Challenges with a Labrador Retriever Pup
Maybe one of the biggest challenges of dog owners with their dogs is when they are very young, like for example owning a Labrador Retriever pup. It may be very cuddly and look like fun to be with, but it could also be very mischievous, which for some who do not have the patience and persistence will find it annoying in the long run. One might perceive that training a much older dog is better than a younger one, but it is really not the case. Pups are just like children, they have a lot of room for new ideas in their youth, hence, the best stage to start their training.
At Home With Your New Pup
As with children, the best way to start their training is with the use of toilet. Toilet-training entails a lot of persistence and determination on both you and your puppy’s side. Do not hesitate to help your pup out in the process of learning how to pee properly, even if you have to pick them up and plop them there. A dog is especially more prone to emptying their bladder after coming out of a car ride. Be very observant about this and wait for your new Labrador Retriever pup to squat. When it does, reward generously with loving words and acts of complete affection and attention.
Call of Nature
It is really usually easy to tell when your new puppy needs to go. Once you have spent time to play and be with them, it will be easy for you to spot instances when your pup needs to pee. A dog often do circling motions, sniff the floor or the walls when they feel the call of nature. As soon as you see this, help them outside at once and then reward them with continuous praises when they squat.
When puppies are so young, such is in the case of your Labrador Retriever pup, at times it will pee as a result of excitement or fear. Know that at this early age, they haven’t mastered full bladder control yet. Thus, do not be too cruel and punish them right away when they accidentally pee on you or your things. It might be a good idea for you to assign a particular room where your new pup can stay where the floors are easy to clean with furnitures that are not too expensive in case it gets stained by the pup.
To Be or Not To Be Housebroken
Housebreaking usually takes time. Some puppies learn it at six month’s age others could take longer. However, do not be alarmed if your Labrador Retriever pup is already a year old and still hasn’t gotten the hang of the nooks and crannies of your house. After all, it normally takes at most a year for a dog to get completely housebroken, while some actually learn it already at an earlier age. Once they get pass this stage, they are really keen on keeping the house clean already.
But, if more than a year has already lapsed and your Labrador Retriever pup still has housebreaking problems, you might want to bring the pup to a veterinarian who can check just to make sure your dog doesn’t have health problems that may be keeping it from getting past this learning phase.
