Labrador puppy upbringing
Discussion
So me and my fiancee picked out our male chocolate labrador Thursday night.
Going back up to see him again in two weeks time then picking him up early December when he's 8 weeks old roughly.
She's already bought his lead, collar and dog bowl.
Anybody else have a labrador who could pass on some experienced information on?
The pup won't be a working dog but will get plenty of exercise.
She also wants to keep the pup in her room from the get go so to speak. Is this advised? I'm thinking 6 months along the line he may grow to big to be in the room then may have issues in being moved.
What food is advised for the puppy? I've done a bit of reading and the commercial dog food brands have kind of received a slating on the internet but since i'm never off the net, i've found that alot of people comment but not with first hand experience but based on others opinions.
I think that's about it for now but i'm sure other people will chip in due to there not being any other threads like this.
Going back up to see him again in two weeks time then picking him up early December when he's 8 weeks old roughly.
She's already bought his lead, collar and dog bowl.
Anybody else have a labrador who could pass on some experienced information on?
The pup won't be a working dog but will get plenty of exercise.
She also wants to keep the pup in her room from the get go so to speak. Is this advised? I'm thinking 6 months along the line he may grow to big to be in the room then may have issues in being moved.
What food is advised for the puppy? I've done a bit of reading and the commercial dog food brands have kind of received a slating on the internet but since i'm never off the net, i've found that alot of people comment but not with first hand experience but based on others opinions.
I think that's about it for now but i'm sure other people will chip in due to there not being any other threads like this.
Make sure he has plenty of things to chew and it is made clear from day one that he can chew his own toys but not shoes, furniture etc.
They can get overweight very quickly and will eat anything put in front of them or that they can find, so there is a huge need to get him in to a strict feeding routine and heavily limit the treats he gets. They are especially good at the big brown eyes 'I'm sooo hungry' trick so everyone in the house needs to know the rules about feeding titbits, leftovers etc. This also leads in to the regular exercise thing to although our vet did recommend a lot of short walks when they are little to help their hips develop building up to longer walks as they get bigger and stronger.
Unless your g/f's room is huge, he will quickly out grow the space as as they manage to take up a huge amount of floor space when spread out! He will also get bored quickly even with toys as they like lots of stimulation, ours spends hours going indoors to outdoors which is fine in the summer with the doors open but can be a pain in the behind in the winter!
If your g/f is going to leave him during the day, a good size cage can be helpful but limit the time he goes in it and try not to use it as a bad behaviour punishment otherwise when she goes out, he will think he has done something wrong and get confused. Its also a good idea to leave an old t-shirt or something with her smell on it in with him as a comfort and a security that you will be coming back but be prepared it may get chewed!
Theres lots more but that all I can think of off the top of my head just have fun with him, they are one of the best friends you can ever have.
They can get overweight very quickly and will eat anything put in front of them or that they can find, so there is a huge need to get him in to a strict feeding routine and heavily limit the treats he gets. They are especially good at the big brown eyes 'I'm sooo hungry' trick so everyone in the house needs to know the rules about feeding titbits, leftovers etc. This also leads in to the regular exercise thing to although our vet did recommend a lot of short walks when they are little to help their hips develop building up to longer walks as they get bigger and stronger.
Unless your g/f's room is huge, he will quickly out grow the space as as they manage to take up a huge amount of floor space when spread out! He will also get bored quickly even with toys as they like lots of stimulation, ours spends hours going indoors to outdoors which is fine in the summer with the doors open but can be a pain in the behind in the winter!
If your g/f is going to leave him during the day, a good size cage can be helpful but limit the time he goes in it and try not to use it as a bad behaviour punishment otherwise when she goes out, he will think he has done something wrong and get confused. Its also a good idea to leave an old t-shirt or something with her smell on it in with him as a comfort and a security that you will be coming back but be prepared it may get chewed!
Theres lots more but that all I can think of off the top of my head just have fun with him, they are one of the best friends you can ever have.
As labs grow pretty big, i suggest you either get a kennel for outside if you have a garden or a large bed for the utility / kitchen / hall etc for when he is a bit older 6months+. 100% do not keep him in the bedroom. Feeding time, exercise time and bed time needs to be the same time every day to get the pup into a routine or he will be a nightmare! He should already be housetrained when you get him and the breeder should tell you where he goes for business (newspaper, puppy pad etc).
