Labrador Owners here?

Question

We are considering getting a Labrador as a family pet. Its just me, my husband and my 12yr old son. Are their any Lab owners here that tell me how hard these dogs are to train (basic behavior, potty, etc) and to take care of? I realize that they need alot of exercise, and they wont be a problem. Also, how bad do they shed?
Any advice will be helpful, Thanks!

Answer 1

I have had three labs and have found only two things that I would like to change about the breed

1) They shed a lot
2) They tend to get ear infections

Here are the reasons I will not own any other breed than a lab

1) Great family dogs. They accept everyone and will watch out for their family.
2) Intelligence. These dogs are incredibly smart. One of mine pick up on the word "walk" so much that I had to spell it in front of people - then she learned what the spelling meant. I could tell this dog to "go check on . . . " and she would go find the child I had named.
3) Big bark. I live alone now and the big deep bark of a lab makes people think twice before coming near my house.
4) Obedience. These dogs learn so quickly and obey you so well. I only use a leash on mine when we go to a new place. After that she stays right by my side.
5) Great with kids. My children grew up with labs. They climbed all over them and were never bitten or snarled at. Now the neighborhood kids want to play with my dog. These dogs know when children are around and are very gentle with kids.

OK you see that I love labs. I have had other breeds, but labs make the best family dogs ever.

Answer 2

Well our first dog, Belle, who is a Yellow Labrador Retriever, was our first dog. She is almost 13 years old and doing great!!! I think it has a lot to do with finding a good breeder, who breeds for temperament and their heredity. You may pay more but in the long run, you won't have to as our dog has never had any hip dysplasia(prone to labs)and also eye problems(also prone to labs). She was the hardest as a puppy, so much energy, and they loooooooove to chew,chew,chew and I don't just mean their toys!!!LOL However, you begin to train them at about 6 months of age or so and you'll see the difference. However, anybody we've talked to besides having our own with a Lab., they all calm down at about 2 1/2 to 3 years old. Seems like a long time, I know, but it really isn't! Enjoy it all! They are awesome family dogs! Good luck!!!

Answer 3

Labs are very friendly & lovable if brought up in a loving home. (Of course they shed some they have hair.) Brushing regularly helps alot! Most labs are really high strung,lots of energy, tend to seem nutty or goofy. But are real sweetys! As far as house breaking.. They are no harder to house break than any other dog. The key is consistancy & praise! DO NOT PAPER TRAIN any dog & do not hit or beat them if they mess in the house. You will only scare & confuse them. They are just learning the ropes.. Either crate train or do what I do take them out every hour or so & use the same words everytime.. Like my pups were you gotta go pee? in an excited & happy voice while standing by the door. & I take them out & say go pee. Keep your voice positive. & when they do go outside. Say good boy/girl you went pee! Don't be afraid to use treats as a reward. I have yet to have a puppy fail house training. As far as chewing. Some dogs love to chew more than others. If you get a chewer make sure you get bones & tough durable toys for yer pup & be sure to pick up things that your pup can choke on or easily swallow. They can get an obstruction & have to have major surgery to save them that is very costly! If your dog is a chewer that won't be good while your away at work keep him in a crate or a safe doggy proofed room. Hope this helps

Answer 4

I have a 7 month old Chocolate Lab. She's a doll. For the first 3 months, I didn't think she'd ever get the potty training thing down. I put her in a kennel at night, and she would not wet in it, but she would still pee my floor, because she wouldn't bark at the door. She would just lay in front of it and if I didn't see her, I got a present. Labs are very smart dogs and are easy to train, and are very family orientated. Love attention. My dog did shed some, but you have to brush them every night to help cut down on shedding and dry skin. By the age of 3 months, my lab was already fetching, would sit on command and shake. Work with them consistently and they will be the best dog you can ever have.

