I need a slight refresher on a few puppy topics....

[Beerfish]

Greetings, I used to post on here a fair bit a few years back but have not been on for a while. My good old buddy Rocky passed away a bit over a year ago. I'm not ready for another Lab and should be getting a pup in a few weeks. After being with a mature Lab for so long it is amazing what you forget or suddenly are unsure of when getting a new pup (even though I've been through it once before.)

I have a few refresher type questions. (May have more as time goes on.)

1 - Crate location: I'll be using a large wire crate this time (with a divider). I found that the best location for the crate with my last dog was in the combined dining/kitchen area. The question concerns whether I should have the crate in my bed room for the first while so puppy is not so lonely. Do people start with the crate in the bedroom and then move it to it's permanent home after a few days/weeks? Is it a trauma for puppy to get used to having crate in bedroom and then suddenly having a new location?

2 - Feedings and Food: With my 1st dog I started by feeding 3 times a day and then reduced to twice once he was older. Is there any real problem feeding twice a day right from the get go? (He would be fed early in the morning, around 6 am and then at 5 or 6 pm) The breeder feeds her pups Kirkland food which I think a person can only get at Costco. I used to fed my dog Iams (to start) but would stay with the Kirkland food to begin with so as not to make puppy have to adjust to a new food right away. Thoughts on when and how to change food brands?

3 - Visiting other dogs and people: If I'm not mistaken puppy should not meet other dogs until he has had his 2nd shots, is this correct? What about people, can he meet other people right off the bat? (Once I know it is safe health wise I'll be making sure he gets lots of socialization by meeting lots of people and dogs and taking puppy classes.)

4 - I am a single person that works but here is how I did things with my previous dog and what I intend to do with new puppy. I'll be taking 4 weeks off when I get him for initial bonding and working on crate training and such. The last two weeks of vacation I'll slowly try to simulate a work day situation. When I do get back to work I'll be leaving at about 6:45 am, will come home for lunch each day 12:10 to about 12:50 and then will be back home just after 4pm. Is this a reasonable scenario? (I will be getting puppy at 8 weeks so by the time I go back to work he will be 12 weeks.)

Sorry for being long winded.

[Canula2000]

1) I always try the crate in my bedroom from the start. I have had a couple pups that wouldn't calm down so I eventually sent them in the garage so I could sleep. I am a person that needs my sleep or I can't function during the day. They learned the crate wasn't so bad in a few days and I can bring them back inside. I also have a crate in the kitchen for moments during the day when I can't watch the pup.
2)I prefer feeding 3 times a day until 6-7 months.
3)You can meet neighbor dogs that have been vaccinated. But taking your dog to visit people is just as great! Socializing the pup with different surroundings and sounds is just as important as meeting people and dogs. I like to bring pups anywhere I go just for the experience that life isn't just at home. Also, you can find out from your vet if parvo has been a problem in your area.
4) I can't comment much about your work schedule. I think it will work out fine...but I have been very lucky to be a stay-at-home mom.