How Much Exercise Does a Labrador Need?

Written by Dr. Anne Traas in Health and Nutrition

Labrador Retrievers are a breed known for being sweet, intelligent, loyal, and rarely aggressive – merely big lovers. While they are all of these things, they are also very energetic dogs. Bringing a Labrador Retriever into your family means being aware and committed to getting your dog some much needed exercise that they both love and deserve. In this article we break down the amount of exercise our veterinarians suggest for your Labrador based on their age. We’ve also included some creative ideas for you and your family to better meet those needs.

How Much Exercise Does a Labrador Need?

How much exercise a Labrador Retriever needs in a day will vary depending on their age. An adult Labrador will need anywhere from 40-120 minutes of exercise each day, while a puppy really only needs about 15-25 minutes a day.

We think of our Labrador Retrievers as house and/or family pets, however it’s important to remember they have the genetic makeup of a working dog. This makes exercise mandatory for your Labrador Retriever, as without it, dogs can become bored and start engaging in undesirable behavior. Regular exercise keeps furry friends happy, healthy, and calm.

How much exercise is needed to keep your Labrador healthy and happy depends on their age. An adult Labrador Retriever will need significantly more exercise than a little puppy who is still growing and developing. Puppies will typically require more sleep than exercise.

How Much Exercise Does a Labrador Need? Puppies

How much exercise does a Labrador Retriever Puppy need? A simple formula can be used to determine this. A Labrador puppy typically needs 5 minutes of exercise per month they’ve been alive.

So, if your puppy is three months old they will need about 15 minutes of daily exercise, at four months about 20 minutes of daily exercise, at five months, they will require roughly 25 minutes of daily exercise, and so on. This rule is encouraged until your pup reaches one year old.

Keep in mind that puppies still have tender bones that are still developing and little bodies that are still growing. Over-exercising as a puppy can lead to early bone and joint issues.

We highly encourage starting an exercise routine with your Labrador Retriever at a young age. Meeting this need creates a strong bond between you and your puppy while encouraging a happy, healthy lifestyle.

How Much Exercise Does a Labrador Need? Adults and Seniors

Exercise for adult Labrador Retrievers is crucial for maintaining good health and keeping muscles and joints functioning while also managing their weight.

Getting 20 – 30 minutes of exercise twice daily is the recommended amount for Labrador Retrievers. Since Labrador Retrievers are active by nature, you often won’t have to worry about giving them too much exercise. They are usually happy to take on any physical activity you throw at them.

As Labrador Retrievers age, it’s important to keep an eye out for signs of aches and pains or signs that they are slowing down. Labrador Retrievers are known for wanting to make their owners happy, with that it’s not uncommon for them to overexert themselves even as they age. This can lead to bone or joint issues as well as soreness.

A good way to ensure your Labrador Retriever will get the right amount of exercise is to consider your own lifestyle and tailor your needs. If you’re an active person that goes on daily walks or runs, take your dog with you. If you’re more laid back, consider other exercises for your pet, such as playing fetch or dock diving.

As long as your Lab is spending time with you while they are active, they’ll stay happy and healthy.

Best Ways to Exercise a Labrador Retriever

Rain or shine, there are a lot of ways to make sure your Labrador is getting enough exercise. Get creative with it as Labs tend to go with the flow, and be sure to check with your vet before taking your Lab on a high impact or strenuous activity.

Exercise Ideas for Puppies

How much exercise does a Labrador need? Puppies

Exercise for your Labrador Retriever puppy is essential. Exercise at an early age helps set healthy habits from the start. It also helps them burn off some excess energy allowing for more calm training time.

Exercises for Puppies

Walking. Walks are a great way to both get your puppy some fresh air, and get a few minutes of exercise for both you and your dog. When taking your puppy on a walk, be sure to walk at a normal pace, stopping when your puppy sits and continuing once your puppy stands up again. Don’t stray too far from home to avoid over-exercising and putting a strain on developing bones and joints.
Running free. If you have a fenced-in backyard or access to a fenced-in dog park, letting your new furry friend run free is a wonderful form of exercise for energetic pups.
Swimming. At around three months, you can introduce your Labrador Retriever puppy to swimming by allowing him or her to wade in and play in low water. This is a great form of exercise for little ones because this type of exercise is low impact on tender joints.
Interactive Dog Toys. Interactive dog toys are great for rainy days, or anytime you find yourself stuck inside and need to exercise your puppy. Check out these recommendations:
1. Starmark Bob-A-Lot Interactive Dog Toy. This interactive dog toy will keep your pup busy, on the move, and comes with the added benefit of dispensing treats.
2. Hyper Pet Doggie Tail. This plush toy wiggles vibrates, and barks and is sure to keep your pup moving and entertained.
3. Woodland Friends Burrow Hide and Seek Toy. This large interactive toy puzzle includes three squeaky chipmunks that will keep your pup occupied.
4. Wobble Wag Giggle Ball. This is our dogs favorite toy. He plays for hours with this thing. It does make noise, for the crazy rolling feature is what our Labrador loves!
Fetch. Labrador Retrievers are natural retrievers, so this game will come naturally to them. An added benefit of fetch is this can be played indoors or outdoors. Remember to keep toys lightweight for small mouths.

Exercise Ideas for Adult Labrador Retrievers

How much exercise does a Labrador need? Swimming

Some of our favorite ways to exercise with Adult Labrador Retrievers are listed below. Make sure you mix it up giving your dog a variety of exercises. This will keep him from getting bored and works out different parts of the body.

Hiking

Hiking is a great way to shake up a traditional walk. Make sure you check before a hike to make sure it’s a dog friendly location and check rules regarding leashes. Remember to bring a bowl for water or your dog may get dehydrated. After a long hike, it’s great to give your hiking buddy a warm relaxing bath for recovery.

We love the COMSUN Collapsible Dog Bowl for hiking trips. It’s very durable, reusable and has a clip to go on your backpack, purse or leash.

Dog Parks

Labrador Retrievers are naturally friendly dogs, so taking your dog to a dog park is a great way for your dog to run around free and get social. Be sure to check your local dog park rules before you visit.

If you’re unsure of where a dog park is in your city, there are a number of apps that can help with that. Here are a few apps that can help you find the perfect spot to take your furry friend.

Dog Park Finder Plus – this app not only lists dog parks, but also includes a list of dog-friendly restaurants.
Bark Happy – this app lists local dog parks, as well as, dog-friendly restaurants and hotels, and amenities offered at each one.
Off Leash – Off-leash is a great app for not only finding nearby dog parks, but it also gives you all the details/rules of each dog park.
PlayPal Dog Park Buddy – Another great app for locating dog parks, and PlayPal allows you to set up puppy play dates with your friends.

Swimming

For the hot summer months, swimming is a great exercise for your Labrador Retrievers both for fun and as a way to cool off. Labrador Retrievers are natural swimmers, and their coat allows them to dry quickly. If you don’t have a pool at home, you can take your dog to a dog-friendly lake or fill up a kiddy pool for them.

For Labs that are new to swimming, take baby steps by starting them in shallow waters. Even if your dog is a seasoned swimmer, it’s important to take their collar off and watch them at all times. Accidents can always happen!

After a day of swimming, be sure to give your dog a bath to remove any dirt and/or chlorine from their coat.

Fetch

Fetch is a super fun game for you and your Labrador . Grab his or her favorite small, lightweight toy and head outside to your favorite park, or if the weather isn’t ideal for spending time outdoors, stay inside.

Due to their “retriever” instincts, Labrador Retrievers usually LOVE playing fetch. You can spend and hour straight with some Labradors and they never tire of this game.

Agility Training

Agility training help bond with your pet, and is also a lot of fun. Agility training can be done anywhere, in your backyard, favorite local park, or even inside on a bad weather day. A lot of areas have local agility groups you can join to make it a group activity for you and your dog.

You can DIY your own agility course with tunnels, hula hoops, and/or PVC pipes. There are a lot of tips and ideas on YouTube to show you how to build your own for under $50.

Walking or Running

The classic walk or run is still a top pick for your Labrador Retriever. If you’re a runner, don’t worry about your Labrador Retriever not being able to keep up with you, they typically don’t have a problem keeping up with their owners.

Hunting

Labrador Retrievers are hunters at heart making a it the perfect exercise activity for them. Keep in mind there will need to be training before your Lab is ready to go hunting, once they’re ready, they’ll fall in love with this version of exercise.

