How to Care for a Yellow Lab Puppy
Their loving disposition, loyalty and patience with children make yellow Labrador Retrievers a popular choice with families searching for a dog. Labs are also eager to please and highly trainable, making them excellent service dogs. But bringing home any new puppy requires patience and a long-term commitment.
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Instructions
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Take your puppy to a veterinarian as soon as you bring him home. Your vet will examine him, administer the first round of vaccinations, advise you on the best type of food and how often to feed him, and instruct you on when to return for vaccine booster shots. No one will have more insight into the care of your Lab puppy than your vet, so be sure to ask him any questions you have.
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Establish yourself as your puppy's leader from day one. If allowed to do so, Labs will try to assume this role, which can lead to major behavioral issues. Simple steps, like training her to walk next to you--never in front of you--when she's on a leash, sends her the clear message that you are in charge. And once you have taught your puppy simple obedience commands, like "Sit" or "Stay," make him perform one before you give him food, water or treats. This will continually reaffirm that you are his leader.
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Purchase a dog crate that will be large enough for your puppy to stand in once she's full grown. Your puppy will feel comfortable and secure in a crate as long as she is trained at an early age. It will also help prevent her from soiling your carpet and chewing your belongings, and it will be a safe place to keep her at night and when you leave home. Put several toys and a nylon chew bone in the crate, and cover the bottom with shredded newspaper to accommodate accidents. Keep in mind that Labs are very social and need a lot of human contact and exercise; be prepared to give her with plenty of time out of the crate, otherwise she will get anxious and depressed.
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Take your puppy outside when she wakes up from a nap, 15 to 30 minutes after eating, and any time you see visual cues like sniffing and turning in a circle. Once outside, be patient as she sniffs around to find the perfect spot and be prepared to give her a treat and praise her enthusiastically as soon as she urinates or defecates. Choose a few key words and use them continually. For example: "Let's go poop and pee." Your puppy will quickly learn these key words and associate them with the act of doing her business outside.
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Lab puppies are relatively quick to housebreak, but they do not have complete bladder control until about 12 weeks of age. Expect accidents to happen, and do not raise your voice when they do; this will only make your puppy anxious and fearful of you. If you catch your puppy soiling in your home, a firm "No" or stomping your foot is enough to let him know he should not be doing what he's doing. Do not try to correct him unless you catch him in the act, and take him outside immediately if you do. Remember to use your key words as you take him outside so that he makes the association.
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Socialize your puppy as early as possible. Enrolling her in puppy obedience training is a good place to start. Most dog obedience schools enroll puppies as young as eight to 12 weeks old. This is an important part of transforming your playful puppy into a well-behaved companion dog.
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Tips & Warnings
Labrador Retrievers have a great deal of energy and enthusiasm. They love to play and need a lot of exercise. Be prepared to devote time each day to play with your puppy and take her on brisk walks; doing so will ensure she lives a healthy and happy life, and will create a strong bond between you.
Keep up with your dog's vaccinations and any preventive medications--like heartworm and flea and tick--that your vet recommends. This is critical to your dog's health.
References
- Photo Credit labrador image by JEAN-MARC MEDINA from Fotolia.com
