How to Take Care of a Black Lab Dog
Black Labradors make great canine companions, whether you have a family or live alone, because black Labs get along with all types of people, young and old. These gentle dogs are active and love to play, and are equally happy in a large home or an average apartment. If you're looking for a playful friend that requires little maintenance but offers a lot of love, learn what you need to do to care for this cutie.
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Things You'll Need
- Dog food
- Leash
- Outdoor and indoor toys
- Pet shampoo
- Dog brush
- Dog nail clippers
Instructions
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Decide on what kind of food your dog should be eating. A balanced diet will include protein and complex carbohydrates, with little to no chemical fillers. Prepare meals that are 30 percent protein and 30 percent carbohydrate, and add in a couple servings of vegetables, like leafy greens, for vitamin power. While many dog foods available at most pet stores will provide an adequate diet, you can also make your own food by including all of these things. Cook up some chicken, rice, peas and carrots in a pan, freeze it and heat it up whenever you feed your dog.
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Feed your black Lab about 1 to 2 cups of food, twice a day. For snacks and treats, stick with all natural snacks that don't contain chemicals or preservatives. You can usually find these with organic dog food at most pet supply stores.
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Begin a regular walking schedule with your Labrador. If your Lab is a puppy, this will help house train him. Plan to walk him at least three times a day, for about 10 minutes or more, at the same time every day.
Make sure your dog is getting plenty of exercise by engaging him in running and jumping activities for at least half an hour, but preferably an hour, at least four times a week. Take him to the park for a game of fetch, or even to a local lake or beach for a swim. Labs love to play in the water!
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Bathe your Labrador at least once a month, or more if he's gotten extra dirty. If he isn't smelly, you can simply bathe him with just water. If he smells bad, use a gentle dog shampoo or baby shampoo, no more than once a month. Keep his nails short by trimming them every four to five weeks. A black Lab's shed fur will be more noticeable around the house, so brush him at least twice a week to keep the shedding in check.
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Bring your dog to the veterinarian twice a year, or anytime you notice odd behavior or symptoms of illness, such as diarrhea and vomiting. Your vet will monitor your dog's health with regular shots and assessments, and guide you in caring for your dog. For example, if your Lab is overweight, or possibly becomes diabetic, your vet will easily catch it.
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Purchase appropriate toys for your Lab to help keep him active and build strong teeth and gums. Toys that promote dental health, such as a chewy rope or bone infused with mint, are good. Make sure the toy is large enough for a Lab, so he doesn't swallow or choke on it.
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References
- Photo Credit Labrador retriever image by crazy.nataly from Fotolia.com
