How To Raise a Labrador Puppy

Posted by Camino Animal Hospital on December 10th, 2019

Congratulations! You are now the owner of one of the most favorite dog breeds in America. Your Labrador puppy descends from a long line of hunting and working dogs, and so he is full of energy and enthusiasm. You need to provide him all your love, a firm direction and consistency to let him reach his potential.

The first thing you need to do after you bring your lab home is to take him to a vet. You can Google “vet clinic near me Placerville” and you will get many suggestions.

Train your Labrador Retriever

You need to set boundaries for your Labrador Retriever, the moment you bring him home. They are an excessively playful and curious breed and remain hyper-active until they are 3-4 years old. You can enroll your little lab in a puppy kindergarten class otherwise you can train him at home also.

Take your little lab out for daily walks, twice a day at least for 30 minutes. They have a very high drive so they need to burn off that excess energy. Lack of adequate exercise can develop several behavioral issues in your lab. You can avoid them naturally by playing games lie tug of war, throw and fetch and many more. This will also help to develop a bond between you and your little puppy.

Always call him by his name. Train him properly so that he responds to the basic dog commands like- sit, stay, run, heel down and come. You should be able to control your dog in any situation just by issuing a verbal command.

Remember to never scold or hit your dog, this is for all breeds and not only the retrievers. Scolding or hitting may cause trust issues in your dog. Labrador retrievers are very loving, clingy and attention seekers. They love to please their owners and make them happy. So make sure to cuddle enough with your pup otherwise they can suffer from depression also.

Take your pup to drives with you. Teach him car manners. Introduce him to new people and places for his mental well-being. Take him to dog parks, he should meet other dogs as well. Start training your lab puppy the moment you bring him home, they should learn social manners from an early age.

Health and Grooming

The first thing you need to do after you bring your lab home is to take him to a vet. You can Google “vet clinic near me Placerville” and you will get many suggestions. Your pup will need regular vaccinations to stay healthy. Your vet will instruct you properly on your pup’s diet vaccinations. Make sure to feed him high-quality dog food. Never feed your pup human food as his digestive system is very different than yours.

Provide him enough toys and chewing bones if you don’t want them to eat your shoes and racks. Give them dog treats to appreciate them.
 
Use a rounded-bristle dog brush to brush him. Make sure you brush him twice a week, he will love it. Use shampoos and conditioners made specifically for dogs. Never use your shampoo as their pH level of their skin is different.

You should know that your Labrador is a natural swimmer, so you can take him to dog beaches or swimming pools to make him happy. Just follow these tips and grow a happy and healthy Labrador retriever dog.