Hi all About a month ago we got our first ever puppy and our first ever lab. Buddy is black and 3 months old now, I am what can only be described as neurotic, I absolutely adore him and am petrified something will happen to him and watch him like a hawk. It doesn't help that we rescued him, he's been vet checked, vaccinated etc and is healthy but I do worry (god I sound like a crazy person)!!! So a few questions and I'm sorry if these have been asked before 1. How much sleep do your puppies have? 2. How much water do they seem to drink? 3. Do they eat everything? Buddy has been eating dirt, grass, horse poo, leaves anything he can get his nose into (I obviously remove these but it's constant) 4. Do you walk them yet? If so how much? Many thanks Danni xx
Hi Danni and welcome .Sounds like a pretty normal Lab puppy to me , my lad will soon be five years old and still eats revolting things Its quite natural to worry , we want to keep them safe , healthy and happy , do our best . My Sam slept quite a lot in the day time, still does , but when a puppy, he had mad bursts of energy and then collapsed in a heap . Water depends on feeding, if they eat dried food , they can and should drink plenty of water , always keep it topped up with clean fresh water . Walking , has he been vaccinated so he can go for little walks , not too far as he is still developing muscle and bone , try to avoid things like running up and down stairs for example as it can stress young joints . Getting him out and about is great , good for socialising and getting him used to different scenery, other dogs and people too .
Hi Kate Thank you so much for replying to me. He's had his jabs and has been on little walks and comes to the stables with me (on a lead as I don't want him squished) I am so glad to have found this site being so stupid over him makes me feel silly but I love him so much I want him to be ok - he's like my child.
Hi Danni and welcome to the forum from me and my two, Willow and Shadow, who are 17 months old. Seems ancient to you, doesn't it? I remember thinking that when my two were tiny, and that was only two minutes ago, I'm sure My two sleep a lot, even now they're all grown up (physically - I'm not sure they'll ever be fully grown up in their heads). When they were little, they would be full of energy for short bursts, but then sleeeeeeeeeeep! Enjoy the sleepy times! Mine aren't massive drinkers. I add tepid water to their kibble meals - I don't soak it, just pour it in and then serve - to make sure they get some both ends of the day, and they do have a good drink when they come in from walks. I keep an eye on the colour of their wee to make sure it's nice and light coloured. This is easy in the winter when they're weeing on snow! Yes, we are all obsessed with what comes out of our dogs, here! My Willow eats lots of disgusting things. She is getting better as she gets older, and her "leave it" is coming along, but it's hard work. Shadow isn't so interested, so it's definitely dependent on the dog. I started taking Willow on walks at 13 weeks, after she had finished her vaccinations. We didn't have Shadow until a week later (long story). Before that, I had taken her for lots of trips in my arms to see new things, but she wasn't allowed on the floor outside until then. And then, only for a very short time, twice a day. I followed the 5-minute rule, which advises 5 minutes of formal exercise per month of the puppy's life - so, 15 minutes, twice a day at 3 months. There are all sorts of different ideas around this, and it's not backed in science, but, for me, it was what I chose to do and seemed like a sensible amount. They both got tired out nicely by following that rule, anyhow. I did extra five-minute training sessions at home during the day to keep their minds occupied, and these tired them out, too. As Kate said, the most important thing is to protect their joints at this age, so no walking up and down stairs, no jumping on and off things, or into and out of the car, keep retrieving (balls etc) limited as the stopping is really hard on their joints. You're definitely not being silly. We are all learning and it's all a bit overwhelming at first! Just ask whatever you need - or come and have a rant if he's driving you mad! Most of us have been there and understand perfectly
Oh, and the most important thing of all is to take lots and lots of photos. The second most important thing is to share them with us. We love puppy pictures
Hi and welcome A new puppy is always a learning experience, even if not your first pup, as they are all different. So ask all the questions you like! We all understand how you feel about your pup.
Welcome! 1. Lots and lots of sleep! 2. It varies a lot, but they may not drink much if you put water in their food as well. 3. Do they eat everything? Yes!! They mostly grow out of this, mainly they are exploring with their mouths when little. 4. No outside walks until vaccinations all done - but lots of carrying to see the world and meet as many people, dogs, traffic - any experience you can think of so that they grow up confident After that build exercise up slowly. Here is a great page of advice - http://www.thelabradorsite.com/labrador-puppy-exercise-how-much-is-too-much/
Hi and welcome to the forum. Nothing much to add to the comments above except try to relax and enjoy your puppy, it's perfectly natural to worry - we've all been there . It's important that you practice walking off lead with you puppy as well, the younger the better really and there's lots of advice on hoe to do it on the main site. If you haven't got it already Pippa's book The Happy Puppy Handbook is very helpful with lots of useful guidance. Oh and I second Fiona - we need photos
I don't have anything to add, just wanted to say hi and welcome from me and Ella (9 month old choccy girl) ☺
Hi just wanted to welcome you to the forum from us Hattie 8 years and rescue boy Charlie 5 years. Enjoy the puppy months they go by in a flash. Helen x
Well, congrats on having a lab and good luck Wonderful pets but as with all dogs they come with peculiar personality traits and some very strange and dirty habits. Know that they evolve and what annoying activity was frustrating one week suddenly passes and there's something new to worry about. Chewing, nipping, eating dirt and poop is all part of the package. My 4 month old is as calm as my granny in her chair watching TV but at least 1 hr out of the day he's totally neurotic --my lab, not my granny--doing laps around our kitchen island sliding into walls jumping in the air, barking up a storm. Then he just turns it off. And yes, he sleeps a lot -- 3 to 4 naps during the day and a solid 9 hours at night. Keep him mentally busy and exhausted by training about 15 minutes a day and take him outside for walks. Vets do not all agree on this idea of waiting till fully vaccinated to get them outside. Get him outside and walk him at least once a day, twice if you can (good advice on no stair running). Do so and you'll be happy and so will your dog. Enjoy.
Much of this depends if you're in a high risk area for parvovirus. For me, it wasn't worth the risk. Willow was perfectly happy, and fulfilled, being carried until she was fully protected.
Like Snowbunny I thought it wasn't worth the risk so I carried Molly everywhere until she was fully protected, and she got jolly heavy They are all personalities and mine was, and is a live wire. I used to read with envy of puppies falling asleep,in mid game. The only place Molly would deign to sleep was in her crate. When she was 5 months old I found her basking in a ray of winter sunshine. It was such a rare sight that I pulled up a chair and watched her.
Hi there Danni, and welcome to the forum to you and Buddy! Try to relax as much as possible and enjoy your time with your puppy, because before you know it he will be a big, grown up, sensible dog. Ahem. Well, he'll be big and grown up, anyway!!!
Hi and welcome from me and 2 year old fox red girl, Harley As puppy moms I think we all feel a bit neurotic.......and it doesn't get any better as they grow Everyone on here is fab and the advice is really good. Puppy photos are a must
