Labs have extremely high energy levels and just because
your Labrador Retriever does not go out hunting, it
does not mean that this dog is missing its inner expression
to release the same amount of energy. This is great
news for active people who like to swim, jog, and play
fetch games as often as possible.
The term 'disastrous dog owner' would best describe
a person who is raising a Lab but absolutely hates going
outside and being active. There are many people out
there who love nothing more than to sit around the house
all day watching television while they expect their
Lab dogs to lay quietly alongside their feet with no
need at all to run and play.
These types of people tend to complain that their pets
are overactive and causing too much trouble around the
house. However, the truth is that the dogs are perfectly
healthy and literally wired and itching to move around.
It is the way they were genetically programmed. It is
what they were bred to do. Therefore, the problem lies
within the owner, not the Lab.
Think Long & Hard Before Buying A
Lab Puppy
Most people who run out and buy a puppy, especially
one as active as a Labrador Retriever, have a tendency
to overestimate the amount of play-time they can invest
in their dog. Eventually, the excitement and joy of
playing with a new puppy subsides and when the dog owner
gets bored, these little balls of energy are left to
entertain themselves.
Adult Labrador dogs need a minimum of one hour each
and every day, both in the morning and again at night,
to participate in strenuous, interactive physical activities.
This does not mean simply letting your dog out in the
yard by itself while you cook dinner. This will not
suffice as playtime. Labs need a partner to run and
fetch with. Left to themselves for physical activity
will prove unsuccessful as Labs tend not to exercise
by themselves in a constructive manner.
When Labs Become Destructive
You can't just open up the door and tell your Lab to
go play. While some dogs are independent enough to run
around outside by themselves, Labrador Retrievers need
someone to play with and if you are not around then
they may become destructive. Behaviors such as non-stop
barking, chewing, and digging up the yard will become
commonplace.
Should your Lab start to demonstrate these types of
negative activities, the last thing you want to do is
become frustrated and deem your pet aggressive. The
truth is that he is just doing what you wanted him to
do: entertain himself.
Unless you are there to direct your Lab and be the
leader while taking fun trips outside in the form of
a hike, a jog, or retrieving games in the water, you
must take responsibility for his destructive behavior
and know that it is your fault and your responsibility
to take charge of your Lab's physical needs.
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