By the time a puppy is 7 weeks old it should have:

• Been on 7 different surfaces, such as: carpet, concrete, wood, vinyl, grass, dirt, gravel, wood chips, newspaper, etc.
• Played with 7 different types of objects, such as: big balls, small balls, soft fabric toys, fuzzy balls, squeaky toys, metal items, wooden items, paper/cardboard items, milk/soda jugs, etc.
• Been in 7 different locations, including: front yard, backyard, basement, kitchen, car, garage, laundry room, bathroom, crate, kennel, etc.
• Been exposed to 7 challenges, such as: climbed a box, climbed off a box, gone through a tunnel, climbed up steps, climbed down steps, climbed over obstacles, played hide and seek, gone in and out of a doorway with a step, etc.
• Eaten from 7 different containers: metal, plastic, cardboard, paper, china, pie plate, frying pan, etc.
• Eaten in 7 different locations: crate, yard, kitchen, basement, laundry room, bedroom, x-pen, etc.
• Met and played with 7 new people, including children and the elderly.

I keep puppies at least 9 weeks and preferably closer to 10 weeks old.  The following articles from Gun Dog Magazine will help to explain why I like to keep them until that age:

 Temperament and health are first and foremost in our breeding program.  My adult dogs are therapy dogs and they greet strangers with  wagging tails and a toy if they can find one.  We absolutely will never breed a dog with  anything less than the perfect Labrador temperament as we hope to keep puppies out of every litter.  All of the stud dogs chosen are observed in conformation and performance activities, and then met in person and meet the same standards as dogs in our home.  We only breed to dogs over the age of two with OFA Hips, Elbows, and preferably Heart clearances, ACVO/CERF annually, and Optigen testing for our prcd-PRA carrier girls.  I take the entire litter in to a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist (ACVO) between 8 and 9 weeks of age (or later) to have them screened for retinal folds and  examination results will be provided in the puppy packet.  I encourage puppy buyers to freely communicate with me throughout the life of their dog, as I can only improve the breeding stock with feedback about the entire litter, rather than just the one or two that are in breeding homes.  If at any time during the dog's life, he or she is diagnosed with a hereditary disease, including allergies, joint problems, eye problems, thyroid problems, or temperament issues, I would like to be notified.  

All puppies should be checked by a Veterinarian within 72 hours after getting home (Sunday not included in the 72 hours).  If there is any  medical problem with the dog not specified in the contract, you may return it for a full refund or a different puppy if one is available, within 24 hours with a letter from the Veterinarian describing the condition. I will take back a dog we have sold at any time in its life and require that we be given  first right of refusal if you must dispose of your dog for any reason at any age.  I know that sometimes circumstances require the re-homing of your  dog and if you ever need to place one of our dogs, we require that we are notified, as there is often a list of families looking for adult dogs as well.

  All of our dogs are house dogs and we also require that all of our puppy-buyers allow their dogs to sleep in the home, crate train puppies, and take every puppy to a beginning obedience class. I have found that this combination makes for well-behaved, happy, healthy pets.  Furthermore, my contract specifically states that dogs shall not be left outside for over 12 hours a day, and shall not be tethered in the yard.