Labrador puppy training is very different than Labrador dog training and it is important to find a trainer that recognizes this. Labrador puppy training typically involves teaching the puppy to not do things that they are naturally inclined to do, such as strengthening their jaws by chewing on furniture, relieving themselves wherever they choose, and barking at unfamiliar people, animals, and objects. All of these traits would help the puppy to survive if they were living in the wild, but can be quite annoying when the puppy is living in a home.

Tips For Labrador Puppy Training

If the owner decides to hire a professional dog trainer for the Labrador puppy training, it is important that the trainer has experience with training Labrador puppies. Labrador retrievers are a smart breed of dog, but a puppy is like any other child and may exhibit common childlike behaviors such as stubbornness and a love of mischief. Although most Labrador puppies love to learn new things and strive to please their owner or trainer, Labrador puppy training can be frustrating and requires a great deal of patience on the part of the trainer.

Labrador puppy training takes time and cannot be accomplished in the space of a few days. Any professional trainer that guarantees results in the space of a few days is either lying or runs the risk of hurting the puppy by overworking him to get him to learn in a shorter period of time. Professional trainers that truly know how to conduct Labrador puppy training understand that they must work at a pace that the puppy can handle and each step in the training process has to be mastered by the puppy before the next step in the training process can be accomplished.

The best way to accomplish Labrador puppy training is with patience and positive reinforcement to let the puppy know that everyone is pleased with the progress that they have accomplished. A Labrador puppy can be trained to do almost anything and will retain these lessons for the remainder of their lives. Because Labrador puppy training is successful a high percentage of the time, these puppies are often trained for important jobs, such as seeing eye dogs for the blind and service dogs for individuals that are handicapped.

Make Sure The Pup Is Tired

Best portraits of an all-black Lab puppy are best done outside in natural light, where there are a lot of distractions. You need to get a good play session in with your puppy before you attempt any kind of photography – unless you have high-speed film! Puppies have short attention spans, so also bring noisemakers or squeaky toys to get their attention.

Location, Location, Location

You need to get your black Lab puppy against a lighter colored background such as green grass or clear blue lake water. You definitely don’t want him against anything about as dark as he is. The viewer will have a hard time discerning the puppy from the rest of the picture.

You also don’t want the background to be "busy", with a lot of objects and colors and things to distract the viewer's eye from your magnificent black Lab puppy. You want the background to be as uniform as possible. Be careful with really bright white backgrounds, as they can throw light back into your camera and ruin the shot.

In The Studio

It is certainly possible to photograph your black Lab puppy indoors, although this requires very specific lighting so your puppy doesn’t look like a silhouette in a three dimensional world. If worse comes to worse, take your black Lab puppy to a professional photographer. They have the lighting equipment to make the portrait look life like.

If you'd like to give a go, you need to get what's called a "key light", sometimes referred to as a "hair light", so you can see the hairs on your black Lab puppy instead of just one glob of demon-eyed darkness. This would be placed behind and to one side of the puppy. Then, you need to take a lot of pictures to be sure you get that perfect shot that will forever record the magic of when your Lab was still a little black Lab puppy.

Breeds To Consider When Getting A Lab Mix Puppy

The first breed that almost every considers to be very desirable in a lab mix puppy is a Golden Retriever. There are several reasons for this. The first reason is that both dogs are of similar sizes and therefore you really do not lose that aspect of the breed or create any other undesirable combinations in their physical structure. In addition to this both of the dogs have a similar temperament so you can expect a dog that is very friendly and a pleasure to be around. In addition, Goldens are very intelligent so for the most part a lab mix puppy between these two breeds will be a very smart dog. The lab mix reviews on this combination make it one of the most popular combinations for a lab mix puppy.

The next breed that you may want to consider mixing with a Labrador is the Rottweiler. Rotts have a bad reputation because they are used as fighting dogs. In fact for the most part they are very good to their owners and their families. They are also incredibly loyal, even for a dog, and have been known to throw themselves into danger without fear or pause when defending those close to them. When they are mixed with lab, their aggressive nature is tempered a bit as is their size. In addition, labs are very intelligent dogs and the mix of these two breeds is usually very smart. This leads to dogs that are very smart and loyal, perfect if you are looking for not only a family pet but perhaps a guard dog as well.

