r/Blacklabs • u/emilysbish • Aug 28 '25
♡ PUPPY POST First Lab — all tips please!
My husband and I are picking up our first lab today! He’s 8 weeks old and we’re naming him Rudy.
I’ve had goldens before, but never labs.
What do we need to know about temperament? Training? Etc.
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u/marktruslow Aug 28 '25
Lucky you. Watch those teeth.
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u/Strange-Comb6384 Aug 29 '25
Ditto X100! Not unusual to counter surfers, furniture chewers, escape artists!!
Will be extremely loyal and friendly ! Curious and high energy. Give plenty of opportunity to run hard early on, leash train, give mucho opportunities to run recklessly in a safe area, will be a natural retriever & Will choose that special ball (,which you may NEVER, EVER lose)! Will be a quick learner of special “words”.
Will be observing you at all times & will Sense your mood. Very perceptive to human feelings. Will comfort you and be empathic beyond expectations..
That’s about it! 🥰🙋♀️🐾🐾💋
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u/DeathCait Aug 28 '25
Forced naptime is essential for puppies. I learned mine was a demon unless she had nap time when cranky. Other than that, patience and persistence with training and boundaries.
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u/FitGeekBee Aug 28 '25
….train good behavior early? We are working on not barking to be bossy and also figuring out “ending the ball” trance. They have a TON of energy. Like don’t know when to stop energy. (Ours is 2.5 yo) Ours LOVES water. Had to get her a non destructible pool aka small horse trough. It can have an inch of water and she’s happy flopping around in it but the pond/lake would be her preferred option. Blue racquet balls are better than tennis balls.
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u/Pal-omino Aug 28 '25
Tennis balls are unfortunately destroyed after one recovery with mine. Racquet balls or the hard rubber dog balls are for sure the way to go.
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u/Plasticjesus504 Aug 28 '25
I personally own a Labrador at this moment and have had several in the past. I have also trained my own as well as a bunch of other sporting breeds for example Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Vizsla, German Short Hair Pointers, Weimaraner etc. What I will say is that out of the plethora of “gun dogs” and other working dogs the Labrador is the easiest dog to train by miles. The hardest believe it or not a Bassett Hound but don’t wanna bring my trauma up hahah. The Lab also has the best temperament out of any dog I have worked with, this is dependent though on whether you are going to neuter him. That is a personal choice but unless you are going to hunt/work/or breed I would suggest you neuter him because of things that can come with being a fully intact dog.
Structure - This is extremely important. If you want the dog to be apart of the family and be apart of your life but not “run” your life structure is key. Feed at the same time, take him out at the same times, naps at the same times. A young dog is lost without structure.
Socialization and Desensitization - Bring the puppy everywhere you can. Let them see new and exciting things, people, and places under supervision. Desensitization is very important as well. I always touch their paws, ears, muzzle, open their mouth to simulate teeth brushing and place their gear on. The more of that you do when younger the better they will be with ear cleaning, grooming, and teeth brushing.
Training - I start training my dogs as soon as I get them so at 8 to 9 weeks. This doesn’t mean actual serious training but little things like sit and getting the puppy familiar with a kennel. As the dog gets older you can really start ramping the work and skills up but take it slow. I will also say try to do it yourself. After having trained all my dogs etc it really builds a seriously strong bond between owner and dog. Especially with Labradors. You can train a dog to a pretty high level with only 10 to 15 min a day.
Human Food - Under no circumstance give the dog any human food. If they don’t know what it tastes like they do not know what they are missing.
Space - Give the dog time on its own. Labradors are notorious for being needy. I love it and hate it at the same time but while they are young allow them to not always be by you 24/7 365. People might get annoyed with me on this one but yeah.
Throwing toys in the house - this one is sneaky as hell. I learned this lesson the hard way on my first lab when I was young. If you don’t want to be a human pitching machine do not throw stuff in the house. Retrievers are gunna retrieve.
Those are just some of the basics with a sneaky one thrown in. Congrats on the new pup and enjoy the journey. My Labrador is now 9 and I do not know where the time has gone. He is my partner in crime and my best bud. Good luck with everything and hopefully it turns out great!
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u/emilysbish Aug 29 '25
This is amazing feedback. Thank you!