Give him lots and lots of love, do not over exercise him while he is a pup as this will put strain on his joints and could end up in bad shape. Ideal walking time for a pup under 6 months is between 10-20mins max-obviously let him explore the house and garden tho! As he is growing you should give him as much socialisation with humans, other animals, noises, traffic and especially other dogs to get him used to them for when he has daily walks when he is an adult.
When he does something good, (pee where he's supposed to etc) give him lots and lots of praise. When he does something bad, i suggest you scruff him and put him in his crate or bed, it is very very hard to ignore the constant barking, whimpereing and whining of an unhappy puppy but you have to if you want an obediant dog!! When he finally stops, let him out and give lots of cuddles! (best part!!)
Labs are generally obediant and loving pets but put in wrong hands can end up a vicious and timid dog, so i suggest you read some books, put in some training, take on some research and love your pup! Its not a walk in the park..trust me i have 6! If all goes well you will have a best friend and such a happy time with him so honestly its all worth it!!
Give him lots and lots of love, do not over exercise him while he is a pup as this will put strain on his joints and could end up in bad shape. Ideal walking time for a pup under 6 months is between 10-20mins max-obviously let him explore the house and garden tho! As he is growing you should give him as much socialisation with humans, other animals, noises, traffic and especially other dogs to get him used to them for when he has daily walks when he is an adult.
When he does something good, (pee where he's supposed to etc) give him lots and lots of praise. When he does something bad, i suggest you scruff him and put him in his crate or bed, it is very very hard to ignore the constant barking, whimpereing and whining of an unhappy puppy but you have to if you want an obediant dog!! When he finally stops, let him out and give lots of cuddles! (best part!!)
Labs are generally obediant and loving pets but put in wrong hands can end up a vicious and timid dog, so i suggest you read some books, put in some training, take on some research and love your pup! Its not a walk in the park..trust me i have 6! If all goes well you will have a best friend and such a happy time with him so honestly its all worth it!!
MissMarple said:
<snip>He should already be housetrained when you get him and the breeder should tell you where he goes for business (newspaper, puppy pad etc).
<snip>Ideal walking time for a pup under 6 months is between 10-20mins max-<snip>
When he does something good, (pee where he's supposed to etc) give him lots and lots of praise. When he does something bad, i suggest you scruff him and put him in his crate or bed, it is very very hard to ignore the constant barking, whimpereing and whining of an unhappy puppy but you have to if you want an obediant dog!! When he finally stops, let him out and give lots of cuddles! (best part!!)
Labs are generally obediant and loving pets but put in wrong hands can end up a vicious and timid dog, so i suggest you read some books, put in some training, take on some research and love your pup! Its not a walk in the park..trust me i have 6! If all goes well you will have a best friend and such a happy time with him so honestly its all worth it!!
Using puppy pads/newspaper just teaches them to pee indoors on the paper/pads. Much better to teach them to go outside from the start.<snip>Ideal walking time for a pup under 6 months is between 10-20mins max-<snip>
When he does something good, (pee where he's supposed to etc) give him lots and lots of praise. When he does something bad, i suggest you scruff him and put him in his crate or bed, it is very very hard to ignore the constant barking, whimpereing and whining of an unhappy puppy but you have to if you want an obediant dog!! When he finally stops, let him out and give lots of cuddles! (best part!!)
Labs are generally obediant and loving pets but put in wrong hands can end up a vicious and timid dog, so i suggest you read some books, put in some training, take on some research and love your pup! Its not a walk in the park..trust me i have 6! If all goes well you will have a best friend and such a happy time with him so honestly its all worth it!!
Exercise - about 5 mins for every month of age until mature.
Dogs do not understand right and wrong. Scruffing and putting him in his crate will not teach him anything, other than you are not to be trusted and he gets bunged in his crate (which is supposed to be his safe place) when he has done something you have perceived to be wrong. Why would you want an unhappy puppy? If you are giving time out it should be no longer than 30 seconds. Other than that he will have no clue what it was all about.
I too suggest that you read some books. I suggest Pamela Dennison (the Complete Idiot’s Guide to Positive Dog Training - easy to read and very logical), and Gwen Bailey (The Perfect Puppy )- or any other author that has taken notice of what has gone on in terms of research in the past 70 years.
CWH - i have 6 amazing labradors, also am a breeder. I have gave you the way I train and bring up my pups but it is up to you. One thing i strongly suggest doing tho is to put paper down UNTIL he has had his jabs and THEN you should start training him to go outside. Depending on location tho, are you in a city or a rural area?