The last breed of lab mix puppy to look at is the Siberian Husky. Huskies are generally not the most social of dogs towards humans, but they are loyal and do make good guard dogs. In addition they are tireless workers and have boundless amounts of energy. Puppies of this breed are very active and require a careful and attentive owner. When bred with Labrador they again have a tendency to pick up the better qualities, those being the labs inquisitive and intelligent nature as well as complete dedication to its human family.

As you can see these three breeds all make for a unique dog when bred with a Labrador. Depending on what you are looking for you may want to seek other combinations as well, but for the most part just about any breed will work with a Labrador.

They're cute, they love you, but they use your home as a huge toilet. This happens to any puppy owner, and not just the owner of a Labrador Retriever puppy. Housebreaking any puppy takes persistence and patience, which not a lot of people have. Sadly, many a Labrador Retriever puppy (usually from nine months old on) is abandoned or sent to the pound for housebreaking problems that are not really the fault of the pup, but of the selfish and impatient owners. Housetraining an older dog is just the same as housetraining a Labrador Retriever puppy.

When You Get Your Pup Home

As soon as you get your new Labrador Retriever puppy – or rescue dog – home for the first time, take them right to where you would like them to toilet. Pick them up and plop them there, if you have to. A car ride especially seems to make a dog or puppy have to pee. Be patient and wait until your new Labrador puppy (no matter what his age) squats. Praise lavishly with kind words and affection and then take them inside.

When You Gotta Go…

If you take the time to observe and interact with your rescue dog or Labrador Retriever puppy, you will soon be able to tell when Nature is ringing that little doggie bell. A dog or puppy will often walk in circles, sniffing the floor or the walls when they feel the urge. If you see this behavior, rush them outside and then lavishly praise them when they squat.

Because they are so young, most puppies like a Labrador Retriever puppy will often pee out of excitement or out of fear. They just haven't been able to develop the bladder control yet. You do need to expect this and not be too harsh on them when this happens. Perhaps you could have your puppy spend time in a room with easy to clean floors or with older carpet that needs a few stains in order to improve it's looks.

When Should They Get It?

All dogs and puppies learn housebreaking in their own time. So, it's perfectly normal for your Labrador Retriever puppy to still be having accidents at seven months of age while the neighbor's chocolate Lab puppy is perfectly housebroken as a wee six months of age. Sometimes it can take dogs a year to get the hang of it. Once they do, they are really proud of keeping the house clean.

If your Lab is over a year old and still having housebreaking issues, please see a vet to be sure there isn’t a health problem.

They're Here!

The first dog to be successfully cloned was an Afghan Hound named "Snuppy" in 2005. Snuppy currently behaves like a normal, happy dog. Snuppy's success was the inspiration for the next well-publicized batch of cloned dogs – cloned yellow Labrador puppies from a top drug-sniffing Lab in South Korea. A cloned Labrador puppy in that drug-sniffing project is affectionately called a "toppy" – short for "tomorrow puppy".

Japan has also followed suit in the summer of 2008 with the successful birth of a black Labrador puppy cloned from a caner-sniffing dog with the English name of "Marine". Some cancers make the patient's urine give off a distinctive odor. Well, it's distinctive to a Labrador Retriever puppy, but not to human noses. This is a big gamble, to see if they will grow up to me a Marine puppy platoon, but if it pays off, this could wind up saving millions in cancer detection and care.

Problems With Other Cloned Animals

All fingers and paws are crossed that the effort and expense of gaining a special cloned Labrador puppy will pay off in more easily trainable dogs. Only about 10 – 15% of dogs who try out for specialty sniffing jobs like drug detection actually pass the program. Just like people, not all dogs are the same when it comes to trainability.

There is also good concern that a cloned Labrador puppy will not life the normal, reasonably healthy life of a naturally born Labrador puppy. Dolly's early death has already been mentioned. Cloned dairy cattle have failed to live up to expectations in being able to produce as much milk as the original cow. Also, according to the Center for Food Safety, about 90% of all cloning attempts fail.

