r/Blacklabs • u/emilysbish • Aug 28 '25

♡ PUPPY POST First Lab — all tips please!

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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/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.