At what age do labradors calm down
When Do Labs Calm Down? (Hang In There, They Will)
So youve adopted your first dog a Labrador Retriever!Youve 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.
Its important to remember that a dogs first year of life is full of excess energy and excitement. It doesnt 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.
When Will My Lab Calm Down?
No two dogs are the same, but on average most Labradors calm down between the ages of 2-4 years old.
Like all dogs,Labs go through a few different stages of maturitybefore they grow out of their puppy energy.
Unlike some other breeds, Labradors have longer stages as a puppy and adolescent than you may expect.
Are Labs High Energy Dogs?
This is a question with many answers. Labs are popular dogs for a reason
They are friendly, inquisitive, curious, and love to work.
Yet, its many of these same characteristics that may have your dog bouncing off the walls.
Labradors often exhibit an intense level of intelligence and a deep desire to please. Its important to provide them with tasks that challenge their intellect and will keep them engaged.When they become bored they will often look for ways to entertain themselves. This includes chewing furniture, digging holes in your yard, and barking like a maniac.
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Labradors love social interaction!
If your Lab is spending too much time alone it will be easy for their energetic personalities to kick in.
Long story short, Labs have a long list of great traits, but calm is not one of them.
This wont last forever, and there are many things you can do to manage your dogs disposition in the first few years.
Lab Puppy Behavior Stages
Puppyhood
This period of a dogs life is often called the juvenile stage. It lasts about 6 months according to most peoples timeline of having a puppy.
You can expect your Lab puppy to be high-strung.
They will be developing, pushing limits and seeking guidance from you.
Which makes this the perfect time to train your Labrador.
You must take the time to put in place a structure that will allow you to manage your dog as they mature.
Habits and rules taught in this stage are likely to last a lifetime. You will have an easier time managing your Lab if good training is stressed from the beginning.
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Labrador Adolescence
This stage is what it sounds like your dog is a teenager.
This period of development lasts from 6 to 18 months and may last up to the 2-year mark in some dogs.
You may feel as though your Lab is an adult but dont be fooled.
During adolescence Labradors have reached their final size and have filled out. Although their outward appearance does little to reflect their internal and mental development.
Its during this time you will begin to see if your early training has been effective fingers (and paws) crossed!
If it has paid off your Lab pup I mean teen may be well behaved.
Keep in mind that dogs in this stage are still mentally close to puppyhood.
This can result in chaotic moments from time to time.
Occasional bouts of craziness with your Lab, up to two years, are normal, and are a reflection of their stage of life.
Continued work andtraining are important. The good news is that your dog will not be stuck in these early stages of development.
Young Adulthood Adulthood
Past the ages of 18 months to two years, you can expect to see a notable reduction in chaos in your Lab.
Past 36 months, most dogs energy will level off.
This is when you will see the highest payoff in your early investments in training your Lab.Adult dogs are less likely to test established boundaries than when they were puppies.
But this doesnt mean you should expect a docile dog either.
Likely to be calmer in the home, Labradors are a breed that requires regular exercise.
You can expect your pup to race around the dog park for years to come.
This is part of what makes a Labrador great for families on the go or active individuals.
How to Manage a Dog with High Energy Levels?
Its one thing to know that your Lab will calm down. But its another task figuring out how to handle all the chaos while youre waiting for that day to come.
Luckily, there are a handful of effective things you can do to manage your dogs disposition.
Avoid Boredom
Im sure you know this but it is worth mentioning
Your Lab is a working dog with high intelligence and a desire to please.
Left unstimulated, your pup is likely to tear through your home, doing some damage in the process.
To prevent this, you shouldnt allow a young Labrador to get bored.
Plenty of exercise, toys, socialization or even a game will help keep your dog occupied and happy.
If your family goes to the lake, bring him/her along.
If you love to hike, your pup will make a great companion.
If youre a hunting aficionado, consider training your Lab to help out.
All these activities will appeal to a Labs instincts to run and learn. In turn, it will allow you to keep your home intact.
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Proper Training
Obedience training is important in all breeds. But is crucial in larger dogs like Labradors with lots of energy and high intelligence.
Physical exercise is one part of the equation when it comes to a happy Lab.
Training also provides mental stimulation and teaches your dog manners. This can help to bring your dog under control in many situations.
It is the best antidote to destructive behavior and anti-social tendencies.The sooner you begin training your Labrador Retriever the better.
Watch This Video: High Energy Labrador Dog Training Before & After (6:34)
Its important to be consistent with your training sessions.
