How to Raise a Labrador Puppy

Labrador puppies are high-energy dogs that need plenty of companionship and exercise. They also require plenty of room to run and play, and they don't like being left along too often. A Labrador puppy has a need to chew like other puppies, but his strong jaws can mean trouble if he doesn't have the right things to chew on. Providing the right supplies is an important part of raising a Labrador puppy.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

1. Give your Labrador puppy a tough collar and leash. Metal or leather are best for Labradors because of their surprising strength, even at a young age. They will be able to chew through nylon easily and may pull apart other flimsy materials. Labrador puppies will need plenty of time outdoors, so investing in a good strong leash is a must.

2. Provide a safe place where your puppy can run and play. If you have a yard, put up a 6-foot fence to keep a Labrador from jumping over it. If you don't have a yard, find a nearby dog park where your puppy can run or a lake where he can swim. Labs need frequent exercise and quickly become too large to run in the house without causing damage.

3. Brush your puppy often to get him used to being groomed. Labs shed heavily, and it will cause problems later if he is afraid of the grooming brush or tries to fight you when you brush him. Start early and talk to him as you brush him to keep him calm.

4. Take your puppy out to meet other people and other dogs often. The puppy may grow to weigh more than 100 lbs. and can seriously injure visitors and other pets. Teach him never to jump on people and not to chase after other dogs.

5. Teach him the commands "stay" and "down" to curb any jumping and chasing. Starting as a young puppy, physically move the puppy to accommodate your command as you say it. Soon, he will recognize the connection between the word and the action.

6. Bring treats with you when you take your Labrador puppy outside. Whenever the puppy relieves himself, feed him one of the treats and pet him. This will give him the positive reinforcement he needs to learn to relieve himself outdoors.

7. Give your puppy a crate for when you are away for any length of time. Labrador puppies dislike being alone and they may become destructive if left alone. A crate will keep them safe and secure until you return. It can also teach them to hold their urine until you come back and can take them out. Puppies try never to soil their own bedding area, so a crate is an ideal potty-training tool.

References

• Lab Puppy Information

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• http://www.thepuppyplace.org/labinfo.html