Hello from Oregon. My new chocolate lab will be coming Christmas Day! It's been a while since I've raised a puppy, so I'm sure I'll need your advice.
Hi there and welcome to the forum! What an exciting time for you. Waiting for the arrival of a new puppy is the most fun thing ever. I would heartily recommend you get a copy of the Happy Puppy Handbook - you can get a Kindle copy because a real one probably won't reach you before Christmas - and read that through in the next few days. It's full of loads of invaluable advice about bringing a new puppy home. Christmas Day can be a manic time, so just try to remember that your puppy has already had a pretty traumatic experience, leaving its um and litter mates, so may be a bit overwhelmed. Prepare for lots of accidents if you can't guarantee you'll be able to keep the normal eagle eye over him/her because of the day's festivities. You'd normally expect to be taking pup out for toileting every fifteen minutes or so, but that may not be possible if you have lots of family around. Is it a girl or a boy you're getting? Do you have a name yet? We love puppy pictures, so pop over to the technical section to read up on how to share some when your bundle of fun arrives
Hi and welcome from me and Ella (8 month chocolate girl) in Melbourne, Australia. Make sure you take (and share hehe) lots of photos of your new puppy as they grow so quickly! ☺
Hello from 2 year old Molly and me living near Oxford in the UK. You must be about to burst with excitement a puppy and Christmas on the same day.
Hello and welcome from me and Lilly! Best of luck, you're gonna be busy got to second the Happy Puppy book.....will be a godsend. Happy Christmas paw prints from me and Lilly in Scotland.
Welcome to you from me (Mags) Tatze, black two and a half year old Lab and Twiglet, seven month old yellow Lab/GR guide dog puppy
Almost a month now with a pup. Your life will change. My advice is buy a 2 crates, iCrate from Amazon good choice --the small 24x18 and the big one 48" for later growth. First night put him in small one where you sleep. Expect to get up maybe 2x during night. In a week or so he may go thru the night okay like mine did. No water or food after 6-7 pm. My lab has the large crate inside a pen (also from amazon), which is in the kitchen/dinning room area. Anywhere else he goes you carry and hold or he will pee guaranteed. Contrary to what many will advice give him some exercise or you and he will go nuts. How much is up to debate. I walked mine on trail first day and every day since I've had him. Maybe 15-20 minutes. Presume he's already had at least one 5-way vaccination? Good advice is to restrict somewhat his outdoor activity but don't feel you must carry him until fully vac. Other annoying activities you'll have to live with for a while: play biting -- get chew toys. Lots of them and rotate them. pee -- they're a little water hose. how they hold it all night then have to go every half hour during the day is beyond me. when guests are over know that if he gets over excited he will pee. buy Natures Miracle spray (amazon) cheap insurance and it works. Expect accidents until FULLY potty trained. be patient and control the temper. there will be moments when you wish you hadn't made the decision. If you've had children you know what I mean. the good news is that lab will sleep a lot - 16-18 hours a day. Use your time wisely during that time. Good luck. Oregon, nice. I'm from near Chi town.
Hi and welcome to the forum from me and Juno. Great advice from Fiona, The Happy Puppy Handbook is a great investment in helping you through the puppy stage and can answer all your questions on the need of exercise, the amount of exercise, toilet training etc. etc. Plus that lot of great advice here on the forum as well. Before taking your puppy out into the big wide world and putting him on the ground before a full set of vaccinations have been given please consult with your vet regarding risks for diseases in your location particularly diseases like parvovirus which can be deadly for young pups.