Set aside time every day to work on basic commands and reward positive behavior.
This will set the tone for years to come and will make calming your Lab manageable.
Curb Bad Habits
Every dog is different, but most are likely to present unwanted behavior early in life.
High energy breeds such as Labs have hyperactive behavior that need to be addressed, such as chewing, barking, and jumping.
If you dont get a handle on it, this destructive behavior will worsen over time. This makes it harder to prevent or reverse when your Labrador reaches adolescence and adulthood.
If you see your pup chewing, invest in safe alternatives like bones or other safe chew toys.
If you observe excessive barking, try not to reinforce or reward the behavior.
Labrador Retrievers are eager to please and receptive to positive reinforcement.
This is why rewarding your Lab when they exhibit desired behaviors helps their brain develop.
Dont Meet Chaos With Chaos
When you bring home a new Lab puppy, it can be easy to meet the energy of your new furry friend where theyre at.
But, meeting excitement with excitement in areas like the home, or in public, can reaffirm hectic behavior where it is not appropriate.
Instead, try to ignore or discourage over-excitement in areas where it could be a problem.Labs, and all dogs, are receptive to the moods and behaviors of their owners.
Getting worked up and encouraging roughhousing with your puppy will send the wrong message and can be hard for your pup to unlearn.
No Puppy Is Perfect
Its important to show patience with your Labrador in the first few years of their life.They experience longer periods of early development than some other breeds of their size and are always learning.
A dog that may behave one day could be jumping and racing around the next.
Frustration is common, but allowing that frustration to get in the way of enjoying time with your Lab is silly.
Instead of punishing your Lab for acting out, continue to reward them for showing appropriate calm behavior.
These episodes of chaos will continue to lessen as they age and will become rare occurrences.
The Good News? The Craziness Wont Last Forever!!
If youre worried your Lab may never calm down, you can take some relief from knowing this isnt true.
Their long early development, paired with high energy can make the first few years of life with your new pup a little crazy.Hang in there, this will begin to wane over time.
In the meantime, its important to do what you can to prevent boredom by providing mental and physical stimulation your Lab craves.
The best recipe for success is to give them lots of exercise, consistent training, and a gentle way to control bad behavior.
Life with your Lab can be crazy and challenging, but also rewarding.
The love, loyalty, and companionship provided by a Labrador is incredible and makes every chaotic moment worth it!
When Do Labs Calm Down?
You just brought home a cute little Labrador puppy and are thinking now youll finally have the company of a dog that is sociable, charming, friendly, and enthusiastic. A true friend! And you are not wrong. Labs are all those things and that is why they are among the most popular dog breeds in the world.
But soon, you realize that your Lab puppy is becoming a handful. It has so much energy that you can barely rest. You always have to be on the lookout to prevent the pup from causing harm to itself or others, because it keeps running about all the time!
And now, you are wondering, when do labs calm down? Do not worry. Eventually, all puppies calm down and Labrador Retrievers are no different. Keep reading this article to find out how to deal with an overly energetic Lab puppy.
When Do Labrador Puppies Calm Down?
You may have been around a lot of dogs that arent Labs, and you would have seen them as puppies, running around, jumping with joy. But almost all of them settled down by the time they were 5-8 months old.
But here you are, trying to calm down your Labrador that is almost 10 months old, and its energy just doesnt seem to wane! Rest assured that there is nothing wrong with your puppy. Labradors do take longer to calm down than most other breeds.
It is not uncommon for lab puppies to remain hyperactive till their first birthday. In extreme cases, your Lab wont start to calm down until 18 months of age. Related: Why do Labradors eat so much?
How Do You Calm a Lab Puppy?
Just because Labradors generally take longer to settle down, it does not mean that you cannot try to calm them down sooner. If your pup is knocking things over too frequently and jumping at visitors for no reason, you may want to try some of these methods to bring down its energy to a manageable level.
Give Your Puppy a Chew Toy
Labrador puppies begin exploring with a great deal of enthusiasm right after they are born. One of the ways they do this is through their mouth and teeth (when they start growing them). This is why chewing off the corners of your homes furniture, upholstery, clothes, etc. is a common activity with these pups.
To divert their attention from your furniture, you may give them a set of chew toys. Make sure to give your puppy plenty of chew toys so your pup doesnt get bored with them.
