Children safe with labradors

Many people have a moral and emotional struggle when they have a Labrador and find that they are expecting to have a baby. This moral and emotional struggle generally arises from wondering if it is safe to have a Labrador around small children. There are many different views on this topic, though it is important to consider the facts, your lifestyle, and the temperament of your Labrador before deciding whether or not your dog and child will be good playmates.

The fear of having a Labrador around small children is that due to the general largeness and hyperactivity of a Labrador, it could be dangerous to put a Labrador and small children together. This argument is valid in many instances. Labradors want constant interaction and do not understand that children are delicate and must be treated with great care. Labradors seek the approval from the people that care for them and try to show affection. A Labrador can generally show affection to an adult without any problems, but if a Labrador were to try to jump on a child to say hello, the child could be seriously injured. Furthermore, children tend to pull the tail and ears of dogs. Though a Labrador generally has a steady temperament, having its ears and tail tugged at could make it anxious and ready to jump or run away.

However, many people have had Labradors and children live together for many years without any problems. The key to ensuring a safe environment for a Labrador and a child is ensuring that they are not left alone together. This is not generally because you are unsure of what the dog will do to the child, but because you are unsure of whether or not the child will antagonize the dog and make it agitated. Whether or not this would be a legitimate concern for you and your Labrador and children would vary based upon the temperament of your dog and your children. Only you will know if your dog and your children have temperaments that will allow them to be safe together. If you have any doubts, then sadly, they are probably not safe together unsupervised.

If you have determined that you would not trust your Labrador around small children unsupervised, you may wish to enlist the help of a skilled dog trainer to work with your Labrador in accepting the small children in the home and being more tolerant of the behavior of children. Some of the wonderful characteristics about Labradors is that they are incredibly intelligent and very much wanting to please their owners. Obedience training can work wonders for any Labrador. In fact, you will find that after your Labrador undergoes obedience training, not only will your children enjoy being around your dog more, but you will, too. A trained Labrador is a happy Labrador because it knows where its place is in the family and what is expected of it. It knows how to please you and gets great joy out of doing so. This makes your Labrador a much safer dog for small children to be around because you know that the dog will listen immediately to your commands.

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The life span of a healthy Labrador is anything between 10 to 13 years. Some Labradors also live up to the age of 14. You may have noticed that I used to word healthy Labradors. This is because Labradors can be prone to diseases. Some of them inherit the diseased genes from their parents, so there is nothing much you can do about it except take good care of them. These dogs usually don’t live quite long. But some Labradors are quite healthy and there are certain things that you can do take care of their general well being

Labradors are gluttons and will gobble just anything and everything. They have strong teeth, so there is always a strong possibility of them eating their chew toys, which could prove fatal for them. Labradors are also susceptible to urinary tract infections and certain digestive problems. To prevent them from eating rubbish, feed them at least twice a day. Include milk in their diet as they require lots of calcium. Feed them meat regularly and sometimes add in a few vegetables. Give them a spoonful of cod liver oil every week as it will keep their coats glossy. If you want to feed your Labradors a good diet, raw pet food available in stores. Always buy good quality food.

Labradors need lots of exercise to keep fit. Take them for long walks in the parks, but don’t overdo it. Take them to the vet at least twice a year for a complete checkup. A simple routine of brushing its hair, at least thrice a week should keep its coat clean. You can slightly dampen the brush so that their hair does not fly all over the place. Giving it a bath once a week will suffice. Invest in a good quality shampoo for your dog, to keep its coat looking at its lustrous best. When you puppy is 1 month old, start brushing its teeth, to keep them clean. Lastly, love and play with them and allow them to socialize with other people as well as other dogs.

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Labs are the best dogs…of course I’m bias, owning two. I’ve got to admit that when I got our first I had no idea what we were in for.

I think a lot of people are in this boat, and that’s why there are so many Lab Rescues. It’s a shame really because with so many books and the internet, it is almost inconceivable that one can by a dog and know nothing about it.

All the books and availability of information on the internet didn’t help me.I got sucked in by how cute the puppy was, and had no idea what I was in for. I didn’t pick up a book or read an article, phone a friend or anything.

I did my research after I took my Lab home. Smart huh? Not really….I got lucky, Sam (my female lab) was exactly what I was looking for. Had I been wrong, it would have been terrible for her, and for me.

