| Labrador Retrievers are very well known for being | | | | veterinarians are also offering the optional service of |
| adorable, especially when we're puppies! Taking care | | | | inserting a microchip into your puppy. This can help |
| of a puppy can be a very rewarding experience, and | | | | you retrieve or identify your puppy if they become |
| will help you to form a strong bond with your | | | | lost or stolen. |
| growing dog. Even though us Labradors can | | | | In your home, there are also several things that you |
| sometimes become overly excited, we make up for | | | | can do to help your puppy enjoy good health. Be |
| it by being affectionate, playful and very loyal. As | | | | sure to provide sanitary, fresh water on a daily basis, |
| puppies, we will require constant care and attention, | | | | changing the water as necessary (it's recommended |
| very similar to a small child. Though taking care of a | | | | to give your puppy fresh water every day). Since |
| puppy can be fun, it also requires a significant amount | | | | your puppy's immune system is still developing, it's |
| of time and responsibility! | | | | important to try to minimize the presence of possibly |
| Grooming | | | | harmful germs in your household. Always wash your |
| Us Labrador Retrievers have a reputation for | | | | hands before and after interacting with your puppy, |
| shedding, so it's important to start grooming us as | | | | since this will lower the chance of any germ transfer. |
| soon as possible! Regular grooming will also help keep | | | | Also, it can be beneficial to keep your house |
| your puppy in good health, since it promotes good | | | | thoroughly sanitized, though be sure that any cleaning |
| skin and hygiene. Grooming is also a great way to | | | | products that you use are safe for animals. |
| get your puppy used to human contact, and most | | | | Playtime |
| puppies will love to be groomed! Try to use a soft | | | | This is perhaps the best (and most fun) part of |
| grooming brush, since your puppy's skin is still | | | | owning a Labrador Retriever puppy! As puppies, we |
| sensitive at this stage. | | | | Labradors absolutely love to play, and will eagerly |
| Feeding | | | | engage in all playtime activities. Playtime is also a |
| There are thousands of dog food formulas on the | | | | wonderful time to bond with your puppy, and can |
| market, and choosing the right one for your puppy | | | | help in establishing trust. Playing also helps your puppy |
| may seem like a huge task! Us Labradors will eat | | | | to exercise, which is one of the huge requirements |
| almost anything, so it's important that you choose a | | | | for growing puppies. Constant interaction with your |
| puppy formula that allows us to get the maximum | | | | puppy will help strengthen the bond between you |
| amount of nutrition. Try to purchase the highest | | | | and your dog, forming a foundation for many happy |
| quality premium dog food that you can comfortably | | | | years ahead. |
| afford, since most of these foods are extremely high | | | | Exercise |
| in important digestible nutrients. It's important to keep | | | | When we're puppies, us Labradors never seem to |
| feeding your puppy a "Puppy food" formula dog food | | | | run out of energy! Your Labrador puppy will require a |
| until they are at least one year of age. Most puppies | | | | significant amount of exercise each day, as this is |
| will look like adult dogs at about 12 to 14 months of | | | | important for proper development. If your puppy |
| age, but they still may have the nutritional | | | | does not receive sufficient exercise, this may cause |
| requirements of a puppy! This growing stage requires | | | | destructive behavior such as digging or chewing on |
| a lot of vitamins and minerals, so don't forget to | | | | household items. Most puppies will eagerly engage in |
| keep an eye on your puppy's weight. Most dog food | | | | any activity that involves exercise, and it can also be |
| formulas have a feeding chart right on their | | | | helpful to start leash-training your puppy at this time. |
| packaging, or have feeding ratio information online. | | | | At least one hour of intense interactive activities per |
| Try to weigh your puppy on a weekly basis, so that | | | | day can help your puppy to get enough exercise, and |
| you can ensure that they are getting the proper | | | | also offers a great time to start bonding with your |
| amount of food. It's also best to split your puppy's | | | | dog. Toys are also a very important part of playtime, |
| food ration up into three meals, since this will be the | | | | so try to always have interesting new objects for |
| easiest for them to digest. | | | | your dog to interact with. |
| Health | | | | Training |
| A very important part of taking care of a Labrador | | | | During our puppy stage, us Labradors are the most |
| Retriever puppy is to always keep an eye on our | | | | receptive to learning new things! This is because we |
| growing health! While we're developing, it is possible | | | | are becoming accustomed to the world around us. |
| for us to develop dangerous health conditions that | | | | The first, and perhaps most important part of training |
| can affect our growth. It's important to take your | | | | your puppy is potty training! This is one of the |
| puppy for regular veterinary check-ups, since this will | | | | training methods that should be implemented as soon |
| also allow your veterinarian to screen for any | | | | as you bring your puppy into your home, since this |
| potential problems. Most genetic problems that are | | | | will make it much easier for your puppy to learn to |
| native to the Labrador Retriever breed can be more | | | | go to the bathroom only outdoors. You can also start |
| effectively treated when caught at an early stage. | | | | training your puppy in some of the basic training |
| Also, it's very important to keep your puppy | | | | commands (such as "Come", "Sit", "Stay"). This is also |
| up-to-date on their vaccinations! There are many | | | | the absolute best time to start socializing your puppy |
| diseases that can cause serious health problems for | | | | with other people and dogs, since they are still very |
| your puppy, and many vaccinations are available to | | | | curious about any new experiences. |
| help prevent some of these diseases. Some | | | | |