Your Labrador is already referred to as a “den animal”. Because all dogs are ancestors of wolves, they share that same instinct to make a home for themselves and keep to it. If you notice your Labrador choosing the same spot to sit or opting for the same old pillow instead of the new bed, it’s proof positive of the instinct to keep a den.

A crate can serve as a great “den” for your Labrador. Leaving the door open when not in use and keeping it free of waste or clutter is a great way to make it an inviting home. Keeping the crate in a quiet, dimly lit area of your home is also a good idea. If your Labrador will be in their crate for more than a couple of hours, be sure to put water and food in with them in case they get hungry or thirsty.

If you’re going to use a crate for Labrador training, you should never use it for disciplinary purposes. Labrador training can be tricky and you don’t want to confuse your pet. If you’ve just disciplined them for something by sending them to their crate with an angry tone of voice, they will think they’re in trouble when it’s time to go back in to the crate for bed. Keep training and discipline separate to avoid unnecessary anxiety and confusion for your pet.

Some Labradors may not need a crate, though. If your pet has absolutely no issues roaming free wherever you may be, then crate training may not be necessary. If your dog has been through extensive Labrador training already, there’s not need to add this to the list. Crate training is mainly for pets who get bored and misbehave while their humans aren’t around.

Crate training is a good supplemental subject for Labrador training. Once you’ve got the basics down, it’s very easy to teach your pet to consider the crate their own little home.

Start by keeping your house tidy; no child’s toys, shoes or trash on the floor. Puppies chew things to give their aching gums relief while they are teething, so try not to leave things around that you don’t want them to gnaw on. Strings and yarn can be especially dangerous for two reasons: They can be difficult to see so you may not realize they are on the floor, and they can cause serious injury to your Labrador by binding up their internal organs. Be sure to keep a look out for things with which your puppy could harm itself.

Labradors and families will need to work on house-breaking fairly extensively. There are puppy pads you can purchase at most pet stores that assist in getting your Labrador to learn where to use the bathroom. You can start by placing them near the door and eventually moving them outside so that your Labrador knows to go outside.

If you have other pets, be sure to keep up on vaccinations. While most animals diseases and parasites aren’t communicable between species, there are a few that can be transmitted. Take all of your animals to their veterinarian for regular check ups and vaccinations. Both Labradors and families can be susceptible to disease if not treated quickly.

Be sure to leave any harmful chemicals out of your Labrador puppy’s reach. Paint thinner, antifreeze, bleach and other useful household chemicals can be harmful or fatal to your puppy. Keep them in a locked cabinet or on a shelf. This way, you won’t have to worry about a accidental poisoning.

Labradors and their families should take time each day to play outside together. If you have a back yard, make sure it is gated and there aren’t any holes your Labrador can use for a quick escape. You should also always clean up after your puppy. Pet waste is unsightly and can spread disease.

Puppy-proofing your home is a great start to bringing your puppy into your home. It assures a safe and happy transition for Labradors and families.

True Labs are pure-breeds, so your first consideration should be finding a breeder. It is important to carefully check the reputation of each breeder prior to selecting one. Discuss what health tests they perform on their breeding stock and ask to see records. This will help you avoid purchasing a pet that is genetically predisposed to develop one of the common Labrador ailments.

Once you have selected a breeder and a liter has been born, your next major hurdle will be picking the perfect puppy. This can be difficult and many folks make the same mistake. They choose the first puppy that approaches them. There is a belief that this puppy will be the most affectionate. This is actually often completely wrong. Instead of affectionate, these bold pups are often simply the most aggressive of the pack. Stay away from the puppy that is scared or nervous – they will likely grow into an easily frightened animal. Take some time to review the entire liter. If you see a puppy who appears cautious you’ve probably found the perfect pet. Typically it is these puppies that grow into pets that are obedient and enjoyable.

You also cannot deny that sometimes you just bond with a particular Labrador puppy. If this is the case, spend some time watching the dog interact with its littermates to see how he or she acts around other dogs, always remember that this behavior is a good indicator of their eventual personality.

Take some time when selecting your Lab puppy – it will help ensure you end up with the perfect pet.