Hide and Seek

Hide and seek is a great way to keep your Labrador Retriever active on a rainy day. It’s just as entertaining for you as it if for them. Find a distraction for them, maybe throw their toy, then hide. Your dog will love the challenge of finding you.

Dock Diving

If your Labrador Retriever loves the water, take them dock diving. This is basically a water version of fetch. Just take your dogs favorite you that will float, chuck it in the water and watch the show. Dock diving can be a tiring activity, so make sure you’re looking out for signs of your dog wearing out.

Laser Pointer

Another idea for some inside exercising is shining a laser around the house and allowing your dog to chase it. Just be sure not to point the laser in your dog’s eyes as this can cause damage to eyes.

Tug of War

Tug of war is a great game to play indoors or outdoors, and can be played with a variety of toys. The Goughnuts Tug Toy is a safe and tough option for a tug of war rope for your dog. Tug of war can trigger aggression in some dogs, so if you notice this type of behavior, discontinue this activity and choose another form of exercise.

Hiding Treats

A great way to entertain your dog indoors is to hide some treats around the house. This will keep your dog actively entertained while they track down each one.

Signs Your Labrador Retriever Isn’t Getting Enough Exercise

How much exercise does a Labrador need? Signs

Labrador Retrievers are active dogs which means they need daily exercise. As a dog owner, you may be asking if your pet is getting the required amount they need. Here are some ways you can tell if your dog is not getting enough exercise.

Weight Gain. Weight gain will occur if your dog is eating too much and not exercising enough. If you notice a significant change in your dog’s weight, consider how much food your dog is consuming versus how much exercise they’re getting. Consider increasing the amount of exercise your dog is getting, and also consult with your vet regarding a diet and exercise plan.

Depression/Becoming Withdrawn. If your dog was once social but has become more withdrawn, they may not be receiving enough physical activity. Like humans, dogs require physical activity to maintain good physical and emotional health.

Destructive Behavior. Suddenly engaging in destructive behavior such as chewing, getting into the trash, and/or increased aggression toward people or other dogs are all telltale signs of your Labrador Retriever not getting enough exercise.

Excessive Barking or Whining. Dogs that aren’t receiving enough exercise will often begin to bark or whine to gain their owner’s attention.

Hyperactivity. If you notice your Labrador Retriever becoming a little too excited when going outside and engaging in activities such as leash pulling or becoming difficult to control while on a walk, it may be time to increase how much exercise he or she is getting.

Stiffness or Lack of Endurance. If your dog isn’t getting enough physical activity, they may become stiff, sore, and their endurance may plummet. It’s important to consult with your vet to address any underlying health conditions.

Conclusion

We want to keep our dogs mentally and physically healthy by keeping up with their exercise needs. Labrador Retrievers require daily exercise to maintain a healthy, happy life.

Labrador Retriever puppies don’t require as much daily exercise as adults, but making sure puppies and adults are getting enough physical activity will strengthen your bond with your dog, keep muscles and joints functioning, and aid in maintaining their weight.

As we covered, there are a variety of ways to keep your Labrador Retriever active both inside and outside such as hiking, swimming, hide and seek, dock diving, and agility training. Examining your own interests and lifestyles and tailoring in your dog’s needs will help ensure they are getting the right amount of exercise.

If you’re concerned your dog may not be getting enough exercise, there are signs you can look for, such as excessive barking, weight gain, or depression. Always consult with your vet just in case there are underlying health conditions.

Now that you know how much exercise your Labrador needs and different ways you and your dog can get active, it’s time to get up and get out with your best furry friend. If you are interested in training your dog, be sure to read our Guide to Training a Labrador Retriever!

Do Labradors Shed?

Written by Dr. Anne Traas in Breed Information

Yes Labradors shed fur. The coat on Labs makes them beautiful dogs and soft cuddle partners, but black, yellow or brown fur all over floors and furniture just doesn’t have the same effect. Luckily, there are lots of ways to address the coat your Labrador retriever may be leaving behind.

Labrador Retriever Shedding

Shedding from Labrador Retrievers usually tends to be a moderate to heavy amount depending on the dog. However, by keeping a simple brushing and coat grooming routine, you can reduce the amount significantly.

How Much Do Labradors Shed?

Stating exactly how much a Labrador Retriever will shed is not so simple, because shedding can vary a good deal from one individual dog to the next. For most Labrador Retrievers, you can expect moderate shedding to be healthy. Moderate shedding can be thought of as finding stray hairs floating around on flooring and fur sticking to furniture or clothes the dog is up against.

Certain factors, however, can cause more substantial shedding. Heavy shedding can look like tufts of dog hair falling out as opposed to stray hairs. Knowing when to expect extra shedding can help you stay on top of it!

Do Labradors Shed Regularly? Types of Regular Shedding

There are three types of regular shedding. While there are many reasons that a Labrador might shed, here are the three most common found in dogs.

Seasonal Shedding

Many Labrador owners will notice that twice a year shedding briefly, but sharply, increases. During the fall season, your Labrador Retriever will be growing in a thicker, warmer winter coat. This means the lighter, thinner coat from summer will be distributed wherever they go in the meantime.

Come spring, that heavy coat is not going to be doing them any good. So, your Labrador Retriever’s shedding will pick back up as they lose their winter coat in preparation for warmer weather.

Puppy Coat Shedding

If you’ve brought home a Labrador Retriever puppy, you should be prepared for some extra shedding in the first few months. When Lab puppies are born with a coat that is extra thick and protective. Since they will not need the extra warmth as they get bigger, Labradors shed this coat by the time a puppy reaches four to six months old. So be patient if you’re dealing with an avidly shedding Labrador Retriever puppy! The amount of fur they are losing should decrease around the sixth month.

Shedding After Neutering or Spaying

If you have noticed extra dog fur floating around following the neutering or spaying of your Labrador Retriever, you’re not crazy. Especially in male dogs, changes in their hormones after the procedure can affect their coats. Labradors shed a bit more for a few weeks following the surgery.

They will adjust to this change, and shedding should go back to normal as they recover. If you are considering neutering or spaying, be prepared for the possibility of extra shedding.

Effect of Diet on Shedding

Labradors shed more if they are not on a high-quality diet. Poor diet can affect their skin and coat. Dry skin and a more brittle coat will increase shedding. A healthy diet that is rich in fatty acids and digestible proteins will make for a robust and healthy coat and less shedding.

Shedding Caused by Stress

Stress can have adverse effects on dogs, similar to the way it affects humans. So, Labradors shed more when they are under high-stress. For example I notice that when Labs are at the vet clinic the amount of fur is much greater than when they are comfortable at home. When considering your Labrador Retriever’s stress levels, ask yourself:

Have there been any significant changes in your home?
Are they regularly fed and given water?
Are they able to regularly get enough rest?
Are they getting enough exercise?
Are they being given attention?

By ensuring proper care in these areas and a safe, consistent environment, you will keep your labrador happy and healthy, and your home less furry.

How to Manage Shedding

Below are a few ways to deal with shedding. While some of the ways minimize the amount of fur that Labradors shed, others are ways to deal with the fur already shed.

Regular Grooming

The good news is that by implementing some regular grooming, you can significantly reduce the amount of fur that falls off throughout your house.

Brushing

Brushing out your Labrador’s coat will catch a good portion of their loose fur before it falls out around the house. Not only does this help with shedding, but smooths out the coat and distributes the oils that make Labrador Retrievers’ coats shiny and beautiful!

Start by brushing your Labrador Retriever three or four times weekly and increase brushing if needed. At times when shedding picks up, like spring and fall, daily brushing may be required to have a significant impact of shedding.

Check out our article Best Dog Brushes for Labrador Retrievers to learn more.

Bathing

Bathing your Labrador Retriever works like brushing by gently removing stray fur before it falls from the coat naturally. Using quality shampoo will help to keep their coat intact by making hair healthy and strong.

Bathe your Labrador at least once a month, but no more than every other week. Not overdoing bathing is big because too much can dry out your dog’s skin causing more shedding.

Deshedding Tools

Once you have committed to the daily maintenance of grooming your Labrador Retriever, a deshedding tools will help to make sure you’re getting the best results out of all that time brushing away.

Your regular dog brush will undoubtedly get the job done in removing some excess fur, but you can prevent even more shedding by using brushes designed to pick up loose fur. To find the best product for you and your dog, make sure to find a brush meant for coat that labrador retrievers have.

