How to Care for a Labrador Retriever

Labrador retrievers are good-natured, people-oriented dogs. They love to be included in family life and are great with kids. Follow these simple steps to care for your lab.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dog Beds
• Dog Bones
• Dog Brushes
• Dog Dishes
• Dog Food
• Dog Leashes
• Dog Shampoo
• Durable Dog Toys
• Nail Clippers For Dogs
• Reduced-calorie Dog Food
• Dog Shampoo

1. Understand Labs don't really reach adulthood until they are three years old, unlike most breeds, which reach it around the age of two.

2. Keep your lab's weight down. Overweight dogs will have more health problems, including heart trouble and arthritis.

3. Learn about the health problems associated with this breed: hip and elbow dysplasia and some eye disorders.

4. Brush your lab once a week with a slicker brush to keep shedding under control.

5. Bathe the dog only if it stinks. It doesn't require special grooming and can be washed at home.

6. Make sure to trim this dog's nails regularly ' every month ' to prevent foot problems.

7. Remember that labs tend to be somewhat stubborn, which means that you must be consistent and patient while training them.

8. Keep your lab indoors or out. They are moderately active and will be happy in a yard or house.

9. Be prepared to enjoy a good 10 to 12 years with your lab, as this is the average life expectancy of labrador retrievers.

Tips & Warnings

• These dogs love to swim. Keep a towel handy!
• Make sure you or someone in your home is willing to spend 30 to 60 minutes a day playing with and exercising the dog.
• Avoid the "rare silver Labrador" or any other rare coloring. Silver labs are usually light-colored chocolate labs or a lab/weimaraner cross. Don't buy from a person who sells these supposedly rare colors, since a responsible breeder wouldn't get involved in such a scam.
• Note that labs are enthusiastic puppies and are sometimes mistakenly thought to be hyperactive. The main reason people give up their labs is because they are too active. The second reason is that they got bigger than expected.

[mariah]

on 11/27/2007 i have a lab and she is almost 2 she loves shoes and a red laser dot she also loves the water hose so my advice is don't leave shoes down and shay away from her dot

[panic]

on 11/12/2007 i got a 5 week year old puppy (labrador) and am finding problems in teaching him how to wee when i take him out. i do so every hour but he wees randomly in the rooms usually in the same places..... any help would be greatly appreciated

[WXDUNNE]

on 10/29/2007 An untrained Lab feels like an unloved Lab. They are eager, even frantic, about pleasing you so the more they know about HOW to please you the more secure they will feel. Basic obedience training takes very little time and the rewards are enormous.

[th3odalicdred]

on 2/17/2007 tipsss of a lab puppy- let him/her stay away from slippers, shoes, or any dirty things... have them vaccinated as soon as possible... give them a chewing object so that they will not break or scratch anything... feed them milk if not rice with sauce DON'T EVER LET THEM EAT FISH OR CHICKEN BONES...that's all i can say bye guys thanks for reading...

on 8/8/2006 I grew up with Labradors my entire life. In fact, my husband and I just bought a chocolate lab (9 weeks old). They are probably the best dogs and the easiest to train.
I completely agree with crate training a dog. At first, I thought it was cruel, but then realized that the dog liked the security of the tight space. He also holds his potty in the crate and will alert us if he has to go out. He loves the sound of a ticking clock at night because it reminds him of his mother's heartbeat, and he also cozies up to a bottle of warm water with a dishcloth wrapped around it! If you buy a crate, buy one with a divider, so that you can size it up to your dog. This prevents you from having to buy 5 crates over the life span of the dog.

The most important thing to do is to set boundaries immediately for the dog. Since he is already teething, we have given him chew toys (he loves rawhide toys). I never let him chew on shoes or bottles, because it will confuse him into thinking that these things are OK to chew.
Also, do not be afraid to socialize the puppy with older, well-trained dogs. This will be good for the pup and the older dog. The pup will see appropriate behavior and the older dog will feel special.

Most importantly, Labradors love to be loved. They love to be cuddled and love affection! Do not only show love by feeding them (a Labrador would eat all day)! We feed our puppy 2/3 of a cup once in the morning, the afternoon and at night. They are beings of routine and love praise. Let them be curious!!

Play with their ears, feet, and mouths as puppies, this will help them to be less skittish when it comes to the veterinarian trips and grooming in the future. Hope this helps!