The Labrador Retriever is a cherished gun dog, and enjoys a special place in the hearts and minds of many water fowl hunters. Known for loyalty, intelligence, and obedience, the Lab can also be a safe and affectionate member of the family. Like other breeds, the Labrador Retriever requires a consistent regimen of training, feeding, and exercise in order to thrive.
Making a Home for Your Lab Puppies
Puppies arriving in a new home for the first time should be crated. Crating refers to the practice of providing a home base for the puppy by setting up a partially enclosed space that is filled with newspapers or blankets. Leaving the litter can be a traumatic experience for young pup, and they very often will cry out for attention during the night. As a new owner, be sure not to attend to every whim of the pup, as you run the risk of creating an expectation that by barking or whimpering the puppy will win your attention.
Housebreaking should begin right away. Set up a safe space for the puppy that is available and covered in newspaper. The pup uses its sense of smell to determine the proper place to eliminate, and there are a variety of products available to help train the pup in this manner. Odor sprays are very useful in this regard.
When a pup eliminates in an inappropriate place, like the rug, for example, take the pup to the proper place, and bring some odor carrying residue with you so the pup associates the smell with the proper place. Then treat the affected area with puppy spray to ensure the pup never eliminates there again. With repetition, the pup will learn where the proper place to eliminate is, and you will have begun the training program in earnest.