Also there was ONE good point MRS GRUMPY made which was about the punishment, i slighlty agree with what she is saying so i suggest you give the puppy 2 crate's - one for sleeping and time out and one for punishment (left in until the whining stops or you will have one whiner of a dog forever!" or you could easily just pop him on the naughty step, im sure he would sit still for a few seconds atleast!!
Also there was ONE good point MRS GRUMPY made which was about the punishment, i slighlty agree with what she is saying so i suggest you give the puppy 2 crate's - one for sleeping and time out and one for punishment (left in until the whining stops or you will have one whiner of a dog forever!" or you could easily just pop him on the naughty step, im sure he would sit still for a few seconds atleast!!
I agree with the points Mrs Grumpy has raised (I really respect Mrs Grumpy's opinions on dogs and behaviour you only have to see the dogs she fosters and brings back from the brink to appreciate this).
Not many pups are going to be toilet trained before they leave their Mum even to paper and even if they are a new home is likely to disrupt that training
Unless gardens are overrun with wildlife (foxes etc) pups can go into gardens to start toilet training outside rather than on paper, we have a lot of clients who struggle to teach their pets the change from paper to outside.
Scruffing absolutely a huge no, so much risk of fear aggression developing esp in non experienced owners hands. Punishment crate not necessary either, not sure how you expect a pup to learn the difference between the crates! Leaving a puppy to whine and whine just isn't healthy for anyone, more likely to get tempers fraying!
I also agree do not bring into bedroom, better to place crate downstairs.
Not many pups are going to be toilet trained before they leave their Mum even to paper and even if they are a new home is likely to disrupt that training
Unless gardens are overrun with wildlife (foxes etc) pups can go into gardens to start toilet training outside rather than on paper, we have a lot of clients who struggle to teach their pets the change from paper to outside.
Scruffing absolutely a huge no, so much risk of fear aggression developing esp in non experienced owners hands. Punishment crate not necessary either, not sure how you expect a pup to learn the difference between the crates! Leaving a puppy to whine and whine just isn't healthy for anyone, more likely to get tempers fraying!
I also agree do not bring into bedroom, better to place crate downstairs.
Edited by bexVN on Sunday 31st October 20:46
If you have a garden then there is no reason why your pup can't go outside from day 1, unless you have had other dogs in there carrying disease.
Positive punishment has no place in training. If you read the books I suggested and do any sort of research on scientific studies over the past 70 odd years you will see why. I could give you chapter and verse on it along with references, but you only have to look at the websites of The Association of Pet Dog Trainers http://www.apdt.co.uk/ and The Assocation of Pet Behaviour Counsellors http://www.apbc.org.uk/ to get further information and training tips.
Other good places for tips are The Blue Cross http://www.bluecross.org.uk/ and Dogs Trust http://dogstrust.org.uk/ both of whom have downloadable factsheets.
Have fun and enjoy your pup
Positive punishment has no place in training. If you read the books I suggested and do any sort of research on scientific studies over the past 70 odd years you will see why. I could give you chapter and verse on it along with references, but you only have to look at the websites of The Association of Pet Dog Trainers http://www.apdt.co.uk/ and The Assocation of Pet Behaviour Counsellors http://www.apbc.org.uk/ to get further information and training tips.
Other good places for tips are The Blue Cross http://www.bluecross.org.uk/ and Dogs Trust http://dogstrust.org.uk/ both of whom have downloadable factsheets.
Have fun and enjoy your pup
if you have to use the pads as we did (no garden), they are pretty good. our pup got to about 13 weeks and started shunning the pads and was getting through the night without using them. we still leave one down now, but she's stated chewing them!
their bladders are pretty small until 4-5 months old, and they will need to go out every hour to start with, and we're at 15 weeks old now and she still needs to go every 2.5 hours or so during the day.
food - like most things, quality in = quality out. we're using royal canin junior lab food (hard to get), and everyone comments on how healthy she looks. beautiful coat and the right weight for her age.
crate - can't recommend them enough. it's her little space.
general training - you can't start early enough.
chewing - hard to stop them chewing stuff they shouldn't, but don't skimp on the chew toys. they do help.
eating everything! - labs are dustbins, and they will literally eat anything. small stones, plaster from some building work we're having done, carrot peelings, cardboard, moss...... you name it. you start out getting it all out of their mouths, but in the end leave them to it, unless it's something dangerous.
