So You Think You Want a Lab


You’re probably imagining yourself and your new best friend taking a walk on a beautiful spring day, playing fetch in the park, or laying around the house. These are all parts of dog ownership – some of the most important parts, too – but there is more to the total picture. Before you get a Labrador retriever, you should be aware of what you’re getting into. Along with the numerous joys of dog ownership come significant responsibilities. Meeting some of these responsibilities may require you to make changes in your lifestyle. Are you willing to take the responsibilities along with the benefits? Are you able to make the lifestyle changes necessary? Are you capable of meeting the needs of your new Lab? For help in answering these questions, read on.
Things to Consider

How big will the dog get?
How old will he be before he acts like an adult dog?
How protective will the dog be?
How often will the dog need to be groomed?
How will the dog get along with other animals?
How long can he be left alone at home?
How much exercise does the dog need?
What are the best training methods for this dog?
What possible health problems might this dog develop?
Do You Know How to Care for a Lab?

Caring properly for a Lab takes a significant amount of dedication. Learning about proper nutrition and general care takes time and effort. The information is not hard to learn, and there is a wealth of resources available (including several helpful web sites), but you have to take the time to do the learning.

Learning to train your Lab deserves special mention. You should recognize that well-mannered dogs to not come ready “out of the box.” Labradors can be rambunctious and very strong. Training is the key to a well-behaved dog that will be a pleasure to be around. There are many good training methods available to you, but whichever one you pick will require dedication. Further, training is a combination of art and science. Being a good trainer requires knowledge, experience, gut instinct, and a lot of love.

Can you be a good trainer? Very likely, yes. But there are those people for whom training presents a very serious challenge, and these people should think twice about dog ownership. While it’s hard to determine ahead of time your potential for being a good trainer, you should do as much as possible before you get your Lab. Read books, magazines, and research the Internet. Visit obedience-training classes and talk to the instructors – most training instructors are more than happy to offer help and advice.

One Person Must be Owner

While your whole family may divide the responsibilities of dog ownership in daily practice, it’s important that one individual be established as the guardian of the Lab. This person should hold ultimate responsibility for the welfare and behavior of the Lab. There are pragmatic and behavioral reasons for this. Having a single responsible owner will ensure that none of the dog’s needs get overlooked, that the dog still has a home in the case of a significant change in the family situation, and that one individual is ultimately financially responsible. However, from a behavioral standpoint, it’s also important that a single individual be clearly recognizable to the dog as “pack leader.” This will do a lot to help your Lab find his place in the family hierarchy, and he’ll be happier for it.

A Ten to Fifteen Year Commitment

Remember as you consider the points made in this article that dogs live, on the average, from ten to fifteen years. When making decisions about owning a Lab, make sure not only that you are currently willing and able to care for a dog, but that you will remain willing and able for the dog’s lifespan. Nobody can predict the future, but we all make plans. If you bring a Lab home, he should be part of your plans for a long time to come.

Does everyone in the household agree to acquire a dog?

Sometimes one member of the household wants a dog so badly that they forget to check with other members. If you have children and you think they want a dog -- remember that YOU will be the one responsible for ensuring that it is properly cared for. You will also be responsible for all expenses, training, and exercise. If you already have an overwhelming domestic routine, DO NOT add a dog to the household. Similarly, if your spouse or housemate is not as thrilled about the acquisition of a Labrador as you are, step back and reconsider whether a Labrador, or any dog, is suitable for your household. Ultimately, dogs, which are placed into households where there is not 100% agreement on whether or not to acquire a dog, usually wind up as one of the millions of dogs given up each year because "they just didn't work out." The dog in this situation often pays with its life.