Seeking for advise regarding new puppy!

[windycanyon]

Once you actually have your puppy, alcohol helps

It helps when dealing with some puppy owners too. Well, to a degree... lol!!!

[sparky]

Hello & welcome.
Once you get past the puppy piranha stage (2-3 months) labs are the best family dogs ever. Of course I'm a bit biased! Read everything you can, plan on puppy classes, try to puppy proof your house. This is kind of an impossibility. You can never be 100% ready. Natures Miricle for accidents, paper towels, appropriate chew toys and a kennel for time out. Get ready for the best friend you've ever had.

[JenC]

I just want to stress that you should find a breeder that focuses on temperament in addition to everything else. It makes a huge difference. Also make sure the breeder raises the pups in the home (they get used to house noises, so its an easier transition when you get them home). We got a lab pup this fall and other than potty training issues and keeping an eye on her regarding inappropriate chewing, she is so mellow and blended into our family so easily...which I attribute to her breeding.

[fidgetyknees]

Puppies are fun, adults are even better. Hopefully it is both you (and spouse?) and the kids an you wanting the a puppy, if not, don't do it - not fair on you and not fair on the puppy. So my biggest tips would be, find a good breeder, and as a first time owner, you would probably do better with a puppy from very laid back mellow parents, 2. Sign up for training classes and go for at least a year, 3. Be very vigilant about keeping puppy out of trouble, put loose objects away, get them out to potty as soon as they wake up, and give them enough mental simulation that they are not bored otherwise they tend to get into more trouble. 4. Yes, read books about puppies!

[Tanya]

I just want to stress that you should find a breeder that focuses on temperament in addition to everything else. It makes a huge difference. Also make sure the breeder raises the pups in the home (they get used to house noises, so its an easier transition when you get them home). We got a lab pup this fall and other than potty training issues and keeping an eye on her regarding inappropriate chewing, she is so mellow and blended into our family so easily...which I attribute to her breeding.

x100. finding a good breeder that does things right is really really really absolutely crucial. a lab is NOT a lab just because it's pure bred. Pure bred (akc registered) is not a sign of quality, temperment or health. It just means the dog's parents were labs also registered. Lots of great tips on finding good breeders and questions to ask good luck, don't be afraid to take people up on their offers of help.

If you haven't spent much time with dogs (especially the kids) I HIGHLY recommend doing so before jumping in with a puppy - i see too often people getting dogs and then the kids turn out to have allergies. Now, maybe your kids have already spent lots of time indoors with other dogs, but if not - do look into it before buying.

A dog is a huge daily commitment. They are HUGE time drains especially puppies and young dogs. Puppies need some house proofing as well (management) to ensure they don't "make mistakes" and chew things they shouldn't. Older puppies often need an hour or more of exercise daily (mix of physical and mental). A lab puppy is nothing like a calm mature adult lab While not everyone will have their life revolve around their dog, it does mean managing schedules (especially with kids who may have after school activities and such) as the dog is home waiting for you all day and needs some attention/exercise.

ETA: if you haven't shopped for a dog before, just a heads up you may (or not) have a bit of sticker shock I knew dogs were expensive and still was a bit surprised at actual costs in my area. Good breeders put lots of money in ensuring dogs are health (doing all health clearances) and proving their dogs in venues and the puppies can be $1000+ (depending on area, can be $2000). but it's a lifelong commitment and not the place to "save money" buy buying what appears to be a "cheaper dog" that doesn't have health clearances and breeds for temperment.

[EGrant23]

On top of all that's been said, the biggest thing I can stress is TIME. Our first ever lab is now 8 months old. If there is one thing I wish I would have known beforehand is how much time these pups take. Even with knowing the time, I wouldn't have changed it for the world. It just would have been nice to prepare for. You're ahead of me already by finding this board before getting a lab. We are finally able to crate him for the entire time we are at work, about 8 hours. We plan our evenings and weekends around him making sure he gets his proper exercise and training. Many owners give up on these puppies with how frustrating you can be. Don't expect it to come easy and please, please, please, make sure a lab is the right fit for your family. Love and patience will go very far with a lab! Best of luck and don't hesitate to ask this board any questions.

[JenC]

Time is a great thing to mention. Adding a puppy is like adding another child.

[Never own a dog]

TuMicks, dxboon, Maxx&Emma, Barry581, doubledip1, Windycaynon, sparky, JenC, fidgetyknees, Tanya, EGrant23 ....thank you ALL very much for taking your time to giving me the advises. They are very helpful! There're a lot of informations for us to learn in raising a puppy. We hope that we will get the healthy puppy with good temperament. Watching the movie "Marlee and I" over the Christmas really scared me. I'm so glad to find this site.

By the way, should I buy metal crate or plastic crate for the puppy?

[doubledip1]

TuMicks, dxboon, Maxx&Emma, Barry581, doubledip1, Windycaynon, sparky, JenC, fidgetyknees, Tanya, EGrant23 ....thank you ALL very much for taking your time to giving me the advises. They are very helpful! There're a lot of informations for us to learn in raising a puppy. We hope that we will get the healthy puppy with good temperament. Watching the movie "Marlee and I" over the Christmas really scared me. I'm so glad to find this site.

By the way, should I buy metal crate or plastic crate for the puppy?

Definitely metal. They'll eat through plastic. You want a 42" size minimum.

Buy pet insurance. Mine is $25 a month. I had an extremely healthy and vigorous puppy from amazing breeders who know what they're doing and my 8 month old puppy ended up with over $10,000 in medical bills for a 1 in more than a million condition called liver torsion. I ended up getting reimbursed about $8,000. I'm still down 2 grand, but I would've had to put him down without it. It's worth it. You might never need it, but if you're spending the money on a well bred Labrador, you can spend the money on pet insurance.

[Abulafia]

I just want to stress that you should find a breeder that focuses on temperament in addition to everything else. It makes a huge difference. Also make sure the breeder raises the pups in the home (they get used to house noises, so its an easier transition when you get them home). We got a lab pup this fall and other than potty training issues and keeping an eye on her regarding inappropriate chewing, she is so mellow and blended into our family so easily...which I attribute to her breeding.

Absolutely! Our breeder breeds top-end Conformation Labs, but we chose her because of the attention to temperament (and, of course, health). We brought our girl home at 7.5 weeks (she's about the age of JenC's pup, I think), and she has been the mellowest, sweetest, most trainable and wonderful dog I could imagine.

Rescues are wonderful. But if you are looking at a puppy, put your time into research and the up front cost of a well bred dog. Look for a breeder with a great reputation in all areas, and one who breeds for temperament.

Labs are just the greatest dogs ever.