Labradors are sweet and gentle animals and not difficult to train. If you approach your Lab with patience and always remain calm with her, you will find that training is rather easy. Training small puppies is possibly the most crucial but trying period, as they may have not yet learned how to appropriately release their energy. This is a test for you, too, a time to learn patience and consistency.

Learn to minimize negative behavior with consistency and patience. If you get nipped or bit, use a consistent response to address it, including saying “No” firmly or leaving them alone in a room for more than a minute. Do not give an emotional or angry response, but be firm and dispassionate. Give the pup a chew toy, and if she chews on it, reward her. If she nips or bites again, repeat the process. Use puppy training sessions to help your new friend learn simple commands such as ‘stay’ and ‘sit.’

Labrador training becomes easier as they mature. Utilize long walks to train the dog to heel. Play time offers an excellent opportunity to teach your dog some more advanced tricks such as ‘fetch,’ and is the perfect way to burn off some of their extra energy.

The key to the best Labrador training is to be kind and consistent. Never react with extreme emotion –especially not withviolence! It is never okay to hit or otherwise mistreat any dog. If you do actually become frustrated or angry, end the session and walk away. There will be plenty of opportunities to train your Lab.

Labs are intelligent and affectionate dogs and, with proper training, can quickly become an interactive member of your family.

This problem is further compounded by the number of dysplastic animals that develop arthritis.  These problems are so prevalent that many industry leaders believe that anyone purchasing a puppy from a breeder must carefully research their options.  It is critical that Labradors puppies are only bred from stock which has been x-rayed and examined for the disorders and that only dogs with PennHIP or OFA breeding clearings.  While these requirements will, by no means, guarantee that a puppy will never develop this often painful disease, they do significantly reduce the risks.

Eye health is critically important for a happy dog.  Unfortunately, many labs suffer from cataracts or retinal atrophy.  Again, it is critically important that breeding stock by tested each year for these disorders to lessen the risk of future vision problems. The Canine Eye Registry Foundation maintains a registry for this purpose.

Anyone interested in purchasing a lab for their family should spend a good deal of time research available breeders.  The best carefully screen all breeding stock animals for all of the ‘at risk’ diseases and disorders.  Remember that purchasing a Labrador from an above par breeder means purchasing a dog that can fit into a wide range of living situations. They are extremely intelligent, obedient and agile.  Labs make ideal ‘helper’ dogs.  Make sure that you and your family have the perfect pet pal by carefully researchig the breeder before falling in love with a new, adorable pup.

So, what would a Labrador like to do the most when let loose for fun?  Where are some of the best places to take them?  How can you keep them coming back to you?  Well, with some thought, and proper training, you won’t have any problems at all.

City dwellers might find it hard to take their beautiful Labrador out in the springtime for a great round of fun, unless there is a dog park nearby.  These parks are built specifically for dogs to have a run in, meet up with each other, and go for a walk with their owners.  Yes, the owners have to stay with them and stay on clean-up duty, but it’s worth every minute to see the literal joy on the dog’s face.

Living in the suburbs, however, will make it easier on Labrador owners in the springtime.  They will be able to open their doors and let the dog out into the yard for a good, old-fashioned run.  One thing must be kept in mind though, is how to keep the dog safe for these runs.

Using safeguards such as fencing and training will help to keep the Labrador from running out into the street, or into a disapproving neighbor’s yard.  Sadly, there are people who don’t like dogs and would prefer not to have them running around.

Some owners choose to use a simple chain-link or wooden fence, although others are opting for the electronic fences instead.  Training is needed either way for the Labrador—but they’ll still be pleased with their springtime exercise!

Finding time to play with your Labrador Retriever is an absolute must.  Doing so will keep both dog and owner happy with each other, and work at keeping each other in shape.  Maintaining interest of your dog though, can sometimes be tough.

Learning how to keep your Labrador entertained with new toys is easy enough: buy them and try them!  Now, it’s not necessary to purchase a new toy every time you go to the pet store, although your Labrador might like that.  However, keeping the same toys for years on end is no good, as they lose their value in terms of play, and exercise as well.  Plus, they can get kind of gross.