If you have a dog who can’t sit still, a brush that covers more area and makes grooming quick may be best for you. A dog who enjoys being brushed will love sitting still to be pet with grooming gloves! Besides what will best suit your pup, there are plenty of options in price, colors, and features.

Controlling the Mess

Despite your best efforts, some fur will inevitably trail behind your Labrador Retriever. The right cleaning products can make all the difference in keeping fur at bay in your home.

Vacuuming

A good vacuum can make keeping up with fur much more manageable, or much more difficult. If you have a Labrador Retriever, you will likely find yourself vacuuming behind them at least three days a week or more during the heavy shedding period. If you rely heavily on a vacuum, consider one made specifically to catch and pick up pet hair. By picking up the most hair the first time around, these vacuums will save you time and stress.

Furniture Covers

Covering furniture prevents dog hair from sticking to surfaces that it easily clings to and is harder to clean. Covering your furniture does not have to mean uncomfortable plastic over your couch. Slipcovers offer protection for your furniture, keeping your home cleaner all while being comfortable and looking beautiful.

Lint Rollers

For the fur that finds its way on your all-black outfit or favorite sweater, a lint roller is a perfect solution. Keeping one by the door for after saying goodbye to your Labrador Retriever can be very handy. In a pinch, lint rollers can also be great to clean pillows and small chairs!

Conclusion

Let’s face it…Labrador Retrievers shed. But as Labrador Retriever lovers, we understand we have to take the bad with the good. We love their beautiful coats and their lovable personalities. Read our article Labrador Retriever Coat Care to learn more about taking care of your loved one’s fur.

By combining the proper care with effective cleaning methods, you can keep your home clean, and you and your Labrador Retriever happy. Don’t let a little fur get in the way of a great relationship with your dog!

Do Labradors Smell?

Written by Dr. Anne Traas in Breed Information,Health and Nutrition

Labrador Retrievers are beautiful, sweet, and friendly dogs. They get along well with adults, kids, and other pets, including cats. But do Labradors smell? We answer that question, and give you ways to keep your Labrador smelling clean and fresh.

Do Labrador Retrievers Smell

A clean, dry, and healthy Labrador should not smell bad. However, just like any other dog breed, Labrador Retrievers can develop a bad odor. There are many different causes that could lead to a bad smelling dog. The causes of the smell may include:

Natural metabolic secretions
Poor diet
Yeast or bacterial infections
Rolling in smelly substances
Normal wet dog smell

It is essential to determine the cause of the smell before looking for a solution. Once you have determined the cause, you can use various techniques to prevent and eliminate the odor.

Why Labradors Smell (sometimes)

Metabolic reactions, including skin oils, can cause Labrador Retrievers to smell. Moist areas have the most concentration of bacteria and usually produce the most odor.

The moist areas include the:

Mouth
Nose
Under the tail
Ears
Skin folds

Apart from metabolic secretions, there are many other causes of bad odor in Labrador Retrievers.

Health Problems

Several health problems may cause Labrador Retrievers to smell. Some may have bad breath caused by diabetes or kidney failure.

Although normal dog breath is a bit smelly, excessively smelly dog breath may be a sign of poor health. Teeth and gum diseases may also cause bad breath in Labrador Retrievers.

Gum and teeth diseases may also cause increased drooling. Some of the saliva in a drooling dog may get to its fur, which may cause it to smell even more.

The bad odor may also be caused by bacterial infections in the ears, which may cause the dog to shake its head excessively. Watch for this in your Labrador and make sure you keep their ears dry and clean.

Flatulence can also cause bad smell in dogs. Persistent flatulence may be caused by a poor diet, infection of the intestines or other areas of the gut, or consistently eating non-dog food items.

An infection of the anal sacs may also cause bad odor in Labrador Retrievers. The anal sacs are marking glands located in the anal area. Dogs squeeze the anal sacs during pooping, which causes the sacs to release a smelly secretion.

Labrador Retrievers can also secrete the smelly secretion onto their fur when scared or excited, which may cause them to smell.

Cheese-like Smell

These infections tend to occur in moist areas of the dog’s body. Bacterial and yeast infections may cause itching, which prompts the dog to scratch the itchy part.

Scratching may cause inflammation, which may worsen the infection. Treating the infection may eliminate bad odors.

If you notice your Labrador having a cheese-like smell, consider checking its ears. Labrador Retrievers are susceptible to ear infections due to the overgrowth of yeast.

Signs of yeast infection in the ears include:

Moldy odor from the ears
Red, itchy ears
Debris on the ear lobes

Ear infections may also be a sign of hypothyroidism, a more serious health complication.

Skin Infections (Pyoderma)

Labrador Retrievers are vulnerable to pyoderma, a form of skin infection. This condition is more common in dogs with double coats.

Common causes of pyoderma include:

Autoimmune disorders
Allergies
Cancer
Thyroid diseases
Liver diseases

Signs of pyoderma include:

Hair loss
Scales
Itchiness
Pustules
Foul smell

Canine Atopic Dermatitis (Allergies)

This is one of the most common health complications among Labrador Retrievers.

Symptoms of canine atopic dermatitis include:

Red, dry, or oily skin
Hair loss around the muzzles and eyes
Mild to severe itching
Chewing at the paws
Skin lesions
Repeated ear infections

Causes of canine atopic dermatitis include:

Flea bites
Contact with allergens
Intolerance to some foods

See our full article on Allergies in Labradors.

Rolling on Smelly Substances or Water

Your dog may become smelly if it rolls on smelly substances. Consider taking steps to ensure your dog does not roll on smelly objects, including grass and dirt.

Dogs that have been in water also smell bad. If your Labrador has been playing in rain or pool water, its fur may produce a distinct, unpleasant “wet dog” smell.

If your dog has been playing on dirty water, consider rinsing it before the dirty water sticks to its coat.

Infections

Common infections that may cause your Labrador to smell include yeast and skin infections. Yeast is one of the most common health complications in Labrador Retrievers.

A bad smell usually accompanies yeast infection. Common signs of yeast infection include smelly paws and ears.

Labrador Retrievers with yeast infection usually scratch their ears and paws regularly. Take your dog to the vet if you suspect a yeast infection.

Skin infections can also cause your dog to smell. Signs of skin infection include regularly scratching, thinning of hair, and flaking of skin.

If you suspect your dog has an ear infection, check out our article on Labrador Retriever Ear Infections for more information.

Bad Diet

A poor diet may also cause your dog to smell. Bad diet may cause flatulence and bad breath, both of which can cause your Labrador to smell.

If your dog starts smelling bad after a diet change, the diet could be the likely cause of the bad smell. Consult your vet for your dog’s diet recommendations.

How to Improve the Smell of Your Labrador Retriever

Various factors cause Labrador Retrievers to smell. Fortunately, you can use some tips to improve the smell of your dog. Below we list some of the most common ways you can get them back to smelling clean and fresh.

Tips to Ensure Your Labrador Doesn’t Smell

Keep Your Dog Dry

When your Labrador gets wet, it can become smelly. Wet dog coats may also cause infections. Be sure to dry your dog’s ears and skin when they get wet. In addition, check your dog’s ears regularly for signs of infections.

Diet and Hygiene

Consult a vet to determine the best diet for your Labrador Retriever. A bad diet can cause your dog to smell.

Wash and groom your dog regularly. Cleaning your Labrador gives your dog’s coat a fresh smell. Be sure to check out our articles on how to give your labrador a bath and the best shampoos for labradors.

Regular cleaning of your dog also removes loose fur on its coat, which may increase bad odor. Remember, Labrador Retrievers may be a bit smelly after cleaning, but the smell should go away once the coat dries.

Keep smelly objects and substances away from your dog’s play area. This will prevent your dog from playing or rolling on the smelly objects.

Be sure to clean all your dog’s beddings regularly. Your dog’s beddings may harbor fleas, bacteria, and parasites.

Wash your dog’s bedding with hot water and vinegar or baking soda to eliminate odors. However, avoid using a fabric softener when doing your dog’s laundry to prevent allergic reactions.

Regular Grooming

Take some time to groom your dog regularly through bathing, drying, and brushing. Regular grooming prevents infection-causing bacteria from accumulating on the coat of your dog.

Brushing loose hair helps to stimulate the skin to secrete oils, which prevents bacterial infection and yeast growth. Be sure to check out our article for The Best Dog Brushes for Labrador Retrievers.

An essential part of grooming is dental care. Consider cleaning your dog’s teeth regularly. Buy a dog toothbrush and use it to brush your dog’s teeth at regularly. Read our article about Labrador Retriever Teeth Care for more information.

