks.

Stay safe, and have a happy Independence Day! 🇺🇸🐾