Labrador Puppy - top tips

[FrankieMcGrath]

After years of pestering, I’ve finally given in to the DCs & we’re getting a dog - Labrador puppy. It’s from a family friend, so we know the mum & dad & no concerns about the breeder!

Puppy is due to come to us in a few weeks, so asking for top tips on what’s been most useful / waste of money, that we should prep before arrival?! TIA!

I can attest to this working! Mine now automatically walks to heel when someone is walking towards us and waits for his treat after they have passed 😂

@FrankieMcGrath make yourself the most attractive thing.

One of the most valuable things you can do with your dog is when you first get him or her is get them to associate you would their highest value reward. So for mine, it's food. Since eight weeks old, they know that I am the provider of the food and the treats. From the day their littermates go home, I spend 15-20 minutes 3 times a day just training them. Which I know people think sounds ridiculous. But it means by the time they're 12 weeks old and before their first walks, they have all their basic commands completely mastered and they associate doing what I 'want' with nice rewards. I use high-value chicken or roast beef.

Then when I am walking my puppies (I have Golden's so similar in terms of training style), I always keep a piece of chicken or beef in my hand at any given time. Because I've already done training with them, they 'expect' me to have something. I use the food to encourage them to keep their eyes on me and when they do, they get chicken or beef. That'll be every 30 seconds or so on a walk. It also encourages them to walk to heel (and thus not pull) because the treat item in your hand is being held close to your body.

Also just be careful with which interactions you allow them to have. You want them to say hi to people and other dogs nicely, but not every dog and not every person. You'll get 'vibes' after a few walks of the sort of people who won't encourage jumping up.

If they jump up at people, you say 'off' and use the treat in your hand to lure them away from the people as you do it (it's called 'redirection' by trainers).. Eventually, after a few times, the dog start associating 'off' with the treat and automatically stop jumping up and turn to you.

But also don't be afraid to pull or direct your dog away from people who are installing bad behaviours. Remember: they don't have to live with that bad behaviour, you do. Experienced dog owners will be sympathetic and with people who say 'oh it doesn't matter' just be firm and explain that you don't want your dog learning bad habits as one day it might jump up and accidentally hurt someone.

@VanGoSunflowers Just saw your post as I was typing 😀

Yes and ours doesn't even require a tasty treat just a bit of kibble does the trick!

Thank you! I have ordered the Happy Puppy book too so will get reading when it comes!

I agree 109% with what @TheHungryHungryLandsharks has written. Two useful bits of advice we were given was that every interaction is a training exercise, and you brought the dog for your pleasure not others. M

Ie. Every time you are with your dog. You’re training it, whether at home, in the park, on walks etc. Your dog may look like it’s walking perfectly to feel, but that’s because all the time you are making tweaks, giving commands etc to ensure you have that behaviour, and as others have said, it usually involves giving treats as a reward.

Regarding buying the dog for yourself, it echoes what Hungry says. People will see a cute puppy and assume they can stroke it, but it’s your dog , not theirs. Therefore, don’t let the puppy jump up, explain your dog is in training, and have him focus on you (with treats!) rather than the passer by. Only when you give the command, will you allow the pup to greet the other person or dog, but only if you want to. It’s perfectly fine to walk on by.

Has the puppy tax been paid? We need a photo OP.

I have a 10 year old lab, can’t think of much that’s not already been said apart from with the jumping up - turn your back/ask people to do the same if pup jumps up. They want attention so if they don’t get it they’re less likely to keep jumping up.

Oh I’ve no idea about a puppy tax?! We do have some photos as my friend is sending them but they’re from her house so quite outing. Will see if I can crop & then attach one here.

Sorry, I can’t post as even cropping is quite identifying. Not sure my friend is on here but if she is, she’ll recognise it straight away. I should have name changed before starting this thread - I name change quite regularly so annoying that I didn’t, sorry!

I definitely agree with this

Our lovely boy is now 6 and he is just wonderful. But as a baby he could be a little bugger. Biting, running off, endless energy, pulling like a cart horse.
A lot of it was training but most of it came from him just growing up and mellowing. Use a harness (not a head collar though). There are no prizes for not getting one, they are literally designed for strong dogs.

When we get him then I’ll name change & start a new thread & post a photo!

Another thing I'd suggest are antlers for chews. I cannot stand those assortment of body parts in pet shops like pigs ears and even tracheas 🤮 but antlers are shed naturally. They keep ours going for ages and were the only thing that saved our fingers and toes in the early days. Not cheap, about 16 quid but last ages.

Never let anyone give your dog treats. It’s actually quite a problem at my local park. Some people think feeding treats to other people’s dogs is a good idea. It’s not!

All these misguided people are doing, is training your dog to bother other people. Dogs catch on very quickly. I used to walk my brother’s lab and a couple gave him treats. He caught on immediately and would go up to anyone handy to ask for treats.