Buying new toys for your dog to play with provides them opportunities to exercise muscles that don’t always get used, depending on the toy that you purchase.  Toys such as a large tug toy, made of strong plastic, will work the jaw and neck muscles, and give them that thrill of playing with and play-dominating their master.

Amusing Labradors can be fun as well with a motorized barking dog ball.  The ball itself goes inside a bag once it’s turned on and the bag sealed, and then put on the floor for your dog to chase after.  Many dogs are quite amused by this toy and can’t figure out what’s going on.  Keeping their attention to play is easy with this particular toy.

Playing is one of the favorite pastimes of Labradors, so it is important to make sure that their toys stay clean.  It is also vital to check their toys on a regular basis for any problems, and replace them with new toys.

Squeaking toys are also fun, especially when the Labrador puts their foot down on them.  There are some new squeaking mats out on the market that are especially fun, some with up to sixteen squeakers in them.  Whichever you choose for a new toy, enjoy the playtime!

If you are looking for a new dog to add to your family, consider adopting a Labrador that has been rescued and is looking for a new home.We all know that puppies are soft and cuddly but they do turn into a adult dogs. Here are some good points to consider when it comes to choosing a puppy verses an older dog.

How much time do you have to spend with your new pet? Like children, puppies need constant attention. You’ll spend a lot of time housebreaking your puppy unless you can live with puppy accidents. Although Labrador puppies are precious, they are “hazardous” to carpet, even if they are closely watched.

A two month old puppy needs to empty his bladder at least every two hours, every four hours if he’s four months old. This means you have to begin to train him by taking him out quite often to initiate the house-breaking process. It’s a round the clock chore so you’ll have to wake up that often during the night as well. A puppy will also have to be leash trained before walking them and that is another task in itself.

The bladder of an adult dog is already developed, making them easier to house-train.  Most Labrador rescue groups have older dogs that are already house-trained. A great benefit of rescuing and adopting an adult Labrador dog is that it will be less pressure on you and easier on your carpet.

Puppies are adorable, but that ball of fluff is also a wrecking ball of destruction in your home. Puppies have sharp, little teeth that chew on everything. It’s also not a good idea to keep a teething puppy around a small child; they can’t differentiate a small human from a grown one or from furniture. Chewing on everything from electronic cords to children can be a dangerous and destructive habit. You must diligently supervise a puppy to prevent this from happening.

If you get a Lab from a shelter they have most often been trained. Larger dogs have longer attention spans and don’t need the constant supervision a puppy will demand.

Personality is another advantage you get with an adult lab. This makes is much easier to choose one that fits into your lifestyle. Most rescues allow you to foster a dog on a trial basis to make sure that you and your new family member are a good match. Usually someone from the rescue group will come to see your home and make sure it is a healthy and safe environment.

You will be a hero in your community as well as to the dog you save. Older dogs have so much love and loyalty and want to please you.. This is especially true if they had a difficult life before being rescued.

Rescuers know that every year there are adoptable animals that have to be killed because of a lack of homes. There are about four million of these tragedies and about one quarter of those are purebred animals. This problem is due to overpopulation; purchasing a puppy helps contribute to the problem.

Visit http://clublabrador.com online to find valuable information about Labradors and why adoption is a great option.

Searching online, as well as word of mouth is a great resource to help you find breeders that will specialize in your choice of pet. A great website to start with is http://clublabrador.com. You’ll find plenty of ideas and information about Labradors. You can also ask friends for recommendations if they happen to have the kind of dog you’d like to own.  You can even visit a dog park on a busy weekend to see if there are any dogs that you would like to add to your family. Labradors are very energetic, so dog parks are a great place to look for that perfect dog.  Once you have spotted one, find out who the breeder is.

Once you have a list of breeders names you need to call them and ask a few important questions. First ask for references and take the time to check them out. Find out who you can email or call that has a dog they have bred. Any reputable breeder will be more than happy to tell you everything you want to know.