Labs are exceptional dogs, but are not for everybody (although I can’t fathom why). I talk to a lot of Lab Foster Mom and Dads. They tell many stories about people buying a Lab and not being able to handle the energy, playfulness, and constant companionship.

Imagine that a Lab that’s playful? Shocking right?  What ever Breed you are considering research it! It’s as easy as a Google search. I got lucky. Sam was exactly what I was looking for. She is the best companion, with a great temperament always full of energy.

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Few great reasons for which you should own a Labrador are:

· Labradors have all the positive personality traits that owners look for. Whether the dog is employed as family pet, eye dog, or hunting dog, it does all duties faithfully. Having a Labrador in the family makes things easier and happy.

· Labradors are extremely obedient. Once you have created trust, and once the dog is sure that you won’t abuse it, it will show greater obedience towards you throughout its life. Their obedience makes it easy to train them for all purposes.

· Since Labradors are employed as working dogs or assistance dogs, the animal has high level of intelligence. The dog retains most of the important lessons given to it and also learns new orders well. It can often perform daily tasks without being ordered.

· They make an ideal family pet, because the dogs love to play and run. If it is trained properly it can be good companion for your children at home. The Lab’s intelligence, fondness for children and tolerance level make them perfect playmate for growing children and toddlers. Labradors are known to take care of toddlers very well.

Thus these are few great reasons to own a Labrador for your home and family.

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Intelligent, full of energy and high-spirited, a Labrador puppy is always a welcome addition to any family. Cute as they come, Labradors have an insatiable appetite for playing all sorts of games, relentless sprinting and chewing anything that looks worthy of digging their teeth in. Well, that’s the standard trait! Now, how do you tell if a puppy has the holy grail of all doggiedom, Personality? As the famous line in a film goes, “A dog’s got personality; personality goes a long way.”

Here are a few pointers to know if a Labrador puppy has what it takes

1. Behaviour – Eager to please and affectionate as they are, Labrador puppies also need discipline. They need to be guided past wrong behaviour, such as attacking visitors, chewing on furniture or barking. A well trained puppy will display restraint and act accordingly. Also, potty training and reliving itself outdoors are signs of impeccable training and positive reinforcement techniques.

2. Grooming – Great looking fur makes a puppy stand out, and is an indicator of overall health. Shedding is a natural process, and constant grooming can avoid the problems that come with it. A badly groomed pup smells bad, is prone to bacterial infections and suffers skin problems.

3. Friendliness – Who would not love to be welcomed by an angel of a face with a wagging tail? As the reputation goes, a majority of Labrador puppies are extremely friendly and have a voracious appetite for play. No one in the house will be spared from having their face licked, hands chewed, being jumped upon and the like. A pup with personality is intelligent and more than eager to get a pat on the head, or a run in the field!

So there you have it. Labradors will add years to your life, learn quickly and teach a few lessons about affection that the world is slowly forgetting. With websites such as www.clublabrador.com providing loads of Labrador information right from selecting the right Labrador puppy to nutrition and health issues, it is easy to get one home.

Spotting a puppy with personality should be no problem. He will be the one with the whole house running behind him, as he chases a butterfly in the fields.

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A decade ago, it was recommended to use both positive and negative reinforcement when training a Labrador Retriever. When a dog did something good, it earned praise. When a dog was naughty, the owner would discipline the dog with yelling or physical punishment. Some people were under the impression that if they did not physically discipline their dog, they would not gain their dog’s respect. With new studies about pet psychology, we now know that is not the case with Labrador Retrievers. There have been many veterinarians that will attest to the positive effects of clicker training with Labradors. Negative reinforcement, while being satisfying for the owner because they are “punishing” their dog for bad behavior, has been shown to often backfire, and create more serious behavioral issues in Labradors.

The concept behind clicker training is to never discipline a dog for bad behavior, but to instead only reward them for good behavior. In essence, this program encourages pure positive reinforcement. For example, if your dog is growling at another dog, you would not discipline them for growling. Instead, give them rewards when they see another dog and do not growl. This reward should be accompanied by an acceptance noise, a “click”. Dogs are very receptive to immediate reactions to their actions, which is why clicker training has proven to be a very effective training method in scientific trials.