attention - people will stop you on walks to fuss over a lab puppy. allow about double the allotted time for walks!
squits! - inevitable when you start walking him. their immune system is pretty weak for a while and they'll pick up delhi belly. boiled chicken and rice and one yakult type drink a day, and it cleared up in no time.
their bladders are pretty small until 4-5 months old, and they will need to go out every hour to start with, and we're at 15 weeks old now and she still needs to go every 2.5 hours or so during the day.
food - like most things, quality in = quality out. we're using royal canin junior lab food (hard to get), and everyone comments on how healthy she looks. beautiful coat and the right weight for her age.
crate - can't recommend them enough. it's her little space.
general training - you can't start early enough.
chewing - hard to stop them chewing stuff they shouldn't, but don't skimp on the chew toys. they do help.
eating everything! - labs are dustbins, and they will literally eat anything. small stones, plaster from some building work we're having done, carrot peelings, cardboard, moss...... you name it. you start out getting it all out of their mouths, but in the end leave them to it, unless it's something dangerous.
attention - people will stop you on walks to fuss over a lab puppy. allow about double the allotted time for walks!
squits! - inevitable when you start walking him. their immune system is pretty weak for a while and they'll pick up delhi belly. boiled chicken and rice and one yakult type drink a day, and it cleared up in no time.
Edited by tamore on Monday 1st November 18:37
When the pup is still young buy a cap gun or bang a few pan lids about when it is having its dinner (distraction)for a few weeks. This will stop the pup from becoming scared of loud noises like fireworks. Also once it has had its jags and is a few months old take it down the street on a busy day a few times on the lead to get it used to a lot of people milling about.
As said before dont over feed the dog ever as Labradors will eat until they burst if given half a chance. I have had one eat 1.5kg of dog food before when the food bag got left on the floor instead of being put away properly. Didnt need to feed her for a day and a half after that though.
Just remember that a Labrador is a life support system for a stomach
As said before dont over feed the dog ever as Labradors will eat until they burst if given half a chance. I have had one eat 1.5kg of dog food before when the food bag got left on the floor instead of being put away properly. Didnt need to feed her for a day and a half after that though.
Just remember that a Labrador is a life support system for a stomach
Thanks for all the advice people.
I'm definitely going to buy a crate. Basically give him somewhere where he can lie down and it is his space.
Regarding teaching him to poo/wee how does one know when the little fella needs to do it? How would you know to take him outside?
I'm guessing placing the pads on the floor should attract him to use that area?
Regarding the food i've read once a day for the puppies? How would I know what measurement to feed him or will the vetinarian diagnose how much he needs when they see him for his first injection, by looking at his weight?
Royal canine looks a favourite.
How long would the 2 x 7.5kg last for?
I'm looking at dry food but is there place in the little fellas diet for tinned food or is that kind of food garbage?
10 days till we go and see him again.
110 miles from Liverpool to North Yorkshire to go and see him we must be crazy?! Haha, we will also try and visit what's nearby and make a day of it whilst we're there.
I'm definitely going to buy a crate. Basically give him somewhere where he can lie down and it is his space.
Regarding teaching him to poo/wee how does one know when the little fella needs to do it? How would you know to take him outside?
I'm guessing placing the pads on the floor should attract him to use that area?
Regarding the food i've read once a day for the puppies? How would I know what measurement to feed him or will the vetinarian diagnose how much he needs when they see him for his first injection, by looking at his weight?
Royal canine looks a favourite.
How long would the 2 x 7.5kg last for?
I'm looking at dry food but is there place in the little fellas diet for tinned food or is that kind of food garbage?
10 days till we go and see him again.
110 miles from Liverpool to North Yorkshire to go and see him we must be crazy?! Haha, we will also try and visit what's nearby and make a day of it whilst we're there.
Toilet- As soon as if wakes up, after play, after eating, any time he starts sniffing the floor. Try and take him outside pads should be a back up plan.
Food- Start off by feeding whatever the breeder has weaned him onto within reason. PUPPIES DO NOT NEED WEETABIX AND MILK. this can be a real favourite with breeders. Once settled at home, if you want to change diet do it gradually over several days.
There are feeding guider on the bags for breed and age usually follow these to start with DO measure dry food out.
Tinned food 80% water. Not necessary to give if on complete dry food unless breeder already using some.
Food- Start off by feeding whatever the breeder has weaned him onto within reason. PUPPIES DO NOT NEED WEETABIX AND MILK. this can be a real favourite with breeders. Once settled at home, if you want to change diet do it gradually over several days.
