Content

• To step
• Method 1 of 2: Taking care of their daily needs
• Method 2 of 2: Give him the right kind of attention
• Necessities

According to the Board of Directors, Labrador Retrievers are the most popular breed and one of the best family dogs, as they are friendly, open and active. Make sure they get the proper attention and care they need. Whether you have one or are planning to get one, you need to know how to best care for a Labrador Retriever.

To step

Method 1 of 2: Taking care of their daily needs

1. Feed him well. Your Labrador has a good appetite. He likes to eat, so he can lug around his food bowl, beg for food, or eat unusual things. This is normal. The exact amount of food you give your labrador depends on what food you are feeding and how many calories it contains. Follow the feeding advice on the food bag, and increase or decrease the amount depending on whether the dog is gaining weight or weight on this ration.
   • If your dog is more active than most dogs, then you should increase his food intake accordingly. For example, if you and your furry friend are going to run 5 miles every morning, then you should consider feeding him more food than usual.
   • Obviously you don't want your Labrador to get fat. If you can no longer feel his ribs easily, you are probably overfeeding him. At the same time, you shouldn't be able to see his ribs from afar.
2. Provide plenty of fresh water. Your Labrador will become very thirsty after exercise and will have to quench that thirst. He will drink more or less water depending on how active he has been and how hot it is outside. Don't limit your dog's water intake. Unlike with food, your dog will self-regulate. Dehydration can be fatal, so don't take any chances.
3. Walk your dog. Your Labrador needs a lot of exercise to stay healthy. Walk your Labrador up to three times a day and if possible take him on long walks of a few miles or more. If you have a backyard, make sure it's big enough for your dog to run around in. Small backyards are not suitable for large dogs such as Labradors.
4. Provide comfortable shelter. Whether your Labrador lives indoors or out, make sure he has a space he can call his own. Also put in a large sturdy dog ​​bed. Your Labrador will constantly pull on the bed to make it comfortable. Cheap baskets will tear easily and create quite a bit of a mess.
   • Giving your Labrador his own bed will also help train him to stay away from yours, if you're so inclined.
5. Groom your dog's coat regularly. Labradors are a short-haired breed that comes in brown, black, and gold. For most of the year, your Labrador will need little maintenance. Throughout the summer, you'll want to brush him regularly - weekly is best - to get loose hair from his coat. Brushing your Lab will also help remove dirt and distribute natural oils.
   • Don't wash your lab too often. The natural oils in your Labrador's coat can even help repel fleas and ticks. Wash your Lab three or four times a year, or whenever his stink gets too strong.
6. Trim your Labrador's nails. You should trim your Labrador's nails every two to three months. If you take your dog on walks regularly, the hard street will naturally file off his nails. You can cut them at home or ask a vet to do it. In general, you can train your Labrador to sit still to trim his nails. Just offer him a treat after every successful trip to your home nail studio. Ultimately, your dog will look forward to it.
   • Make sure to use suitable dog nail scissors. Human nail scissors will not work effectively. Hold your dog's paw and then quickly trim the nail. Don't cut too close to the base of the nail. Doing so can be very painful and cause bleeding. Make sure the nail does not bend back into the dog's paw, or it is so sharp that it accidentally causes damage.
7. Clean your Labrador's floppy ears. Your Labrador's ears can become breeding grounds for bacteria if not properly cleaned regularly. Check your dog's ears regularly for excessive or foul-smelling discharge, and seek advice from your vet if you notice anything that is not right. If you want to clean the ears, use a product designed for that purpose.
   • Do not use cotton swabs to clean your dog's ears. Sudden movement can seriously damage your dog's ear canal.
8. Take care of your Labrador's teeth. The more active your Lab is, the more likely he is to have dental problems. Gum disease, loose teeth, cracked or broken teeth, root abscesses and plaque build-up are all issues to watch out for. Take your dog to the vet once or twice a year to clean his teeth. Routine visits to your vet can also help control bad breath. Since you're on the receiving end of so many wet kisses, you've probably already thought about this and that's just one more reason why you should get your Labrador's teeth cleaned.
   • Vets recommend that you brush your dog's teeth daily or at least a few times a week. Buy a special toothbrush and toothpaste from the pet store or your vet. There are several types of toothpaste available, and many of them have tasty flavors - such as liver, chicken, and peanut butter - that your dog will enjoy.
   • Gently introduce your dog to the toothbrush. Use your fingers to lift your dog's lips to expose his teeth. Work in circles with the brush, moving from tooth to tooth. His molars will be the hardest to reach, so save these for last. Make sure to brush both sides of each tooth. Reward your dog with a treat afterwards.
9. Provide standard veterinary care. Every dog ​​needs certain basic vaccinations on a regular basis. It's a good idea to take your dog to the vet at least twice a year for routine examinations to monitor his health and maintain a good relationship with the vet. If your pet is injured or is not behaving normally, it is always a good idea to go to the vet for an examination and medical attention if needed. Your vet will also prescribe necessary medications (both topical and supplemental) to ward off parasites such as fleas and ticks.
   • As your dog gets older, you may start to see health problems such as hip dysplasia, epilepsy or seizures. Your Labrador Retriever can also develop eye problems. If any of these occur in your dog, contact your vet immediately and discuss possible treatments or medications. An older dog with any of these conditions should see a vet every two months or as advised by your vet.

