Crate Training & Table Manners

Though we at Black Forest allow our adults freedom of movement within our home, there is nothing like cuddling in bed with a Lab we do highly recommend crate training your puppy if that suits your needs. Not only is it a simple and quick method of potty training it will also become a place of comfort and security throughout your dog's life. Crate your puppy at night, during naps and whenever you cannot be with or supervise him/her. It is best to purchase a crate large enough to house your puppy after it becomes an adult but section off the crate while your puppy is still young and growing providing only enough room to be comfortable. It is a natural instinct for a dog to not mess in its den. Sectioning the crate will enforce this instinct and help teach the pup to HOLD its bladder while it's in the crate. Make sure the first place he/she is allowed to go after opening the crate is outside to potty. Only after it goes potty where YOU decide it can go, praise the puppy and make it a good experience. It will learn going potty outside makes you happy and instinctually want to repeat the habit to please you. This simple habit can help potty train your pup in a matter of days.

Table Manners

Begging, whining, or pawing under the table should never be acceptable behavior for your dog. You may think its cute now for your puppy to jump up to greet you or to want to join you at dinnertime but it won't be cute when company comes or when your puppy's full-grown. So it's smart to teach your puppy good manners now. Here are a few pointers:

Don't Jump Up . If your puppy jumps up, walk backwards or turn around and say "off." Reward him only when all four paws are on the ground. If more control is needed, put a leash on him whenever you're expecting company and praise him only when he stays down.

If your puppy has mastered the "sit" command, have him sit when greeting newcomers. Have a friend help by coming to the door again and again. Instruct your dog to sit each time the friend enters. Reward him for correct behavior or better yet, have your friend provide the reward. Repeating this exercise will reinforce it and will make having visitors a more routine experience for your puppy.

Door Training

A simple way to teach your puppy how to notify you it has to go potty is to hang a small bell or chime on the handle of the door leading to the place it will go potty. Hang it from a strong string low enough so the puppy can nudge it with its nose. The simple act of opening the door and closing the door will consistently remind the puppy that the “noise” means “I can go outside to potty”. Eventually, you'll hear the bell and find your puppy waiting to go potty. If this happens, praise it and you'll have a door trained puppy.

Teething & Chewing

Your pup is and will remain teething for up to a year. It's teeth will grow, fall out and are replace with permanent teeth. We are happy to say at Black Forest we have never lost a shoe or a remote control in all our years of lab ownership. This is because of three simple rules;

When they attempt to chew something you do not want them to chew, DO NOT SCOLD THEM. Simply tell them NO, take it from them and replace it with something them can chew and praise them for chewing the proper item. This is positive reinforcement which encourages a dog without breaking his/her spirit. Over time, this simple habit will save countless items from your dog's mouth for one reason; it doesn't see those items as toys. When you praise it for chewing something you permit, it only sees that item as a toy. Our remotes and shoes have never been destroyed so we're living proof this works.

Have a variety of toys for them to choose from. As with kids, dogs get attached to certain things but need variety to stay interested. One toy they may sleep with, another they will shake around like a rag doll, another they may only play with outside. Who cares! Let them discover their personality and you'll learn as much as you can about your new family member. A little observation will go a long way to enjoying your pup.

Choose your dogs chew toys as carefully as you would toys for your child. Nothing with eyes, buttons, or weak stitching. Labs are powerful chewers and need a good stout material to keep them busy. Our dog toy bin has Frisbees, canvas stuffed animals, tons of tennis balls, thick rubber toys and so on. Watch your dog's habits and you'll learn their likes and dislikes. *Hint* Avoid rawhide for health reasons but if you wish please wait until they are at least six months old. Their stomachs cannot process it. Nyla Bones or chewable items specialized for puppy digestion are perfectly fine.