To get your dog accustomed to clicker training, you will need a small plastic “frog” clicker, or something similar. Clickers that are specifically designed for clicker dog training are sold at pet supply stores. Once you have a clicker, assemble a small plastic container containing treats for your dog. These treats can be sliced hot dogs, sausage, cheese, or bits of bacon. It’s important to use “special” treats for a clicker training program, at least at first. This will make your training much easier, as the dog will be more willing to obey for tasty treats. The treats used should be in pea-size pieces, since they will be the main reward source for the training. The giving of treats for good behavior is known as the “primary reinforcer” of clicker training, with the clicker being the “secondary reinforcer”. The key to successful clicker training is timing. You need to be very attentive to when your dog completes good behavior, and be prepared to reward them in that event.

The first step of a successful clicker training program is to encourage your Labrador Retriever to associate the click of the clicker with a treat reward. This can be done by clicking, then immediately rewarding the dog with a treat. You should repeat this process several times, and on different occasions. This will help your dog realize that the click is a sound that should be paid attention to, since it signifies a treat reward.

The next step is to begin rewarding your dog for behavior that they are already familiar with. This can be giving you their undivided attention, not barking while in a crate, etc. Your dog will already know that this is positive behavior, and will begin to make the connection that positive behavior is accompanied by a click, as well as a treat. Once your dog begins to realize the connection between these, they will be much more attentive to the clicker.

After your dog begins to connect the clicking noise to positive behavior, it’s time to start using verbal commands. When you start this phase of the process, you must only click and reward your pet following direct obedience of a verbal command, such as “Come”. Timing is extremely important, since the association needs to be firm in your dog’s mind of the connection between positive behavior followed by a subsequent click and treat. If you feel like you’re making progress, you can vary the timing of the click between the giving of the treat. This can help your dog realize that the clicking sound means that there will be a treat reward, but perhaps not immediately. This can also buy you time if you have to dig treats out of your pocket or bag, and are not able to provide them instantaneously.

After your dog is proficient at obeying verbal commands, and associating the clicker with good behavior as well as treats, you can then use the clicking method to correct bad behavioral traits. To many people, the idea of not scolding their dog for bad behavior seems irrational, but many studies have proven that pure positive reinforcement works much better (Especially for Labrador Retrievers). Like many active dogs, Labradors do tend to bark frequently. If this behavior is not caught early, it can become a nuisance. When your dog is barking, it is recommended that you completely ignore them. They must learn that barking does not promote attention, or rewards. After they stop barking for several seconds, then you can click the clicker and give them a treat. This is a very good tactic in reinforcing the idea that “not barking” is good behavior, when repeated on several occasions. Your dog will eventually catch on, and will resist barking for the chance to be rewarded with a treat.

Another negative behavioral trait that can be corrected with clicker training is over-excitement, or jumping. Labrador Retrievers are very energetic and affectionate, and can sometimes overwhelm family members or visitors with constant jumping. Ideally, this behavioral trait should be corrected with clicker training while your dog is still a puppy. When your dog jumps up on your or someone else, ignore them. Don’t look at them or speak to them, and stay still until they are done jumping. Once they have calmed down for about 30 seconds, click your clicker, and reward them with a treat. This process should be repeated several times to be effective.

If your dog does not calm down or stop jumping within a significant period of time, another tactic may be in order. Make your dog obey the “Sit” command, and give them a click with a reward. This should be done in an area where they can see the entrance to the house. After your dog is sitting, have one or several friends enter your house. Your dog may become excited, but it is your job to keep them sitting. If they are able to interact with the visitors without jumping, click your clicker and give them a treat. This process may have to be repeated before your dog begins to associate “not jumping” with a click and a reward.

Again, the reason that clicker training has proven to be so effective is because dogs are readily able to learn by the immediate consequence of their actions. If you reinforce positive behavior and obedience by your dog, your dog is much more likely to repeat that behavior to earn the positive reinforcement. Clicker training is the result of a new concept called “Classical Conditioning”. Classical Conditioning is the concept of reinforcing positive behavior by pairing together two completely unrelated events. With the clicking of the clicker being an audio stimuli, while the treat is a reward-stimuli, the dog is easily able to make a positive connection between the two. The clicker acts as a “marker” for positive behavior, which encourages repetition of desired behavior.

Another training tactic that is used in clicker training is “shaping”. When your dog is going in the right direction, (for example, towards the stick that you are asking them to retrieve) you can use the clicker to encourage your dog to continue. The shaping training tactic is especially effective when trying to train your dog to stay out of certain areas, such as flowerbeds, pools, or the driveway. Using the clicker, click only when your dog is staying away from the undesired area, or navigating around it. Once your dog understands that avoiding this area or object is good behavior, it will be more likely to repeatedly avoid that area in the future.

