How to Take Care of a Black Lab
by Anna Hart
Filed under Labrador Care
A Black Labrador Retriever’s care is fairly easy. Since these dogs are friendly and kind, they do not resist care as some feisty little dogs do. Also, Black Labs are eager to please, and this extends to basic care. They are strong, so a small child will be unable to take care of a Black Lab, but a healthy adult should have no problem.
Food
1. Your Black Lab will eat almost anything. In fact, it may eat things that are not good for it. To take care of a Black Lab, you need to give it proper food, and guard against it eating junk.
2. Remember that your Black Lab is a high energy dog. Choose a dog food that will supply energy needs.
3. Watch your Lab’s intake. Overweight Labs can develop health problems, including heart disease and arthritis.
Grooming
You won’t need a professional groomer to take care of a Black Lab.
1. Black Labs love water, so an occasional bath to keep it smelling good will be fun for all involved.
2. Take care of a Black Lab’s coat by brushing it once a week with a slicker brush to control shedding.
3. Trim your Black Lab’s toenails once every month to avoid foot problems. Toenail trimmers are available at pet stores.
Exercise
Black Labs require a lot of exercise. Although they are happy indoors, you can only take care of a Black Lab’s exercise needs with a regular, daily playtime of 30 to 60 minutes. This should include outdoor running and games of fetch whenever possible.
Toys
Chew toys are essential if you want to take care of a Black Lab’s emotional and physical needs properly. Chew toys are entertaining for the dog, and give its jaws important exercise.
If you take care of a Black Lab properly, it can be expected to live for 10-12 very enjoyable years.
hey there um im thinking of getting a 2 yr old male lab purebred off of a breeder would he be to old to train to sleep in a caged kennel or crate ? is it to late to train period ansd anyother good tips u may have to help me out thank u very much i enjoy reading your web page thanks for your time any tips would be greatly appreciated
Yes that is just fine. Usually Labs mature at the age of three. During this age they are very active. They love to do commands so better teach him more for him to enjoy your company. Two year old Lab is fine for it will stay with you until 12 years if taken care properly and loved.
Hey! Thanks so much for this article! I am about to get a one-year-old black Lab in 9 days and I’m trying to do as much research as I can. Thanks for your help! This article was great!
I have a question. I already have a 9-year-old Shih Tzu named Lucy and I don’t know how she’s going to react with the new dog, Lexi. Lucy isn’t social at all, and it always scared of any other animals. Will she get over this fear? Will they every be friends? We are making sure Lexi stays downstairs and Lucy can go anywhere, but will they every warm up to each other? Thanks!
–Morgan–
Help. My black lab is 8 yrs old and I just got him a two weeks ago from the owner that had him since puppyhood. The dog knows 15 commands, plus one “chew trim” and that is why I am writing for help. I work like most people and he has to stay home, just like what happened with the previous owner. B/c I don’t trust him in the garage, once I left him for 2 hours in the house and he torn down all the curtains, but chewing the trim in the breezeway and garage is the real crime. I doused the chewed up trim with caynenne pepper, gave him food filled bones, toys, food and water and a glass door he can look outside. I also bought a 100 dollar kennel, which he destroyed and broken off lots of teeth, so that idea did not work. Now I am giving him calming tablets but it only works for a few hours and when he wakes up he goes back at it. I take him for 45 minute walks, and at night he has the run of the house. He is house broken and the best dog ever at night but during the day a beast from hell. Oh yes, he is now taking entire pieces of trim off the wall. What can I do to calm him, also he listens to NPR which could be half of the problem.
Sounds a lot like my dog. You might be dealing with separation anxiety and a dog that needs more mental and physical stimulation than what you are providing. Make sure you have a vet look at the broken teeth. Read up on separation anxiety, add mental & physical activity and don’t expect immediate results. It’s a process.
A friend is offering me a pure bred black lab that is almost 1 year old. I had 2 labs quite a few years ago, and loved them, but I am worried about the “dog” smell in my house as well as dog hair. I live in a place that is bitterly cold in the winter and hot in the summer, would it be ok to set up a bed for him in the garage? my garage is old and detached, but I work all day as well and certainaly dont want him cooped up in my house all day. Are labs ok outside and sleeping in the garage at night? I would, of course, take him running with me every day after work, have him in doors during the evening and weekends when I’m home. I just want to make sure this dog is happy and that it would be ok to leave him outside for long periods of time.
thank for this wonderful info im getting a lab so this was great info