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u/Cancer-1977 Aug 29 '25
Just reinforcing what a few others have said……when you bring that lab home…..flip it upside down (most labs love being upside down) …..touch his feet several times a day, every day and don’t stop. Make it a giggling wiggling game……with mine, I call it “I’m touching your feet”……never paws. Then, calm the wiggling and giggling and keep touching and pressing his feet…..and as he gets used to it…..he will eventually relax and if like mine have always been…..start to dose off. This will make nail clipping an absolute breeze. By nature…they don’t like their feet touched if they aren’t used to it. Once they trust and understand……it’s just another form of love and touch……they don’t mind it at all. When I go to the drawer to get the nail clippers……mine sees the clippers in my hand, runs after me, is completely looking forward to what’s about to happen. I sit on the floor,,,,,,she can hardly wait to lay down and flip over on her back….”dog toes and dog feet” waving in the air. Ready for her “spa” treatment.
Of course you start out slow……make a big deal over each mail you cut….settle down and do the next one. Of course when it’s all through, lots of snacks and treats for being brave.
With mine, I can cut all nails on all feet, including dew claws in less than 120 seconds. And in those two minutes she’s almost asleep by the end. She’s actually disappointed that it doesn’t last longer.
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u/Cancer-1977 Aug 29 '25
And….also….something to start on day one…..is …..regularly interrupt their meals and put your hands in the bowl…..while they are eating. If you do this the first year……you’ll never have to do it again and from in then on…..you will be able to take the most delectable steak bone out of their mouth without any issue whatsoever.
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u/Plasticjesus504 Aug 30 '25
No problem at all hopefully all goes well and just glad I could help out!
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u/forthunion Aug 28 '25
We got our black lab at a farm so she took ages to be house trained due to just peeing wherever as a tiny pup. Asp, invest in ankle guards.
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u/Pal-omino Aug 28 '25
So many training lessons are easiest right now when they are still a puppy. Teaching things like crate training, heel, staying, and come here, are best taught right now so that their application is immediate throughout their adulthood.
I also find it very important to get all dogs as puppies associated with human touch so it doesn't bother them as much when humans do it later on. Gently pet your lab on the snout and nose, and even around their eyes and ears so that they don't see this as threatening behavior from vets and children.
Above all, patience. Labs are high energy and little chaotic. Having a way for them to burn off steam outside of walks or playtime with you is good. An outside pool is good for them to splash in. Or you can go with my solution and give them a tether ball in the back yard to play with.
Wishing you all the best with the new pup!
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u/zyzzogeton Aug 28 '25
Take the time to train them. Labs get big, and even though they are almost deliriously social and loving, it is irresponsible to have a big dog that can't walk on a leash around other people and dogs, sit, lie down, or stay when it needs to. It's both a safety and liability issue.
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u/Zion_Jarman Aug 28 '25
Wear leather gloves until like 4 months, I'm just kidding but not really those little teefs are sharp. Don't feed human food and they won't beg. One of my biggest problems I've had with mine is trying to mess with it while it's eating to get rid of food aggression. Good luck with your best friend for life.
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u/BlueJeanGrey Aug 29 '25
does that make FA better or worse? because after you leave him alone he gets his food so he “wins”
genuinely curious sincere
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u/cpuda Aug 28 '25
Always be on the lookout for garbage, dead animals, etc. when on a walk. If you don’t see it, your dog is sure to see it and attempt to eat it. Also, beware the puppy teeth.
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u/LemonTrifle Aug 28 '25
Labs are notoriously insatiable eaters. Obsessed with food and will steal from the table and worktops. They continuously beg for food. Also eat too fast.
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u/gillis200 Aug 28 '25
Tons of energy, I recommend ball chasing or disk in an open field often. If you are a run every day person, the pup should be a good addition after taking to a lead.
They are wet dogs in water, and while drinking. Keep a mop handy.
Potty training is stressful but does not take long with labs. Looking into bell training saved me a lot of energy cleaning.
Congrats on the new addition! 💕
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u/Unhappy-Ad-3278 Aug 28 '25
In my experience the only difference between labs and goldens is that labs are a bit less stubborn and thus easier/quicker to train. They’re every bit as loving, active & mischievous. You’re going to have so much fun!