Though some may still call it controversial, clicker training is a very positive, reward-based program with proven results. Since the training is all about positive reinforcement, it’s much more stress free for the dog owner as well. The importance of building a strong bond with your Labrador Retriever can not be over-emphasized, since it is the key to a positive relationship. Clicker training gives you the ability to teach your dog commands, while still maintaining a happy environment for your pet. It’s a proven effective program, that should be encouraged for all dog owners.

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A warning for training your Labrador Retriever: If you are frequently using treats as a training tactic, be certain to use low-fat, low-calorie treats (some dogs like baby carrots or grapes). If you are using regular treats, during the training program you should cut back slightly on their daily alloted amount of food. This can help prevent your dog from becoming overweight.

INTRODUCING COMMANDS

Once you have brought your Labrador Retriever puppy home, the first step in their training is to teach them their name. In the early phases, you will probably be introducing them to a lot of new concepts, so this is the perfect time to begin their training. Use their name every time you interact with them, repeatedly if necessary. This can be especially effective when using their name in conjunction with toys or treats. Once they associate your speaking their name with interaction with you, you can begin teaching them the command “Come” or “Here”.

Teaching a puppy to “come” can be quite difficult, as they may playfully rebel against any command that you give them. Do not get discouraged! Be patient with your puppy, and do not chase them if they run away while you are telling them to “come”. It’s recommended that you use the command “Come”, and if your puppy obeys, they should be rewarded with treats or praise. As with all training of your dog, positive reinforcement, along with a lot of patience is the key to success. Your puppy, however, does not have a very long attention span, so training sessions involving commands should be kept short, and repeated on a regular basis.

TEACHING YOUR LABRADOR TO SIT

Once your puppy is familiar with the command “Come”, and is able to recognize its name, you can begin training your dog to obey other commands. The next command that you could focus on would be “Sit”, which is a very basic command. Dogs are more apt to obey you if you use a low tone of voice for commands, and a higher tone of voice for praise. The command “Sit” can be introduced when you have the full attention of your dog, which will probably require holding a treat. Hold the treat out just above your dog’s head, as they are standing facing you. Now, use a firm, low tone of voice, and say “Sit”. You can also use their name before the command, which helps reinforce that this is a command directed at them. If your dog does not obey, move the hand with the treat up and back behind your dog’s head, so that he has to crane his neck to keep watching it. In this event, most dogs will sit, as to keep a better view of the treat. If your dog sits, repeat the command “Sit”, then give them praise, and reward them with the treat.

TEACHING YOUR LABRADOR TO LIE DOWN

A related command to “sit” would be “down” or “lie down”. This command can be first introduced after you have gotten your Labrador to sit. After they sit, give them praise, but do not give them the treat. Then, in a low tone, say the command “Lie Down”. If the dog does not lie down, try moving the hand with the treat towards the ground. The dog will naturally try to follow the path of the treat, and may lie down. If they obey, repeat the command, and reward them with praise as well as the treat. If they do not obey, repeat the motion with the hand holding the treat, except lower to the ground. Your dog should eventually lie down, and subsequently earn the treat.

TEACHING YOUR LABRADOR TO STAY

One of the more difficult commands to teach a Labrador Retriever is the command “Stay”, especially when food is involved. To make this much easier, you should teach your dog a “release” command first, such as “OK!” or “go get it!” to signify release from the “stay” command. However, most dogs will understand any release command that you use, as long as you use a higher-pitched tone of voice for the release command. The first step to teach your Labrador to “Stay” is to get them into the “Sit” position. After this is accomplished, place a treat about two feet in front of them. If you have a particularly rambunctious dog, you can place it around six feet away. Once they are sitting, kneel down in front of them, and place your hand, palm out, in front of their nose. In a gentle but firm voice, say the command “Stay”. The outstretched hand will help them associate the command with the hand motion. Once you say the “Stay” command, back away slowly. Be prepared to snatch up the treat if your Labrador decides to go for it! If they obey for several seconds, say the release word, “OK!” and let them have the treat. Be sure to reward them with praise.

TEACHING YOUR LABRADOR TO HEEL

This is also a very difficult training tactic to teach Labrador Retrievers, since they are very active and excitable. They tend to tug on their leash, eager to explore the world around them. The best way to teach a Labrador Retriever to “Heel” is to pull back sharply on the leash when they are tugging, repeating the command “Heel”. Once you have done so, make your dog sit for several seconds to calm down, then repeat the process. With lots of positive reinforcement, teaching “Heel” can be a lot less difficult than it appears.

