Tips for Labrador Puppy
Discussion
Excellent advice thus far.
One thing I didn't see (and apologies if I've missed it) is that the crate is a brilliant idea but it's never a punishment.
The crate is your dog's gaff. It's where they can go when they want a bit of peace, not when they're in trouble.
Puppies are brilliant fun. Don't be put off by the piles of pooh and puddles of pee - patience and persistence pays off in house training, and it's sorted more quickly than you think.
>hmm, want another dog now<
One thing I didn't see (and apologies if I've missed it) is that the crate is a brilliant idea but it's never a punishment.
The crate is your dog's gaff. It's where they can go when they want a bit of peace, not when they're in trouble.
Puppies are brilliant fun. Don't be put off by the piles of pooh and puddles of pee - patience and persistence pays off in house training, and it's sorted more quickly than you think.
>hmm, want another dog now<
Edited by CommanderJameson on Wednesday 23 June 12:39
Another really good tip. If your pup does something bad do not scold it unless you catch it in the act. If you come home and see cushion filling everywhere and your hound is stood by the door wagging his tail he will not undestand the link and will assume you've smacked his bum because he was waiting to see you.
They're clever animals but really stupid!
They're clever animals but really stupid!
SHutchinson said:
scirocco265 said:
Socialise him, socialise him, socialise him. Take him everywhere you can: county fairs and sit him next to tractors, countryside for animals, pets at home (beause it's a shop), hoover near him, take him out in thunder storms, take him for road trips.
This, definitely. A well-socialised dog is great - you can go to the beach and let him/her play with all the other dogs. A badly socialised one is a f
king liability and you have to keep him/her on the lead, which is a bit rubbish.itsnotarace said:
HeavySoul said:
daemon said:
Remove water at 1800 hrs - less water in means less water out overnight.
Really? I would never leave any dog without access to water at all times.I know it is a pain to clear up the accidents in the morning but surely it is better for them to have hydration available?
All good advice above.
I'll add a few more thoughts though..
Only thing that's missing is to say about the shedding hair. It's remarkable - there's just so much of it! In our house he's given free run of the hallway and kitchen / breakfast room, which are all hard floors. He's only allowed in the carpeted lounge when we're in there, and then he's only in a basket.
Also, he's never allowed upstairs (all carpeted). We started with a stair gate, but he's just worked his place out now so doesn't go up even though he could.
Routines - they love them and adapt quickly.
Treat him as a dog - so he might be very cute and be on your lap on the sofa now, but once he's bigger (and smelly) you won't want him on the sofa and he'll have trouble understanding why he's not allowed on any more. When you eat, put him out of the room, then feed him after.
Washing. Get him used to being washed regularly. I put mine into the shower, giving him a treat after. Didn't like it at first but now associates it with a treat so loves it.
And finally - Labs get fat for two reasons:
I'll add a few more thoughts though..
Only thing that's missing is to say about the shedding hair. It's remarkable - there's just so much of it! In our house he's given free run of the hallway and kitchen / breakfast room, which are all hard floors. He's only allowed in the carpeted lounge when we're in there, and then he's only in a basket.
Also, he's never allowed upstairs (all carpeted). We started with a stair gate, but he's just worked his place out now so doesn't go up even though he could.
Routines - they love them and adapt quickly.
Treat him as a dog - so he might be very cute and be on your lap on the sofa now, but once he's bigger (and smelly) you won't want him on the sofa and he'll have trouble understanding why he's not allowed on any more. When you eat, put him out of the room, then feed him after.
Washing. Get him used to being washed regularly. I put mine into the shower, giving him a treat after. Didn't like it at first but now associates it with a treat so loves it.
And finally - Labs get fat for two reasons:
- They are always hungry and will eat until they explode
- They have perfected the ability to look like they haven't been fed for a month. They are brilliant at looking cute. RESIST!!
pikey said:
And finally - Labs get fat for two reasons:
Third reason:- They are always hungry and will eat until they explode
- They have perfected the ability to look like they haven't been fed for a month. They are brilliant at looking cute. RESIST!!
They are totally stealthy food-stealing ninjas.
Get used to saying things like, "I had a sandwich here, didn't I?"
pikey said:
All good advice above.
I'll add a few more thoughts though..
Only thing that's missing is to say about the shedding hair. It's remarkable - there's just so much of it! In our house he's given free run of the hallway and kitchen / breakfast room, which are all hard floors. He's only allowed in the carpeted lounge when we're in there, and then he's only in a basket.
Also, he's never allowed upstairs (all carpeted). We started with a stair gate, but he's just worked his place out now so doesn't go up even though he could.
Routines - they love them and adapt quickly.
Treat him as a dog - so he might be very cute and be on your lap on the sofa now, but once he's bigger (and smelly) you won't want him on the sofa and he'll have trouble understanding why he's not allowed on any more. When you eat, put him out of the room, then feed him after.
Washing. Get him used to being washed regularly. I put mine into the shower, giving him a treat after. Didn't like it at first but now associates it with a treat so loves it.