Also, having great genes does not guarantee a great Labrador puppy. Genes only play a part on making a great animal. Experience and circumstance also play a major role in shaping the character and ability of any animal. For now, cloning puppies is a gamble. But if the cloned dogs do not suffer and perform up to expectations, then it will be worth the cost.

Pay Ahead Scams

Most internet scams involving purebred puppies like Yorkshire Terriers, English Bulldogs and chocolate Lab puppies are variations of what's called the "pay ahead scam".  This is where you read an add or see a notice in the classifieds or on an online bulletin board that you can get a FREE purebred chocolate Lab puppy because of a very heartbreaking circumstance.  All you have to do is send money for the puppy's transportation to you.

Free is free.  Free should never mean "wire $150 to this address at an overseas bank".  Hopefully, you can see how this scam works before I explain it.  There aren't any Yorkshire Terriers, English Bulldogs or a chocolate Lab puppy to be given away.  You pay your money and then never hear anything again.  It is next to impossible to trace the source of an overseas bank address.  NEVER pay money for a puppy you have not held first.

Charity Scams

Another scam happens more in the wake of natural disasters and can be aimed to helping humans as well as pets like a poor, suffering chocolate Lab puppy.  Sadly, these scams exploded with Hurricane Katrina, where cyber criminals pretended to be legitimate charities hitting concerned cyber citizens up for money.  However, the money went right in their pockets and not one cent went to help anybody or their poor, suffering chocolate Lab puppy.

The safest way for you to give money to any kind of charity is to first give through the mail with old-fashioned check or money order.  Don’t send cash because it will usually be stolen before it gets to the charity.  The charity should NEVER contact you by email unless you have asked for them to do so.

If you think you have been the victim of an internet scam, don’t be afraid to admit it.  If you tell your story to the Federal Trade Commission to help them prosecute the criminals.  At least, no chocolate Lab puppy has been hurt.  It may be a small consolation, but it does help to know.

The Perfect Personality?

Both Labrador and Golden Retrievers are dogs that love people and are eager to please.  Keep in mind that not every one is alike, and bad training will always make a bad, fearful dog (no matter what breed), but on the whole, a Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy is a born people watcher.  They are fascinated by people and seem to identify with them.  They also have a lot of strength and energy, which comes in handy for service and search and rescue dogs.

Best Seeing Eye Dogs

According to service dog experts and charities that train seeing eye dogs in England, the best dog for the job is a Labrador/Golden retriever crossbred.  There is a strict breeding program run in England by Guide Dogs to raise dogs to be seeing eye dogs.  A Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy is first tested at about eight weeks of age to see what his personality is like.

Their training never really stops.  Many a Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy fails the program and is put up for adoption as a pet.  To take a Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy and turn out a dependable life-saver costs an average of $70,000 (US).  They work until old age or illness forces them to retire, and then they are placed in care homes for the rest of their lives.

Other Facts

Although many online Labrador puppies information web sites will say that a Golden Labrador is always yellow, this is not true.  Every now and then there is a black or chocolate Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy born.  You can register your Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy with the American Canine Hybrid Club.

Every day, ther is a newborn Labrador/Golden Retriever puppy who makes that first step to being a drug sniffing dog, cancer sniffing dog, service dog or a search and rescue dog.  They all can rescue us from ourselves and our selfishness and help give our souls back to ourselves.

They're Here!

The first dog to be successfully cloned was an Afghan Hound named "Snuppy" in 2005.  Snuppy currently behaves like a normal, happy dog.  Snuppy's success was the inspiration for the next well-publicized batch of cloned dogs – cloned yellow Labrador puppies from a top drug-sniffing Lab in South Korea.  A cloned Labrador puppy in that drug-sniffing project is affectionately called a "toppy" – short for "tomorrow puppy".

