How to care for a Labrador: useful tips

At puppy age, Labradors resemble plush toys. When a dog becomes an adult, its playfulness does not fade away. For this reason, Labradors are great for families with children. Pet will be a real nurse for kids and a great friend for you. Dogs of this breed are quite active, so that regular walks are an integral part of the content. However, one should not allow complete freedom of action of the dog, because it may well become a real beast.

Features care Labrador

Ears. Like any domestic dog, the ears of a Labrador should always be kept clean. In order to prevent the development of bacteria, which can cause an unpleasant smell, it is enough to wipe your ears with a damp cloth made of natural material once a week. You can also use a universal lotion for cleaning the ear canal for pets.It is strictly forbidden to use cosmetic tampons or cotton swabs.

If during the procedure you feel the smell from the ears, it is imperative that you contact your veterinarian. If a family pet shakes its head or constantly scratches its ears on a carpet, upholstery or other surfaces, it is most likely that a foreign body that gets into the depth of the ear canal prevents it. Also, the animal may appear ear mites, which are quite difficult to bring on their own.

Bathing. Labradors love water treatments, so they bathe with great pleasure in sea / freshwater springs, baths or even puddles. However, it is not recommended to allow frequent bathing of a pet, as this adversely affects its coat and skin. It is enough to wash the pet once a 2–3 months with a special shampoo for dogs to prevent the protective layer from washing off the upper layers of the dermis. Frequent washing can be the result of skin diseases.

To properly carry out the procedure, it is necessary to moisten the animal's hair with plenty of water. Next, distribute the shampoo on the palm, then rub the tool into a thick foam.Pass the dog's fur between your fingers so that the pet feels calm, feeling the owner stroking. The animal will begin to shake off, you should not swear, so the dog removes the remnants of moisture and calms down the discomfort.

Shampoo treatment should be carried out 2 times. After that, carefully wash off the foam from the wool so that it does not irritate the skin of the animal. When bathing comes to an end, dry the dog with a towel and comb. Scratching should be done regularly, and not only after washing. In advance, purchase a special dog brush at the pet store. Teach a Labrador to similar procedures from an early age.

Teeth. Caring for the oral cavity of the dog involves a regular inspection of the mouth. Particular attention is paid to the period of the change of primary milk teeth. If you notice that your pet is growing a molar tooth, and the milk one has not yet dropped out (at the growth site), contact your veterinarian for a doctor to remove it. Pamper your dog with raw carrots or potatoes, the prevention of this kind will help avoid the formation of tartar and eliminate bad breath.

To facilitate your task while brushing your teeth, use toothpaste for dogs (you can buy it at pet stores), you need to carry out manipulations daily.To begin with, the pet should be familiar with the new procedure: for this, rub the paste with your fingers, not with a brush. Later, the pet will get used, and you will be able to use a baby toothbrush with a soft degree bristles. After the procedure, do not forget to praise your pet, treat him with a treat.

Claws Get a pet clipper at the pet store. To properly carry out the procedure, wash and dry the pet's paws, press the fingertip so that the claw comes out. Cut off the free edge, without hitting the capillaries, retreat 2-3 mm from the burgundy area. Conduct haircut claws as they grow, as a rule, the frequency of the procedure varies from 1-2 times a month.

Labrador training

Nickname Each owner almost immediately thinks about the nickname for his pet, to further pet responded. For this reason, you should accustom the puppy to the name so that the dog clearly understands when it is her name.

More often say the pet's nickname, indulge its delicacy every time the puppy responds. The procedure is best carried out during feeding: while the animal eats, gently stroke it on the neck or back,repeating the name 10-12 times. As practice shows, Labradors get used to a new nickname in two weeks, in some cases earlier.

Team "Give!". What matters is the education of the dog with regards to the relationship to people and other animals. It is necessary to teach the pet not to rush to passersby in order to play, they may not understand the intentions of the dog. In order to avoid awkward situations, train your puppy to “Give!” Command. There is no need to make sudden movements and pull something out of your teeth from the puppy, do not shout, dogs do not like it.

Take the food in your hand, and the other hold the mouth, say the command. In this way you will exchange food for the thing that the animal holds in his teeth. Labrador gets used to the actions, eventually he will execute the command without delicacy. Teach your dog good manners calmly, without aggression. The pet will remember your good attitude, as a result, without anger, he will give up what he has in his mouth.