Exercise Your Puppy Regularly
Blame it on their centuries-old hunting and fishing genes, but it is a common fact that Labradors are not ones to sit quietly. Puppies are even more so. The ancestors of todays labs used to be busy with rigorous outdoor activities. But unfortunately, todays urban life has placed a sedentary life on these active dogs.
This is another reason why Labrador puppies are hyperactive for so long as they dont know how to expend their bubbling energy. What you can do is give your dog plenty of exercise in a regular and controlled manner. That way, your pup will be tired enough to not destroy your furniture.
How Much Exercise Does a Labrador Puppy Need?
This is not as easy to answer as it sounds. Each Labrador puppy is different and they have energy levels, you also have to take into account the type of exercise that your puppy does, a walk is not the same as playing fetch in the yard or playing tug of war in the living room.
But a general rule of thumb is to play with your puppy for 5 minutes per month of age, that is, if your puppy is 3 months old, he should play for 15 minutes at a time, then let him rest. Keep in mind that puppies do not know that they are tired so it is up to you to calm them down and make them take a nap.
A clear sign that your puppy is tired is that he will start biting your hands and will get more mischievous and troublesome than usual. If your puppy gets like this, take him to his bed and try to get him to rest, you can pet him so that he calms down more quickly.
Teach Your Puppy Basic Commands
Like all other dogs, training a lab puppy has to begin as early as possible. Labradors start recognizing basic commands at the young age of 3-6 months, so why not use some of these commands to calm them down? Teach your dog some simple commands such as calm or relax and ensure it understands and follows those commands.
You can also chart out a grooming routine and teach the dog to stay put when you are brushing its coat. As with all other forms of training, reward your dog for following your commands of calming down.
Do Not Reward Bad Behavior
When positive behavior gets rewarded (such as staying calm), your pup would eventually learn to do more of it. But if it is still destroying your furniture or jumping on people, and making your house unlivable and inhospitable, it is time to take charge.
Do not be afraid to put a leash around its neck if it overdoes negative activities. At an early stage, it is essential to establish that you are the owner and that the dog cannot oppose your control over it.
Give out a firm No when the dog starts biting off your furniture. Of course, you have to train your dog for it to understand that the word No means this behavior is unacceptable and is not going to fetch it any rewards. Related: Do Labradors bark a lot?
Give Your Puppy a Place to Rest Comfortably
Just as physical exercise is important for a lab pup, a good amount of rest is also equally essential. But the resting place for your lab pup has to be such that the dog looks forward to resting in that place.
So, set up its kennel or its room with toys and make sure the dog bed is comfortable. After all the energy-releasing exercises, if your pup has a good place to rest, it would want to calm down by itself, without you needing to reinforce it.
Provide Food Puzzle Toys When You Leave
Alright, you can keep an eye on your pup when you are at home. But what about when you have to leave for work? How on earth are you going to prevent your hyperactive pup from turning the house inside out?
You can look at some food puzzle toys that provide hours of entertainment for your pup while you are gone. Why do labs fall for it? Because labs are intelligent animals and need mental stimulation from time to time.
There are various kinds of puzzle toys on the market, some are chewable, while others are shaped as slow-feed bowls. Try out a few and see what your dog prefers.
Do Labs Calm Down After Being Neutered?
There is a common belief that neutering a pet dog changes its behavior, but in recent times, this has been seen to be untrue. Dogs should ideally be neutered only for birth control and not for aggression because often aggression is seen even in neutered pets. Hence, if you are thinking that your lab pup will automatically calm down after being neutered, that may not be the case.
When Should a Lab Be Neutered?
If not for behavioral reasons, then when should your lab be neutered? Well, it depends, and the best judge is always your vet.
Some veterinarians recommend neutering pet dogs before they reach sexual maturity to curb any unwanted reproduction. But neutering at an early age comes with some health risks as well.
Other vets are now suggesting that dogs should be allowed to sexually mature for proper mental and physical development before they are neutered. So, talk to your vet and understand the risks versus benefits of neutering early before taking a decision.
Why Is My Labrador So Hyper?
Pups typically grow out of the hyperactive stage as maturity kicks in, but some owners of Labradors complain that their dogs are hyper even when they are full-grown adults, and some are hyper even after they have reached senior age.
These dogs may never calm down and it may be in their genes to be active all through life. Try out some of the effective methods of calming your dog as discussed above. If all fails, you may want to visit the vet to rule out (or diagnose) underlying health issues or chronic anxiety.
Do remember that hyper or not, your lab is still your best friend for life and can be a loyal, loving pet if you provide the right circumstances.
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