Japan has also followed suit in the summer of 2008 with the successful birth of a black Labrador puppy cloned from a caner-sniffing dog with the English name of "Marine".  Some cancers make the patient's urine give off a distinctive odor.  Well, it's distinctive to a Labrador Retriever puppy, but not to human noses.  This is a big gamble, to see if they will grow up to me a Marine puppy platoon, but if it pays off, this could wind up saving millions in cancer detection and care.

Problems With Other Cloned Animals

All fingers and paws are crossed that the effort and expense of gaining a special cloned Labrador puppy will pay off in more easily trainable dogs.  Only about 10 – 15% of dogs who try out for specialty sniffing jobs like drug detection actually pass the program.  Just like people, not all dogs are the same when it comes to trainability.

There is also good concern that a cloned Labrador puppy will not life the normal, reasonably healthy life of a naturally born Labrador puppy.  Dolly's early death has already been mentioned.  Cloned dairy cattle have failed to live up to expectations in being able to produce as much milk as the original cow.  Also, according to the Center for Food Safety, about 90% of all cloning attempts fail.

Also, having great genes does not guarantee a great Labrador puppy.  Genes only play a part on making a great animal.  Experience and circumstance also play a major role in shaping the character and ability of any animal.  For now, cloning puppies is a gamble.  But if the cloned dogs do not suffer and perform up to expectations, then it will be worth the cost.

Trains Well

Another endearing quality of the Labrador retriever dog is his ability to train well and he will also readily learn the basic rules of the house, and in addition, is also able to learn to do a few tricks as well. There no doubts that the Labrador retriever dog picks up things very fast, and he is also a very obedient animal that will always serve his master faithfully. With such outstanding qualities, the Labrador retriever dog is a great joy – both in the company of adults as well as with children.

As the owner of a Labrador retriever dog you will, of course, need to shoulder a fair amount of responsibility regarding the upkeep and welfare of your pet. In fact, keeping a Labrador retriever dog at home also gives you a great opportunity to inculcate a sense of responsibility in your children who must be taught how to properly own as well as care for their pet.

You must also ensure that your Labrador retriever dog is given plenty of exercise as he is very energetic and thus will need to burn his energy in a productive way. He must also be given a lot of space to run about as well as be taken for walks regularly. In addition, the Labrador retriever dog demands and should be give a great deal of attention and you must do your best, as his owner, to give him love and make him feel like he is your friend and not just an acquisition to the home.

For his part, the Labrador retriever dog will crave companionship from humans and so, it is never wise to leave him on his own. If you are going on vacation, makes sure to leave him with someone responsible who will provide him with attention and care for him properly. In the case of a Labrador rescue dog, you need to be even more careful about how you keep him and you must ensure that he is given a lot of love and care and he should be made to feel wanted at all times as well.

All in all, bringing home a Labrador retriever dog will prove to be a boon for you and your family who will soon fall in love with this lovable, intelligent and excellent pet dog.

Breed Rescue Websites

Pet stores that sell puppies and some irresponsible dog breeders are the worst places to get Labrador puppies information.  They will just tell you what you want to hear in order to either get rid of you or to make you buy a certain "Miracle" product.  They really don’t care about the welfare of your dog.  They just want your money.

When you go to a Labrador Retriever breed rescue website, they will often include long sections about what to expect when living with a Lab, what their needs are and other useful Labrador puppies information to help you decide if a Lab will fit into your life.  They have a vested interest in making sure a Lab adopted from them will not come back to them.

Are Pups Available?

It's rare for puppies to be available, but when they do, they are usually about nine to twelve months old.  Many dog people consider "puppyhood" to last until a dog is two years old, so don’t be surprised if you are told about a great "18 month old puppy".   But a puppy takes a lot of time and sleepless nights.  You also don’t know how big they will grow.

But, if you do take on a Labrador pup, whether from a rescue, from a friend or from a licensed breeder, a breed rescue will still be willing to help guide you to the Labrador puppies information you need to know to be sure you and your dog get along.  This will include anything from helping to find a vet, grooming tips and determining whether you need to go to a professional trainer or not.

Another great source of Labrador puppies information is your puppy.  He or she won’t talk to you in human language, but just with careful attention, you will get to know the moods, them moment when the pup is unwell or when your dog understands a new command.