My daughters getting a Lab Puppy

[BrandonA]

A friend of mine just called and he has me a Yellow Lab for my little girl. He breeds his males for $1500 and gets first choice of the litter. He called and said he has picked out a yellow female. She is 3 weeks old and he is going to bring her down to me in 3 weeks. I have always heard labs make great family dogs so we shall see.

[Duramaxjack]

Yes very protective and loving she should be great with you daughter. Just get the pup over the puppy chewing stage around about 2-3 years lol I have had 3 different labs over the years and they will chew up everything in sight as a pup.

[Roy D Mercer]

I love labs. If this is your first lab, hide the water hose, tennis shoes, boots, tv cable, telephone cable, swing set or any outdoor toys. The bottom line is if its not solid metal or made of concrete it is gonna get trashed.

[BrandonA]

Any way to prevent chewing? or to minimze damage?

[big_smith]

I would say no, but I'm sure there is some way. Between the chewing and the digging, mine rearranged our back yard. She dug huge holes, and pruned all the flower bed shrubs. She is about 1.5 now and getting better. She still gets excited and jumps a little more than I like, but I cured her of barking, and jumping on me anyway.

[bowhunterhelm]

Cover it in Tabasco, they'll leave it alone.

[quarterback]

Mine chewed boat wires, the entire swing set, part of the fence and about 1/2 a cord of firewood before he settled down...a little. Anything made of wood was taken as a personal challenge.

[TimHicks]

Good luck ,,they will chew and a bunch..best to give lots of toys,,soft and hard .When you see him chewing dont beat him but be stern and follow through showing him what he or she needs to chew.
Well be getting a new one in the spring..Best dog for kids..do not teach him to shake if you want to hunt with him..and be ready to spend time daily with him..this will also help with the chewing

[BrandonA]

We have 2 other dogs and I am hoping this will "entertain him" , but I am worried about our wooden deck.

[bubba joe]

Like TimHicks said, Lots of stuff for her to chew on baseballs,softballs,chew toys... Now you have a use for those old worn out work boots !

[cantexduck]

antlers!!!!! The best thing I have found for my lab are antlers. She has been chewing on the same axis shed for the past three years. When she first started it was @35''. She has about 18'' left on it right now.

[Bill]

Labs are great family dogs.

"Mother Knows Best" by Dr. Lee Benjamin is a great book on training your dog. I used it on both of mine. And then I tried it on my 2 kids and they're both in college. Works well- a psychological approach to training. I've lent my copy of the book to several people who've all thanked me.

Except my kids. They don't know yet!

[sdfrench]

Make sure the breeder has the current CERF and OFA certificates on the parents. Have they done genetic testing for PRCD?