Lab puppy survival tips

[user28288]

Lab puppy comes home in 4 weeks. Hit me with your survival tips!

Cuddles. Lots and lots of cuddles.

Meantime; have a playpen for inside and an area of garden cordoned off to keep puppy safe and away from things he will chew

He will poop after every meal and pee whenever he wakes up or stops playing so be ready for this

Puppy pads are a waste, focus on getting outside and have an enzyme cleaner handy.

DC must know to let the puppy sleep

Let him sleep near you to start with ( or forever)

Remember to smell his lovely feet and gentle fondle his silky ears.

I just lost my lovely boy. I am so very jealous

Anything chewable or breakable should be moved out of harm's way and left there for at least 2 years.
Don't allow jumping up (turn your back and walk away, the pup will soon stop doing it.)
Don't allow puppy biting, distract with toys and play.
Labs are very bright and very powerful so training classes from a young age are essential. They produce a dog that's obedient and a pleasure to own; and the classes give the dog mental exercise. Obviously, physical exercise is essential too (ask your vet how much he/she recommends in a young Lab.)
Apart from people, the two things that Labs adore are water (anything from a stream to the sea) and food. If you are taking your dog on a canal walk, I'd advise you to put him/her on a lead or your dog will be in the canal. If you are on a walk where this is a cafe or similar, again keep him/her on a lead or your dog will be in the cafe!
Labs are great dogs. The first couple of years are hard work but once you've got them trained and they start to calm down a bit, they're fantastic.
I'd advise taking out insurance for your pup to cover any orthopaedic issues (regardless of test scores.)
Good luck!