Labrador puppies take a bit of work to care for, but they are wonderful pets.You need to get the right supplies for your puppy before you bring it home.Make sure that your puppy is fed, housed, groomed, and exercised when it is with you.Proper veterinary and preventative care is required to keep it healthy.You can raise your puppy into a wonderful and dedicated dog companion with a bit of effort and care.
Step 1: Purchase a collar, leash, and tags for your puppy.
These things are already in your possession when you pick up your Lab.You can put tags on your puppy right away if you have them already.It is less likely that it will get lost and not be returned to you.All pet stores and online retailers have dog leashes.Your name, phone number, and address should be on your puppy's tags.
Step 2: Establish a bed and a crate for your puppy.
You should have a place for your puppy to sleep when you bring it home.It needs a warm bed to sleep in.Put the bed in the crate so the puppy is used to it.Pick a spot where you want the bed or crate to stay permanently.Make sure that the spot you put these things in is permanent because your puppy will get used to it.A spot that is out of the way will allow the puppy to run free.Selecting an area where your puppy won't feel isolated from the rest of the family is important.It's a good idea to have a corner of the living room.
Step 3: There are lots of fun and exciting toys.
Pick out items that your puppy can play with in order to keep it busy.It's important to keep your mind occupied when you're not around.Pick items that your puppy can't easily swallow, and make sure to choose dog-safe toys that are appropriate for the puppy's age and size.There are different types of toys you can consider.
Step 4: You might need some other supplies.
There are a lot of things you need to take care of your puppy.Before you bring your puppy home, you may want to consider buying some items such as food and water dishes, baby gates and grooming wipes.
Step 5: Purchase puppy food that your puppy is already eating.
When you bring a new puppy home, it's important to keep feeding it the same food that it has been eating at its previous home.Changing your puppy's food can cause an upset stomach or other issues.To find out what food your puppy is getting, talk to the person or organization that you are adopting from.They may even send you home with some if you can't find something to buy.You can order food online if you can't find it in the store.To have it on hand when the puppy comes home, you need to order it ahead of time.
Step 6: Slowly transition the puppy's food.
If you want to change the food your puppy is eating, you will need to do it over the course of several days.Combine 25% of new food with 75% of old food.Feed that mix for a while.The food should be a mix of old and new.75% of new food and 25% of old food should be eaten after 1-2 weeks.You can give the puppy new food.It's fine to give your puppy the food it was originally eating.
Step 7: Talk to your vet about how much to feed your puppy.
There are different needs for puppies.It's a good idea to discuss proper nutrition with your vet.They can tell you how much your puppy should be eating.The portion size of your puppy depends on its metabolism.If you want to body score your puppy, ask your vet.You can use this to see if your puppy is gaining or losing weight.It is possible to adjust your puppy's diet.
Step 8: Feed
If you do 3 or 4 feedings per day, your puppy will get enough nutrition without being overwhelmed by a huge amount of food at the same time.This is important for your puppy as they have delicate systems.Don't leave the food out all day.After the puppy eats for a while, take the food away.
Step 9: Fresh water should be provided at all times.
Fresh water is important for lab puppies to stay hydrated.Put out a dish of water, dump it out, clean it, and refill it daily.Some puppies have messy water dishes.If you want to prevent a mess, put the water dish on a tray.
Step 10: Begin house training your puppy.
You will need to teach your puppy to go to the bathroom outside when you bring it home.This is done by taking it out on a regular basis until the puppy understands that it only goes to the bathroom outside.During training, give your puppy a chance to relieve itself by taking it outside every 20 or 30 minutes.Make sure to give your puppy plenty of praise if it does go outside.The rule of thumb is that a puppy can hold its urine for 1 hour.An 8-week-old puppy can hold its bladder for a maximum of 3 hours.Take your puppy to the same spot every time.If you go to the same spot and have it smell like feces and urine, your puppy will know it's the right place to go.
Step 11: Start socializing with your puppy as soon as possible.
Daily interactions with people and other animals are what your puppy needs.Your puppy can have positive interactions with strangers if you take it to public places.You can take your puppy to a dog park once it is vaccine free.If you don't do this, your puppy will not like being around people and animals.This can cause your dog to be aggressive.
Step 12: Begin doing basic training.
You can start preparing for training when you bring your puppy home.Positive reinforcement is the most effective form of training.When the puppy does something you want it to, you say a word cue to associate it with the action and give it a treat at the same time.When asked, your puppy will learn and do specific actions.Say the word "sit" when taking your puppy on a walk.When the action happens, give a treat.When your puppy learns that the word is associated with the action, it will get a treat.It takes commitment and consistency to train a puppy.You don't have to switch your approach later on if you know what you want it to learn and how to respond to it.).
