Being an owner of a Labrador Retriever is an amazing experience and with a lifetime of devotion and love! They are sweet, loving, caring animals that need a good owner to become the best dog they can be. In return they teach you patience and all about unconditional love. Before you bring home your new puppy, you'll want to be ready for her; for that, I recommend you pick up a copy of Training Your Puppy - this book is geared toward Labrador Retrievers, and will teach you how to train your puppy so that he's the best possible companion for you and your family.
Here are some tips on how to care for Labrador Retrievers:
Be sure to feed and provide water for your dog. As with any breed, caring for a Lab includes providing daily food and water. Set up a feeding schedule for your dog as soon as she comes into your home. Dogs should have access to fresh clean water, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year! Feeding Labrador Retriever dogs should be done twice a day. Good dog health care begins with providing your dog the right forms of nutrition. Choose a healthy brand of food that provides good pet nutrition and feed according to the instructions on the bag. Do not give puppies adult dog food or adult dogs puppy food because the nutrition value will hurt them as they grow up or as they slow down with old age. When you give your dog his bowl of food, tell him to sit and don't put the food on the floor until he has done so. Once he obeys the command, set the bowl on the floor for him, make him look at you (away from the bowl of tasty food), then release him so he can eat his meal. This will teach him that you are in charge of feeding him, not merely obeying his request for food.
Give him a place to sleep that is his own. Many people don't enjoy sharing their bed with a large, hairy dog, (Only crazy people do this, ha-ha, I knew that would make you laugh,); if you don't want your Lab to sleep with you, give him a bed that is their very own. Place it close to your bed so then he will see you when you sleep and he won’t cry for you at night and you can sleep peaceful. Puppies tend to whine and cry a lot when they are alone so if he can see you then it will make him more comfortable and help keep him from whining at night. As a puppy, train them that this is his bed, and stick to putting him in it and telling him to lie down when you are ready for him to go to bed. A kennel or large dog bed with a blanket on it will make a nice bed for him. Many people think it is "mean" to put their dog into a pen or crate to sleep, especially when the dog cries because he wants to be with you. Though he may not like the idea of being away from you, it is really best for him to have his own place to sleep. This is true for any dog, as their ancestors used to sleep in a cave-like bed either on their own or with their pack. By providing your dog this "safe zone" in which to sleep, he also knows where he can go to get some peace and quiet.
Take them to puppy/dog training or obedience classes. Never underestimate the importance of training your Lab. If you get your dog when he is a puppy, taking him to a puppy training class will teach him that you are his master and will also allow him to interact with other dogs. If he is still a baby, he likely doesn't know "come" from "sit," so the course will help teach you what you need to do to help your puppy learn how to obey. If he knows his stuff, a refresher course never hurt anyone, and it will give the two of you some great bonding time. Bring plenty of treats, love and patience to each of the dog obedience training classes!
Groom and bathe your Lab regularly. Pet grooming does not have to be a chore if you use the time to bond with your dog. Since this breed tends to shed quite a bit, brushing and bathing them can help keep down the amount of hair that gathers on your floors. Clip their nails regularly as well - if you can hear nails clicking on the floor, it is time to clip them!
Make sure your dog gets plenty of exercise. Labs tend to become overweight if fed too much and exercised too little. Especially if you have a female that has been spayed. The good news is that they are energetic and love to run and swim. Though it may not be convenient for her to take a dip in a pond, she needs to get out and walk or run every day. At least 30 minutes of exercise should be given to your Retriever each day to ensure good health. This is a great chance to spend time with your dog and get outside. Don't make it a chore, make it fun for both of you! It will be great exercise for you both!
Get your dog his shots and licenses once a year. Proper dog health care is vital. Not only are puppy shots, rabies shots and heartworm checks necessary to keep him healthy, they could save his life. Your veterinarian will provide check-ups and vaccinations for your pup as well as provide general pet care. Your dog's health should always remain in the forefront of your mind. Take him to the vet regularly, and be sure you get his licenses on time to keep both of you out of trouble!
Owning a Labrador Retriever means you can expect some general traits in your dog. You now own a dog that loves the water. Labrador Retrievers were originally bred as a hunting dog for marshy/wet areas, and their job was to retrieve ducks and other waterfowl. If you live near water, his instinct tells him to run and jump right into it, so be prepared for that! Labs are typically very gentle, loving dogs that get along great with children. My experience with Labs tells me that if there is a little kid nearby, he is going to want to be right there, licking her face! If you have small children, make sure you let them around your pet and teach your dog not to jump on people, as he could accidentally knock down a child in his race to lick her face.
Prepare for the large amount of shedding typical of the breed. If your Lab is indoors, dog grooming should involve making it a habit to brush it regularly (at least every other day) and be prepared to vacuum a lot of dog hair! If you have allergies in the family, this may not be the breed for you.
Labs have a tendency (especially as a puppy) to chew on anything and everything in sight. If your puppy sees a shoe, she interprets it as a chew toy. That being said, keep lots of "real" chew toys accessible, train her early not to chew on chair legs, and keep anything off the floor that you wouldn't want destroyed by chewing or is dangerous for your pet to ingest.
Whether you are thinking of getting a Labrador puppy from a registered litter or are already the owner of a full grown Lab, this breed makes an excellent companion for people of any age. When having the knowledge of and you follow proper dog care, you can be assured they will be the perfect addition to any family and a devoted loyal friend for life!
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