Snack and Supplements
Food
Puppy food is higher in protein and vitamin & mineral content and should be given to a Lab or labradoodle for about 1 full year. This will ensure that the pup gets adequate nutrition as he grows.
Adult food can be given after a years time. I use a 30% protein food which can be found in higher quality foods.
A dog has a much more efficient metabolism than a human- and has a body temperature of 101.5 degrees. When puppies are born- their temperature will be lower than their 101.5 temperature. They cannot regulate their temperatures and need their Mothers and littermates to keep them warm. An adult dog will have a temperature of 101.5, which is 2.9 degrees higher than that of a human! This is a huge difference and allows a dog to burn more calories through a higher thermogenic efficient temperature. A dog needs 30 calories per pound per day! An active or pregnant dog can require two to three times this amount!
Dogs also require different nutritional needs than humans. While humans rely mostly on carbohydrates, a dogs diet should consist of mainly protein and fats. Fats contain 9 calories per gram while carbohydrates and proteins contain 4 calories per gram. Since a dog has a higher body temperature than a human, it is able to metabolize and burn calories much more efficiently than a human! This includes medications. Pound for pound, a dog would need a greater amount of a medication than a human who weighs more.
Snack and Supplements
Labs and labradoodles should get treats consisting of products made mainly of beef or chicken, or fish- PROTEINS! This provides a healthy high protein snack for the dog. I also recommend snacks such as apples with the skin, carrots, trimmed fat from beef and chicken- cooked of course, mixed in with their kibble. Bully sticks and pig ears are also good choices. Stay clear of rawhides. These contain bleach, glue, and are difficult on the dogs digestive system. Amazingly, a dogs stomach acid is 5 times more powerful than a humans!
Dogs can benefit from certain supplements just as humans can. I recommend a fish oil pill, or salmon oil. Glucosamine can be given to dogs when they become older, should they develop arthritis. The same supplements that humans use can be given to dogs, just in different doses.
I give my adults the same supplements of fish oil, flax seed oil, and glucosamine that I use.
"Waggin Train" makes excellent dog treats! Their products are made of chicken or beef with few other ingredients! I recommend a high quality dog food consisting of 25/30% protein and about 20% fat. Remember, dogs get most of their caloric needs from fat and protein!
Toys
Rubber or pillow type toys need to be given with caution as a pup or adult can shred them up and not only make a terrific mess but also ingest some of the product which can be dangerous and unhealthy.
Trusted by Families Across the Country
When we took our new friend Lady Bella to our veterinarian in Grayslake, for her rabies shot and initial office visit, the doctor exclaimed that Bella’s paperwork was the best she had ever seen. Detailed, highly organized, and right on target for other shots. She was extremely impressed and confirmed everything Mike told us to do for our new puppy’s future care.
The DNA and other testing he does on the dogs he breeds is really going the extra mile. You know what you’re getting.
Mike’s follow up with us after we took our puppy home, really put us at ease. He would call and text frequently to see how we were getting along with our Bella. He truly cares about his dogs!
Thanks Mike!
Matt @ Trinity
He talked us through everything we needed to know, from what to expect those first nights to how to help Teddy settle in with the kids. He sent us home with everything we needed for those first days, which made such a difference and took so much stress off our shoulders. He never rushed us, answered every question, and made sure we truly understood how to care for our new puppy.
What meant the most was that his support didn’t stop once we left. He checked in frequently to see how Teddy was doing and how we were adjusting as a family. Whenever we had a question, he would send helpful links and recommendations for anything we needed, from small adaptations at home to training tips as Teddy grew and changed.
He turned what felt like a huge step for our family into something that felt natural, supported, and joyful. Because of Mike, Teddy’s transition into our home was smooth and full of happy memories instead of stress. We are absolutely in love with our Teddy, and we are so grateful to have found a breeder who clearly loves his dogs and the families they go home to.
We recently brought home our new pup, Bear, and I cannot recommend Mike enough. From the very first phone call, it was clear that he isn’t just a breeder—he truly cares about the health, temperament, and future of every dog he raises.
Why We Chose Mike:
• Knowledgeable & Transparent: Mike was incredibly patient with all our questions. He walked us through the lineage, health clearances, and what to expect during the first few weeks at home.
• Nice Facility/Home: Visiting his setup in Mundelein, you can tell the dogs are raised in a clean, loving, and professional environment.
• Perfect Temperament: Our pup is not only stunning (that deep chocolate coat is gorgeous!) but is also calm, socialized, and clearly well-adjusted.
• Seamless Process: From the initial deposit to the day we picked him up, Mike kept us updated and made the entire experience stress-free.
It’s rare to find someone so dedicated to the breed. If you want a healthy, happy Lab from a breeder with integrity, Mike is your guy. We are so in love with our new family member!
Mike has stayed in touch with us since we bought Mackenzie. He’s offered advice and shared training videos.
I took Mackenzie to the vet for her rabies shot, and the vet said that she knows Mike. She said that Mackenzie is so sweet, like all of Mike’s dogs.
Thanks Mike!!
We spoke with several breeders prior to finding Mike’s website and were immediately impressed by the information and videos provided. Mike is very personable and truly cares about the health and well being of his dogs, and we greatly appreciate that he highly values full panel genetic and orthopedic testing. It also meant a lot that he cared about the home she was going to and that we are conscious pet owners. Mike was welcoming at his home and made it easy for our three kids (12, 8, 5) to interact with many of his dogs, all who were pleasant and personable toward us. He patiently spent time answering our long list of questions after our meeting and took extra time to provide information that ultimately made us feel confident in our decision.
Since adopting our girl almost a month ago, Mike has kept in touch, checking in to make sure everything is going smoothly. He has readily answered our questions and is genuinely interested in her development. We highly recommend reaching out to Mike!
- Michael
As for his puppies? Incredible temperament, quick to train and absolutely beautiful. Our sweet girl is a pure bred silver American Field Lab. Her parents Zeus and Jade, I'm convinced, make the most gorgeous labs. If you're looking for an athlete, look no further. The father, Zeus, is an absolute beast in the best possible way and Jade is incredibly sweet. The perfect combo. Thank you, Mike! You've given our family a gift.
When we arrived, we were warmly greeted by Mike and were also able to meet the parents of the puppy we ended up bringing home, Andy. The entire process was smooth and comfortable, and Mike took the time to share a lot of valuable information with us, including DNA test results and helpful tips on training and maintaining our puppy’s health.
We’ve had Andy for a few weeks now and couldn’t be happier to have him as part of our family. We truly had a great experience and would highly recommend Labrador and Labradoodle Puppies Chicago to anyone looking for a puppy.