And finally - Labs get fat for two reasons:
* They are always hungry and will eat until they explode
We have to be careful in lambing season - perfectly socialised to them and would trust them on their own with them now TBH. However, they love after-birth. There is nothing more vomit inducing that watching a lab trying to scoff it down before he comes back so that I can remove it from his mouth.I'll add a few more thoughts though..
Only thing that's missing is to say about the shedding hair. It's remarkable - there's just so much of it! In our house he's given free run of the hallway and kitchen / breakfast room, which are all hard floors. He's only allowed in the carpeted lounge when we're in there, and then he's only in a basket.
Also, he's never allowed upstairs (all carpeted). We started with a stair gate, but he's just worked his place out now so doesn't go up even though he could.
Routines - they love them and adapt quickly.
Treat him as a dog - so he might be very cute and be on your lap on the sofa now, but once he's bigger (and smelly) you won't want him on the sofa and he'll have trouble understanding why he's not allowed on any more. When you eat, put him out of the room, then feed him after.
Washing. Get him used to being washed regularly. I put mine into the shower, giving him a treat after. Didn't like it at first but now associates it with a treat so loves it.
And finally - Labs get fat for two reasons:
* They are always hungry and will eat until they explode
- They have perfected the ability to look like they haven't been fed for a month. They are brilliant at looking cute. RESIST!!
Oh, this is a goodie for when you first bring him home.
He will make awful, sad, whining noises all night. DO NOT GO DOWN TO SEE HIM!!!
He will make awful, sad, whining noises all night. DO NOT GO DOWN TO SEE HIM!!!
- If you do, he will do that regularly, knowing that to get attention, that's the switch he needs
- If you don't, he won't do it again.
pikey said:
Oh, this is a goodie for when you first bring him home.
He will make awful, sad, whining noises all night. DO NOT GO DOWN TO SEE HIM!!!
There's conflicting views on that - we did the cold turkey route, on advice of old vet, but latest thinking appears to be a couple of nights in bedroom and then cold turkey so it's not such a massive shock: loss of dog family, change of home, new smells, new human family and then bedtime so loss of family again - dogs have little sense of time don't forget.He will make awful, sad, whining noises all night. DO NOT GO DOWN TO SEE HIM!!!
- If you do, he will do that regularly, knowing that to get attention, that's the switch he needs
- If you don't, he won't do it again.
When you have to discipline him which you will when he is young then do'nt whatever you do hit him.
Take a leaf out of the dog book of discipline, grab him by the scruff of the neck lift his front feet off the floor give him a quick shake and then flip him onto his back (he will squeal like a stuck pig during this process). Afterward you can put your face/nose to his stomach area just to let him know that you could, if you wanted, eviscerate him. I have trained several labs over the years and you will probably not have to do this more than a dozen times in the whole of his life. Whaterver he just did he will never do again.
Above all he has to know that everyone else in the household (pack) is above him in the social structure or you can end up in serious trouble.
Basically you have to be a complete bd to him for the first year or 18 months and then you will have a well trained dog who will have a marvelous life and will be a pleasure to take anywhere.
Take a leaf out of the dog book of discipline, grab him by the scruff of the neck lift his front feet off the floor give him a quick shake and then flip him onto his back (he will squeal like a stuck pig during this process). Afterward you can put your face/nose to his stomach area just to let him know that you could, if you wanted, eviscerate him. I have trained several labs over the years and you will probably not have to do this more than a dozen times in the whole of his life. Whaterver he just did he will never do again.
Above all he has to know that everyone else in the household (pack) is above him in the social structure or you can end up in serious trouble.
Basically you have to be a complete b
d to him for the first year or 18 months and then you will have a well trained dog who will have a marvelous life and will be a pleasure to take anywhere.CommanderJameson said:
They are totally stealthy food-stealing ninjas.
Get used to saying things like, "I had a sandwich here, didn't I?"
Oh yes, that's an impressive skill.Get used to saying things like, "I had a sandwich here, didn't I?"
First time it happened to us, it was a box of eggs and we weren't sure he had them.
Well, until a few hours and they started to come out of the other end in vapour form!
rhinochopig said:
pikey said:
Oh, this is a goodie for when you first bring him home.
He will make awful, sad, whining noises all night. DO NOT GO DOWN TO SEE HIM!!!
There's conflicting views on that - we did the cold turkey route, on advice of old vet, but latest thinking appears to be a couple of nights in bedroom and then cold turkey so it's not such a massive shock: loss of dog family, change of home, new smells, new human family and then bedtime so loss of family again - dogs have little sense of time don't forget.He will make awful, sad, whining noises all night. DO NOT GO DOWN TO SEE HIM!!!
- If you do, he will do that regularly, knowing that to get attention, that's the switch he needs
- If you don't, he won't do it again.
tomash said:
When you have to discipline him which you will when he is young then do'nt whatever you do hit him.
Take a leaf out of the dog book of discipline, grab him by the scruff of the neck lift his front feet off the floor give him a quick shake and then flip him onto his back (he will squeal like a stuck pig during this process). Afterward you can put your face/nose to his stomach area just to let him know that you could, if you wanted, eviscerate him. I have trained several labs over the years and you will probably not have to do this more than a dozen times in the whole of his life. Whaterver he just did he will never do again.