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As with children, potty training your Labrador Retriever is a task that can seem very difficult. Since Labradors are very energetic, they occasionally urinate indoors when excited, even after training. Though it may seem impossible to correct behavior such as this, it is entirely possible, though not without a significant amount of work. Be certain that you are able, in both ability and time, to adequately potty train your Labrador Retriever before making the choice to adopt. Adopting a new Labrador is not a choice to be taken lightly, for it can be a difficult road to successfully train your dog. However, if you are willing to make the commitment, potty training your Labrador Retriever can be accomplished with patience, care, and a good amount of positive reinforcement.

IMPORTANCE OF POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT

The number one key to a successful potty training program for your Labrador Retriever is positive reinforcement. This is a training tactic that is frequently used when training dogs, and has proven to be both the most effective and easiest for all dog owners. It can be used to correct any number of negative behavioral problems, as well as reinforce new and additional behavioral concepts. Because of the Labrador Retriever’s temperament, which makes them very eager to please their owner, positive reinforcement training is especially effective with the Labrador breed. A Labrador’s greatest pleasure is to earn the approval of its owner, which is also why it’s extremely important to be careful about the amount of negative reinforcement that your dog receives (yelling, physical punishment, outdoor exile). Especially in the area of Potty Training, negative reinforcement can backfire, as your dog may think that relieving itself is wrong.

Though it may be frustrating at first, it is very important to abstain from negative reinforcement towards your dog. As well as taking a step backwards with training your dog, negative reinforcement can lead to a host of behavioral issues, which can make Potty Training difficult. Your dog is learning a new skill, and you are the only individual who has the ability to teach them. This is especially true with puppies, who don’t have control over their bowels and bladders at an early age. By using positive reinforcement in potty training, it will be a much simpler task to successfully complete this training.

STEPS TO TAKE FOR POTTY TRAINING

Potty training should be the initial training program that you take with a new puppy. Potty training works much better on young dogs, because they are already in the process of learning and adapting to many new skills. When you first introduce a Labrador Retriever puppy to your home, you only have a short amount of time to set down the rules for your home, and to teach them to your puppy. As the puppy is already adapting to a new and different environment, it is much easier to potty train your puppy at this stage. Potty training takes approximately two weeks, which requires dedication to a set training routine.

The first step to take when potty training your Labrador Retriever is to determine if the breeder or adoption center from where you acquired your dog has taken any initial steps or begun a potty training program. This is very important, since you will then be building upon an already acquired skill set. Depending on the depth and quality of the previous potty training program, this can either make your job much easier, or provide additional difficulties. You can get this information by asking your breeder or adoption center about any and all training that they have given your specific dog.

The next step for you to take, if there has been no previous training provided, is to introduce your puppy to the proper area for it to relieve itself. You will need a leash, collar, and some basic control over your puppy, as they can be very active at this stage. Introducing your puppy to the proper bathroom area can be easily accomplished if you have other dogs, since the scent will alert your puppy of the appropriate area of which to “go potty”. If you do not have other dogs, begin by taking your puppy outdoors on a regular basis, or whenever you think they are about to have an accident. In the event that your puppy relieves itself outside, be certain to reward your puppy with a treat, as well as bountiful praise. This is the first concept of positive reinforcement, since you are rewarding your dog for behavior that is done correctly.

While you are potty training your puppy, it can be very beneficial to keep them in a crate or cage when you are unable to watch them. This can prevent unforeseen accidents, and provide greater control to you. Most puppies will not relieve themselves when in close quarters, and will whine or bark when they have a need to do so. In this event, you can immediately take them outside, then reward them when they have gone to the bathroom in the correct area. This can be a very important positive reinforcement tactic.

Most puppies will give you clear warning signs before they are about to go to the bathroom, which can be discerned by careful observation. Remember: puppies do not have control over their bladders until they understand the feeling of needing to relieve themselves. If your puppy starts walking in circles, sniffing the ground, or walking with its back arched, it is probably a good idea to take them outside immediately. Some puppies, especially when in a crate, will bark or whine when they need to go outside.

If your Labrador Retriever puppy doesn’t relieve itself in the first 10-15 minutes after you take them outdoors, it can be a good tactic to bring them back indoors, and keep them in their crate or cage for about ten minutes. After this time, you can take them outdoors and try again. This can be repeated 2-3 times, or until you get your puppy to relieve itself successfully.