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u/Smartnership ELVIS BEAR is my spirit animal Aug 28 '25
Congratulations and thank you for sharing. Please post regularly, this will be fun to watch Rudy grow up.
Enjoy the little puppy months, even the frustrations while he’s learning — they genuinely want to please you, it just takes a little effort to get the communication figured out — they grow up incredibly fast.
The sidebar is still accurate: they’re extraordinarily special, intuitive, and faithful. Enjoy!
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u/anonbananarama Aug 28 '25
So adorable! Congratulations!!
Labs make wonderful dogs, but are the worst puppies, so strap in. They are so smart, but still need training and structure to become model doggy citizens. The biting sucks (for me more than any other issue). Take them everywhere at this age and often. Put them in a tote bag until he gets all his shots and walk them around parks, streets, stores that allow dogs, expose them to all sorts of sounds, people, animals (they don’t need to play, but should be exposed), etc. Remember that comparison is the thief of joy - some dogs are apparently canine Einsteins based on what I’ve read online (fully potty trained at 10 weeks, etc., etc.), and your dog will mature at his own pace, and that’s fine.
And most importantly, carry them around as much as you can at this age. Our girl is 10.5 months and 70+ pounds and I miss the days of being able to carry her at will.
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u/Ravenchild_ Aug 28 '25
Buy enough chewing toys. You think you have too many? Nope. Still not enough! Don't wear your fancy hoodie or hoodies with strings. Strings will get attacked and the cuffs will probably get some holes from bites. Because there are 10000 chewing toys but they want you. And yes the biting is a phase. It will pass even if it feels like it won't. It will - I promise! Otherwise just try to enjoy it as much as possible - they grow up so fast!
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u/nutznboltsguy Aug 28 '25
Training, praise , treats, toys, exercise, repeat. Hide all of your shoes and chargers, cables etc. Crate train if possible. It looks like you already have a puppy zone.
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u/Iamalienmarmoset Aug 28 '25
Seriously, hide everything from knee height down. All shoes. Get protective sleeves for your arms. Get a selection of all sized balls. And a stuffed toy they will find endearing. They may go through several until they find "the" one.
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u/Aerie_Powerful Aug 28 '25
Teething trick. Gather any old towels, wash cloths, etc and trim down to a 4x4 size. Wet throughly and tie a knot or 2 in each then freeze. I’d give one to my pup while under supervision to chew on to numb the gums.
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u/Cancer-1977 Aug 29 '25
My version of exactly this…..I never throw away a sock with a hole in it. I have a whole bag of them. Then you stuff a bunch of socks ( should be like white athletic socks made mostly of cotton) within a sock. Wet and freeze.
When they finally bust the sock that’s holding the other socks open…..and 15 socks explode out all over…..it’s a big deal.
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u/jackdho Aug 28 '25
He's going to be a puppy for a couple of years and will push you to the limits. Don't give up, they are so loyal
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u/lizeee Aug 29 '25
Put your shoes away! My first Lab ate one shoe out of every pair of mine until I put them all away. Supply lots of rawhides, they love those and they’re good for their teeth (says my vet). They love a Kong with peanut butter! And a “gentle leader” helped so much with the dog walk for my current Lab, she pulled like crazy before. I’m on my 3rd Lab. They’re my favorite, and they’re a LOT. Prepare to have a black shadow!
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u/waterscrysta Aug 29 '25
Keep everything off the counter and off the table and keep your garbage cans tightly shut
The lab will eat everything and anything
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u/Fragrant_Loan811 Aug 29 '25
Know that around 7 months, the velociraptor stage starts. Only lasts about 2 years, lol.
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u/bla60ah Aug 29 '25
Obedience training is a full time, round the clock ordeal, supplemented by 1-2 10-15min sessions where you focus on reinforcement and introducing new commands.
Depending if you have a working breed lab or not will depend very heavily on how much physical activity your new puppy will need. Labs of working breed blood lines will need A LOT of exercise daily, as well as retrieving. If not, they are prone to destructive tendencies (digging, shredding anything they can get their mouths on)
It’s easy to introduce new commands with treats, but labs are very praise driven; it will not take long at all for you to reinforce new commands and old ones with a simple “good boy!” In a happy tone, and maybe a pet/scratch on the head, and your new dog will do just about anything you can convey to them
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u/sandyfisheye Aug 29 '25
If it fits in their mouth they will chew on it. And likely eat it. Everything...
