Tips on Owning a Labrador Retriever Puppy

According to the American Kennel Club, the Labrador retriever was the most popular dog in the United States in 2009. Labs love children and they love to play. They are easy to train and require minimal upkeep. Labs tend to be devoted to their families and are eager to please. With the proper care and lots of love, your Lab puppy can enjoy many healthy years as he matures into adulthood.

  1. Choose Food for Large Breeds

    • Feed your Lab puppy a quality food meant for large-breed puppies. Large-breed puppies like the Lab need specific nutrition aimed at supporting a controlled growth. According to Livestock Guardian Dogs, large breeds are predisposed to several orthopedic diseases that are more likely when growth is too fast.

    Feed Frequently

    • Labs tend to overeat and become overweight. Puppies are adorable with their chubby bellies, but according to Dog Channel, Labrador retriever puppies should not be allowed to free-feed, but should be fed frequent meals.

    Moisten Puppy's Food

    • Wet the food with a small amount of warm water about 10 minutes before serving. This expands the food and makes it chewier, which helps prevent bloat, a life-threatening condition in large-chested puppies like the Lab.

    Monitor Puppy's Health

    • Due to their love of the outdoors, Lab puppies are particularly susceptible to fleas, ticks and heartworm. They love to spend a lot of time running through brush and damp areas near water. These are ideal breeding grounds for fleas, ticks and mosquitoes, which are the carriers of heartworm.

    Groom Regularly

    • Lab puppies are generally low-maintenance when it comes to grooming. Their short, thick coats require brushing to remove shedding hair. Frequent baths may be necessary. Pay attention to your dog's eyes and ears after dirty jaunts in the outdoors. Wipe the eyes free of any dirt or weeds to prevent irritation. The inside of her ears needs to be dried out with a soft cloth to prevent mites and infections.

    Start Training Early

    • Labs are intelligent and, by nature, eager to please. Lab pups are also "mouthy" dogs. They love to bite, nip, tug and chew. This can be cute when they are young, but that little pup will soon grow into a big dog. Provide her with plenty of chew toys. Start early, training your pup to stop the behavior when you command.

    Exercise Daily

    • Labrador retriever puppies are active dogs. They need daily walks or runs. It is ideal if you can provide access to water. Labs were originally bred to retrieve waterfowl for hunters and for work as a fisherman's helper. They love the water and retrieving objects thrown into it. Setting up an agility course is also beneficial for your dog. It helps the energetic Lab puppy to burn off some energy, keep his joints limber and challenge his brain.