Ask your vet for a dental check up and cleaning to insure that your dog’s mouth remains healthy. Your vet should also help you treat gum and teeth infections, if any are found.

Talk to a Vet

Consult a vet if you cannot determine the exact cause of the bad smell. This is a great option, especially if your dog has had the smell for a long time.

Visit a vet if you suspect a medical cause of the bad smell. The vet should provide you with expert advice tailored to your Labrador Retriever.

Your vet might ask you a few questions to help with the diagnosis, including:

When did the bad smell start?
When does the dog tend to smell bad?

Just remember to bring as much information as you can to the appointment. It helps to get an accurate diagnosis.

Conclusion

So, do Labradors smell? Like any creature, Labrador Retrievers can smell bad. Fortunately most do not and for those that do, the smell can be greatly improved if you can determine the causes. Using our tips above help to keeping your dog clean and smelling great!

Labrador Retrievers are beautiful dogs, and they can smell wonderful as well. It just takes a little time, effort, and love!

A great shampoo with very helpful with smell. Check out our picks for the Best Shampoo for Labrador Retrievers to see what we use for our dogs.

Training a Labrador Retriever: The Complete Guide to Success

Written by Dr. Anne Traas in Training

Whether you are thinking of becoming the lucky pet parent to a labrador retriever, or already have a fur baby at home, it’s important to educate yourself and your family on how to train a Labrador retriever at any age. Not all Labrador retrievers enter their new families while puppies – some are lucky enough to be rescued in their adolescence, adulthood, or even senior ages.

How To Train a Labrador Retriever

Training a labrador is a multi-step process. Start with the basics, such as potty training, leash training, and socialization skills. The training process continues into adolescence and adulthood as you reinforce and refine the skills your retriever learned.

We have created the complete guide on training Labradors at any age. We will take you from puppy training, continued adolescent training, and reinforcement training for adult Labrador retrievers. Along the way, we will teach you the importance of potty training, crate training, socialization, and corrective behaviors (like preventing biting, digging, and chewing on household items.)

We hope our step-by-step approach will make you feel confident in training your pup (which should, in turn, help your puppy trust you and your authority.) With tender love, care, and vigilance, your Labrador retriever pup will be a well-behaved best friend in no time!

Training: Labrador Retriever Puppies

When to Begin Training

Training (hopefully) begins before you even bring your new puppy home. Some breeders start training pups before they find a family. Often this training includes things like mild crate training, mild potty training, and corrective behaviors. Of course, not all breeders do this. Not only that, but many people do not find their Labrador via breeders, but rather shelters or rescues.

Regardless, it’s important to note that dogs should not be separated from their mothers or littermates before the ages of 7-8 weeks old. Studies have found this to be damaging to puppy’s psyche and emotional well-being, which can lead to behavioral issues down the road. Therefore, you can expect to begin training as soon as you pick up your 8-week-old Labrador retriever!

Before the Pup Arrives Home

In a lot of ways, training your Labrador Retriever begins before the puppy even arrives home. Dog training demands a tremendous amount of energy and time from both you and your puppy. Not only will you need time, but a few supplies as well.

For this reason, we recommend you have the following supplies ready before your new puppy arrives:

Recommended Supplies

Crate – Having a crate when your Labrador retriever first arrives home is crucial, as crate training begins from the first night of sleep onward. It will set you and your puppy’s progress back if they come home and don’t have the crate to get familiar within the first 24 hours.
Baby Gates – While baby gates are not 100% essential, they certainly are helpful. This prevents your new pup from getting into trouble when you can’t give them your undivided attention to supervise them.
Indoor Leash – You’ll want a leash that you can use indoors for training purposes.
Outdoor Leash – Likewise, you will want a leash for outdoors (this one will be shorter than the indoor leash).
Breeder/Vet Recommended Food – Talk to your breeder, rescue, or veterinarian about the right food to have on hand when your Labrador retriever puppy arrives home. If your breeder was feeding a brand you and your vet are not keen on, be sure to transition your puppy off its old food. Dogs typically need a 7-day transition from one food to another to prevent tummy issues. Also, this gives you time to monitor for unforeseen allergies.
Toys – Labrador pups have a ton of energy! For this reason, be sure to have lots of plushies, chew toys and ropes for them. This will help them acclimate. It will also (hopefully) prevent them from taking an interest in your cute throw pillows or your newly purchased Jimmy Choos.
Soft Bedding – We recommend placing a warm cozy blanket or dog bed insert into your pup’s crate. Crates are not meant to be a cold and uncomfortable place for your pup. Cozy blankets help!
Treats – Treats are an essential part of training, so it’s wise to have them on hand before your pup comes home. Keep some in a few key spots in the house to always make sure they are close by when needed.
Dog Collar – Your new puppy will also require a new flat buckle collar with tags. If you’re a responsible pet parent, then there’s no way your new, vulnerable pup will be allowed outside unsupervised. Nonetheless, getting your Labrador retriever used to their collar from day one is an excellent idea.
Dog Brushes – This is a key tool in keeping your Labrador’s coat healthy and pretty. There are many different kinds, so make sure you get the right ones.

First Night Home with Puppy

The first night you bring your new Labrador retriever home will be an exciting and nerve-wracking event for both pup and parent. One of the first things you should do is introduce your new puppy to his or her crate.

Short Crate Training Sessions

Short crate training sessions are one of the most sure-fire ways to get your pup comfortable with its crate. Your Labrador retriever should feel as though the crate is a home, not a jail.

Small sessions in the crate help to establish this concept with puppies. Let your new puppy explore their crate. Leave the door open while they sniff around. Place their food inside and let them eat in the comfort of this new domain. Then shut the door for 10 minutes. When they are let out, sit with them, play with them, and snuggle with them.

You can reward your Labrador pup with treats while they are inside the crate, to further establish the crate as a comforting space. No need to reward them after they’re out of the crate as the reward upon leaving is the joy of your company! This also helps to establish your authority and dominance.

For more info on crate training, check out our article How to Crate Train a Labrador Retriever.

First Night’s Sleep

Your Labrador puppy will sleep their first night in the crate they’ve slowly acclimated to all day. Be prepared to hear them wake up in the middle of the night (much like a human infant does.) If you’re lucky, your puppy will only wake you up once or twice.

It is likely when you wake up to take them to go potty outside or to receive a cuddle, that they may have already had an accident inside their crate.

Please be gentle and loving with your new furry friend. This is their very first night in a new home with a new family, away from their mama and siblings they were just torn from. For this reason, do not punish or harshly scold your puppy if they had an accident in the night in their crate. This would be like yelling at a newborn infant for going to the bathroom in their diaper. Not only is this kind of scolding and punishment ineffective, it’s potentially damaging for your relationship with your new Lab.

Potty Training

Regretfully, one of the main reasons that dogs are surrendered to local shelters is due to potty training issues. Some pet parents do not have the patience to deal with a dog who struggles in this area. For this reason, it is crucial you spend intentional time potty training your Labrador retriever from day one.

You must be diligent about this. You will spend the early months of your Labrador retriever’s life potty training until this is a skill in which they no longer require reinforcing.

If you, your partner, your spouse, or children do not have time to be around all day for the first several weeks to watch your pup and take them outside frequently for potty breaks, then this might not be the best time for you to bring home a Labrador retriever.

Potty Training Tips

Puppies Have Tiny Bladders

The first thing to note about your Labrador retriever puppy is that they cannot hold their urine for long. Puppies have small little bladders and need to be taken outside to go potty often. Therefore, you must diligently watch and care for your new Labrador retriever puppy until they sufficiently ‘get it.’

Take your Labrador retriever puppy outside frequently

Taking them outside every 30 minutes might be excessive, but bringing them outside every hour isn’t that crazy. In fact, it will help your Labrador retriever puppy become acquainted with their open-air play space as well as their outdoor bathroom.

Be prepared to take your Labrador retriever puppy outside every time after they: play, eat, drink, or wake up from a nap.

When to and When Not to Scold/Punish

If your Labrador retriever pees or poops under your supervision someplace where going to the bathroom is not allowed (inside the home, for example), it is okay to scold them–“No, Ginger, we do not go potty inside!” Then kindly lead your puppy outside where they become familiar with where it is okay to go potty.