There are feeding guider on the bags for breed and age usually follow these to start with DO measure dry food out.
Tinned food 80% water. Not necessary to give if on complete dry food unless breeder already using some.
CWH said:
Thanks for all the advice people.
I'm definitely going to buy a crate. Basically give him somewhere where he can lie down and it is his space.
Regarding teaching him to poo/wee how does one know when the little fella needs to do it? How would you know to take him outside?
I'm guessing placing the pads on the floor should attract him to use that area?
Regarding the food i've read once a day for the puppies? How would I know what measurement to feed him or will the vetinarian diagnose how much he needs when they see him for his first injection, by looking at his weight?
Royal canine looks a favourite.
How long would the 2 x 7.5kg last for?
I'm looking at dry food but is there place in the little fellas diet for tinned food or is that kind of food garbage?
10 days till we go and see him again.
110 miles from Liverpool to North Yorkshire to go and see him we must be crazy?! Haha, we will also try and visit what's nearby and make a day of it whilst we're there.
with regard to RC food, they need 240g per day at 8 weeks. we split it into 4 portions throughout the day (going to 3 meals a day at 12 weeks, and due to go to 2 meals per day at 5-6 months).I'm definitely going to buy a crate. Basically give him somewhere where he can lie down and it is his space.
Regarding teaching him to poo/wee how does one know when the little fella needs to do it? How would you know to take him outside?
I'm guessing placing the pads on the floor should attract him to use that area?
Regarding the food i've read once a day for the puppies? How would I know what measurement to feed him or will the vetinarian diagnose how much he needs when they see him for his first injection, by looking at his weight?
Royal canine looks a favourite.
How long would the 2 x 7.5kg last for?
I'm looking at dry food but is there place in the little fellas diet for tinned food or is that kind of food garbage?
10 days till we go and see him again.
110 miles from Liverpool to North Yorkshire to go and see him we must be crazy?! Haha, we will also try and visit what's nearby and make a day of it whilst we're there.
also, RC can be soaked in boiling water until cool (60g food/ 4 floz water), and it gives your pup most of his water intake needed too. it makes it very easy for them to eat at that age, but we went to giving it to her dry by 12 weeks just to slow her eating down a bit! she was hoovering her food like a new york socialite doing coke!
We picked up our little fella 3 weeks ago so he is just over 11 weeks now. Breeder had already got him accustomed to going through the nigh (11-6) without needing to be let out for a wee. He is just now beginning to ask to be let out when he needs the toilet but is nowhere near reliable.
He has a crate (42" one) under the stairs where he retreats when he wants a rest away from everyone - he likes to have a lie down with us as well though.
Listen to what the breeder tells you - our fella eats 400g of dry food a day - not soaked in water and copes quite happily.
Keep your eyes on him all the time and make sure you don't let him get away with anything you don't want him doing. Offer him an acceptable alternative instead (treat or dog toy).
Enjoy having him around as he'll grow quickly and will no longer be the babe magnet that the puppy is.
We're about to get a crate for the car as well so that he gets used to that one before he gets much bigger.
He has a crate (42" one) under the stairs where he retreats when he wants a rest away from everyone - he likes to have a lie down with us as well though.
Listen to what the breeder tells you - our fella eats 400g of dry food a day - not soaked in water and copes quite happily.
Keep your eyes on him all the time and make sure you don't let him get away with anything you don't want him doing. Offer him an acceptable alternative instead (treat or dog toy).
Enjoy having him around as he'll grow quickly and will no longer be the babe magnet that the puppy is.
We're about to get a crate for the car as well so that he gets used to that one before he gets much bigger.
Paddy_N_Murphy said:
Rules & Consistency.
I also say now to dogs in bedrooms etc, in fact ours are never allowed upstairs. Its just somewhere else to get dirty !
Oh and of course posting Pics is part of the job !!
Going by the rest of the post, I'd have thought you say 'no to dogs in bedrooms'.I also say now to dogs in bedrooms etc, in fact ours are never allowed upstairs. Its just somewhere else to get dirty !
Oh and of course posting Pics is part of the job !!
Buy the puppy training guide from the gundog club. I know more than likely you wont be working the dog but it has brilliant ways of teaching recall etc from a very early age.
http://www.thegundogclub.co.uk/shop/books/Training...
http://www.thegundogclub.co.uk/shop/books/Training...
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