According to the American Kennel Club, the Labrador retriever is the number one most popular dog breed and one of the best family dogs. This breed of dog is friendly, sociable, and active. Make sure your labrador retriever gets the attention and proper care it needs. Whether you already own or plan to own one, you need to know how best to care for a labrador retriever.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Taking Care of His Basic Needs
Step 1. Feed the dog properly
Labrador retrievers have a large appetite. This dog loves to eat to the point where he can carry his food bowl with him everywhere to ask for food, or to eat unusual objects. This is normal. The amount of food you give your dog is determined by the type of food you give it and how many calories it contains. Follow the feeding rules listed on the package and increase or decrease the amount depending on whether the dog loses or gains weight while eating these portions.
- If the dog is more active than most other dogs, you will need to increase his food intake to match. For example, if you and your "Heli" jog 8 kilometers each day, you should consider feeding him more than usual.
- Of course you don't want your labrador to be obese. If you can no longer feel the ribs easily, then you may have fed him too much. However, ideally the dog's ribs are not visible from a distance.
Step 2. Provide plenty of clean and fresh water
Dogs will become very thirsty after exercise and will need to quench their thirst. Dogs will drink water more or less according to how active they are and how hot it is outside. Don't limit the amount of water your dog consumes. Unlike food, dogs can regulate their own water intake. Dehydration can lead to death. So, don't try to reduce your dog's water intake.
Step 3. Take the dog for a walk
Labradors need lots of exercise to stay healthy. So take him for walks up to three times a day if you can. Take the animal for a few kilometers or more. If you have a backyard, make sure it's big enough for the dog to run around. Small yards are not suitable for large dogs such as labrador retrievers.
Step 4. Provide a comfortable place to live
Whether your dog lives outdoors or indoors, make sure he has his own personal space. This includes a large and durable dog bed. The Labrador will continue to scratch its bed until it feels comfortable. A cheap bed will tear easily and become very messy.
Giving your labrador a separate bed will also help you train it not to sleep with you, if you prefer
Step 5. Groom your dog's appearance regularly
Labrador is a short-haired dog breed consisting of brown, black and gold. For most of the year, these dogs do not require much grooming. However, during the dry season you will need to brush his fur regularly, preferably once a week. This treatment is needed to get rid of the hair loss from his body. Combing the labrador's fur will also clean the dirt and spread the natural oils throughout the body.
Don't bathe your Labrador too often. Natural oils in dog hair are also useful for warding off fleas and flea attacks. Bathe your Labrador Retriever 3-4 times a year or whenever the odor is too strong
Step 6. Trim the dog's nails
Every 2 to 3 months, you should trim your labrador's nails. If you take him for long walks, the hard pavement will naturally file his nails. However, you can trim your pet's nails at home or have your vet do it. In general, you can train your labrador to sit still so you can trim his nails. Just reward him with food every time you manage to get his nails done. Eventually, the dog will get used to this activity.
Be sure to use appropriate dog nail clippers. Human nail clippers will not be of any effective use. Hold the dog's paws in place then clip the nails quickly. Do not cut too close to the nail bed as this can be very painful and cause bleeding. Make sure that the nails don't curl back into your dog's paws or are too sharp to cause accidental damage
Step 7. Clean the drooping ears of the labrador retriever
Your dog's ears can become a breeding ground for bacteria if not cleaned regularly and properly. Check your dog's ears regularly to see if there is excess or smelly earwax. Ask your veterinarian for advice if you notice something is off. If you want to clean his ears use a special product designed for this purpose.
Do not use earplugs to clean the inside of a dog's ear. Once the earplug is pushed suddenly, the dog's ear canal can be damaged by it
Step 8. Treat your labrador's teeth
The more active the dog, the more likely it is to have dental problems. Gum disease, tooth loss, chipped/broken/damaged, swollen roots and tartar buildup are all problems that you should be aware of. Take your dog to the vet to have his teeth cleaned once or twice a year. Regular visits to the vet can also help fight bad odors. Because you are the one who often receives drooling kisses from him, this problem may have crossed your mind. This is one reason why you should clean your labrador's teeth.
