Labs remain the most popular breed in the United States, and not without good reason: Labs are loving, affectionate, highly loyal, extremely intelligent, are good natured, and maintain a solid friendly temperament as long as they are well socialized to a variety of things as pups. All of these things make them a wonderful addition to any family, though their intelligence and activity levels tend to get them into quite a bit of trouble if they’re not given a job, a challenge, or both!
Labs tend to get destructive if left unchallenged, and will find ways to entertain themselves if not provided with something proper. Labs were bred to do a variety of things, from hunting, tracking, and retrieving, to being watchdogs and service dogs, and their ability to think and solve problems should be used to their humans’ advantage!
Labs tend to work hard and play harder, and by giving them a purpose, you enable them to hone their skills and become more comfortable and confident in themselves, and burn off a lot of their energy in the process (before they get a chance to use it for more troublesome adventures!) Though only a moderately active breed when indoors, Labs tend to become overweight quickly and easily and should get a minimum of 30-45 minutes of vigorous exercise a day to prevent weight gain, energy build up, and boredom. If this need isn’t met, Labs tend to become escape artists, wanderers, obsessive chewers and/or diggers.
Being a work- and people-oriented breed, something as simple as a doggy backpack can make them feel as though they have a purpose, even if that purpose is only to carry your house keys while out for a walk. When the dog is old enough (at least 6 months of age) weighing the backpack down with bottles of water or a few canned goods will not only give the dog a feeling of purpose and accomplishment, but will also use up a good portion of their energy, leaving very little left to get them into trouble should they be bored and unsupervised.
Labs are extremely people oriented, and should be taught early that leash pulling and jumping to greet people is unacceptable. A Lab puppy usually reaches adult weight between 6 and 8 months, and can become quite a handful if untrained. Consistency with training is essential – all members of the family (and anyone else the dog will come into contact with) should treat the dog the same and hold the same expectations of him – if Mom doesn’t allow him on the couch, but Dad does, Puppy will become confused, sneaky, or a combination of both.
Labs are eager to learn, and require only the gentlest of corrections – harsh reprimands or punishments will only damage the relationship between dog and owner(s) and be counterproductive – firm but gentle guidance will result in a strong, trusting bond.
Using a positive, reward based training method is the only way to go with Labs, as they are people-pleasing and highly food motivated. When using food to train, be sure to account for the extra intake at meal time, as Labs tend to become obese – the Lab puppy diet should consist of a high-quality dog food containing between 18% and 24% protein to help avoid joint problems, either in the form of hip or elbow dysplasia, or problems that arise from a large breed puppy growing too fast. Diet and exercise should also be closely monitored, and modified on the day of a training session to ensure that the dog isn’t taking in extra calories and nutrients.
As well as a propensity for obesity, Labs are also prone to eye disorders, including retinal atrophy and cataracts, and so all Labs should have an eye exam each year. Labs also are prone to ear mites, and yeast and bacterial ear infections, though the latter two can usually be chalked up to poor diet, especially if skin allergies are also present.
