How to Take Care of a Lab Mix Puppy

High-energy and friendly, Labrador retriever mixes typically make good pets. If you̵7;ve just adopted a Lab-mix puppy, you may have some questions on how to take care of it. Fortunately, Lab-mix puppies are generally easy-going and easy to care for.

Things You'll Need

  • High-quality puppy food
  • Leash
  • Ear cleaner
  • Cotton balls
  • Puppy shampoo
  • Chewing toys
  • Heartworm and flea and tick preventatives as suggested by vet
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Instructions

    • 1

      Feed your puppy a high-quality puppy food. If your puppy is a mix of Labrador and another big-sized breed, choose puppy food made for large breeds, as large-breed puppies have different dietary needs than small breeds. If you are unsure of your pup's parentage, speak to your veterinarian about which food to feed your puppy.

    • 2

      Feed your puppy a meal three times daily for its first four months, suggests tealwoodkennel.com. Then, make the transition to twice a day.

    • 3

      Walk your puppy at least once a day. In general, Labrador retrievers have a lot of energy that needs to be released. Unless you allow your Lab-mix puppy to get plenty of exercise, it will likely misbehave out of frustration. Take it on leashed walks, which provide exercise and also a bonding experience. Start with short walks and gradually increase the length.

    • 4

      Clean your puppy's ears once a week. Labs typically suffer from many ear infections because of their pendulum-shaped ears, states tealwoodkennels.com. Therefore, get your puppy accustomed to the process by starting it out young. Pour a cleaner made for dogs into the ears until it comes out, then massage the base of the ear. Wipe out the debris with a cotton ball. Use a different ball each time you wipe and continue until they come out clean. Be gentle and patient, it may take time for your puppy to learn to accept the cleaning, so don't become frustrated.

    • 5

      Bathe your puppy with puppy shampoo once a month. Labs tend to have skin problems and bathing with a gentle shampoo can relieve many skin issues. If you start bathing your puppy at a young age, it will get used to baths and be easier to bathe. Since Labrador retrievers are water dogs, your puppy may come to enjoy the experience if treated gently and with patience as a puppy.

    • 6

      Provide chewing toys for your lab mix puppy. According to labradorretrieversavvy.com, lab puppies love to chew and it̵7;s likely your lab mix will, as well. Therefore, provide your pup with a toy that is appropriate to chew, or else it may find a couch leg or shoe to gnaw on, instead.

    • 7

      Take your Labrador retriever-mix puppy to the veterinarian for regular examinations and vaccinations. Puppies receive vaccines beginning at eight weeks of age, and continue to get them until they are about four months. In addition, puppies need deworming and should receive heartworm and flea and tick preventatives, as well.