Labrador is primarily a hunting dog, but this does not limit its service capabilities. An animal can become a bloodhound, guide, rescuer. In addition, this is a wonderful, fun friend who gets along well with both adults and children. Such valuable qualities and beautiful appearance made the breed popular and in demand. But before you get a puppy, you should learn how to properly care for him and that includes his education.
What puppies look like
Labrador puppies outwardly resemble teddy, well-fed bear cubs. Kids are inquisitive, cheerful and active, a little clumsy and funny.
If the health of the dog is all right, then:
- puppy interested in toys, other animals;
- his movements are free from constraint, she moves freely and easily;
- the baby is brave, sociable, not frightened and does not hide if his hands are stretched to him.
If the puppy is a boy, he is almost always a bit bigger and weighs more than a girl. Puppy size at 2 months:
- height at withers - 30-32 cm;
- head diameter - 29-32 cm;
- weight - 7-8 kg;
- chest circumference - 30-32 cm;
- muzzle circumference - 20-22 cm;
- muzzle length - 4.5-5.5 cm.
In accordance with the standards of color pedigree puppy can be:
- black, including eyelids, nose and lips;
- brown (chocolate) color.
- special features of pale-yellow labradors - with light hair (white, sand, yellowish, red) eyelids, nose and lips have black pigmentation.
However, it is impossible to predict with accuracy what the color of the puppy will be, based on the coat color of the parents, and this always remains a mystery and a likely surprise for the breeder.
Dog character
What is good breed is the fact that the Labrador is a dog, suitable even for those who do not really understand dog breeding. This is a smart, obedient and affectionate animal, lively and spontaneous, while his intuition is extremely developed, so the pet can understand a person without words.
Of course, the behavior of a purebred dog, in the first place, is influenced by upbringing, but also by the pet’s full understanding of its purpose. Idleness and lack of movement may not be the best way to affect the character of the Labrador. But by nature it is a friendly, courteous and cheerful dog, who get along well with adults and children.
Terms of care and maintenance
To raise and train the dog to order and hygienic procedures begin immediately. She must have her place. The bedding can be used as a bedding, which is an elastic mattress covered with a warm bike or fur. Puppies sleep peacefully in a place where they are warm and comfortable, so you can take them to the corner of a room where there are no drafts.
The first days the dog may whine, but you can not take her to bed.
Care Labrador consists of the following procedures.
- The animal is taught that the toilet is on the street.. The first time is taken out for 5-10 minutes, walks follow immediately after eating. Over time, it will take 2 hours to walk, providing the dog with maximum physical activity.
- Puppy must be inspected daily - Ears are cleaned once in 2 weeks, once in 7 days they rub eyes with a veterinary tonic.
- To clean the teeth using special bones - so the pet gets pleasure and at the same time eliminates plaque.
- Claws cut as they grow - up to 2 times per month. Later, if the dog lives in an urban setting, it itself grinds them on the asphalt.Some Labradors gnaw their claws on their own, if they prevent them from walking, then the owner's business is to sharpen uneven edges.
- After walking they are taught to wash their paws. When the puppy grows up, he may well jump into the bath and place his paws under the stream of water turned on.
It is necessary to wash the dog with shampoo 3 times a year, but to bathe without detergent - much more often.
A puppy can be immersed in a bath filled with water for a third, and allowed to splash in warm water, ensuring that the liquid does not get into the ears, eyes and nose of the animal. Then the baby is wiped and allowed to dry in warm, gently combed. This procedure is good for the health of the baby's skin and coat.
Can I feed homemade food?
From the proper nutrition of a two-month Labrador depends on its appearance and state of health, including in the future. With a balanced diet, the puppy is vigorous, active, in a good mood, his coat is shiny, and his weight builds up gradually.
Do not be afraid, if the baby seems not too well-fed - it's better than those extra pounds that prevent the normal formation of joints and tendons of the limbs.