Step 13: You should exercise your puppy every day.
Lab puppies have a lot of energy and they need to use it or get into trouble.To keep your Lab's body healthy and avoid having items in your home chewed up, your puppy should be allowed to walk and run for at least an hour every day.There are a variety of activities that can be included in this exercise.Break this hour of activity into several sessions of play and exercise.You can take your puppy for a walk in the morning and have a long play session at night.It is important that your puppy does not become overweight.It will help keep the puppy happy.
Step 14: It's a good idea to spend quality time with your puppy.
Make sure to spend time with your puppy when you are with people.It could be petting it while you are next to it.If your puppy is getting one-on-one time playing or going on adventures, it will be more happy.The puppies that are not given a lot of attention can act out.They need to get used to being alone.Each day, give your puppy a few hours of alone time.
Step 15: Puppy tricks and games can be learned.
The goal is to get your dog's mind stimulated while it exercises its body.fetch and other retrieving games are good for labs.Try a bunch and see what you and your puppy like to do.Some Labs like to catch a Frisbee or run through obstacle courses.
Step 16: Have your puppy examined by a vet.
If you bring a puppy home, have it assessed by a vet as soon as possible.If the animal needs medical care, your vet will tell you.The vet will check its blood and feces during the exam.The vet will make sure that your dog's eyes are free from discharge.They will make sure that the puppy has a glossy coat.The vet may play with your puppy to make it alert and playful.A puppy that is not alert and playful may have a medical problem that causes it to be fatigued and uncomfortable.Take your puppy to the vet once a year to make sure it is healthy and strong after its initial visit.Your vet will look for diseases and other problems during the yearly exam.
Step 17: Ask your vet to look for illnesses that are common to Labs.
It's important to assess whether your puppy has any of the conditions that Labs commonly get.Hip dysplasia, heart disorders, muscle weakness, and bloat are included.As your dog gets older, make sure that your vet is on the lookout for these problems so that they can be treated quickly.When your dog is fully grown, many of the conditions will become obvious.Your vet will focus on making sure your puppy's heart is free from parasites and infectious diseases during early vet checks.bloat can be avoided with proper care.EIC can only be avoided with good breeding habits.
Step 18: As soon as possible, begin immunizations and pest prevention.
There are many communicable illnesses that your puppy could get if it's not up to date on immunizations.When your puppy is about 6 to 8 weeks old, your vet will give it its first shots.There will be immunizations for distemper, measles, and parainfluenza.To prevent pests and parasites on your puppy, your vet will give you medication every month.As your puppy gets older, it will need more shots for pest and parasites.The schedule for your puppy's immunizations will be given to you by your vet.Follow the schedule closely so that your puppy's health is protected.
Step 19: Your puppy's teeth should be in good shape.
Start brushing your puppy's teeth when it is a small puppy because it will use the procedure as it grows up.It is important to brush your dog's teeth at an early age.It is recommended to use a toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs.Most pet stores and online retailers carry these.
Step 20: It is recommended to brush your puppy's coat at least once a week.
It's a good time to brush your puppy because it will help clean out its coat and prevent it from becoming knotted.Go over the puppy's entire body with a grooming comb or brush.As your Lab puppy gets older, brushing it will make sure it is used to being touched.This will make grooming easier for the dog.
Step 21: Your puppy's nails should be trimmed on a regular basis.
Listen to your puppy as it walks.It's time for a trim if you can hear the nails clicking.You can either trim the nails yourself or have a professional do it.Having trimmed nails will make it easier for your puppy to run.Cutting into the quick of each nail is the biggest thing to watch out for when trimming your own puppy's nails.The quick is the live center of the nail and it can be painful for a dog if it is cut.To avoid injury to the dog, cut off the tip of the nail.If you decide to cut your puppy's nails yourself, make sure you have styptic powder on hand to stop any accidental bleeding.The puppy's nails should be worn down naturally as it walks on concrete or other hard surfaces.This isn't always what happens.
Step 22: If it gets dirty.
Lab puppies don't usually need a bath on a regular basis.If you notice that your puppy is dirty or stinky, you can bathe it.It is a good idea to use a soap that is specifically made for puppies.The dog's skin and fur will be worked on by the ingredients.As it gets older, bathing a puppy at a young age will help it get used to baths.As your dog gets bigger, it will be easier to bathe it.