This particular couple were well known and were called the dog’s kitchen. Even telling them not to do it didn’t stop them. I remember a conversation I had with him about how my lab was now going up to people who didn’t even like dogs. His reply “they shouldn’t be at the park, if they don’t like dogs”.

Visited a few days ago! Love him! Get him in a few weeks time!

Completely adorable. 🐾❤️

Thank you!

Thank you for coming back be and posting a picture. So cute.

If you're getting a home reared puppy from family friend and have weeks to plan for your pup's arrival you're already off to a good start.

I got a 2 month old male labrador puppy in 2023 from a very experienced breeder who really knew her stuff. My dog is just starting to settle into adulthood now at nearly 3 years old. All labs and households are different so your experiences will be unique. But here's what I wish I'd done differently.

1. Learn dog body language before pup arrives so you can recognise things like lip licking, exposing belly and whale eyes can be signs of stress, and respond accordingly. It will also help you react appropriately to dogs you meet on walks to keep your pup protected while you socialise him.

2. Start good dog training classes and don't stop until he's full grown adult and his behaviour is exactly as you want it. Puppies tend to respond well to recall but lose it in adolescence. Puppy pulling is manageable, adult lab pulling isn't. An adult lab can be much stronger than you imagine. Strong enough to pull a strong able bodied adult over or on to a road. Don't give up training classes before lab adulthood!

3. Create a large dog proof area where you can leave puppy when you cant give them your full attention. For example fence off half a room. Your new puppy will sleep loads and youll appreciate being able to switch off from him when he does. Labradors are clever and will learn bad habits easily. Prevention is easier than cure. They can also be destructive when teething. Having somewhere you can leave him will save your sanity and stop your whole life from revolving round pup which is exhausting.

4. Do socialise your puppy well. I did. But what I'd do differently is to try to get him used to being calm and neutral around strangers. Not sure how practical that is as everyone wants to stroke as puppy. But greeting everyone soon turned my pup into a dog who expects to greet everyone.he approaches men emptying bins into roaring bin lorry with no hesitation in hope of being greeted by the men. I'd rather he were more neutral around strangers. I'd also maintain the socialisation well beyond the recommended 16 week mark to develop steadinessnin towns and cafes.

5. Understand that puppies can growl FEROCIOUSLY in play. It does not mean you have adopted a wrong-un. They can also break skin when over stimulated. This does NOT mean youve adopted an aggressive dog.Try not to let him get too overstimulated too much. There's lots of info in books and online on how to manage this.

6. Recognise that your puppy will arrive as an individual with his own wants. He'll not be a blank canvas you can mould into your perfect dog. What works for your pup won't work for otheres (not even his littermates) and vice versa.

This brings me on to my last point.

7. There is no one perfect way to raise a puppy. If you believe there is you'll quickly lose confidence in yourself and turn to others for help where you'll hear a lot of contradictory advice. Its good to listen to advice. But the decisions are yours. Learn the basics from books e.g. early socialisation IS crucial. Preventing unwanted behaviours IS important. As is consistency. Ask for trusted advice when you need it from experienced dog owners. But at the end of the day, once you've listened and understand the basics do it your way and have confidence in that.

On a final note I would say the puppy blues are normal. Puppies can be very hard work. It takes years for them to evolve into their adult selves who are arguably the best. It's normal yo take months to fall in love with a puppy. In the meantime if he is anything like mine was there will be blood sweat and tears (all mine). But also laughter, puppy snuggles, much cuteness etc. Just don't be shocked if you find yourself thinking you've made a mistake in those early weeks. I did. I wish I'd known then I most certainly hadn't.

Labs are pretty forgiving of rookie mistakes, they tend to be good natured and highly trainable. You got this. Enjoy your new pup!

Oh and don't feed him from the table EVER :-) If it never happens he won't expect it.

Amazing, thank you!

If you’re on FB then join this group. https://m.facebook.com/groups/dogtrainingadviceandsupport/
Great advice free from force free trainers and behaviourists.
You have said the breeder is a friend. I’m hoping they know enough to do breed specific tests before breeding (eg hip score) and haven’t just randomly bred from their pet dogs.

Learn to keep anything edible securely out of its reach.
It will try to chew anything - do not leave things like an expensive handbag or a pair of sunglasses lying around.

If you can section of a room (like a utility) with a baby gate and have their crate in there, it makes a really good calm area where pup can hang out when they are not playing with you. Gives them and you some down time and as they get older becomes their calm space. Our lab will choose to take herself there when she wants to, its very sweet. Labs are the best.

Thanks all.

We need to start buying stuff now to get ready - anything you would particularly recommend?

Definitely a kong. I stuff the kong with treats and doggy peanut butter. It keeps my dog happy for a good hour. Even when it’s empty she carries on licking and chewing it.

I asked for the photo to be removed as I got a bit paranoid people would recognise it!