A small puppy can be fed homemade food. This is preferable, since natural products containing natural nutrients will initially strengthen the immune system and stimulate the full development of internal organs.
True, you need to prepare for the fact that this method of feeding is much more expensive, you need time for cooking, and your baby’s teeth will have to be cleaned regularly.
We can not allow the animal to overeat, for this there is an established rate of feeding.
In a day a dog of 2 months old should eat:
- 15 grams of meat per kg;
- 5 g of carbohydrates per kg of weight;
- 2 g of fat per 2 kg of weight.
Also, the puppy in the free access should always be fresh clean water, you need to change the bowl regularly.
Products that dog needs:
- raw beef, chicken;
- raw sea fish;
- boiled chicken eggs;
- porridge on meat broth - rice, oatmeal, buckwheat;
- vegetables - fresh, quickly boiled;
- greens and fruits;
- milk;
- fermented milk products - yogurt, fermented baked milk, kefir, yogurt, cottage cheese.
For a change in diet, types of cereals, meat and vegetables can be alternated every day, but cereals are invariably cooked in beef or chicken broth.
Raw meat pieces are also mixed in porridge.
Early in the morning you can give your child cottage cheese with sour cream, oatmeal, flavored with a small amount of honey. At 10 o'clock in the morning, the dog should be densely supported by cereal with vegetables and meat slices. At lunchtime, the animal is given milk, cottage cheese or any dairy drink. Boiled eggs are fed once a week. At 10 o'clock in the evening they offer meat or fish to the pet (only raw). Total Labrador puppy in 2 months is fed 5 times a day.
Products that should not be in the menu of the animal:
- sweet, including chocolate;
- sausages and sausage;
- potatoes, onions and garlic;
- grapes;
- pork;
- chicken, boiled and tubular bones.
It is necessary to make sure that the pet does not have an allergy to honey and buckwheat porridge - dogs love buckwheat, but often suffer from intolerance to this cereal. Also note that if a baby licks a plate, it means that he is still hungry.
In the future, labrador requires clearly metered portions of food, because the animal is known for its gluttony, predisposition to overeating, which in the end often leads to excess weight.
Ready feed
The advantage of industrial nutrition is the absence of the need for preparation, the presence of necessary additives in the feed, lower costs. However, buying food from unknown manufacturers, you may encounter the fact that it contains unwanted components. For Labradors, only premium quality dry food is suitable. Preferred luxury brands - Royal Canin, Hills, Purina Dog Chow, Monde Dog.
If the owner decided to choose a mixed type of food, then he should know that the puppy should be gradually taught to use dry food as the main one, first soaking the granules in water. Once a day, the baby gets slices of lean meat.
On this issue will require the recommendation of the veterinarian after the inspection of the animal.
Dressura and education
At 2 months, puppies are subject to all sorts of fears, they may even be afraid of the familiar things that have become common. At this stage, it is better to avoid any situations that cause them stress and negative feelings, including punishment. You can train your dog with a dog and teach simple commands.
Two-month-old Labradors are afraid of loud noises, and walking with them is better in less crowded places, for example, in the area of a forest park, but if not all vaccinations are done, you should walk with caution.
The main teams that are taught the animal from 2 to 3 months - "To me", "Lie down", "Sit", "Near", "Fu", "Place", "You can not." On the day, it is possible to devote this lesson to no more than an hour, dividing it into 2 or 3 lessons, as the puppy gets tired quickly, and it makes no sense to force him to do something. Each correct action is encouraged by delicacy, stroking, kind words.
If, playing, a small Labrador bites and does not listen to the command "Fu" and "You can not", you can moderately strong press it to the floor at the withers.
The two-month baby already understands a lot, he is studying his new home, the habits of the owner, the behavior of family members and other animals. And the attitude of the dog towards people will depend on how the owner puts himself. This is the time to establish contact with the pet, to find common interests - with a successful acquaintance, the dog will become a faithful friend of the person, his companion and helper.
With tips on caring for a Labrador puppy can be found in the next video.