- Veterinarians recommend brushing your dog's teeth regularly every day or at least a few times a week. Purchase specialty toothbrushes and toothpaste from your local veterinary supply store or from your vet. There are a number of different types of toothpaste available, and many of them are made with delicious flavors, such as liver, chicken, and peanut butter flavors, which your dog will love.
- Gently slide the brush into the dog's mouth. Use your fingers to lift the dog's lips so he can open his teeth. Move the brush in a circular motion and brush from tooth to tooth. Your dog's back teeth will be the most difficult to brush, so do it last. Make sure you brush both sides of each tooth. Give the dog a treat in return afterward.
Step 9. Provide regular veterinary care
Every dog needs certain core vaccinations on a regular basis. Take your dog to the vet at least twice a year for regular checkups to keep an eye on his health and establish a good relationship with the vet staff. If your pet is injured or not acting normally, it's also a good idea to visit your vet for a checkup and medical treatment if needed. The vet will also prescribe the necessary medications (topical and supplements) to help ward off parasites such as fleas and fleas.
As your dog ages, you may encounter health problems such as groin dysplasia, epilepsy or convulsions. Labrador retrievers may also suffer from eye problems. If any of these things happen to your dog, contact your veterinarian immediately and talk about possible solutions or treatments. Old dogs with health problems should be seen by a veterinarian at least every two months or as directed by a doctor
Method 2 of 2: Giving the Right Kind of Attention
Step 1. Show great affection for the labrador retriever
By nature, this dog is a very loving animal. If there's one thing that a labrador retriever loves more than food, it's spending time with you, playing, cuddling or simply following you around.
Don't ignore your labrador if he wants to play or sit next to your paw while watching television. Labrador retrievers haven't lost their instinct for group life like wolves. Most likely, the dog sees you as the leader or one of the leaders of the pack. So if you ignore your labrador, it will take a toll on him emotionally
Step 2. Teach your dog to socialize
All dogs have a territorial guard trait. So is your pet. Barking at everything is a natural trait for these dogs. However, if properly trained, labradors are less vicious. Don't forget to set aside some time at home and in public to train your dog.
- If you have several dogs, you should gradually introduce new dogs to the pack. Place the animal in a room or open space bordered by a fence or the like. Let the dogs get to know each other. These animals learn a lot from smell. So give your dog 30 minutes or so just to get to know his new friend. Next, allow the dogs to get closer, but keep them on a leash. Repeat this step a few times, limiting the dog's encounters with other animals to half an hour and gradually increasing the time. Only after you are sure that the dogs won't attack each other can you let them roam freely. Let the animals play together outdoors, bonding with one another.
- The same rule applies to humans. To get your dog used to being surrounded by lots of people, he needs to be introduced to this environment in a safe way. Keep your dog on a leash. Let the people around/new arrivals pet and be nice to your dog. Ask them to reach out to the dog. Dogs like to sniff people's hands to judge their scent. Do this step often. Eventually, the labrador retriever will learn that other people can be trusted too.
Step 3. Teach your children how to play with the dog
In general, labrador retrievers will play very well with children. However, if you have younger children, you should keep an eye on what they are doing with the dog at all times. Make sure your child doesn't hurt or threaten your dog in any way, otherwise this could result in a physical fight. Your dog is not vicious. The animal does not hate your child. The dog may just feel threatened by your child. If the dog scratches or bites, the animal is simply reacting to a threat on instinct. Do your best to limit the appearance of this threat. Accompany your child when playing with the Labrador.
Step 4. Provide lots of toys for the labrador dog
Usually, this breed's favorite toy is a tennis ball. This may have something to do with his instinct as a "retriever" dog which means "catcher". Since labrador retrievers are born to catch wild game, it makes sense that they like to play with things that are meant to be caught. You can find a variety of other toys at pet supply stores. Dog toys are the best way for the dog to play and burn off excess energy without having to leave the room and run around everywhere.
Step 5. Teach your dog basic commands like sit, be still, and come here
Also teach the animal how to walk on a leash. Labrador retrievers are intelligent dog breeds and are often easy to train, especially when they are young. A well-trained dog will be more confident and well-behaved. In addition, dogs that will obey voice commands will be safer to be at various events even without a leash.