Method 2 of 2: Give him the right kind of attention

1. Show your Labrador a lot of love. By nature it is a very affectionate dog. If there's one thing Labrador Retrievers love more than food, it's spending time with you - playing, cuddling, or simply following you.
   • Don't neglect your Labrador if he wants to play or curl up against your feet while you watch TV. Your Labrador Retriever has not lost its pack instinct. Your Labrador is likely to see you as the leader or one of the leaders of his pack. So if you neglect your lab, he will be affected emotionally.
2. Socialize your labrador retriever. All dogs are territorial. Your Labrador is no exception. It's natural for him to bark at anything and everything, but when they are properly trained, they are not that fierce. Make sure to spend time at home and out in public training your Labrador.
   • If you have several dogs, you will gradually have to introduce your new Labrador Retriever to the rest. Place them in a room or outdoor area separated by some sort of fence. Let the dogs smell each other. They learn a lot from scents, so give them 30 minutes or more to take in their new family member. After this, let them get closer, but keep them on a leash. Do this several times, limiting their exposure to the other person to half an hour at a time. Only when you are confident that they will not attack each other can you let them roam freely. Let them play together outside. Let them stitch.
   • The same rules apply to humans. If your Labrador Retriever needs to get used to the presence of a lot of people, then he needs to get used to these environments in a safe way. Keep your Labrador on a leash. Let surrounding people / strangers pet your dog and be nice to him. Tell them to offer their hand to your dog. Dogs love to sniff people's hands so they can judge their scent. Do this regularly. Eventually, your lab will learn that people can be trusted.
3. Teach your kids how to play with your Labrador. In general, your Labrador Retriever will be able to play well with children. However, if you have younger children you should always keep an eye on what they are doing to the dog. Make sure that the child does not hurt or threaten your dog in any way or it could result in a physical fight. Your dog is not malicious. He doesn't hate your kid. He can only feel threatened by him. If he scratches or bites, it's just an instinctual response to a threat. Do your best to mitigate this threat. Be present when your child is playing with your Labrador.
4. Give your Labrador enough toys. Usually your Labrador's favorite toy will be a tennis ball. This probably speaks to their inner self retriever. Since your Labrador was bred to fetch game, it makes sense that he would enjoy playing with something meant to be returned. You can find large numbers of other toys at any pet store. Dog toys are a great way for your dog to play and burn off excess energy without having to go outside to run around.
5. Teach your Labrador basic commands such as sit, stay and come. Also teach him to walk on a leash. Labrador retrievers are an intelligent breed and are often easy to train - especially when they are younger. A trained dog is more confident and behaves better. In addition, a dog that listens to spoken commands is safer if it ever runs loose.
   • When you train your Labrador Retriever, it is better to affirm positive behavior than to punish for negative behavior. Never hit your labrador retriever. You are trying to build a relationship of trust with your dog, not create a neurotic and fearful animal. Dogs that attack people or children without problems are often the product of cruel environments. Don't let your labrador retriever be one of them.

Necessities

• Toys
• Dog food for the right age
• Belt
• Good vet
• Food bowl and water bowl
• Water
• Fenced backyard
• Dog basket