There are a number of reasons why certain dog lovers prefer to bring into their homes an adult dog instead of a puppy. For one, they may not have the time to commit to raising a puppy. Others want to give an adult dog that has been abandoned at a shelter or caught as a stray a chance at having a good home. Whatever the reason may be, adopting an adult Labrador Retriever is a good decision because of the breed’s affectionate, gentle, and intelligent nature.
If you have made the decision to bring an adult Labrador Retriever, here are 8 things that you need to know to make your dog’s entry to your home a happy and less stressful one.
1) Prepare all the necessary supplies for your dog
An adult Labrador Retriever will need the same basic supplies as a puppy, with some omissions. For example, unlike with puppies, you don’t need baby gates or playpens because an adult dog is sure to be more well-behaved.
Among the supplies that your adult Lab will need include the following:
- Sturdy dog bowls for food and water
- Kennel or crate or washable dog bed
- Collar with identification tag
- High quality dry dog food – You can ask the previous owner or shelter what dog food they have been giving. If you prefer to switch to another brand of dog food, you can introduce it gradually by first adding 1 part of the new dry food to 3 parts of the old dog food. Increase the parts of the new dry food over the next few weeks.
- Doggy toys
2) Prepare your home for the arrival of your dog
Before you bring your adult Lab home, you need to make the necessary dog proofing to make your home (and furnishings) and your new pet safe. Take note that your dog is bound to be excited at the prospect of being in a new home, so they are sure to revert to puppy-like behavior over a few days.
Here are some steps by which you can dog proof your home:
- Remove all chewable items
- Remove or raise to higher spot delicate items, such as vases and other décor, since your dog may either chew on it or knock them off a table or shelf.
- Hide in cupboards and cabinets all chemicals and other household items that may be poisonous to the dog. In the same vein, get rid of all poisonous household plants.
- While it is advisable to remove electrical cords and other hanging items that your dog might be tempted to chew, you may opt not to get rid of them if your new dog shows that it will not touch these items.
3) Bring your dog to a veterinarian first
Before bringing your dog home, have its health assessed by a veterinarian first. The vet can determine if your dog has any existing health conditions which would require treatment. If the dog hasn’t had its shots yet, the vet can give the required vaccinations.
4) Potty training your adult Labrador
House or potty training an adult Labrador is similar to a puppy. However, you will need to have more patience since your Lab may have acquired bad habits from its previous owner and the shelter, such as peeing or pooping anywhere.
As soon as you arrive home, bring your Lab to the potty spot in your garden and backyard and let it sniff the area. Give it a treat if it pees in the spot. If not, observe regular toilet breaks every hour for the meantime. Consider putting newspapers in the room where it will be staying for a while in case of accidents. Make sure that you clean up any messes immediately to prevent the smells from sticking. As your Lab pees more often in one spot, remove the other newspapers. Paper training is necessary if you won’t be home due to work the whole day. Another option is to have a doggy door so that your Lab can have easy access to its potty spot in your garden.
5) Introducing your dog to your family
Unlike puppies, adult dogs may be nervous, anxious, or show signs of aggression with you and family members. It is important to impress upon the dog right from the start that you are its master through teaching of basic commands and rewarding their obedience with treats or other forms of positive reinforcement.
Kids should not be allowed to pet or cuddle the dog during the first few weeks. Any interactions with the dog should be under strict supervision. Some bonding activities that you can try with your family include walking and exercising the dog, supervised playtime, and feeding. You should also teach your kids not to tease, bully, or engage in rough play with your adult Lab since the dog may view this as acceptable behavior and may unwittingly hurt your children. Let your kids be aware of the warning signs of fear and aggression in your dog. If the dog growls or attempts to run away, your kids should leave it alone. After two weeks, your dog may have adjusted to your family.
6) Introducing your dog to other pets
When you first bring your dog home, it is important to separate it first from other pets, such as another dog, a cat, or other species. When having your dog interact with another, make sure that both are kept on leashes at first and at a distance. Over the next few days, allow them to move closer to each other until they are comfortable.
If you have a cat, the best way is by keeping the dog first in its crate, so that it becomes familiar with your precious feline. Make sure that you remove the cat’s bowl, food, and litter box from the areas where your dog will be allowed to roam. This will prevent the dog from eating the cat food including its feces.
7) Re-train your dog
There are cases wherein the adult Lab may have acquired a number of bad habits from their previous home or shelter. Even if it has received some training from the shelter, it is best to assume right from the start that your dog hasn’t been trained at all.
Always start with the basic commands, such as “sit”, “come”, and “stay”. These commands serve as the foundation for other higher-level commands, although these are sufficient to make your dog understand that certain behaviors are not allowed.
The command “come” is equally important in dogs who have the tendency of running away. In this case, you can start teaching your dog this command within the confines of your backyard or garden or any enclosed area. The instinct to run away can be particularly strong when you take it outside for the first few weeks. It is advisable to keep your dog in harness with a long, stretchable leash so that it can run a further distance. Give it a treat if it stops running when you say “stop” or returns when you order it to come.
8) Always be calm and positive
With adult Labs, it is very important that you always stay calm and patient because you don’t know what its life had been with a previous owner or the shelter. Some dogs may even show signs of aggression and defensive behavior because it may be reminded of a traumatic experience from the past. Learn to back away and give your dog space. Never punish your dog. Instead, always be patient with them and stay positive by being lavish with your praises and treats whenever your dog complies with commands.
Keep these eight tips in mind in order to make your home a happy one for your adult Labrador Retriever.
