A Lifetime Commitment
- When you purchase a puppy your breeder will expect that you are making a lifetime commitment. In the case of a Labrador could well be a 12 years plus commitment! You are specifically being asked to commit to:
- Training yourself and your dog - train yourself to be the pack leader - consistent boundaries and rules, positive reinforcement, be a pack leader
- Appropriate and adequate housing
- A safe and secure environment
- Adequate and regular exercise
- Qualitiy nutrition [food and water]
- Health care - regular vaccinations, worming, treatment for injury and illness
- You should expect a reputable breeder to ask you questions to confirm your ability to commit to the above.
- Think about these commitments BEFORE you purchase your puppy. Buying the puppy is the easy bit, training the puppy to be a good canine citizen and member of the pack is the hard bit, the rewards are however GREAT!
Did you know
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A fat puppy is not a healty puppy. A big heavy pup is more likely to injure itself.
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The only exercise a puppy under 12 months of age needs is free play. And puppy shouldn't be left to play unsupervised with any large canine friend-it may only be innocent fun but rough play can damage undeveloped joints and bones.
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Don't let puppy climb steps or jump into car-again, We need to take care of those undeveloped joints.
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Young puppies need loads of sleep. They'll have a little play, followed by a big sleep. Don't let toddlers wake puppy, puppy is not a toy.
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Don't over feed puppy-even if puppy gives you that "I'm so hungry" look, Just after puppy's finish his dinner.
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Puppy should have a waist. Run your fingers lightly along puppy's ribs, if you can feel the ribs but can't see them, You're on the right track.
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Don't rub puppy's nose in a toileting mishap. Anticipate when your puppy needs to go, take him/her to the "right" place and give lots of praise during toileting, Puppy will want to go when he wakes and after eating a meal.
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Never hit puppy, use a firm "NO". Contact a puppy school in your area. They're great for teaching you and your puppy basic obedience and great time for socialization. Try the vet or yellow pages for a contact.
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A Labrador puppy will be with your family for many years, 12 years plus.
- Most of all, enjoy puppy, because She/He won't be a puppy for long. Your efforts in puppy's first months will be the outcome of your adult dog. So don't take shortcuts and do your very best and you will be rewarded with years of friendship and devotion from your new best friend.