Scoop the Poop Outside

We recommend scooping their poops that occur inside the home and place them out in the yard temporarily. This is a common potty-training technique for many animals. Animals remember to go potty where they have marked their territory already. When your Labrador retriever puppy goes outside next time and smells his or her ‘business’ in the grass, they will automatically begin to associate this outdoor place as their territory and a safe place to “go.”

Clean the Accident Area

When your Labrador retriever does inevitably have an accident inside the house, it is crucial you clean and disinfect that area thoroughly so that your puppy won’t continue to smell this spot and declare it as ‘marked territory’ by returning to this spot to do their business.

When the accident first occurs, pour a mixture of water and white vinegar on the spot. Other such natural pet cleaners and deodorizers will work well too.

Do Not Reward Potty with Food Treats

Contrary to what most people assume, it is unwise to offer a treat to your dog for going potty outside. The act of ‘release’ that occurs when your dog goes to the bathroom is already a rewarding experience. Not only that, but some dogs are quite savvy and have learned that their owner will give them a treat if they ‘make the attempt’ to go potty.

Some dogs will run outside, squat, never go, and rush over for their treat. To avoid this kind of Pavlov’s dog-gone-wrong scenario, simply reward them with a “good boy!” and some loving scratches behind the ears.

Socialization

Every pet parent wants a dog who is friendly and social, not just to other dogs, but to any and all human visitors. For this reason, teaching your Labrador retriever how to socialize early on is of paramount importance.

No one wants to own the dog who nips at visitors or cause fights with dogs passing by on the sidewalk. However, this is not simply an innate trait. This behavior is taught and reinforced by their owners.

Studies have proven that puppies have an early developmental period called “the socialization period.” This period is from birth to 3 months of age, where their brains decide what things are good and what things are scary. During this sensitive development phase, it is imperative your puppy be exposed to lots of different stimuli, different people, and other dogs.

However, new puppies cannot go around strangers, other dogs, or play in foreign areas until they’ve received all their vaccinations. So please do not take your 5-week-old puppy to a dog park! It will be unsafe for them to be exposed to those germs. Instead, use this time to expose them to different sounds in the home, objects like vacuum cleaners, visiting friends and family, and other sounds they will need to adjust to.

Acclimating with Other Household Pets

Do not immediately expose your new Labrador retriever puppy to your other animal companions at home. You need to introduce them to each other slowly. This holds especially true for any particularly rambunxious, aggressive, or territorial animals.

Be sure to survey and be present during these first meet and greets the entire time. Your new Labrador retriever puppy is vulnerable and could be easily injured by another animal in the home who wishes to show their dominance.

If you have a cat, be sure to check out our article Are Labrador Retrievers Good With Cats. We cover all about Labrador Retriever and cat companions, and how to introduce them.

Sound Exposure

So that you don’t end up with an easily frightened and skittish pup, it is helpful to expose them to many kinds of sounds. Turn on the vacuum. Then turn it off if they run away scared. Flush toilets in their presence, turn on the shower when they’re in the bathroom, let them get used to the sound of noisy tv shows.

Be cautious not to overdo it. Stimulus is helpful in exposing your puppy to the world. However, too much stimulation can have a negative effect on your dog.

Let them Explore Safely on their Own

If you are vacuuming at home, let your new Labrador explore this strange foreign object. However, if they are frightened by something, do not force them to engage with it. Instead, pick them up and place them safely away from the object of which they are frightened. Let them return to that object again in their own time to establish courage and reassurance that this object will not harm them.

Do this repeatedly with objects around the home, family members, other pets in the home, etc.

Vigilant Supervision: Behavioral Correction

A new Labrador retriever pet parent must be prepared to be ever vigilant in watching their new pup like a hawk! If your puppy accidentally pees inside or chews on a household item, you can’t yell or punish your pup if you weren’t supervising them properly. That’s like punishing at a 2-year-old who just burned their hand on the stove-top flames. Yes, inform them that fire is unsafe, and they should never touch the stove when you are not around.

You are the parent, and you are always responsible for their safety and well-being–so that moment is 100% on you. Puppies, in so many ways, are like human children. You would not harm your human child. Therefore, you should not harm your canine child!

Biting & Chewing

Dogs use their teeth for a lot of things. It is a natural canine behavior. However, you don’t want your dog biting your neighbor’s kid or tearing your new comforter to shreds. You need to direct their biting properly, so they know when it is okay, and when it is not okay to chew on something.

To curb their desire to nibble on your favorite shoes, provide your puppy with lots and lots of chew toys. If they start chewing on a household item, redirect them to a chew toy.

Puppies are also capable of adjusting their bite pressure. If your Labrador retriever puppy has not yet learned what hurts you and what does not, you will need to yelp (loudly) like an injured dog to let them know. Yes. Yelp.

Will this feel ridiculous? ABSOLUTELY! Is it effective? YES. Your puppy does not want to injure you, and by yelping loudly if they bite down too hard, you are letting them know that something has harmed you. Often a loud yelping of this nature will startle your pup, and they will release their grasp instantly. As with all things in puppy training, repeat, repeat, repeat.

Name Reward

Another important task for any pet parent is getting their new Labrador retriever acquainted with their name. A great and effortless way to do this is to say their name and offer up a treat. Do this again and again. Your Labrador retriever puppy should have a positive association with their name and want to come running to you when they hear it!

Leash Training a Labrador

Next to potty training and socializing, leash training may be one of the most important and more challenging skills to teach your Labrador pup. Both you and your Labrador should have a pleasurable experience when out for a walk, and as such, leash training should be an utmost priority.

A wonderful way to introduce a leash to your dog is to allow them to sniff and nibble the leash. Much like human babies who initially test most objects out by shoving it in their mouths, your dog learns what things are in a comparable way. Let them meet and get comfortable with a leash before you attach it to their collar.

Be prepared for your pup to be a bit over-stimulated on their first few walks. They will hear new sounds, smell all kinds of new smells, and encounter strangers (both human and canine).

Note: you do not need treats to leash train. The walk itself is a reward. Treats can be helpful, but they can also set up a precedent that requires you to always walk with treats.

Leash Training Tips

Put the leash on your dog’s collar, lead them out on a walk. Pick a marker word to reinforce behavior. “Steady,” “slow,” or “heel” are good options.
When your pup races ahead of you, shout your command word: “Bentley, HEEL!”
Do not yank hard on the leash. You do not want to choke or harm your Labrador retriever. Simply tug back gently and pause for them to come back to your side. Once they have settled back in place, you may proceed forward again.
You will continue to reinforce this behavior using your command word, pausing when they start to get too excited and race ahead of you and only proceeding with the walk again once they have calmed down and followed your command.
Repeat this, repeatedly, until your pup starts to get it.
It is best to do this in short walks (5-10 min), 3-5x a day. Once your pup seems to get it, you can begin doing less walks for longer periods of time (ex: 2 walks for 30 min a day.)

Continued Training: Adolescent Labrador Retrievers

After one year, your Labrador is technically no longer a puppy. They remain in their adolescence from about 1-3 years old. Sometimes during this period, even after a puppy has been very successfully trained, adolescent dogs might regress in their training. Dogs, like humans, like to test their boundaries. The best way to set a boundary…is to keep setting it without wavering.

This training at this age is also important to follow in the event you adopt a Labrador in their adolescence (as opposed to when they are a puppy.)

Reinforce Commands

If you are trying to get your dog to come, but they refuse, continue to command that they come until they do. Do not relent. If you relent, they will learn that you are not in charge and that they can do whatever they like.

Re-Socialize

Much like awkward pre-teens going through puberty, adolescent dogs can behave differently around other animals or strangers suddenly. When this occurs, don’t panic. Your dog is not suddenly and forever an ‘unfriendly dog.’ They just need to re-socialize.

The best way to re-socialize your Labrador retriever puppy is to give them positive socializing time. If you know there is a dog they just adore, set up play dates with that dog. If you haven’t had as much time to play and bond with your dog lately, be sure to be intentional about that time. Positive playtime and snuggles from their family are one of the best ways to get behavior back on track.

Change Your Behavior

Many times, we can end up scolding or punishing our dog for something we’ve done wrong. If your dog is behaving strangely around you, try to recall your recent behavior. Have you been stressed? Have you spent less time recently with your Labrador, or have you accidentally scolded them too many times? Dogs are sensitive to their owner’s vibes.

It’s how dogs somehow just ‘know’ when their owners are going on vacation. They can sense it. Dogs, likewise, can sense when you are stressed, angry, or sad. Make sure that your personal behavior hasn’t changed before you go getting angry at your adolescent pup who is worried about you and their changing household environment.

