Picking up my new lab puppy tomorrow! Tips?

[Ben23]

Thanks everyone - such wonderful messages!

We picked up her up on Saturday morning (yesterday), and she’s just absolutely gorgeous. Settling in really well, and seems to really enjoy not having her boisterous pack stealing her toys all the time, and slept like a log last night, no whining or distress, so good first signs!

I like the sound of a tiny trail at 12 weeks, I might have to give that a go haha!

Pic attached for cuteness overload. What a wholesome thread this has been!
(We got a bit wet on the drive home)

 

[parkyboy]

I recommend the use of a cage in the house. Maintain a familiar home and scent for the pup over the first few months. It also lets them become familiar with the term “bed” but don’t use this as a negative / punishment. Bed is just bed, it’s their place.

Also don’t be worried about it having the ***** for a few days, especially at night. This is just nerves from a new environment. Can be solved with a bit of brown rice in the food. On food stick with what the breeder has been feeding.

thereafter I recommend Royal Canin Maxi food. It’s pricey but very good for a lab. Mine gets 1 feed a day.







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What stunning picture...what a beautiful head...may i keep it for my use only pls...

 

[parkyboy]

This is my departed Zak gone nearly 6 years now...my first dog...my rock and my best mate when the world went to hell and back for me...he was a constant companion and i miss him every day....you will find no finer dog than a lab..i wish you many years of love and fun togather...Hugh

 

[Red Dragon 2]

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This is my departed Zak gone nearly 6 years now...my first dog...my rock and my best mate when the world went to hell and back for me...he was a constant companion and i miss him every day....you will find no finer dog than a lab..i wish you many years of love and fun togather...Hugh

Beautiful full broad head on Zak, sorry just do not like snipe nosed Labs.
Enjoy your new pup, just remember to keep stuff out of harms way while she is young and let her be a pup.

 

[An Taín Hunting Outfitter]

One I use as well for a pup indoors is hide a pair of socks balled up under pillows on the floor (always on the floor, never let a young pup jump up and down from the couch or you risk having a broken fore-limb). I play the game "Find-It".

So when the pup figures out the game you can hide it in different rooms, under the table forcing the pup to go in under the chairs and use a bit of muscle power.

"Find-It" is a brilliant game BUT comes with a word of warning. If you have the sock lying somewhere you will find your pup going and fetching it and bringing it into the livingroom.

Oh and speaking of training if you have a narrow hallways this is great for training your pup for 5 mins each evening (never more, keep your training specific and short and always end on fun). Something like "sit", throw a ball of socks up the hall, hold the chest of the young pup and on command send it on with a command "go on" (or other). Great for keeping your pup stimulated and letting it have special bonding time.

AND just as I write this I forgot about a special technique I use for all my dogs which is great that you are starting as a pup. This is so important:

I call the game "EYE SEE YOU".

Bonding and trust are so important later in its life especially where full anltered stags, high power rifles and farm livestock are concerned. It is so important your dog has your full attention ALL the time. The technique I personally use for this is get a slice of ham and cut it into tiny little flecks and put them in a bowl. Sit at the table and hold the fleck of ham down to your pups nose and get it's attention. At a real early stage it doesn't matter if your pup can sit or not as the game is about prolonged "Eye Contact".

First time the pup looks into your eyes your reward it with a fleck of ham. When it takes it the pup usually looks away so hold it to its nose again and bring your finger tips up holding the ham right between your eyes and say the pups name. Reward the ham straight away the moment it looks into your eyes.

You are teaching the pup that it is good to look at you and teach it to "check in" with you by looking into your eyes. Dogs find eye contact a threat and it takes a real bond for a dog to sit and look straight into your eyes.

This is a brilliant game and the most important part is associating the pup looking into your eyes with either its name, or a reward, or even just a hello so it learns to read you and trust you.

 

[tom_0787]

Get a copy of 'The Pet Gundog Puppy' by Lee Graham. Best dog training book I've ever read!

 

[willowbank]

Morning all!

As per the title, I’m picking up my new black lab puppy tomorrow, which is very exciting. She’s to replace my old bitch who died aged almost 16 this summer.

I just wondered if any of you chaps/lasses had any tips on what to look for when going to collect a new pup? Naturally she’ll likely be utterly irresistible as a tiny puppy, so keeping a level head will be unlikely but she’ll only be my second dog, so if anyone has recommendations on what to keep an eye out for, I’d love to hear it!

I’m very good at buying cars, due to having done it 20+ times.... but puppies, not so much. I should be able to meet the mother, but the Sire is a working gundog and may be in the field, so may not be able to meet him.

You must have won the lottery good luck with your choice.

Willowbank

 

[Rutland lad]

I got my boy aged approx 18 months from the Dogs Trust. How somebody would abandon a pedigree Labrador is beyond me, but fortunately I didn’t meet that individual. He’s been gentle and loving from day 1 although he did need some boundaries setting. Once he knew where he was he’s been a fantastic family pet. I then decided to take him out beating and with no training at all his instincts and copying other dogs mean he’s not an embarrassment. He’s certainly not the best, but we both enjoy the day out. I then put him in a harness and tried him in a loose lead to track deer. Again he’s not the best but he always finds them. Usually air scenting seems to be his favourite, but I do it more for his mental stimulation than my needs.
I came late to labs but I love the big strong loyal and non aggressive dogs they are. I’ve done terriers, I’ve done Border Collie cross - all have their place but for me it’s a Lab (black).
We’ve taken to Labs so much we’ve even trained two up as Hearing Dogs for that charity and the old fella took to the youngsters really well.
My only problem with this all is he’s now 10 and I’m dreading the time he goes. I shouldn’t think like that but we’ve all been there and I swear it gets worse each time.
Enjoy your new puppy. I am slightly jealous.

 

[Rutland lad]

Double post -sorry !

 

[Buchan]

Nice! Have a lorra lorra fun. No low hanging chocolates on the tree!
An adaptil collar is a great help for the huge change in location
Introduce lead walking quite early (taken me 4 dogs to work that one out, all are fine off, but a pig on)
Introduce sheep early on - when the sheep a big scary things, not fluffy chase things

Please, keep her slim. What ever you feed, keep the growing slow, she'll take 18 months to reach full maturity so don't be in a rush to get her there. If mates are saying shee needs feeding up, it's probably about right. Andrex pups are way too fat. (And in case you are about to ask, the best feed is a prepared, dry, reputable brand as it takes all the guess work out of it)