Just got 2 male lab puppies, do you have any advice for new dog owner?

I have a black lab, well mostly black lab with some rottwieller and pit bull mixed in. This dog can be scarey when he wants to but(to my friends) he's the friendliest dog I'v ever had. He's eight years old now but when he was a puppy I put training pads by the back door where he would be going outside and take him out whenever I caught him using them. Eventually that wasnt a problem any more. I think they will start sleeping through the night once they get comfortable and used to there new home. If I can help in any way, feel free to contact me here, I'll try to answer any questions I can. Hugs, Tianna

Hi luckylady, Having labrador retrivers is very exciting. I have two right now, a yellow lab who is nine months and a chocolate lab who is almost 13 years old! Labs can be quickly trained if you establish rules from the beginning and stick to them. However, if you waver (which is easy to do with those beautiful eyes looking at you) it can be difficult to re-establish rules. We learned this all the hard way with my chocolate lab. since we had experience we managed to only have the yellow lab pee inside a few times. If you have to leave puppies alone long enough for them to have to pee do not put them in a crate, would you want to sit in your pee? A crate is preferable at night becuase it discourages them from peeing, but you need to make sure you get up often enough for them to go to the bathroom outside. They should be ok for four hours if you take them out right before bed. Then when they whine to go out. Let them out to do their business then straight back to the crate and bed for you. You can praise them when they pee outside but do not play or they will think they are being rewarded for waking you up. By four months they should be sleeping through the night. During the day, take them out as often as possible and give them a treat each time they pee or poop outside and they should learn very quickly. Labs love treats. Never give them attention when they are whining for it. It encourages them to whine. They should not whine after a few weeks except to go to the bathroom if you do not encourage them to whine. Also, a lot of labs love to chew everything so make sure there is nothing accessible to them that you don't want to be chewed or that might make them sick when you leave them alone. In general the earlier you can start training them to come and sit and walk on the leash the better. Hope this advice helps! good luck!

well lucky lady i think you are very lucky to have labradors...they are very affectionate dogs and loving companions.... .... and you are even more lucky that you have gotten two pups as normally a single pup would feel very new and lonely in their first home.... but as they are two they will keep each other company and make a little less noise at night too thoguh my pups (8 of them ) never disturbed me in the night..... keep a lot of toys by their play pen or resting area.... so they dont get bored and always keep fresh water for them..... feed them little but at regular intervals and keep their pooping area clean or you will come home to find two very dirty puppies although i have noticed they are very clean too when it comes to hygine.... but not all of them..... and make sure to train them in obedience training once they reach the age of four months.... so all the best to you!!

Hi, I just saw your post. How are the puppies doing? It's been years since I have had puppies. We found a stray dog and wound up keeping her and she gave birth to twelve puppies. We gave them all away at 3 months old. They were too cute!!

The best advice I can give a new dog owner is to Please resist the urge to take your puppies around with you until their vaccinations are completed. I know it's difficult but as someone who has worked in a vet clinic, I have seen so many new puppies come down sick with parvo. It is a devastating illness. My own puppy picked it up and my husband and I spent nearly $2500 to get her well again. It was horrible. It's difficult to resist the urge of showing off cute new puppies, but please be vigilant about not taking them places where a lot of other dogs might have been until the third course of puppy shots has been administered.

hi , I recently bought two black male labs as well they are about one month 21 days old . they too pee a lot . small quantities but a lot . It seems like a male behavioral patter to me .IT makes it very difficult for me to let them in the living room . I also have an older dog and I keep them away from her fearing an infection . They are currently in the balcony and I wanted to know if I should buy a crate , also what to do if they feel cold at night . I live in South India and it does not get very cold at night .

Collar your dog and attach an ID to it with the dog's name, your name, address, and telephone number. These tags are a great help when a dog gets lost to take him safely back to his home. Legal requirements for adopting the dog and obtaining tags are quite essential. Get your dogs vaccinated against rabies and other diseases at the correct time. A valid-license and a rabies and ID tag does not mean that you can let your dog roam freely anywhere. Once off your property, the dog must always be on leash. Proper shelter for a dog may include a fence yard and a doghouse for large and active dogs. However, most dogs crave for companionship and do not like to be alone for long periods of time outside the home. The family should spend some time with him too. Regular veterinarian check-ups will keep your dog healthy. If you do not want to breed the dog, get it neutered, which is just a routine surgery. It helps your dog to live longer, be healthier and have fewer behavior problems. A A nutritionally balanced diet with constant access to fresh water is as good for your dog, as it is for you. Trained dogs behave better and share greater bonding with their owners. Use positive reinforcement training techniques to train the dog. Walk your dog twice a day to exercise your dog and keep him physically fit. However, the level of exercise depends on the breed and age of the dog. Be as loyal and faithful to your canine as you expect him to be to you. Any persistent behavior problems should be brought to the notice of your veterinarian.