Reinforcement Training: Adult Labrador Retrievers

It’s possible your adult Labrador retriever has regressed on some of their skills, or you’ve adopted an adult dog who was not so professionally trained and needs some assistance.

Reinforcement Training Tips

Difficulty Walking On Leash

Some Labradors either never really got the hang of leash training, weren’t ever trained, or have regressed due to poor reinforcement. Either way, it’s important to correct this behavior as soon as possible. While on a walk, if your pup goes wild, stop.

Wait until your pup calms down. Once they do, continue the walk. You will literally repeat this repeatedly. Granted, you’ll need ample amounts of time to make this successful. Try walking three times a day this way for a few weeks to see if the behavior improves.

Loud and Incessant Barking

We do not recommend using bark collars. A dog barks for specific reasons that come naturally for a canine. It is unfair to punish them for an instinct to protect, defend, or inform.

A better way to combat loud, incessant barking, is to be a bit like a detective and track what/when/why your dog barks. Does your dog only bark when the neighbor dog approaches your property line? If so, your dog is likely frightened or feeling defensive. Before you can tackle a change in behavior, you must first understand why the behavior is occurring.

Potty Training Regression

As we mentioned before, often certain behaviors reflect our own behaviors. A common amount of potty training regressionary behaviors occur due to human pet parents not being around as often as they should, or not playing/giving enough attention.

If your dog begins going potty inside all of a sudden, it usually indicates one of three things: a health issue (like urinary stones), they were locked inside alone for too long (their poor bladder couldn’t hold it any longer), or they are upset with you. Emotional peeing is a common occurrence in both dogs and cats and is rather effective since humans tend to pay more attention to their animal that emotionally pees on their valuables when that animal is feeling neglected.

Up to 90% back on Vet Bills - Embrace Pet Insurance

Conclusion

Training your Labrador, no matter what age, should be a fun task. At times, it may prove challenging, but Labrador retrievers are a breed of dog known for their loving nature and willingness to please.

If you are diligent with reinforcing behavior, give plenty of loving time to your pet, and follow all these simple instructions, then training your new family member should be fast, fun, and effortless.

While training your Labrador, be sure to keep them feed well. View our Recommended Feeding Chart as well as our Recommended Foods for Labradors.

Best Pet Insurance for Labrador Retrievers (2022)

Written by Dr. Anne Traas in Health and Nutrition,Recommended Products

If you have a Labrador Retriever, you know of the extensive health issues they can experience. The veterinary bills can add up fast. Many people turn to pet insurance to help cover those costs.

Here we will compare some of the most popular options and give you an in depth look at the best pet insurance companies.

Our Pick

Here are a few features that make Embrace our choice as the best insurance for Labrador Retrievers:

Comprehensive Policies
Flexible Plans to Fit Your Budget
Alternative Therapies Coverage
Optional Wellness Plan
Multiple Pet Discount

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Get Free Quote

What is the best pet insurance for Labrador Retrievers? Embrace is our choice for the best pet insurance for Labradors. While Trupanion, Healthy Paws, and some other popular brands are also good choices, Embrace offers the most comprehensive plans and allows you to customize your package to suit your budget.

The Best Pet Insurance For Labradors

While there are many options of insurance for your Labrador Retriever, our top pick is Embrace Pet Insurance, which offers, in our opinion, the most comprehensive plans on the market. We love the fact you can adjust your plan to suit your budget and still have high quality coverage!

After Embrace, there are several other viable pet insurance options that may appeal to various segments of Labrador Retriever owners, depending on each person’s wants and needs for their dog.

Our Picks	Brand
Best Overall	Embrace Pet Insurance
Runner Up	Trupanion
Best Budget	Healthy Paws
Best High End Plan	Pets Best
Best New Pet Insurance	Figo
Largest Pet Insurance Company	Nationwide

Best Overall Pet Insurance for Labradors: Embrace Pet Insurance

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Embrace Pet Insurance offers a wide range of coverage for all your pets. Their plans can be adjusted to fit the coverage you need, at a price that works for you.

However, as a pure breed, Labrador Retrievers are more susceptible to genetic health issues than mixed breed dogs. Embrace covers genetic conditions standard under their accident and illness policy.

Embrace Pet Insurance is arguably the most comprehensive pet insurance company on the market, with its pet insurance policy offering features such as exam fees, diagnostics, surgery and hospitalization, and even alternative and homeopathic therapies.

While Embrace is not necessarily the cheapest option on the market, they do offer competitive prices. Like many pet insurance companies, they offer a free quote after you answer just a few questions about your dog.

Let us look at some of the features that distinguish Embrace as a leader in the pet insurance industry:

One comprehensive policy – Embrace policies cover everything related to your dog’s health, regardless of treatment required. While this leads to slightly higher annual costs than some competitors, other companies may have a cheap basic plan, but will charge extra to cover cancer and hip dysplasia, both major risks for Labrador Retrievers.
Annual deductible – Some pet insurance providers structure their deductibles on a per-condition basis. Once the deductible was met for condition number one, it would not apply toward condition number two. Once an Embrace deductible is met for the year there is no additional deductible to worry about for the remainder of the policy year. (Annual maximums, and reimbursement percentages still apply)
Short illness waiting period – All insurers require a waiting period before a pet is covered. This helps prevent insurance fraud in which pet owners sign up for a plan, receive care, and then cancel. Embrace offers one of the shortest illness waiting periods in the industry.
Exam fees covered on all policies – Let’s say your dog breaks a leg and needs surgery. Your pet would need to see a vet or emergency hospital for an exam prior to surgery, which will cost more than $100. Most insurers will not cover this fee, or only cover it if specifically purchased in a higher-cost premium. Embrace covers it for all plans.
Diminishing deductible feature – Known as the “Healthy Pet Deductible,” this feature allows you to get a $50 deductible credit for every year you do not receive a reimbursement back on an accident or illness claim. If your dog does not require covered care in 2020, then your deductible will be $50 less in 2021. This is a stackable feature that allows credits to carry over.
Flexible wellness plan – While this is an optional addition to Embrace’s comprehensive policies, it is a highly attractive addition that reimburses policyholders for routine care of their dog. Some examples of services reimbursed under this plan are heartworm prevention, routine vaccinations, and grooming. *Wellness is not available in RI.
No lifetime limits – Most insurers will not treat Labrador Retrievers over a certain age or who have received a maximum amount of lifetime care as defined by their policy. Embrace offers no such restrictions.
Alternative treatment coverage – If the pet owner has a preferred course of treatment or is resistant to proceed with standard procedures for his or her Labrador Retriever, Embrace is flexible. Most insurers will only cover standard procedures and require policyholders to pay out-of-pocket for any alternative treatments.
Quick claim turnaround – When vet bills get expensive, it can become stressful waiting for your reimbursement of covered costs. Embrace is an industry leader in processing claims and getting reimbursements back to policyholders.

You can choose deductible levels for Embrace to be as little as $200 per year or as high as $1,000 per year, depending on the amount of premium you want to pay (lower monthly premiums will lead to higher deductibles). Once the deductible is met, you can choose for Embrace to pay 70%, 80%, or 90% of annual costs.

Due to the high need for care of Labrador Retrievers, the comprehensive policies offered by Embrace Pet Insurance make it our top pick for insuring your dog.

Runner Up Pet Insurance: Trupanion Pet Insurance

Runner Up

Here are a few features that we like about Trupanion pet insurance:

90% Reimbursement
Unlimited Annual Benefits
Riders Available
Long History
24/7 Customer Service

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Trupanion offers a wide range of coverage for your Labrador Retriever at a fair price. Their 90% reimbursement is a huge help to your pocketbook as well.

