Labrador Retrievers - Oh Yellow Dog - Training - Biting - Pulling

The Website for Labrador Retriever Enthusiasts

All About Labrador Retrievers - Your Current and Longterm Lifestyle

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Your Lifestyle and the Perfect "Household" Companion

A labrador retriever requires social interaction. They enjoy being around people and are happiest when in the same room as their families, whether that family has one human or six! In order to make the best owner for your lab, you should ensure that you have time for them in your life.

Your Current Lifestyle Should allow for:

At least 2 exercise options a day (including a walk, going to the dog park, playing a game of fetch, agility or obedience)
Alone time of no longer than 7-9 hours for your adult lab per 24 hour period (8 months and older)
Alone time of no longer than 2-6 hours for your pup based on its age per 24 hour period (ie 2 hours = 2 months old)
keeping your lab in the home with you versus alone in the garage or outdoors
placing your lab's crate on the main floor of the home vs. the basement of the home (this can feel isolating)

Causes of Distress/Anxiety in Labrador Retrievers:

Being alone for prolonged periods of time - if you have a very busy life with many extra-curricular activities that will not involve your lab - please reconsider this breed
Lack of routine - labs enjoy being in a routine where they know when they are being fed, taken for a walk, going to bed etc. Without a routine, many labs become anxious or stressed
Any type of physical/excessive reprimand/discipline (hitting, yelling/screaming, kicking)

The Future - Seeing Longterm for You and Your Dog

Many dogs are given away or euthanized because their owners did not foresee their dog as a 12-14 year long committment. There are many examples of dogs being "dumped" when a divorce occurs, a family has an unexpected child, a career forces a move, a houseowner is forced to live in an apartment etc.

Your dog is depending on you for its entire life. You will be responsible for the quality of her environment and future. Please take this into consideration before you purchase a dog. Thousands of pets are euthanized every year because they are no longer "convenient". Let's change this mentality.