Hello! We are a new proud owners of a labrador retriever. His color is cream unlike the color of his parents which is pure black. He is 4 mos. old. I would like to know everything if that is possible in how to take care him. The number of times he shoud eat, the kind of food he's suppose to eat, how many times should he take a bath in a week, etc.  We haven't looked for a vet yet. But we will soon. We acquired him as a gift for my husband. Please help us. Your reply will be much appreciated. You could email me at: frances_gabriel@yahoo.com Thanks.

Hi,
I'm guessing that you are in the US or Canada, so I would suggest you contact the AKC or CKC for details of Labrador Breed Clubs, who I'm sure will be delighted to help you with the details. Otherwise I suggest you invest in as many books about the breed as you can.

Basically, a 4 month-old puppy should be on three meals a day, of either a balanced puppy food or good natural food. His breeder, or whoever you got him from, should have given you a detailed diet sheet. He shouldn't need bathing more than about twice a year (if at all) because he needs the natural oils in his coat to make it dirt-resistant and keep him clean and healthy. At his age he will only need two or three short walks each day of about 20 minutes each. Take him to as many places as you can to socialise him, and don't let him run up and down stairs.

Hope this helps.

Hate to disgree but 3 20 minute walks????? Surely thats too much for a 4 month Lab puppy??? I would have thought play and toilet and a couple of 10 minute walks for lead training/socialisation would be all that he needs.

Everyone has their own ideas on just what exercise a young puppy should have and what if any part of it should be off lead. The 5 minute rule is, to me, a good basis to work on. 5 minutes per month of age so at 4 months old, 5*4=20mins. After a walk the puppy should have plenty of time to rest so assuming a 20 minute walk first thing in the morning then another early afternoon and possibly another in the evening would not be excessive. At least one of these walks would include a run off lead for a puppy of mine, possibly including a short trip to the field of park in the car so combining car socialising with a pleasent event. (Not all trips in the car should end this way though of the dog could start to get over excited about car journeys!) Another walk would consist of a short walk to the seat outside the corner shop. this makes a fine puppy socialising trip.

Plan the walks. Try to take in as many different sghts and sounds as possible so the puppy grows knowing everything possible about the world he's living in. It is so important for his future.

I agree with taking pup to as many different places as possible.  I took my 9 week old Irish Setter pup Clay pigeon shooting at the weekend, fantastic for socialising, everyone wanted to be his friend (ive lost count of the number of times i had to say "no he isnt a cocker spaniel" :rolleyes: ) and there was the added advantage of getting used to the gun shots, by the end of the day he didnt bat an eyelid when the guns went off, in fact he fell asleep :D :D :D

I'd be a little worried about doing that BB. I like to acclimatise my dogs to gunfire somewhere where I can control the guns. I start with a starting pistol fired by a friend some way away whilst I'm playing with the puppy. The noise should be nothing but background noise and the game more important. Gradually, over a period of time the gun is brought closer but always second to the play. Later still the dummy in brought into it with a retrieve saluted by shot.

Best wishes, John

He has been listening to his CD of different noises at varying levels and coped with that no worries.  He seemed to cope fine at the shoot, at first he looked around when the guns fired but after about 5 minutes he was totally oblivious to them and concentrated more on chewing his tripe stick and trying to get a labrador to play with him :)

I do understand where you are coming from though, I think after living with dogs who are so petrified of loud noises they were sick I really wanted him to get used to them as soon as possible.