So you’ve found yourself an adorable Labrador Retriever puppy and you get to bring it home soon? This is such an exciting time for you and your new beloved pooch. Your little furry friend is going to their fur-ever home to be pampered and fussed over and you have got yourself a loyal, friendly, energetic pooch that is guaranteed to make a wonderful, lifelong companion. However, getting a puppy is a huge responsibility and something that you should do plenty of research into before bringing them home. For everything you need to know about Lab puppies, you can find more information here.
It goes without saying but the more prepared you are for when you bring your pup home the better, as it will help them settle in sooner and adjust to their new life with you. For ways on how to make this transition as smooth as possible for both you and your puppy, check out the tips below.
Puppy proofing your home
Before you bring your new Labrador puppy home, you need to make sure everywhere is puppy proof. One of the many wonderful things about puppies is that they are curious and will want to wander around the house for a sniff and to explore. Just as you would prepare the home for a baby, you must treat the arrival of your dog in the same way to keep them safe and comfortable.
Puppy proofing your home keeps your puppy out of harm’s way and allows your furniture and valuables to remain intact. Make sure all dangerous items like medication, cleaning supplies, and toiletries are put away somewhere safe that your puppy can’t get to. If you have plants that are toxic to dogs when ingested, move these to a place that your dog doesn’t have access to.
If there are areas of your home that you don’t want your pooch to get to, then invest in some baby gates. Pick a place in the house that is designated as your puppy’s safe space. This safe environment needs to be welcoming and comfortable, and a place your dog can resort to if they feel anxious. Here you can set up your little furry friend’s crate, bed, and chew toys.
Bringing your puppy home
The big day has arrived and you can finally bring your Labrador Retriever puppy home. While this is an exciting time, it can also be extremely stressful for them as they learn to adjust and settle into their new home. Not only are they in unfamiliar surroundings but they are leaving behind their mother, littermates and the only home they’ve ever known, so you must make them feel as comfortable and safe as possible.
The journey home can be stressful for your puppy and they are likely to whine and cry but don’t worry as this is normal and to be expected. Place your puppy in a crate and don’t forget to fully line it with absorbent paper in case they have an accident. You can also place a chew toy in the crate to keep them occupied on the ride home. If it’s a long car journey, your pooch will need water and a toilet break.
Have a bowl of fresh water and dog food waiting for when your pup arrives. The first thing you want to do when you arrive home is take your puppy to their designated toilet spot and wait for them to do their business. Once they’ve finished, give your puppy praise as they’ve just begun their house training. Now you can let your Lab puppy explore their new home and meet the family.
The first week with your new puppy
Your puppy will need time to adjust to their new surroundings, and the first couple of days may be hard for them. They may spend their day running around playing and generally sniffing anything and everything in sight, but some puppies can feel overwhelmed and might be a little reserved at first. During the night, your puppy may whine and cry, or if you’re lucky they may just sleep through the night.
However, as your puppy starts to get more comfortable in the house they will start to show their personality. Try to spend as much time as possible with your pup during this first week because Labrador Retrievers grow pretty quickly and they won’t be small for long.
Try to get your puppy into a routine in the first week by creating a schedule and sticking to it. At around two months old, your pooch should be eating around four times a day and this will decrease as they get older. Aim to feed your puppy around the same time each day. The great thing about Labs is they are intelligent dogs who aim to please, so training them is easy. You must be consistent with the household training, and feeding them around the same time each day will also help with potty training.
What else can you expect from your Lab puppy?
Lab puppies love to snooze and can sleep up to 20 hours per day. Even when they’re adults, Labs can sleep for half of the day. They are lovable dogs who aim to please and enjoy working with people, which makes them quite easy to train. Due to their easy-going personality, they get along great with humans and other dogs. Labradors shed a lot and need to be brushed once a week so make sure you have grooming tools to hand. It’s in the name, but Labradors love to retrieve things so remember to play fetch with them and their favorite toy as it will be sure to keep them happy.
By preparing for the arrival of your puppy and getting things ready before you go to collect them, it will allow your pooch to adjust easily and settle into their new home quicker. Hopefully, these puppy tips and advice are of some help you to. Remember your Labrador Retriever puppy won’t be small for long so enjoy those early days as much as possible.
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