Welcome to your puppy knowledge base!

Bringing a Labrador puppy into your life is a wonderful adventure. Labradors are rightly famous for their friendly natures, intelligence, and boundless enthusiasm for life (and food!). That tiny, adorable furball quickly grows into a boisterous adolescent and an affectionate, soft-but-strong, adult who’ll thrive on company and activity. 

This guide will help you every step of the way, from puppy checks and healthy habits to building happy, manageable routines. Written by vets, it’s packed with trusted advice to give your puppy the very best start in life.

Establishing routine

Structure brings calm to puppy-orchestrated chaos! A consistent routine helps your puppy quickly learn when it’s time to eat, play, and snooze.

• Labradors are famously food-motivated: a consistent feeding routine helps prevent overeating, keeping their weight and body condition healthy.

• Feed, play, and encourage toileting at the same time every day to provide structure.

• Puppies have small bladders. Take them outside after meals, naps, and play sessions.

• Set up a cosy bed or crate in a quiet area to help your puppy feel secure.

• Puppies can sleep up to 18–20 hours a day. Sleep is extremely important. It’s when their bodies grow, their brains develop, and they process everything they’re learning. Lack of sleep can lead to irritability, poor learning, and even health issues.

Socialisation and training

Socialisation and training are the building blocks of a confident, well-behaved dog. Labradors are intelligent, learn quickly and love to please, so training is especially rewarding. But their enthusiasm can sometimes get the better of them, so it’s important to teach calm greetings and impulse control early on.

• Gradually introduce your puppy to different people, places, and vaccinated dogs to build confidence and prevent overexcitement.

• Try teaching your puppy basic commands like “sit,” “stay,” and “come.”

• Reward good behaviour with treats, praise, or play to encourage repetition.

• Keep training sessions brief (5–10 minutes) and fun. 

Did you know? The golden window for socialisation is between 3 and 16 weeks, a short but vital period for developing your puppy’s confidence and curiosity.

Teething and chewing

Chewing is a normal (and important) part of your puppy’s teething stage, but even as puppies, Labradors are powerful chewers and also chew for fun. Here’s how to protect your furniture (and shoes) while helping soothe sore gums.

• If your puppy is very drooly or irritable, teething might be the cause. Baby teeth appear around 3 weeks and are usually all in by 8 weeks. Adult teeth gradually replace these between 3 and 7 months.

• Offer your puppy a variety of puppy-friendly chew toys, including some that can be chilled in the fridge to soothe sore gums.

• Gently redirect your puppy from furniture or hands to their chew toys, rewarding them when they chew the right things.

Health and veterinary care

Healthy puppy = happy puppy! Vet check-ups, vaccines and regular parasite control give your new friend the best start in life.

• Take your puppy for a vet check within the first few weeks to ensure they’re healthy and discuss vaccinations.

• Vaccination is vital to protect your puppy from serious infectious diseases. Essential vaccines cover distemper, parvovirus, infectious hepatitis and leptospirosis.

• Puppies usually have their first vaccinations at 8 weeks old, then 1–2 further injections at 4-week intervals to complete the initial course.

• Ask your vet about flea, tick, and worm prevention suitable for your puppy.

• Make sure they’re microchipped. By law, all puppies must be microchipped by eight weeks old.

• Talk to your vet about diet and activity levels to reduce the risk of weight and joint problems.

Grooming basics

Grooming isn’t just about appearance. Labradors have a dense, water-resistant double coat that sheds year-round, with twice yearly heavier sheds. Regular brushing, at least once or twice a week, helps remove loose hair and keeps their coat healthy.

• Labradors don’t need frequent baths, and over-bathing can dry out their skin and coat.

• Rinse your Labrador after muddy walks or swimming to keep their coat in top condition.

• Get your puppy used to nail trims early to make things easier as they get bigger.

• For stubborn mud (or after rolling in something smelly), bathe with gentle, puppy-formulated shampoo and warm water. Avoid getting water in their ears and eyes, and make sure to dry thoroughly afterwards.

Tips for success

1. Patience: Puppies are curious and still learning about the world, so stay calm, patient, and consistent.

2. Focus: Labradors love to learn but can be easily distracted — keep sessions short, positive, and fun.

3. Exercise: Daily activity keeps Labradors happy and healthy. Start with gentle walks and increase gradually as they grow.

4. Socialisation: The first three months are key for controlled social development

5. Mental stimulation: Labradors thrive on puzzles, scent games, and retrieval play to keep clever brains busy!

6. Professional help: Speak to your vet as soon as possible if health or behavioural concerns arise.

Quick checklist for the first month

• Establish a consistent routine

• Begin basic training and socialisation

• Monitor teething and provide appropriate toys

• Organise a veterinary check-up

• Begin grooming routines

• Introduce gentle retrieving games to channel natural instincts

• Start brushing early to get your puppy comfortable with regular coat care

FAQs

Q: How often should I feed my Labrador puppy?
A: Feed three to four balanced meals a day. Labradors love food, so measure portions carefully to prevent overeating.

Q: When can I start walking my Labrador puppy?
A: Once vaccinations are complete (around 14 weeks), start with short, gentle walks and gradually increase as they grow.

Q: How can I stop my Labrador puppy from biting?
A: Offer sturdy, age-appropriate chew toys, redirect gently, and reward calm, gentle play.

Q: Is it normal for my Labrador puppy to sleep a lot?
A: Yes! They often sleep 16–20 hours a day to support rapid growth. Make sure they have a quiet, comfy place to rest.

Come back next month for tips on training and helping your puppy grow into a confident, well-behaved dog!