Tips for raising a labrador puppy?

Question

Hello All
We are thinking of getting a puppy in a few weeks and have already started stocking up on supplies (kennel, dog bed, lead, collar etc) I have fallen in love with Chocolate Labs but have heard they can easily become overweight if overfed and do not receive enough exercise. What is the recommended amount of exercise and if you have any other tips they would be appreciated! Thanks

Answer 1

They need LOTS of running time.. I am believing here that they need to run/exercise (playing Frisbee, fetch or flat out running) twice a day minimum and at least 20-30 Min's each session. This is A LOT at first but after they get neutered and 'calm down' usually between 1 1/2 and 2, they will not require NEARLY that amount of exercise but still require some of course. This is just to burn puppy energy and teach him his skills for come, fetch, sit .. excellent training time.

The other thing about labs.. LOVE THEM and would have them again in a minute.. is that some of them (like some dogs period.. just noticed it more in the labs) decide on an item to chew and that's it.. there is NO stopping them.. that is their item! LOL Hondu, our Lab when I was a little girl.. his choice was my Father's chair.. my Father LOVED this chair.. as did Hondu.. and in the end.. Hondu would NOT chew, shoes, raw-hides, Frisbee's or any other chew toy but that CHAIR! No matter what my father did, he lost. So the chair ended up in the backyard until Hondu outdid his puppy time and it went to the dump. The dog never did chew another thing and was put to sleep when I was 17 years old (I was 4 when we got him - loved him all my childhood). And I think they are the BEST dogs ever.. great with children, gentle, protective with their life and if I didn't live where I couldn't have one, there would have been one with me my entire adult life too. I think they are spectacular dogs!

One thing I should say.. Watch the table food.. true for any dog, but if weight is a particular issue (and MANY dogs do gain weight after they are neutered), then exercise them a lot, no table foods, and treats should be given in tiny 'bites' versus a whole Milk-bone (for example). Most dogs that are healthy do need to run off steam and that would be MY best suggestion for controlling weight.. let him/her run it off :) Grats on your puppy and may you all have a wonderful life together filled with all kinds of laughter, touching moments and of course the treasure of owning a Lab.. there are NO substitutes.

Answer 2

As far as excerise every dog should be walked at least 2x a day for 30 mins. Playing fetch in the back yard dosnt count~! Keep portions controled and dont free feed. The most important part of puppyhood is socialization. But dont expose your pup to anything till they have had at least 2-3 sets of shots. Take a puppy obidence class and then a normal obidence class for the health and safety of your dog. Best of luck and soon to be congrats on your new baby!

Answer 3

Labs are very energetic dogs that do require a fair amount of exercise. If you have a good size backyard, you can let it out to run at it's desire.

Otherwise, a good walk twice a day will probably help.

Labs are also very playful animals, but they can be very gentle. The biggest hint I can really give you for training it is patience and repetition.

Answer 4

Yes that is very true. If there are any dog parks near you thats great for a dog. You could bring him/her there about 3 times a week. If not then take him for walks about 3-4 times a week. Its not only good for him but good for you too.

Answer 5

i have a chocolate and a yellow lab and yes my choc. is a little chunkier..but you might want to consider getting 2 dogs instead of one depending on your work/school schedule so that when you have to leave them for hours at a time they have a buddy and they wont be quite as destructive towards your shoes and carpets : )

Answer 6

just regular run around the yard would be fine, or take them for a walk so you too will get your execise...our lab is a diet freak, he knows when he has been eating a lot and volunteers to skip his own meal. theyre very smart so train them as soon as you can.

Answer 7

Go to this site and read up

http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?familyid=11354

My husband and I bought a Boxers for Dummies book before we got our puppy. It made us ready for her. But she turned out to be a really good dog and we never really needed the book.

Answer 8

VACCINES VACCINES VACCINES VACCINES. GET ALL THE VACCINES!!!! I am so sick of people being cheap and "buying" dogs and then not getting all the vaccines. Then they come on here and cry b/c their dog is dying of parvo and they can't affoed treatment. Don't be stupid.

Answer 9

Its 20 to2 am right now so ill edit this later but DON'T FEED IT GREENIES.

Answer 10

Training your pup
http://www.petskare.com/category/Training-Your-Pup.html