Labrador Puppy Guide

American Kennel Club records show Labrador retrievers are the top ranked choice for a family pet. Though originally bred as an all around gun dog, today most Labs assume the role of friend and companion. Bringing a Labrador puppy into your home requires consideration of traits inherent in the breed and behaviors you need to work with to ensure the health and happiness of your new Labrador retriever puppy.

  1. Diet

    • A nutritionally sound and well-balanced diet is essential to maintain the health of your puppy. Labrador retrievers have large appetites and a genetic tendency toward obesity. Feed controlled portions of food on a strict schedule. Until your puppy is six months old, feeding twice daily is acceptable. Feed your Lab on a schedule and only as much as the puppy will eat within 10-15 minutes. At 6 months, feed your puppy once a day, adjusting the amount of food offered to fit your schedule. When looking at commercial food, look for a ratio of 30 percent meat to 70 percent cereal, and at least a 2 percent calcium supplement. Additional vitamins and supplements are not necessary. Ensure your puppy stays well-hydrated by providing water at least three times daily, but do not offer free access to water until potty training is complete.

    House Training

    • Until your puppy is 6 months old, he has little control over his bladder, so successfully house training your dog will depend largely on you. Establish and keep your puppy on a strict toilet routine, taking him to the same spot every time so he begins to associate the spot with doing his "job." Use a "potty command" when taking him to this spot, and praise him after he relieves himself. Until your Lab is house trained, keep him confined to an indoor kennel or crate or a smaller area of the home.

    Obedience Training

    • Labrador retrievers are intelligent and eager to please. They are also quite friendly and curious. Obedience training is a requirement to prevent your Lab from becoming overbearing and out of control. Start this training the day he enters your home and make it an ongoing process. Once your puppy has all his shots, consider enrolling him in puppy obedience classes. At home, keep training sessions short, and make them fun for your puppy. Start by getting your puppy used to the sound of his name, to come when you call him, to walk on a leash, and sit and stay.

    Exercise and Play

    • Labrador retrievers need a great deal of exercise. Regular, twice daily walks along with sufficient playtime will help your puppy develop a sound mind and body. Help him learn socialization skills by taking him to a dog park, and if you can, take him somewhere he can go swimming. A bored Lab is a destructive Lab, so the more structured exercise you can provide, the less likely he will be to create chaos in your home. Acknowledge his retriever heritage and make "fetch" a daily activity. Provide him with sufficient chew toys and toys he can carry in his mouth.

    General Health

    • While Labs are generally a healthy breed, be aware of genetic problems associated with the breed. Hip dysplasia and eye problems are the most common, so make sure your Lab receives regular vet care and speak with your vet about these issues when you take him in for vaccinations. Obesity can lead to heart and joint problems so do not over feed your Lab and make sure he gets plenty of exercise.