6 Month old Lab advice?

Question

My mother had a 6-month-old choc. Lab puppy that she could not care for anymore due to my dad’s health. I have adopted the puppy now; I had to put down my boxer puppy a few weeks ago and decided to take this puppy
I have never owned a Lab and know nothing about them...He is very smart, housebroken, and very laid back, almost seems lazy...I have stairs up to my house he will go down them, but will not attempt to come up. He will fetch, but he will walk not run to whatever I have thrown. He has had a vet check up and all shot, very healthy. I had always heard Labs will chew on everything, we have never seen this in him.
Can someone give me advice or information on labs? Tips?? Anything will help.

Answer 1

O.k. first of all you have to have food , water and collar leash and tags (duh) Also toys , and maybe a chew bone . Labs are very good animal and I luv `em . If the vet says she is healthy , she may just be tired , because she is adjusting to the house and other things we may not know of.

Answer 2

He is still adjusting, and will continue to seem lazy until he understands that this is home now, THEN hide all your shoes, jeans, stuffed animals (the ones he can't have), and anything else you don't want chewed! LOL! When he starts acting like a normal puppy, you'll know he's comfy! If you've already raised a boxer, then "normal puppy" will be a notch or two down from what the boxer was! LMAO! Boxers are boisterous, exuberant, and all around bouncy! Labs are only a notch or two calmer than boxers.

Answer 3

Sure, I have two Labs myself. One 2yr old male and a 6 mo female. Labs are my favorite. Great for saving the dog your self, good job. It's not as hard to own a lab inspite of what you have heard. They do tend to get into everything, and they are HIGHLY intelligent animals. Your lab are ready seem to know the basics and sound to be already calm. My dogs also had a fear of steps, but just walk up and down the stairs with him/her hold her favorie toy or treat. Soon your lab will be confident enough to venture forth on it's on up and the stairs as he or she pleases.

When you try and ball, toy, etc. Usually they take off after it at full speed and readily brings it back eger to do it again. Right not you ^mo year lab is just starting ot learn thier blance and the use of there hine legs. Soon they will dash off after whatever it is thay you throw.

For chewing, i by mine alot of toys and raw hides. they las about a week or two and not that expensive. just make sure you put plenty toys around for him to chew on. Start early at this age and correct and problem that may occur. ie chewing on shoes or cords. if you catch them, scare him and give him a firm spank and say no. after a week or two he will get the picture. For shoes, I would put a shoe in front of him, as soon a he chews of it or go for it tell him NO... they are smart and learn what please and displeases you soon enough. They are very afficionate and smart... Good Choice, hope everything goes well. They are my favorite of all dogs.

Answer 4

Put treats in the stairs. Keep telling him it's ok the further he goes and that he's a good boy. I find that Lab's are scaredy cats. You're so lucky to have a lab, what a beautiful and super intelligent animal. Consistency is key!! Good luck

Answer 5

Have you spoken to your parents about his indoor behavior? I'm tempted to think that maybe he believes that he shouldn't be doing many of those things (running in the house, going up stairs, etc)

Labs tend to be high-energy animals that are sweet and all-around wonderful.

Could be personality quirk in the specific dog too, labs tend to come up with habits that seem strange to humans. One of ours loved to fetch tennis balls then leave them in his food dish. He'd also spend most of the time we tried to use for play eating instead. Our other lab would hog all of the toys all of the time.

Answer 6

He may be going through an adjustment period, and going through a "depression." It can take a month or so for him to get aquainted with his new environment. Don't be surprised if shortly this little guy does become a ball of fire after he fully adjusts.

I would advise you to get a kong, that you can fill with goodies to keep him busy if he does turn out to be a chewer. http://www.libertydogtraining.com/products2.htm

Also, keep some distilled white vinegar on hand in a travel spray bottle. Make sure it is not the apple vinegar. If he becomes a chewer or a biter, you can spray this on the item, or one squirt into his mouth to deter biting. Pair this with the command, "No bite."

Feel free to check out our website and contact us for any further advice you may need.

http://www.libertydogtraining.com

Answer 7

maybe he needs to get use to its surroundings first. Give him some time. He will eventually understand.

Answer 8

sounds like a good dog to me