Debra Eldredge DVM - Your Labrador Retriever Puppy Month by Month

YOUR

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Copyright 2012 by Terry Albert

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ISBN: 978-1-61564-287-8
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 2012941777

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This book is dedicated to my friend and mentor, Liz Palika. Thank you so much for your
friendship and inspiration over the 25 years weve known each other.

During months 1 and 2, your newborn puppy grows rapidly. She can see, hear, taste, and smell by week 3. Mother provides most of her care, while her fellow littermates and mother teach her skills she needs to know during these formative months.

During month 3, you get to choose your puppy and then go home and prepare for his arrival. When you have him home, you introduce social skills, work with his fear imprint period. You also get him all his vaccines and start crate and housetraining.

Teething begins month 4. Its also important during this time to socialize her to other dogs and people. Beginning obedience skills, including puppy class, start in month 4, and you two have fun playing with toys.

Puppy becomes more independent during month 5. You finish his vaccines and begin to socialize more in public. His obedience training and following of the household rules are reinforced now, too.

During month 6, your pup begins to look less like a puppy and more like a growing dog. Injuries become common as she romps and runs. You also have to deal with dog hair during this time, along with some behavior problems. Thank goodness for obedience class!

At 7 months, your pup is getting closer to sexual maturity and can be spayed or neutered. During this time, exercise is more important. Training continues, too, further cementing the bond between you two.

Teenagers are a challenge, as youll learn around month 8. Labs eat everything, so thats something to look forward to. Youll also need to watch out for and treat coat problems if they develop. Teaching your pup self-control and concentration happens this month, too.

Your Lab begins to develop mature male or female physical characteristics during month 9. He will test your authority and need a kind and fair leader. Your pup also begins some advanced training to combat the bull in a china shop thing he has going on now.

In month 10, you can begin comparing your puppy to the breed standard. You can also expect to deal with some teenage regression in behavior and prepare for off-leash control. You can also create some fun activities for your kids and your pooch.

At 11 months, your puppy is almost an adult. During this time, you can more easily travel with your Lab and get him involved with dog sports. Youll also work on polishing his obedience skillsand teach him some tricks!

More physical changes happen around month 12, and your pup goes in for her annual checkup. During this time, her nutritional needs change. As with previous months, you continue her training and exercise. And from here out, you enjoy your best friend!

Over 20 years ago, an 8-week-old yellow Labrador Retriever puppy named Tank came into my life. I had only owned one dog, a Sheltie, up until then, and I had no idea at the time that this puppy and the Labrador breed would become so special to me.

During our years together, we enjoyed obedience competition, hunting tests, and agility. He accompanied me as I rode my horse on miles of logging roads through the woods, and he went to work with me each day when I became a dog trainer. Then I volunteered for Labrador rescue and found out that every Lab I met was just as fun-loving and smart as my Tank.