Now, it’s their turn. A legitimate dog breeder will want to know all about you. and your home.  They should ask you a lot of questions about yourself, your family members, your yard, and the hours you work, or are away from home.  A conscientious breeder should be interested in finding a good home for a puppy. If these questions aren’t asked, you should take it as a sign to move on to the next breeder and keep searching until you find one that is concerned with the environment and the family the puppy will be raised in.

There are other signs to look for in top Labrador breeders. Dog breeders should be passionate about their breed and be able to answer any breeder-specific questions.

You should also see where the puppies are being raised. The conditions that the pups are being raised in should be clean and comfortable.  Also note if it is in the home or in a shelter where the dogs are protected.  Meet both the mother and the father watch the breeders interaction with the puppies. Is he/she loving and kind?

A reputable breeder will not allow the puppies to be taken from their mother until they are 8-10 weeks old.  This ensures proper socialization with their siblings, as well as being ready to be weaned from their mother’s milk.

What it boils down to is whether you get a healthy and happy dog for life. The dog should have excellent bloodlines and and be free from any diseases or genetic faults. A good dog breeder might cost a little more. but you are making a 12 -15 year commitment and it is worth it.

One last note, make sure that the dog breeder you choose is a registered Labrador breeder and is able to send you home with the correct breeders certificate.  This should show the parents, in addition to proof of the puppies first required vaccinations.

In the opinion of this writer…yes. As the owner of two Labradors under the age of three, I have come to realize that exercise is essential to a happy dog as well as a happy owner. I am part of the 70% of dog owners who believe that my beloved pooches are part of my family. Now that all my children have left the “nest”, trips to the dog park have replaced earlier trips to the playground and more recently, endless trips to sporting events. I no longer discuss SAT scores, the best colleges and curriculums, but have migrated to simpler subjects such as the perfect dog food, the best fetching toys, and the love that I have for the two devoted dogs who love me unconditionally and are always happy to see me…always.

Dog parks are a great way for your Labrador Retriever to run, learn to retrieve toys, as well as socialize with other dogs. As an owner, there are several criteria that make a dog park a safe place for you and your dogs.

1. Make sure that the park has secure fencing and gates.

2. Dog parks should have a separate area for smaller dogs.

3. There should be clean-up stations throughout the park.

4. Dogs should have access to shade and drinking water.

5. Parks should be large enough for normal interaction.

Here are some general safety rules for your dog and your family.

1. To be fully protected, you dog should be fully vaccinated, have a good immune system and  have no injuries or chronic pain. Puppies are extremely vulnerable to deadly contagious diseases, so don’t take them until they had all of their shots, and the vaccines have had time to become effective. Ask your veterinarian during your last round of shots.

2. Female dogs that are in heat, male dogs that haven’t been neutered, and anxious or aggressive dogs are not good candidates, and should not be at dog parks.

3. Before you enter the park, spend a few minutes observing other dogs and the way they interact. Dogs will naturally congregate around the entrance gate when a new dog arrives. You may want to walk your dog around the outside of the fence, so that dogs that are already at the park can get a “preview” of the newcomer, and your dog won’t be overwhelmed when entering his new playground.

4. Once you’ve entered the park, take your dog off his leash. Although this is a good opportunity to socialize with other dog owners, be aware of your dog, as well as other dogs at all times.

5. Have a basic knowledge of your dog’s body language. Dogs use facial expressions, ear and tail positioning and overall behavior to express their intentions. Signs of a frightened or threatened dog include eyes that appear to be larger than normal, ears that are pressed against the dogs head, tail that is tucked between the two hind legs, excessive shedding and a tightly closed mouth. If your dog appears uncomfortable, take him home. This is supposed to be a positive experience.

6. Small children should not be present at any dog park. There are too many possibilities for accidents.

The only other suggestion that I would make is to cover your car seats with towels or an old washable blanket or quilt. Outgoing and curious Labs tend to bring home a little mud and grass.

If you follow these simple guidelines, a dog park can be a great experience for you and your pet. Not only will your Labrador be able to exercise and run freely, he will learn valuable social skills.  Most importantly, he will come home tired, allowing you several hours to work, clean, shop or do whatever task that needs to be accomplished.