Howdy all, So, here's the deal. At work someone's dog had a litter of lab/collie mix puppies. They are adorable, will be ready to go home in July (which is when I'll be ready for a dog- I'm moving in the beginning of July and so don't want to get one until after I move), and I've been wanting a dog for a LONG time. So here's my question: how difficult IS a puppy? For the longest time I've said I definitely want an older dog, not a puppy. But now I'm reconsidering. My number one concern has always been a) how hard it is to potty train (I've never done it, but there is a first time for everything) and b) is a puppy going to destroy everything I own by trying to eat it? I mean, if I give it plenty of exercise is he/she still going to terrorize my apartment? Or will that help to mellow him/her out? What other unpleasant surprises should I expect with a puppy? Thanks for any input! 
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Filed under Puppies Problems by on Sep 2nd, 2010. 7 Comments. 
Labrador Retrievers are popular dogs, being able to perform roles such as assistance dogs. They would surely enjoy activities to stimulate their minds and body, being intelligent and energetic dogs they are. But despite their large size and exceptional abilities in working and detection, Labrador Retrievers are also ideal and loyal companions.
This breed responds well to praise and positive attention but we cannot deny the fact that they sometimes commit mistakes. However, you should always bear in mind that a dog will never do anything on purpose, and besides he is not even aware whether what he is doing is right or wrong. Additionally, a dog isn’t aware of the consequences of his actions. It is for you as dog owner to understand your dog’s behavior and how to deal with it.
Mistakes committed should be corrected at once to prevent your pet from doing it again. You should make him understand that what he did is wrong and you are not very happy with what he did. There are many methods to train a dog as well as approaches to correct his mistakes. These vary depending on the owner or trainer, some still believe that training a dog should be done in humane way. But there are some who would rather verbally or physically punish their dogs. Verbal punishment includes shouting or using an angry tone to your dog while kicking, hitting, rubbing his nose in the carpet and other forced actions fall under physical punishment.
If you come home and hit your dog after you found out that he ******** in the living room floor, you will not make him understand why he is being hit. He may not even realize that it is his punishment for doing something unacceptable which took place hours ago. The result of this however is not a well-trained dog but a confused and scared dog. He will associate your return with hitting or yelling and will make him scared of you returning home. Of course you do not want this to happen, don’t you?
“How should I correct my dog’s behavior if I am not going to punish him for the mistake he committed?” Dog owners would probably ask that question. There are training methods effective in modifying a dog’s behavior without inflicting physical pain. Use praise and positive attention to correct Labrador Retrievers. Your gentle words and tone as well as your loving touch will encourage them to behave properly. You can also modify your dog’s behavior through perceived punishment. If you caught your dog doing something unacceptable, you may want to create a sudden loud noise to refrain him from doing it. In time, he will realize that the loud noise occurs every time he is not behaving properly. The point here is that, this perceived punishment does not appear to come from you but somewhere. And also, he is not physically or emotionally tortured.
Just treat your dogs right and they will surely reward you with happiness and lifetime friendship.
By: Richard Cussons
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Filed under Lab Puppy Training by on Sep 4th, 2010. Comment.
How to Be The Alpha Dog to your Labrador
How to Be The Alpha Dog to your Labrador – There are thousands of subtle things that a "pack leader" will do to demonstrate that he is the "alpha dog". This is just one of them. Master dog trainer Adam G. Katz shows you how.
Click Here to Learn more Secrets of becoming an alpha dog from Adam Katz
How to Be The Alpha Dog to your Labrador – Whatever your reason for acquiring a puppy, you'll have to win him over. You, not your dog, will have to be the leader of the pack if your pup is to develop into a well-mannered family member. Dominance and alpha behavior are important concepts that every lab dog owner should comprehend.
Dogs are animals, not human beings. They are pack animals by nature. Every pack has a leader, known as the alpha animal, who dominates and leads the other members of the pack. The alpha is the boss who makes decisions for the entire pack. Usually the pack will have an alpha male and an alpha female. All the other members of the pack form a hierarchy of dominance and submission where everyone has a place.
In your home, you and your family become your dog's pack, as do any other dogs you may have. It is your responsibility to establish yourself in the alpha position. If you fail to do this, your dog will do it as a natural behaviour. Many people assume that they are automatically in charge just because humans are superior to animals.
How to Be The Alpha Dog to your Labrador – But are you really the pack leader?
Does your dog know it?
Being the pack leader does not mean you have to be big and aggressive. Nor does it mean that there has to be a battle of wills after which you are the victor. Anyone can be the pack leader. It is an attitude an air of authority. It is the basis for mutual respect, and provides the building blocks of communication between the two of you.
How to Be The Alpha Dog to your Labrador – A pack animal becomes a full fledged member of the group by a process called subordination. With dogs, subordination begins shortly after the third week of life and continues throughout early development. Most normal, healthy puppies are basically pushy animals, and will try to advance as far as possible within the social order of the pack. The key to successfully rearing a puppy is to establish yourself as the pack leader and then maintain that position for the life of your dog.
So how do you become the alpha leader? In the wild, the adults of the pack begin early to teach the cubs the rules. The adults grab pups around the head or neck and gently, but firmly, pin them to the ground. The cubs learn to greet the adults with respect by approaching them using a slightly crouching posture, with ears back, tail down and wagging, and they lick the adults' muzzles. The cubs do this as a sign of respect and affection, not out of fear. It is called the subordination display, and its function is to keep peace and harmony within the pack.
To Learn more about How to Be The Alpha Dog to your Labrador Click Here and let Adam Katz help you
Filed under Lab Puppy Training by on Sep 7th, 2010. Comment.
I have a Boston Terrier and a Black Lab/ German Shepherd mix and they play really rough and are always mouthing each other and sometimes my lab gets a little too rough with my Boston. I try and continuously get after them both for biting each other but they are not making any progression. I am afraid that they’re going to think it’s ok to bite anyone when they grow up so I want it fixed while they are still puppies. Does anyone have some training suggestions?
Filed under Puppies Problems by on Sep 7th, 2010. 21 Comments.
I just got a large breed puppy and am looking for any advice people may have out there. I already have a two year old black lab but since she was already ten months old when we got her I am new at the baby stuff. He is 8 and a half weeks old and adorable! Just tell me some things that you guys have done with your puppies that seemed to work well (training ect..)
thanks
okay for the people who say “you should have done research” it’s not like I have no idea what i am doing with the pup, i just wanted peoples opinion on what methods worked the best for them. Some people are for or against crate training, some use clickers or rewards, while others use different methods. Please only respond if you have some advice or stories about what methods worked for you, only mature people need reply to this question.
Filed under Puppies Problems by on Sep 9th, 2010. 5 Comments.
