How Long Do Labs Stay Puppies?
The puppy period in Labrador Retrievers is usually referred to as the first two years, though it’s common to hear from many Labrador families that their Labs exhibit puppy-like behavior for several years longer!
Many Labs still “act like puppies” until almost the midpoint in their lifespan, so around the first 5 years. And we’ve heard from Lab parents whose Labs seemed to stay puppies nearly their entire lives!
This can be a long time for you to be dealing with rambunctious or demanding puppy behavior, so it’s important to have realistic and reasonable expectations for what you’ll be living with the first few years.
Lab puppies can be so much fun! But what are some typical issues faced by Lab owners during the puppy stage?
Some of the most frequently-seen behaviors in young and middle-aged Lab puppies are things such as:
Don’t let this list scare you! Or deter you from getting a Labrador puppy, because we happen to think they are the best dogs in the world.
However, we definitely want you to be prepared for what you’re getting yourself into.
That’s why it’s critical you do your research on dog breeds first and make sure that Labrador Retrievers are really the best match for you and your lifestyle!
While Labs are the most popular breed of dog in the United States (and have been for several decades) that doesn’t necessarily mean that they are the best match for you.
It’s really important to know what you’re committing to when you adopt, rescue, or buy a Labrador of any age, but especially a Labrador puppy who’s likely to exhibit some challenging behavior at least occasionally for the first few years.
Even the best-tempered and most mellow Labrador Retrievers will likely show you more than a few of the behaviors listed above, at least once in a while.
It’s important to know that your dog demonstrating some of these traits is typical, expected, and normal puppy behavior, and that you should expect your Lab puppy to be mouthy, active, and very energetic the first few years.
How do I get my lab puppy to calm down?
Walking briskly but calmly around can help to lower your dog’s arousal level and let you get back in control of the situation. Indoors you can use time out. Stop all play and place the dog in a crate or room by himself to calm down for a few minutes.
Juvenile Stage (3 to 6 months)
This is the period when your Lab puppy is going to start sleepingless.
She will probably start acting more selfish and testing the boundaries you have already put in place. Like many children, she may want to see just how far she can go before you step in.
Even with all the messes, from dirty paws to shedding on the couch, I love Labradors Retrievers! For me and my lifestyle, their energy is a positive rather than a negative. But, you might not have the same, active lifestyle. You need to carefully consider whether these are the right breed for you.
When this happens, gently reinforce the commands that yourpuppy already knows before trying to add more complicated behaviors. Gentlyremind your puppy that to get what she wants she must follow your direction.
It is also common for Lab puppies to start “play biting” more and more at this stage of their development. This is going to be problematic as your Lab becomes more rambunctious and rowdy.
Check out this video if you want some tips on how to stopplay biting altogether.
As your Lab progresses to the end of the Juvenile stage, shewill probably become more bratty and more independent.
In addition to being more independent, your dog will also beteething in this stage. That means your furniture is in danger.
Keep some frozen beef bones on hand to give your dog whenyou need her to be occupied for a spell. Other chew toys will also be a goodidea to help with the discomfort your dog will experience right now.
One of the best things you can do to help your dog remain under control is to reinforce the basic commands.
Letting your dog make her own decisions at this stage will createa really bad habit.
Focusing on obedience training reinforces the idea that yourLab looks to you for cues on appropriate behaviors. Thus, you are in a positionto encourage calm behavior as you practice her obedience.
Between 6 and 8 months of age, your Lab is going to reachher full height. She will fill out a little, but for the most part, she nowlooks like a full-grown Labrador.
The truth is, mentally and emotionally, your Lab is stilljust a puppy but with the destructive force of a full-sized house destroyer.
If you have spent sufficient time with your puppy in the juvenilestage working the basic obedience commands, then your puppy will be reasonably well-behaved,but she will likely still have moments of uncontrolled chaos.
These are those moments when she tears through the house infast forward as you run behind her trying to keep things from falling over.
As your dog’s mind tries to keep up with her body, you are ready to add to your training regimen.
Challenging your dog mentally as well as physically will bean important part of keeping her calm. You want a dog that thinks rather thanreacts according to instinct.
Remember, at this stage, instinct is uncontrolled chaos.
It is possible for your dog to go through a period during adolescencewhere new things can either excite or scare them.
If you notice your dog becomes irrationally excited or active at specific times, stop and ask yourself if there is anything that has changed in the routine or environment recently. Sometimes, all you have to do is identify the root of the excitement and your Lab will calm down.
LABRADOR! 5 Reasons WHY YOU SHOULD NOT Get a Labrador Puppy!
So you’ve adopted your first dog – a Labrador Retriever! You’ve covered all your bases and braced yourself for a year of craziness, training, and puppyhood. But that year passes, and another and another, and your lab is still bouncing off the wall. So what gives? When do Labs calm down?!?! Many people adopt Labs because of their excellent disposition, amazing personality, trainability, and companionship.
It’s important to remember that a dog’s first year of life is full of excess energy and excitement. It doesn’t end once the dog turns one! But fear not. Like all breeds, your lab will calm down. Read on to find out what to expect and how to manage and enjoy these high-energy years with your pup.