Answer 5

HAHAHA, im glad i can answer!, They are really really Noble!!, i taught my dog to shake my hand in 1 day!, with 1 slice of ham!, i cut it into tiny pieces, (he just loves it!) and grabed his hand while giving him the ham! and asked him. He didnt give me his hand that day, but the next day!, my mom got mad cause he was making a mess and yelled at him, he sat and gave her the hand in the air!, it was hilarious, he appoligizes now that way. They are from Canada and they are Water dogs, which means they should swim more than once in their life. The owner shoots a duck and it falls in the lake, the Lab/Retriever swims, and brings it back! thats how they got the name Retriever. They are used for Service!, such as blind people!, very good at that!. Labs are one of the top dogs known for Loyalty!! No dog will be friendly if you dont take him out to walk!!, they cant stand being locked! I take my dog out Daily!, its pretty important!, also, if u get one, make sure the future owner sleeps with him, in the same room/bed, thats how they know they'll be safe with you! and that will grant you ownership! Ownership will help you train them and control them. I walk my dog everyday and for the first two years that ive had him, he's NEVER Attacked a person!!!, only bark, but never attack!, he eats and i can pet him!, thats a way to find a dogs character! if the get mad, they have a little bit of charcter, of the opposite, the will have good character!, also, check how insecure they are!, they should never cowar from you, instead play, or try to get along, that makes them a good guard dog!. PHEW, wow, i just said most of what i know about dogs in general, Labs are a highly good choice!!!. Heres more info!, A black lab is said to have problems with his legs, they may be short. A brown lab is said to have problems with the ears and white/golden labs are said to have problems with skin/hair, my Lab is whit/golden and my vet gave me some pills to help his skin stay healthy and so far, he is!, he does shed a lot! when its the season, (summer) otherwise he doesnt very much, but that might be because he is mixed with akita which have 2 times more hair than a normal dog, but he looks more lab only the tail and snout is different. the hair might be too. Well, good luck

Answer 6

Labs are awesome. I'm getting one and am planning on showing her. Labs do shed but if you use a slicker brush regularly (like 3-4 times a week) you can keep it under control. I learned tons of stuff on this website http://www.labradorforums.co.uk/
When you get your puppy make sure to get from a responsible breeder because if you get a dog from a back yard breeder you will end up with a crazy dog! Quality Labs are not nearly as hyperactive as BYB dogs. The same goes for intelligence. If you buy from a back yard breeder you will end up with a "dumb" dog. That's not a matter of question it's the how it is! Take my word for it.

Answer 7

i love my lab! they do shed alot. they are very energetic but they do train well. always use a treat as an award because this breed likes to work. do not over feed because they are prone to having hip problems related to obesity. my lab is wonderful. he housebroke himself. we had little accidents. he is 5 and still has alot of energy but he does listen. they can be sneaky at times so make sure you have the bread put up high. go to a good breeder. look at both mom and dad. you want a healthy puppy. make sure the parents have their hips and eyes guaranteed. friends of ours have a labrdoodle. they do not shed and are more calm then the lab but our great and faithful like the lab. labs love kids too. your 12 yo will have a friend for life.

Answer 8

I have got 2 of them, one 10 years old and one 7 1/2, funniest, most loving, good natured, smart dogs you will ever find,

The older one can open up the lock on a crate. This was not something I taught him, he learned it himself. He also does not like to go out in the rain, so if he hears thunder coming, he makes sure that he does out before the rain starts.

The younger is my baby. Loves to sleep with Mom at night, but waits to be invited on the bed.

They are well mannered, I have never heard a growl from either one.

Labs are the way to go.

My son was 12 when we got the older one, used to love putting on his roller blades and letting the dog run him all over the street.

Answer 9

I had a black lab that passed away recently, and now I have a yellow lab puppy. I cannot sing the praises of labrador retrievers, enough! They are VERY friendly, loyal and have the best disposition. My 6 year old son used to try to sit on our black lab, and pull her ears, and she took it so well. (So gentle to be so big!) They are very smart , too. A friend of mine's husband trains his labs to retrieve ducks when he hunts them, and they are able to track them down, and bring them back "undisturbed" with regularity. Now, I don't use my labs for hunting, but they are wonderful companions. The puppies are VERY playful, and they are big puppies, so they can be a bit of a pain, but you said you can give lots of exercise. You will never be sorry you got a lab.

Answer 10

I have 2 labs, both lab-mixes. and they are GREAT! Both VERY easy to potty train (within 2 weeks of getting them as puppies) and are easy-going, aim to please dogs. They do shed, but not too bad. One of mine sheds a lot more than my other. My dogs are VERY smart and were super easy to train. I would highly recommend getting a lab or lab mix, I know I will always own this type of breed.