The following are some of the advantages of taking out a policy with Trupanion:

Unlimited annual benefits – This is one of the major advantages of Trupanion. They will reimburse an unlimited amount each year, an especially important consideration for your Labrador Retriever.
90% reimbursement – After the deductible is met, regardless of deductible level, Trupanion will reimburse policyholders for 90% of all covered expenses. Most competitors do not offer this high a rate of reimbursement, and it is especially attractive considering the annual benefits are not capped.
Vet direct pay – If an in-network vet is chosen to perform service on your Labrador Retriever, Trupanion’s unique software allows all covered costs to be billed directly to the vet. This is convenient so that policyholders do not have to be out-of-pocket for expensive procedures and wait for reimbursement.
One simple policy – While some providers require customers to piece their plans together, with increasing cost for each addition, from a bare-bones base policy, Trupanion offers a simple policy for all pets that includes all hereditary conditions, unidentified issues, and congenital concerns.
Riders available for enhanced care – These policy enhancers are the 1) Recovery and Complementary Care Rider, which covers your pet for non-clinical treatments, such as behavior training, and 2) Pet Owner Assistance Package, which can cover items such as boarding fees in the event that the owner gets hospitalized.
Long history – Trupanion has been in operation since 2000 and has paid out over $1 billion in coverage for sick and injured pets. This allows policyholders to sleep easy at night knowing their premiums are in the hands of a trusted and solvent company.
24/7 customer service – Trupanion’s line is always available in the event of an emergency, ensuring that your Labrador Retriever gets the necessary care at any time of the day or season of the year.

As you can see, Trupanion offers some attractive options for those looking to insure their Labrador Retriever.

In comparison to our top choice, Embrace Pet Insurance, Trupanion will be just slightly less expensive in terms of premiums and offers no annual limits. However, it fails to offer annual deductibles, exam fees, diminishing deductibles, or a multiple pet discount.

Best Budget Pet Insurance: Healthy Paws

Best Budget

Here are a few features that we like about Healthy Paws pet insurance:

Low Price
Philanthropy
Visit Any Vet
Rapid Claim Payouts

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Perhaps Embrace Pet Insurance or Trupanion do not meet the needs of your Labrador Retriever and/or fall outside of your personal budget. You may want to consider Healthy Paws.

Healthy Paws offers some of the same essential features as Embrace and Trupanion, but is regularly quoted as having some of the lowest premiums in the industry for the number of benefits it provides.

The following are some of the advantages of taking out a Healthy Paws policy for your dog:

High customer satisfaction – Healthy Paws is consistently rated at the top of the industry in terms of user experience. Its mobile app has consistently been lauded for its ease of functionality, making them an attractive option for tech-savvy customers.
Philanthropy – With a business model that is heavily focused on the love of animals over profits, Healthy Paws may be an attractive option for those Labrador Retriever owners who place high importance on a company’s mission. To date, Healthy Paws has made over $830,000 in donations to the rescue of homeless animals.
One plan – Like Embrace and Trupanion, Healthy Paws markets one comprehensive plan and does not require customers to add coverage to a limited base plan. However, it differs in that it does not offer the purchase of optional wellness plans or additional riders.
Unlimited coverage – There are no per-incident, annual, or lifetime maximums with a Healthy Paws plan. However, they are clear that they will cover only new issues with your Labrador Retriever, which means that any pre-existing conditions will not receive coverage.
Any vet – You are eligible to receive reimbursement from Healthy Paws when your dog receives treatment from any licensed vet. This differs from those plans that may require policyholders to use in-network vets in order to receive benefits.
Rapid claim payouts – There are no time-consuming insurance forms to fill out when using Healthy Paws. All the policyholders must do to receive reimbursement for care is take a picture of the vet bill and submit it via the Healthy Paws mobile app. This allows Healthy Paws to start processing claims immediately (usually within two days).
Annual deductible – Like Embrace, Healthy Paws uses an annual deductible and not a per-incident deductible, meaning that any number of conditions are covered after the deductible has been met. This is an attractive option for Labrador Retrievers, which have been known to require care for multiple issues.

Clearly, there are some advantages to choosing a pet insurance plan for your Labrador Retriever through Healthy Paws, especially if you are philanthropically minded and prefer handling business on your mobile device.

However, when compared to our top choice, Embrace, Healthy Paws has some significant drawbacks that need to be specified:

Not great for older pets – Pet insurance is no different from human insurance in that premiums get higher the older we get. However, if you enroll your dog after the age of six, you will have a limited deductible and reimbursement rates, meaning that the cost savings on premiums are likely to evaporate.
12-month wait for hip dysplasia – Labrador Retrievers are known to be at extremely high risk for hip dysplasia (the complete or partial dislocation of the hip bone). With a 12-month waiting period to get treated for this common condition, your Labrador Retriever may go through a lot of suffering to save you some money on premiums.
Extensive medical background checks – Healthy Paws is specific in that it will only cover new medical conditions. As such, it requires a complete medical history check of every pet wishing to enroll in a policy. This is much more stringent than Embrace, which only requires medical records dating back 12 months.

In general, while Healthy Paws is far from a bad choice for pet insurance and is certainly better than no coverage at all, it is probably better to explore Embrace or Trupanion for your Labrador Retriever, as the restrictions built into Healthy Paws’ plans are likely to limit the care you can be reimbursed for, which will undercut any premium savings you get upfront. Also, the 12 month wait on hip dysplasia is very long.

It is best if you do decide to go with Healthy Paws, that your Labrador Retriever be less than six years of age.

Best High End Plan: Pets Best

High End Plan

Here are a few features that we like about Pets Best pet insurance:

Elite Plan
Low Wait Times
No Upper Age Limit
Veterinarian Founded

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After our top three, the quality of health plans for your Labrador Retriever starts to vary, with potential customers having to choose which benefits they value highly while possibly scrimping on less important benefits.

One potential competitor to our top choice, Embrace, is Pets Best. When looking strictly at premium levels, Pets Best offers some of the most competitive rates in the industry. Here are some additional features that a Pets Best plan can offer your Labrador Retriever:

Elite plan – Unlike some companies, Pets Best has several different plans you can choose from. If you choose the elite plan, you will receive unlimited annual benefits and flexible options for deductibles and copay rates.
Low wait times – Outside of cruciate ligament injuries, the wait times to receive coverage are just as low, if not lower, with Pets Best than other providers in the industry.
Wellness plan – This is an additional package that will allow the policyholder to be reimbursed, on an itemized basis, for preventive care and maintenance of your Labrador Retriever.
No upper age limit – Unlike Healthy Paws, which drastically reduces options for pets over six, or other providers that will not cover pets once they reach a certain age, Pets Best will cover any animal and does not restrict in terms of age.
Veterinarian founded – Pets Best was founded by vets, not insurance people, so they may have a better understanding of animal care than some competitors.

While Pets Best does have its advantages, there are some significant drawbacks that must be considered before purchasing a policy for your Labrador Retriever:

Beware of plans other than “elite” – You may be tempted to purchase something other than Pets Best’s elite plan in order to save money on premiums. However, lower-level plans have many restrictions, including no reimbursement on office visits. The annual maximum is also capped at $5,000, which will not cover some procedures.
Excludes pets with certain conditions – Pets Best may choose to limit coverage on pets with certain conditions, offering them “accident only” policies. As Labrador Retrievers are prone to ailments such as cancer and hip dysplasia, there is a good chance a Pets Best policy would not give your pet adequate coverage.
Itemized wellness plan – While the option of a wellness plan is good for preventative health, the fact that it must be itemized may greatly reduce the benefit you receive. While Embrace offers a pool of money for general wellness, Pets Best will offer $50 dollars for this service, $25 for that service, etc..

If you own a Labrador Retriever and choose to use Pets Best, do not be afraid, as it can provide some good benefits. However, make sure that you do your research and have a thorough understanding of the policy you are purchasing prior to making your first payment.

Best New Pet Insurance: Figo

Best New

Here are a few features that we like about Figo pet insurance:

Extensive hip dysplasia coverage
Exam fees covered
No upper age limit

Visit Figo

Figo is another pet insurance provider that can be an option for your dog. A relative newcomer to the scene, Figo offers many of the same benefits of our leading picks, while offering premium levels that rival Healthy Paws in affordability.

Let us look at some of the perks of taking out a plan with Figo:

Extensive hip dysplasia coverage – This is an important consideration seeing that Labrador Retrievers are at high risk for this condition and that some of the competitors require lengthy waiting periods before offering treatment.
Exam fees covered – As exam fees typically run more than $100, companies like Trupanion, that do not cover exam fees, are basically requiring customers to pay two deductibles every time a service is performed. By paying for exam fees in high-risk pets like Labrador Retrievers, Figo is taking a major burden off of the customer’s pocketbook.
No upper age limit – Most pet insurance companies will stop insuring your pet at 14 years of age. Figo will continue insuring your Labrador Retriever throughout his or her lifetime.
Affordable unlimited plans – While lower-level Figo plans cap benefits at $14,000 to $16,000 per year, a plan with unlimited benefits can be purchased for just a few dollars per month extra. This is money well spent if you feel like your pet may need surgery and is at risk of a catastrophic health condition.