Above all he has to know that everyone else in the household (pack) is above him in the social structure or you can end up in serious trouble.
Basically you have to be a complete bd to him for the first year or 18 months and then you will have a well trained dog who will have a marvelous life and will be a pleasure to take anywhere.
Alpha roll on a new pup?Take a leaf out of the dog book of discipline, grab him by the scruff of the neck lift his front feet off the floor give him a quick shake and then flip him onto his back (he will squeal like a stuck pig during this process). Afterward you can put your face/nose to his stomach area just to let him know that you could, if you wanted, eviscerate him. I have trained several labs over the years and you will probably not have to do this more than a dozen times in the whole of his life. Whaterver he just did he will never do again.
Above all he has to know that everyone else in the household (pack) is above him in the social structure or you can end up in serious trouble.
Basically you have to be a complete b
d to him for the first year or 18 months and then you will have a well trained dog who will have a marvelous life and will be a pleasure to take anywhere.Bloody hell.
pikey said:
rhinochopig said:
pikey said:
Oh, this is a goodie for when you first bring him home.
He will make awful, sad, whining noises all night. DO NOT GO DOWN TO SEE HIM!!!
There's conflicting views on that - we did the cold turkey route, on advice of old vet, but latest thinking appears to be a couple of nights in bedroom and then cold turkey so it's not such a massive shock: loss of dog family, change of home, new smells, new human family and then bedtime so loss of family again - dogs have little sense of time don't forget.He will make awful, sad, whining noises all night. DO NOT GO DOWN TO SEE HIM!!!
- If you do, he will do that regularly, knowing that to get attention, that's the switch he needs
- If you don't, he won't do it again.
cal72 said:
You need to set up a Picture diary and we can all check in regular on the little pup..
Great idea - set up a webcam so we can watch him live. Can I suggest keeping the pup in your bedroom - we find our dogs prefer female company so perhaps pointing at your wife's side of the bed.Moose. said:
Mr Darcy said:
get him castrated (labs tend to roam looking for a bit of female dog action)
Don't do this!! How would you feel? 
It's part of his personality which if you remove, you'll be removing part of him. Ours is coming up for 10 years old now and he's never been a problem around the ladies
ks! Oh, I see what you mean 
I love puppies. During playtime keep calling his name so he can get used to it. And as mentioned before consistency is everything.
IF he does something indoors pick him up straight away and put him outside again and again and again. It will sink in eventually...honestly it will
And is your garden puppy proof? Any gaps, open drains? Old paint tins? Etc. Do you live near a main road? If you do use a child gate (we do).
Edited by Morningside on Wednesday 23 June 13:50
Several things I've learned owning labs over the years.
Don't leave them alone for more than three hours a day, they are social dogs and unsuited to being alone for long periods. If no-one is home all day, cancel your order.
If you can feed them fresh meat, fish and eggs in preference to dog food, do so. If you must feed dog food use a quality dry food that is wheat and gluten free like Burns and supplement it with as much fresh meat, fish and eggs as you can adjusting the amount of dry food pro-rata. Many labs don't get on with wheat gluten so avoid anything that contains it.
For the love of god, ignore daemon and ensure it always has fresh water access and check regularly when it's hot as a big bowl can be gone in a minute.
Minimum two hours vigourous exercise per day including as much swimming as possible - most labs live to swim.
Build it a toilet in the garden. Dig a pit of at least a square yard and a foot deep. Half fill with sand and make a wooden lid to drop on it. Everytime the puppy makes a mess show it you picking it up and taking it to the pit. After a few days it will only go in the pit and if you have visitors in your garden you can just drop the lid to conceal it.
Take it everywhere you can with you. Labs need to be involved in your daily life and like to know where their family is.
Make sure it knows you are pack leader and train it to obey you.
Finally, never agree to name it anything you will be embarrassed shouting in public!
Don't leave them alone for more than three hours a day, they are social dogs and unsuited to being alone for long periods. If no-one is home all day, cancel your order.
If you can feed them fresh meat, fish and eggs in preference to dog food, do so. If you must feed dog food use a quality dry food that is wheat and gluten free like Burns and supplement it with as much fresh meat, fish and eggs as you can adjusting the amount of dry food pro-rata. Many labs don't get on with wheat gluten so avoid anything that contains it.
For the love of god, ignore daemon and ensure it always has fresh water access and check regularly when it's hot as a big bowl can be gone in a minute.
Minimum two hours vigourous exercise per day including as much swimming as possible - most labs live to swim.
Build it a toilet in the garden. Dig a pit of at least a square yard and a foot deep. Half fill with sand and make a wooden lid to drop on it. Everytime the puppy makes a mess show it you picking it up and taking it to the pit. After a few days it will only go in the pit and if you have visitors in your garden you can just drop the lid to conceal it.
Take it everywhere you can with you. Labs need to be involved in your daily life and like to know where their family is.
Make sure it knows you are pack leader and train it to obey you.
Finally, never agree to name it anything you will be embarrassed shouting in public!
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