All first-time Labs4rescue adopters and fosters must have a home visit. All family members residing at the residence must attend the home visit. Exceptions are made for college students living away from home and for military personnel currently deployed away from home for an extended period. A satisfactory home visit is a prerequisite for receiving your dog.
Your Labbies may be extremely tired after their long journey to their forever home and it may take a couple of days for them to "come out of their shell." They will have been on restricted food so do not let them chow down huge amounts immediately after picking them up as you will probably see "the return of the puppy chow." Feed them a little at a time (1 cup or so for medium to larger dogs).
Expect an adjustment period of at least 2 weeks for your pup ...don't leave your new Lab unattended in your home until you are sure that they are housebroken and won't get into mischief! Also, expect an accident or two as they get used to your home...take them out frequently and praise for pottying outside. Take in and out through the same door and watch for the "potty dance"...the signs that your lab will need to go out to do business. Your pup may experience some constipation or diarrhea after their journey- this is normal- however if it continues for more than a couple of days, take to your vet immediately.
We strongly recommend crate training for all new Labs...you may not need it after the first week, but it provides a safe place for your lab to rest and keeps them out of tempting things such as furniture, counters, etc.
Many of these Labs will be starved for attentionm so please be patient as they adjust. If you have rules for your household (such as no jumping on the furniture, etc) be firm and consistent so they will understand who is "boss." A spray bottle with water can do wonders for jumping up on people...just carry with you and when they jump, spray the face and say No!
Introduce your dog to other dogs and cats slowly and expect spats. Feed them in separate rooms for the first week or so until they get used to eating since many spats happen over food!
If you are adopting a young Lab, please read the linked article below by Traci and Bob Montefusco, two experienced Lab owners who forgot how a younger Lab could be. They offer practical advice for all Lab owners who are adopting a young Lab after sharing their home with a older, more mature Lab. Traci and Bob's advice is a "must read" for ALL first time dog owners too!
Feeding premium quality food makes all the difference in your dog's life - energy, health, coat, and behavior. It also makes a difference in how many times a week you need to scoop the yard and how much vacuuming you do in the house. Consult your veterinarian for recommendations. Please call your local pet or feed store to see what premium pet foods they carry. Be adviseed that most grocery stores and large pet store chains do not carry premium quality pet foods. Please see http://www.dogfoodanalysis.com/ for additional information and reviews.
Please click the links below for some helpful advice from trainers we have worked with over the years. There's also a link to website that will help you locate a trainer in your area.
If you have any additional questions, please consult your Adoption Coordinator or click here to contact us.
Labs4Rescue is a volunteer, 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to providing a new life for rescued or displaced Labrador Retrievers and Labrador Mixes.
Our goal is to promote and advance responsible pet ownership.