House Rules for Labrador Retrievers and You

Patience and Being Consistent is Key

Before you get your new Labrador puppy home you should decide what the rules and boundaries are of your home will be. What rooms is the puppy allowed in? On furniture or not? Allowed to jump up on people?

Just keep in mind that what Labrador puppies are allowed to do at 8 weeks at about 12 pounds will set the precedent for what they will want to do at 4 months (35 pounds) and one year at 70 pounds. You and all family members need to set the boundaries for behavior and space and be consistent with enforcing them. A new Labrador puppy will become confused if boundaries are constantly changing. Using a crate is a very effective way to help set boundaries for your pup early on and help in expanding it’s boundaries once it learns how to behave in more areas of the house.

It takes time and patience, but it REALLY pays off as your Labrador grows and matures. An old dog can learn new tricks. However, what is difficult is for a dog to “unlearn" an old habit and to replace it with a new one. Be careful and kind with discipline and expectations. There are many good sites on crate training that you may want to take a look at before you bring your Labrador puppy home. Remember that a crate is their safe haven and is not to be used as a punishment.

Nipping (Labrador Play Time)

Needed: Rope toy, tennis ball, Kong... Supervision and Patience  

Nipping is an expected behavior of young pups and Labradors are no exception. Labrador Retrievers actually learn about the world through their mouth and will nip and mouth their family members much like they play with their mother and litter mates. This behavior should be discouraged by everyone from the time you pick up your puppy. Take along something like a sock tied in a knot that you can place in the pups mouth if it starts to nip your fingers or wrist.

A firm “No” or “Enough” will control the behavior. Over a period of time, the pup will learn to choose something it is allowed to mouth. We discourage playing tug-o war, chasing hands or feet games with your Labrador pup at this early age, as it will encourage the nipping behavior. Consequently, swatting at the pup’s muzzle or face will not accomplish anything. A firm voice and removing your hands or feet is best then quickly putting something like the tied rope knot, a toy or ball in its place.

You need to make sure everyone has something in hand that the pup is allowed to play with before you let the pup out for playtime. Pup’s teeth are very sharp and can break the skin quickly if you are not paying attention. Again, PATIENCE and CONSISTENCY will see you through THIS STAGE.

Chewing (Labrador Retrievers are notorious for this)

Don’t leave your puppy unattended outside of it’s crate. As you do with the nipping, when the pup is chewing on something it should not, use a firm voice and say “No” and replace it with an object that is safe for it to chew and PRAISE your pup. Rope toys are good for teething if you wet them and freeze them. Labrador Retrievers chew out of curiosity, boredom, or teething. If you discourage this habit, once the teething ends, they will not grow up to be destructive.

Barking

Discouraging Barking

Do not encourage barking and growling while playing with your Labrador Retriever. It can quickly become a habit. Labrador Retrievers by nature, are a fairly quiet dog . A “shush” or “no bark” can become one of the commands you use to help discourage barking.

House Training Guidelines

Needed: Crate, leash, pockets for treats, a natural cleaner for accidents, patience

When you first bring your Labrador Retriever puppy home you should already have the crate.  Set it up in an area central to the family, but not in heavy traffic area. We recommend in an area near the door where you will be taking the pup out to relieve it self. Let the pup explore the crate going inside and out on it’s own. Put a dog biscuit or toy in the crate. Several times a day let it explore going in and out repeating the toy/biscuit. PRAISE  your pup in a quiet voice for going into the crate each time. Labrador Retrievers love to know they are being good ! After the exploration, get a new inviting toy and let your pup enter the crate. Close the door. Just for a few minutes. If the pup whines, talk to the pup,  pet with your finger through the bar, but do not take pup out until the pup stops whining.Then give lots of praise and open the door. Repeat this throughout the day for several days. Each time extend the time the pup is in with the door closed. Patience is the key to the effective crate training of your labrador retriever pup. 

100% supervision is necessary for the first 5 months.  Be sure the crate is a small area. You can block off a large crate with a board to minimize the space for sleeping and stretching only. Then, move the board back a little as the pup grows.  Put your Labrador Retriever pup on a regular daily routine. Frequent trips outside are every 20-30 minutes while they are awake. Watch for signs that your pup is looking for a place to go: Circling sniffing, squatting are cues to look for. After playing for a few minutes. 1-10 minutes after eating or drinking and as soon as they get up from sleeping are times to take you pup out.  Put your pup on a leash (sometimes you may need to scoop your pup up in your arms and carry to the spot) and have treats in your pocket. Take your pup to a location in your yard where you want it to eliminate. Take your pup to this same spot every time using the same doorway out of the house. Use a command like ”Let’s go out” and when you are at the spot she should go, use another “go pee” or what ever you want to use. Praise her when she is done with a “ good girl” or “good pee” and a good rub under the chin, then give a treat. You can give another treat when you come in to encourage reentering the house on your command. If you pup does not go within a few minutes use the crate for 10 minutes or if you see cues that she needs to go then take her out again for 5 mins. If your pup has an accident in the house ,DO NOT show her/him the accident, but immediately take her/him away. Clean up the spot when your pup is not watching you.

House training is a process involving commitment, supervision and patience. It is not difficult to house train a Labrador Retriever, but it requires consistency and persistence. Most of all it calls for kindness and praise.

Smiling & Talking

Ways of Expressing Joy

When excited or happy, some Labs will “Smile” or “talk”. They low growl and wiggle their whole body and their tail wags.  This is normal behavior for Labradors. It is their way of expressing their joy. Not to be confused with snarling and growling.  As you pay attention to your pup you will learn the various signs of communication they use. 

Socializing- toys, stainless steel food bowl, appointment with a trainer/puppy class, friends/places to go.

It is very important to socialize your new Labrador Retriever puppy with it’s food dish and toys. You and all the members of your family should eventually be able to take food bowl and toys away from your Labrador without him /her resisting or growling.  Start socializing on day one by putting your hand in the food bowl while your puppy is eating.  Give the puppy a toy and take it away.  Return the bowl or the toy and repeat several times. You want to establish that people are the dominate ones in your family. AFTER all puppy shots have been given, take your pup for rides in the car or walks to playgrounds or parks. Keep your pup leashed and have small treats with you in a pocket to encourage focusing attentio on you. We encourage new families to take part in  puppy training/socialization classes. Not only are they a fun family activity, but you will be fostering a happy and well balance relationship with your Labrador Retriever. We can recommend  local training centers that previous owners and ourselves have had very successful experiences.

Feeding : Pro Plan Large Breed Puppy Chicken and Rice    

Your pup's eating habits   

Do not feed new food all at once. When you get your puppy home, it is imperative that you keep the pup on the same food it has been used to eating with us at Beamer Labradors.  You will feed a mixture of breeder's food and a small amount of a food of your choice. Increase the new food a little each day lessening the amount of what we’ve sent. Again, Puppies’ tummies are very sensitive. 

Your pup was eating 3xs a day, about 3/4 cup each feeding. Check with your vet to see when and by how much to change these amounts as your puppy grows.

Spay or Neuter

Unless you have made arrangements with us to use your Labrador for breeding you will want to spay or neuter your Labrador. Talk to your vet about when the procedure should be done.