Dog Question?

Question

I am getting a dog next week and he is an 8 month old labrador mix. I was just wondering how often i should take him on walks and if there are any signs he will give me if he needs to use the bathroom. Since im still in high school, how should i deal with his needs in the morning? Any tips for me? Thanks

and can i change his name...since im adopting him and hes only 8 months old? he still isnt housebroken so can i change it?

Answer 1

A lab mix will need to be exercised at least once a day, for at least an hour.

We can't tell you if your dog is potty trained. He may or may not be. If he's never lived in a house or never been housebroken, then he's not going to be potty trained. Use the search box above to search Answers for other answers given to housebreaking questions to help prepare you.

In the morning, you'll need to feed him and let him out. If you have time, he may also need to be played with for awhile.

I'm a little concerned about this being "your" dog if you are still in high school. Are you not planning on attending college? Are you not planning on getting a full-time job in the next 10-15 years? Can you afford his vet bills for the next 10 years? Even if your parents help now, what if he blows out his ACL (a freq lab prob) during finals week in College? Can you afford a $1000 surgery and a week off to be with him after the surgery? I'm glad that you are adopting a dog, but remember to look at the big picture, not just the current picture. Put aside a 'doggie' fund savings account and keep it up over $1000. This should cover most medical emergencies. Be ready to spend money on doggie day care if you do take a full time job at any point.

Oh ,and yes, you can absolutely change his name. Our rescue was 8 months when we got her and we immediately changed her name. She doesn't even remember that she had another name. : )

Good luck to you and your new pooch. : )

Answer 2

I to have a lab mix. At first, without training she would whimper when she was about to use the bathroom. She was only 7 weeks old to!
Labs are VERY entergetic. So prepare for a whole latta walking.
Owning
The Labrador Retriever is gentle with children and the elderly. If it is intended as a pet, keep in mind that Labrador puppies are full of energy. The Labrador Retriever has a stable temperament and adapts to new surroundings easily. The Labrador Retriever is not an aggresive dog, but it will bark to ward off strangers.

Temperament
True Labrador Retriever temperament is as much a hallmark of the breed as the ''otter'' tail. The ideal disposition is one of a kindly, outgoing, tractable nature; eager to please and non-aggressive towards man or animal. The Labrador has much that appeals to people; his gentle ways, intelligence and adaptability make him an ideal dog
GOOD LUCK!
Labs are truley wonderful dogs.

Answer 3

Walking a dog is always a good idea, especially for a puppy! Labs have a lot of energy, so taking him for a walk will help expend some of that energy and will make him less likely to get destructive out of sheer boredom.

As for bathroom signs, it will depend upon how he was trained up until now. He may go to the door and whine or bark, or may come up to you and give you "the look." Worst case scenario would be that he doesn't give you a signal!

It's not too late to do some training. A method that worked well for me was to hang a bell on the door. Whenever we took the puppy outside, we'd take his paw and hit the bell. He caught on pretty quickly that if he wanted to go outside, he'd hit the bell.

As for mornings, take him out before you go to school and immediately when you get home. At 8 months old, he should be able to hold it for that long. (Rule of thumb is they're able to "hold it" for 1 hour per month of age. Your guys should be able to go about 8 hours or so....but don't push it!)

Have fun!

Answer 4

First, you and the dog will have to learn each others language, not as in English but as in body language and tones. If they are already trained, not likely at that age, then you would ask the trainer. At first, you will have to deal with pissing in the wrong places for awhile, think lots of newspaper then taper it off untill you no longer place any down, then the dog may just want outside. When you take them for a walk, stay out untill the pup goes potty, this will get it use to going on the ground and simplify training a lot.

Answer 5

You should take him on a walk in the morning before school and then again after. Usually dogs will need to go in the morning, so he will learn to use the bathroom in the morning.

While housetraining, a dog will usually start sniffing or turning in circles if they have to go. If you see this, immediately take him outside. You should also read up on crate training too. That helps with housetraining. After they eat, they usually need to go as well.

You can rename your dog no problem. He will get used to his new name!

Answer 6

Idealy you need to walk him at least once every day, You could take him on a short walk before you go to school, then a longer one with maybe a ball for fun after school. you need to train him to understand that to do his "business" he has to do it outside. When he messes in the house, show him it and give him a little smack on the nose and put him outside. Every time he does something outside, reward him with a treat. Eventually he will relate it with the door to the garden and will probably go to the door and whine. That's what all dog's we've ever had has done.

Answer 7

if you are still in high school for sure always make time in the morning to feed him and take him for a walk before you leave for school and then as soon as you get back from school take him for a walk again and spend a little play time with him before you start your homework. The dog will get used to your routine and his matablaism will catch on. My dog will sit in front of me and paw at my leg when he really has to go he knows the words piddle for going out side and doing his business and water if he want s clean water (yeah kind of spoiled wont drink if food or bug is in it) good lck hope this helps

Answer 8

I have a Lab mix also. She will be a year old in dec. Goose tells me she has to go to the bathroom by going to the door and whining. She used to potty in the house, but we started showing her the door as soon as she acted like she was going to the bathroom, so now she whines at the door to go out. Try to let him out in the am before you leave, and walk him after school. One long trip, or a couple short ones. By all means change his name..........he is young yet

Answer 9

ya u can change his name. and u have to take him on A LOT of walks. labs are very outdoorsy, and they have a lot of energy. the signs of him needing to go to the bathroom is if he starts sniffing around for no reason. and if he starts to spuat, make him walk to the door and go outside. then praise him for going outside. to deal with his needs in the morning, get up earlier lol.

Answer 10

Click below for house training advice: Scroll down the page to House training:

http://www.libertydogtraining.com/frequently_asked_questions.htm

Yes, you can change his name. Practice saying his name to him, and give him a treat every time you say his name. This will help him to learn it faster.

Make sure you obedience train him. You will need to take him out for a walk before school, and someone will need to come and take him out during the day until you know he is for sure housebroke.

I highly suggest crate training.

http://www.libertydogtraining.com