Took the pluge and have a pup on the way! Advice needed...

[terrym]

Some very experienced lab owner/trainers here. When they offer advice pay attention. Enjoy the journey, be patient and consistent. I can't imagine "not" having a dog in my life anymore.

[bonecollector23]

A lot of great advice- so won't repeat . My pup used go crazy when i put in the crate for the night- he would whimper for couple of hours. My breeder told me to get him so tried that when it was time to put him in the crate- he would just fall asleep and no whimpering.


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[krakadawn]

789,
Folks are giving you lots of advice about the time frame when they come home and how to house train and acclimatize your pup. My advice will be a little different......actually retro active. I hope you have considered the following:

-checked out the breeder
-looked at parents
-looked at and checked into the pedigree
-asked about the gurantee
-looked at health clearances(hips/elbows/eyes/eic/cnm/)
-price shopped

I realize you asked somewhat of a different question but to me there are some earlier questions that should be addressed before one makes a choice. Sometimes hard to resist a cute and timely puppy but the above issues should form a solid list of questions before you got to the deposit stage.

Hopefully you have and good luck with the pup. There are many resources out there currently....google names like Hillman, Lardy, Graham for excellent media support materials re training retrievers. Check the Canadian National Retriever web site for clubs, contacts and when competitions are held that you may wish to visit to meet like minded folks.

[BDH]

789,
Folks are giving you lots of advice about the time frame when they come home and how to house train and acclimatize your pup. My advice will be a little different......actually retro active. I hope you have considered the following:

-checked out the breeder
-looked at parents
-looked at and checked into the pedigree
-asked about the gurantee
-looked at health clearances(hips/elbows/eyes/eic/cnm/)
-price shopped

I realize you asked somewhat of a different question but to me there are some earlier questions that should be addressed before one makes a choice. Sometimes hard to resist a cute and timely puppy but the above issues should form a solid list of questions before you got to the deposit stage.

Hopefully you have and good luck with the pup. There are many resources out there currently....google names like Hillman, Lardy, Graham for excellent media support materials re training retrievers. Check the Canadian National Retriever web site for clubs, contacts and when competitions are held that you may wish to visit to meet like minded folks.

X2.... Join a club, learn form others on the training and socialization .Too many jump at impulse and do not research out the breeder, or realistically their own desire for a dog.

Dick

[bellerivercrossbowhunter]

Great advice here. My BLF is a 2 years old now.

The get some sleep advise before puppy arrives is key. I was sleep deprived for a solid 2 weeks to take her outside every few hours. I basically had to do that on my own while the wife & kids got to sleep normally becasue it was my idea to get a dog... LOL

If you can take a week off work when the puppy arrives or have someone take over when you are @ work.

I was very lucky with her. She only had 3 accidents in the house because I didn't figure out her schedule soon enough.

She is is still a ball of energy & I can't imagine a day with-out her now. Lab's need a ton of exercise when they are younger or they will become destructive to get attention. I love it becasue it keeps me off the couch too.

Good luck with you puppy & send us pics along your journey...

[Walleyehawger]

Look into getting a program like Evan Graham's Smart Works. I used it with my Lab and am very happy with the results.

[Marker]

Another for crate training, it will save you money in the long run with less chewed up stuff. Its also safer for the dogs as they don't eat things that could cause health problems when you are not there to oversee what they are doing.

[Waftrudnir]

So many have crate training as their top priority?
LOL
Call me selfish, but I want to spend some time with my dog!
Incarceration is not the convenient solution when you got yourself a dog and find out you don't have enough time for it.
Post #10 looks at it the positive way - and that's what it should be and not locking up a dog in a box!

[bellerivercrossbowhunter]

So many have crate training as their top priority?
LOL
Call me selfish, but I want to spend some time with my dog!
Incarceration is not the convenient solution when you got yourself a dog and find out you don't have enough time for it.
Post #10 looks at it the positive way - and that's what it should be and not locking up a dog in a box!

Good point.

One thing I didn't mention is take your dog with you everywhere you go if possible. I have been doing this since she was a pup & she is very well behaved in the truck now. She either sleeps or stares out the window. I only crate when I am @ work & @ night so I can sleep & so she doesn't fight with the cat all night long... LOL

A friends dog get's sick in the car & high anxiety becaue they alays left her @ home. They can't take her anywhere...

[stragglelake]

So many have crate training as their top priority?
LOL
Call me selfish, but I want to spend some time with my dog!
Incarceration is not the convenient solution when you got yourself a dog and find out you don't have enough time for it.
Post #10 looks at it the positive way - and that's what it should be and not locking up a dog in a box!

Agreed !!
I crate trained but priority one was working on leaving him out of the crate all day.
Not a fan of dogs being crated all day.


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