When feeding your puppy, try to feed them at the same time each day. This can help you determine the time frame in which they will have to go to the bathroom, and make it easier for you to get them outside during that time. If you are feeding your puppy dry food, they will require additional water for proper digestion. However, keeping a schedule is very important, so it can be beneficial during the potty training process to remove their water source (and close all toilet lids) two hours before bedtime. When doing this, it’s also important to feed your puppy at least four hours before bedtime, so that they have adequate time to drink the water needed for digestion. Feeding your puppy dry food also has the additional benefit of making their stools firm, which can make accidental cleanups indoors much easier.

During this time, it may be very easy to get frustrated with your puppy, especially if they make a mess in an inappropriate place, or on something valuable. It’s very important to resist the urge to scold them, since they may make the connection that relieving themselves is bad. Be gentle, but firm, and try to make it abundantly clear that this is behavior that is only appropriate in the designated area. Scolding is only effective if you see the puppy begin to go to the bathroom indoors. In this event, you should say something firm and simple, such as “No”. Immediately after that, take the puppy outside, where they will finish doing their business. After they have successfully relieved themselves outside, it is extremely important to give them a reward. This will help them make the connection that the indoors is definitely not the place for a bathroom, and that going outside produces rewards or praise. It is extremely important to clean up all traces of any indoor mess, as “waste odors” can make your puppy think that this is the correct area for a bathroom. Most ordinary cleaners will not remove all odor from the floor or carpet. An odor-eliminator specifically designed for pet odors will work best, which is sold at most pet and grocery stores.

IF YOUR DOG ISN’T LISTENING

Sometimes, there can be dogs with temperamental issues that make it very difficult to accomplish successful potty training. This is more common when you are adopting a rescued dog, or an older dog that has not been potty trained. Training these dogs is much harder, though can be accomplished through the same tactics as if you were training a puppy. However, difficult dogs to potty train may also need additional positive reinforcement, especially if you are trying to earn the trust of your dog. Some dogs, despite proper potty training, may take up to a year to be fully potty trained. The important thing is to not get discouraged, and be prepared to change your training tactics as is appropriate for your dog’s temperament.

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If you are choosing to adopt a Labrador Retriever puppy, there are many key appearance based signs that you can look for, to ensure that the puppy is healthy. The first of these, and perhaps the most apparent, is the overall disposition of the puppy. A healthy puppy should be moderately active, playful, and have constant interactions with the other puppies and the mother dog.

It’s also important to pay attention to the mother dog’s attitude towards her puppies, as this can be a telltale sign of the quality and characteristics of the breed-line. If the mother dog seems indifferent to her puppies, or is discouraging them from nursing at an early age, this could be a sign of temperament problems in the breed, as well as possible developmental problems if the puppies are malnourished. The mother dog is the primary source of emotional/physical nourishment for newborn puppies, and it is very important to be certain that she is providing adequate care.

Another important visual sign of a healthy puppy is overall hygiene. A puppy in good health should have a clean nose, crust-free eyes, and a clean behind. If there is any discharge or discoloration around these areas, it could signify a troublesome health problem, as well as inattentive maternal care (as the mother is initially responsible for grooming her puppies). This could also be a sign of poor development of the internal organs, especially if the puppy seems to have difficulty breathing.

If the discharge or excretions are symptoms of a bacterial or viral infection, it could be a sign that the puppy’s immune system isn’t fully developed. There are powerful antibodies in the mother dog’s milk for the first few days of nursing, which are essential for guarding a puppy’s immune system against infection. The lack of a strong immune system in a puppy could be a sign that the mother isn’t’ receiving adequate nutrition.

Due to the possibility of inherited health problems in purebred Labrador Retrievers, there are several aspects of a Labrador’s appearance and mobility that can be tested to determine if they may become a problem. Since Labradors have joint problems, it is benificial to ensure that the Labrador that you’re selecting has good mobility, and shows no pain or difficulty in any joint area.

Labrador Retrievers are also known to have eye problems, which is an easy condition to detect by visual examination. A healthy Labrador’s eyes should be bright, attentive, and completely clear of discoloration. Possible signs of eye problems would be irregularities in the retina, cloudiness, streaking, or small spots obscuring the eye area. Eye problems in Labrador Retrievers can also be a sign of poor nutrition, which can be responsible for many other hidden health problems.

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