Labrador is a fairly common breed of dogs purchased for keeping in an apartment. However, before buying, you should definitely find out all the pros and cons of such a transaction, and also understand whether it will be possible to create optimal conditions for the pet.
Advantages and disadvantages
Labrador in the apartment, judging by the reviews of numerous owners, does not create any particular difficulties for the family. The character of the dog is very light and friendly, and the description of the breed itself contains only positive points. Retriever is worth starting, even if the person owns not a full house, but a one-room apartment - in any case, the dog will sleep either near the owner, or near his feet.
For a Labrador, the content in the aviary or in a chain booth is contraindicated. The obvious advantages of this breed include the simplicity of caring for an animal, its good nature, ability to obey, and the wonderful appearance of the pet.
The disadvantages of retrievers, in principle, are characteristic of most pets. Juveniles are characterized by increased activity and force the owners to take regular, energetic walks. Small puppies can spoil things in the apartment, if not to provide them with a suitable alternative in advance. In addition, eating a Labrador, especially an adult, costs money.
Labrador is a large dog: its weight varies from 25 to 40 kilograms, and the height at the withers does not exceed 53-60 centimeters. Therefore, if the room is too small, then neither the dog nor its owners will be uncomfortable. In principle, the disadvantages of this animal include its need for constant communication. If the owners are often absent at home, then they should not start a Labrador.
Creating conditions for the content
Labrador can be quite successfully maintained even in a one-room apartment, but the main condition will be its regular and long-term walking. Retrievers get along well with children and other animals, so there should be no conflict. There is a small chance with birds living at home, since the hunter’s instincts may run out of a dog, but you’re not too worried about it. When purchasing a Labrador puppy, it is important to be prepared for the fact that up to the age of three he is still considered a child, which means that he constantly smears the floor. It is better to prepare for this in advance by cleaning the apartment from carpets.
Again, in the first years of the dog there is an increased activity and the need for constant movement, which can lead to injuries if the unsafe objects are not eliminated.
Retriever puppies love to play with any objects that fall under the paws. To eliminate the possibility of damage to the plants or the "gutting" of magazines, it is necessary to provide the pet with suitable toys.
In the first 2 weeks, you will have to take care of the puppy especially carefully, because at this time the baby longs for the mother and other dogs with whom they used to live. It is necessary to communicate at this time in a calm voice, not to shout and not to swear, to iron and spend time together more often. In addition, it is important to give him the opportunity to get acquainted with the house - to show him where the water is, where the food bowl will be located, and where the puppy will sleep.
To teach a puppy to go to the tray, you will need to follow a certain pattern. Somewhere in a quarter of an hour after a meal, the pet simply lands on the tray. To carry out such a procedure should be in the first months.
Approximately on the fourth month the dog begins to ask on the street, if possible, it is necessary to immediately fulfill this request, otherwise the useful reflex will not be able to gain a foothold. As for the full-fledged training, it should be carried out during the first 3 years.
During this period, the dog should receive a reward for good behavior and punishment, respectively, for bad behavior. It is important to mention that to sleep a dog needs to allocate an elevation, for example, a chair, a pouf, or a special bench, located away from both windows and doorways, and from batteries and other heating appliances. The floors in the apartment can not be left slippery, otherwise the puppy's limbs may begin to form in the wrong way. Every week the dog must be combed. During the molting period, this procedure becomes everyday.
For chees fit ordinary rubber brush. Labrador washing is allowed with a special shampoo or even regular soap. Bath procedure ends with a thorough wiping. Labrador ears is important from time to time to inspect the presence of parasites.
In addition, it would be good to complete each walk with a wool test - whether the pet has not picked up insects and fleas. In the warm season, experts recommend creating additional protection against parasites using special tools that are implemented in the form of aerosols or drops. We must not forget about preventive visits to doctors and vaccination.
Feed the young dog to be 5 times a day, and an adult is enough for a couple of meals a day. The easiest way to get ready-made premium food, which is balanced and contains all the necessary vitamins and other elements. If the feed will be purchased cheaper, then you will additionally have to attend to the purchase of vitamin supplements. It is important not to forget that retrievers are rather prone to obesity, so feed them with low-fat foods.
From natural products, veterinarians recommend choosing raw or boiled beef, fruits, fresh or boiled carrots, dairy products, as well as fairly common cereals - oatmeal, buckwheat or rice. Their use is indispensable in the case of Labrador allergy. The dog should not be given any pasta, as well as to combine food and common foods in one meal.
How to walk the dogs?
The frequency of walking Labradors is determined depending on their age. During walks, especially the first three years, it is important not only to play with the dog in the fresh air, but also to train the simplest teams and shape the behavior of the pet. In other words, time in the fresh air should be accompanied by a certain load. It is important for a puppy between the ages of 3 and 6 months to walk every 3 hours, and immediately after eating. Labrador, whose age ranges from 6 to 9 months, must visit the street from 3 to 5 times a day.
The age range from 9 months to a year reduces the number of walks to 2 or 3 times a day. Finally, when the retriever celebrates its first birthday, walking is reduced to a stable 2 times a day. The duration of each walk should vary from one hour to two, therefore, acquiring a dog of a given breed should think about this aspect.
In the sixth month, walks are accompanied by the start of training. First, the puppy should be trained in the command of the ban and the call, as well as train to respond to the nickname. From eight months, you can already put more complex tasks, for example, teaching teams "Sit" or "Place."
A dog should not be trained by a new team until the previous one is mastered, as the retriever cannot operate in multitasking mode. By the way, if there is such an opportunity, then the Labrador should be brought to the reservoirs and given an opportunity to throw out energy in the water.
Do I need a cage?
For a Labrador living in an apartment, it is important to create a safe environment.A pet must have its own space where it can relax. It is better to separate part of the room, but not the master bedroom, and place a spacious and soft sunbed in the corner. Here you can arrange numerous puppy toys. For Labrador fit and wooden sticks, and rag people, and rubber figures, and bones, and much more. By the way It is not recommended to arrange a Labrador recreation area on the glassed-in balcony, as the dog is able to just jump out of the window for the bird.
The feeding area is located in the corridor or kitchen area. Usually enough a couple of bowls - for water and for food. The only condition for this corner is that the dog must have free access at any time of the day. As for the cage, the retriever can be kept in it. The dog does not feel any inconvenience and does not perceive this design with a negative shade.
Inside it is appropriate to place a warm couch. However, it is allowed to close an animal in a cage only for the period when there are no owners in the house. Babies under three months of age should be kept in the arena, and then introduced to the cage. The time while the dog remains restricted in movement cannot exceed 4 hours.
Owner reviews
Comments of the owners of Labradors are mostly positive. They are called not only beautiful, but intelligent and loyal animals. Keeping a pet even in a one-room apartment is not considered difficult, as it is completely unpretentious. Some owners, however, report the severity of care for a puppy, which, in principle, disappears as the animal grows. Walking the dog often, quite long and actively, but all compensates for the kindness and affection of the pet.
About care Labrador in the apartment, see below.