Schooling to the toilet. Give your dog a separate place to install the tray. Cover the floor with oilcloth, put old newspapers or a disposable diaper on top, it can be purchased at a pet store, a hypermarket or a pharmacy (cost about 100 rubles for 8 pieces).After you have prepared the intended place of the toilet, carefully monitor the behavior of the puppy. When he starts to whine, smell, push the tail, trying to relieve the need in the wrong place, grab the animal in his arms and carry on the tray.

In case you did not manage to keep track of your little pet, gently take him by the withers. Shake, but do not tear off from the floor, while sentencing in a strict voice, "You can not!". Do not shout, do not scream. Stick the puppy with its nose, then take the newspapers, wet them with urine and take them to the tray. Show the dog with a scent where the toilet is. Pet sniffs and eventually get used to meet the needs of the allotted place. To teach to the toilet you need small puppies, when they are not able to suffer before going out.

Nutrition

1. Labradors are prone to obesity, they can not be overfed. To determine whether the nutrition is properly balanced or not, slip a few fingers under the ribs of the animal. They should be palpable, but not stuck. It is important that a small fat layer is present, otherwise the puppy will develop incorrectly.Signs of obesity are immediately visible: the dog has a slack back and dispersed paws.
2. Food intake should be taken into account based on the lifestyle of the animal. If you often spend time outdoors and play, you need to feed your puppy 3 times a day. If the pet is lazy and leads a passive lifestyle, feed it no more than 2 times a day.
3. The best time to eat is half an hour after the walk. During the meal, do not give the animal a hot meal, it should be slightly warm. Determine the temperature mode as follows: stick your ring finger inside the porridge. If you feel hot, cool the feed. Otherwise, you can harm the stomach of the dog.
4. For feeding Labrador, lean meats are suitable. Ideal - pork pulp, turkey, beef, chicken. Give your pet instead of fillets sinewy parts. If you are going to feed the Labrador with raw meat, remove the fat layer in advance and treat the food with boiling water. Many owners prefer to cook minced meat from cereals, all sorts of meat and chicken eggs.
5. Do not forget to pamper your favorite fish without bones. Such products contain the maximum amount of protein, iron, phosphorus, iodine and other useful elements. Also give boiled and raw eggs, cottage cheese, kefir.Add salt should be in minimum quantities. Do not feed the Labrador with the remnants of the table, he is accustomed to his diet, do not disturb him. Thus, you can extend the life of a pet for 2-3 years.

Nutrition characteristics of an elderly Labrador. If your dog is no longer young (8 or more years old), it is recommended to re-diet. Prepare for your pet low-calorie food. Give the dog less meat during the day, it is better to replace it with fish, it is much more useful. Continue to include in the menu dairy products, add wheat bran to eliminate the likelihood of constipation. Give the Labrador vitamins and minerals according to the recommendations of the veterinarian, the complexes are sold at any pet store.

What can not be fed Labrador

• hot, cold foods;
• spicy, floury, fried, sour, salty dishes;
• homemade "delicacies" (canned foods, twists, etc.);
• sausages;
• sweets, cookies;
• tubular bones;
• wheat flour pasta;
• legumes.

Practical recommendations

1. Once every 3-4 months you need to do prevention from worms. Do not forget about the annual vaccination against the plague of carnivores and rabies.A veterinary passport will be placed in the clinic. Optionally, you can microchip the dog to track its movement in case of loss.
2. Get special pet treats at the pet store, tailored to the characteristics of the breed. In their role may be pads with filler, sticks based on pork or beef liver, dry chicken ventricles, etc. Give out sweets in portions, no more than 3 times a week.
3. Since labradors are prone to obesity, they need to be engaged in active activities. Running, jumping, playing in nature will be useful to the dog and you. Take the habit of walking the animal several times a day, regardless of the weather and other circumstances.
4. Labradors require a lot of space in terms of living conditions. The best option is a private house or a large apartment. Highlight a place in a quiet corner. Equip it with a bed, purchase silicone toys, place a soft blanket.

It is easy to contain a Labrador, if you have sufficient knowledge with regards to nutrition, education and care. Purchase pet food for your specific breed at a pet store or cook minced meat on your own.Do not forget to undergo planned annual vaccination, give your dog a complex of vitamins and minerals. Teach your puppy to the tray from an early age, call a pet nicknamed him to get used to it. Spend time in the fresh air, do not neglect the washing, care of hair and claws.

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