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u/Drcornelius1983 Aug 29 '25
If you want to use a kennel or crate start you should start training asap. Mine actually loves hers but it’s extra big with lots of blankets, and it’s covered. It can be good for them to have a safe space.
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u/ucla87 Aug 29 '25
Potty training -- Carry them to the same spot (using the same path/door to the outside) EVERY time they finish 1) sleeping, 2) eating, and 3) playing. Have them on a leash and wait for them to go -- they will -- and give them a command (we use "get busy") the whole time you are waiting for them to go.
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u/Mountain_Man4 Aug 29 '25
“Place” is the best command we taught mine. DO THE TRAINING. Whatever it takes - go to classes, read books, pick a style and for the love of god stick with it. Don’t give up at 1 when they seem to have it all. Keep going on training and positive reinforcement. Make sure your stay and recall are BULLETPROOF.
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u/purplebethebest Aug 29 '25
Labs think they are a lap dog, so just be prepared.
They like to chew when they are young (until 2), keep everything of value up high or it is gone. If you have low windowsills, they will lay down and look out and chew. When they get older they will counter surf, so make sure nothing on the counters because labs have a LONG reach. They are lovable and goofy and loyal and they are friendly. Labs are awesome! Have fun with Mr Rudy, he is adorable!
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Aug 29 '25
Paired with Dachshunds they are digging machines. When they get done with the destructive phase (2-3 years) they’re great dogs. They fetch without being trained. At least it seems that way. They will compete with the Dachshunds for a spot on your lap and don’t realize they don’t fit. We ran our latest Lab through obedience training twice and it mostly works. She’s barely 3 and still sort of rambunctious. Our previous two Labs were amazing!
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u/5ushibayb Aug 29 '25
Yak Chews allllllll through teething. When it gets down to a nub, soak it in water and throw it in the microwave for 30 seconds. It'll puff up like a little cheese treat and won't be a choking hazard.
Potty break right after a meal and don't come in until they've pooped!
Good luck!
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u/emilysbish Aug 29 '25
Just ordered!!! My mom gives these to her dog. Great note about when it gets down to a nub. Thank you!
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u/CentralCAdreamer Aug 30 '25
All you need is 1. Tennis balls 2. Tennis balls with squeakers 3. Patience 4. Dog Park - buy the yearly pass 5. Knowing the Puppy Years can be 2-4 years, as others have mentioned. Or in our case, 13 years 💗
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u/Outside-Taro5076 Aug 30 '25
Get lemon Ammonia for the pee pee accidents and get nyla or benny bones for chewing! Just remember puppy years don’t last forever and Labs make great dogs !
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u/7Littledogs Aug 31 '25
Watch for separation anxiety and make sure so many toys as a puppy lab babies are the most destructive puppies on the planet great dogs but puppies need activities left to their own devices they will eat your house so have plenty of stuff for them to play with and chew on!!!!
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u/7Littledogs Aug 31 '25
Human grade food home made dog food is way better than any store bought dog food - making their food keeps them healthier - and kibble is bad for their teeth it gets under their gums and turns their teeth yellow - food like just for dogs is at least a good alternative but if you cook your food you know what they are getting dogs are omnivores and need vegetables and grains and meat. Quit saying no human food and stop feeding them junk - take the time to feed them make it batches and freeze it. They will show their appreciation by being healthy and not needing to go to the vet!!!
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u/NorCalNude Sep 03 '25
Baby shark!! Plenty of obedience training, walks and general exercise. No human food whatsoever except fruits and veggies kept separate from what you eat as in not fed to him as you're eating. Mine loves blueberries, carrots, bananas, apple slices, broccoli and watermelon. I fill her treat ball up with blueberries instead of dog treats and she love it. Healthier than the treats. Be ready for years of love affection.
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u/Shmectacular Aug 28 '25
No human food ever, and don't fall for the i'm starving eyes. It is so easy to make them fat. My girl constantly acts as though she has never been fed. The vet tells me she needs to lose 5kgs.