One drawback to Figo insurance is that it does not offer a routine care plan. While companies like Embrace and Pets Best give policyholders the option of purchasing plan enhancers that will reimburse for items such as grooming and vaccinations, those who choose Figo will have to pay for such expenses out-of-pocket.

However, the main downside to Figo is its youth. By choosing to go with a company that has a little more than two years of experience in the pet insurance industry, customers may be getting a great value for their money, as Figo offers many of the same benefits as our top choice, Embrace. However, choosing Figo comes with the following risks:

Price volatility – When choosing established companies like Embrace or Trupanion, customers can feel confident that premiums will remain stable on a yearly basis, as they have more of a track record of being able to control costs. In fact, Embrace offers diminishing deductible options each year.
Small pool of clients – If Figo gets hit with a rush of expensive claims, have customers paid enough into the premium pool to be able to cover the cost of reimbursements, or will your Labrador Retriever be denied care due to insufficient funds?

As you can see, using a pet insurance company that hasn’t yet been established has its upside, but there are major liquidity risks until it gets fully established and serves a large pool of clients.

Largest Pet Insurance Company: Nationwide

Largest

Here are a few features that we like about Nationwide pet insurance:

Price Bundling
Consistency
Trust
Long history

Visit Nationwide

Nationwide offers a variety of insurance products, and pet insurance is no exception. After purchasing VPI, the first provider of pet insurance, in 2008, Nationwide has the largest historical footprint in the pet insurance industry to pair with its reputable name within the broader insurance world.

Customers can expect the following benefits when choosing pet coverage from Nationwide:

Consistency – In the exact opposite fashion of Figo, customers can look at Nationwide’s track record and sleep easy in knowing that the company will be around for a long time, with coverages and premiums likely to remain highly consistent on a yearly basis.
Price bundling – As Nationwide offers insurance products that span far beyond the world of your Labrador Retriever, you may be able to save some money on your total insurance costs by bundling your pet insurance with your auto or home policies.

Outside of these unique benefits, Nationwide does not offer anything exceptional that cannot be found with our top choices. In fact, there are far more negative reviews circulating about Nationwide’s pet insurance than positive reviews, which include:

Rigid plan options – While some of our top choices use “one simple plan” as a perk, there are many ways they can customize within this plan by adjusting coverage maximum, copay, and deductible levels, not to mention the choice of riders. Nationwide offers only a $250 deductible, 90% reimbursement policy for all insured pets.
No congenital conditions covered – Nationwide refuses to pay for care that is a result of a congenital condition, even if your pet showed no symptoms prior to enrollment. As such, this makes Nationwide a very poor choice for Labrador Retrievers, who are known to develop congenital ailments due to their purebred status.

Common Health Risks for Labrador Retrievers

Before purchasing a health insurance plan for your Labrador Retriever, it is important to know what kind of medical complications your Labrador friend is likely to experience in his or her lifetime.

The following table contains information found on the Embrace Pet Insurance website and will be helpful when comparing costs and estimating expenses:

Condition	Risk Profile	Cost to Diagnose and Treat
Cancer	High	$8,000 – $15,000
Hip Dysplasia	High	$1,500 – $6,000
Sub-Aortic Stenosis	Medium	$500 – $1,500
Elbow Dysplasia	Medium	$1,500 – $4,000
Osteochondrosis of the Shoulder or Elbow	Medium	$2,000 – $4,000
Portosystemic Shunts	Medium	$2,000 – $6,000
Entropion	High	$300 – $1,500
Cataracts	High	$1,500 – $5,000
Ichthyosis	High	$200 – $1,000

Conclusion

Our Pick

Embrace Pet Insurance

Embrace Pet Insurance is our top pick for coverage of Labrador Retrievers. While all of the companies on this list shine in one way or another, Embrace seems to stand out with its coverage for everything a Labrador Retriever could need.

Get Your Free Quote

Without pet insurance, the vet bills for your Labrador Retriever may run into the thousands, if not tens of thousands, of dollars, depending on the nature of the care your dog may need. Knowing that Labrador Retriever s are predisposed to cancer and other high cost health issues can be daunting.

Find a company like Embrace, or if you are on a very tight budget Healthy Paws, that allows you to choose the coverage you need, at a price you can afford. Then you can rest easy knowing that whatever health issues may come your dog’s way, you will be ready.

Do Labradors Get Cold?

Written by Dr. Anne Traas in Breed Information

In short, yes, Labradors get cold when temperatures fall. In this article our veterinarian explains more.

As responsible pet owners, it is our job to care for our pets and make sure they are comfortable and not too cold. This responsibility falls upon us to provide the proper care they need.

In return for our love and nurture, Labrador Retrievers warm our hearts with their love, loyalty, and companionship.

Do Labradors Get Cold?

Like most dog breeds, Labrador Retrievers can survive cold climates, but despite their thick coats, these dogs can get cold just like humans if exposed to cold conditions for too long. Veterinarians recommend bringing your dog in when temperatures get below 20°F.

Our furry friends display signals that let us know when temperatures have reached their bodies limitations. But it is up to us to know these signs so we can bring them back to warmth before our Labradors feel any discomfort or pain. We can even take preventive measures with dog accessories for wintertime!

Signs Your Dog Is Too Cold

Do Labradors Get Cold, chocolate lab in snow

Man’s best friend may not be able to blatantly tell us they are cold, but their body language and behavior sure can give it away. If you notice any of the signs listed below, you should bring your Labrador back inside and warm them up.

Reluctance to walk or move
Lifting their paws from the ground constantly
Excessive whining or barking
Limping
Shivering and shaking
Seeking shelter
Anxious or discomfort

Labrador Retrievers can thrive in colder regions. If you live in an area where harsh winters are common, this breed will do just fine indulging in normal outdoor activities. Just take caution. If you notice any of these behaviors, that is when you can tell your pet has reached its limit for cold temperatures.

If the region you live in experiences extreme temperatures all year round or even most of the year, it would be wise to know the symptoms and early warning signs of hypothermia in dogs. Studies have shown that hypothermia can occur when exposed to cold air, rain, and wind.

If temperatures are low and the conditions for hypothermia are present, this can occur indoors as well as outdoors. Our dogs lose body heat easily inside our homes on cold days, especially if they spend their time laying on cold flooring.

Signs of Hypothermia

In addition to the signs you can look for, there are extra preventative measures you can take to keep your pup from getting so cold it turns into a medical condition. The signs of hypothermia include:

Loss of consciousness
Dilated pupils
Stiff muscles
Lack of attention
Lethargic behavior
Stiff muscles

In some cases, hypothermia can get severe to the point medical treatment is needed. Hopefully, you and your pup can avoid temperatures that extreme, but being informed on what the signs look like can save a lot of pain and trouble before it starts!

Veterinarians suggest that when temperatures reach 20°F or below, that is when cold is too cold for these dogs. If your dog is primarily an outdoor family pet, it is highly recommended that you bring them indoors when temperatures reach that marker.

There are many ways to a chill from advancing into something worse. It is as simple as drying off and warming up your Labrador when coming in from outdoors. Even if indoor temperatures are low and your dog seems to be chilled, there are solutions to warm them up.

Steps to Keep Your Labrador Warm

Do Labradors Get Cold, black lab in snow

Since Labradors get cold, actions you can add to your daily routine can make a positive impact on the animal’s overall wellbeing. Whether it be an extra step before going outdoors, returning indoors, or just making smart decisions when the climate is cool.

These precautionary steps include:

Making sure your Labrador Retriever is completely dry prior to going outdoors.
Cleaning them of snow and water before they return inside.
Always staying with your Labrador outside
Avoiding stripping their undercoat during winter
If you will be outside with your labrador for a long period consider getting a dog coat.

Making sure they are dry before entering the cold outdoors is logical. Think about it; if you walk out with your hair wet when it is cold, you instantly feel the chill of the cold. Same goes for your furry companion. If they are wet and walk outside into cold conditions, the chances of them becoming cold is greater. This could also increase the risk of hypothermia.

Toweling off any snow or ice particles on their paws or legs can help them dry faster and essentially help them warm up quicker. Not to mention it will keep your house tidy. This will also prevent the dog from ingesting any chemicals or salt that they could have picked up along the way on their paws.

Stay with your dog while they are outside so you can watch for any signals that they are cold.

If possible don’t overgroom and strip the undercoat out too much if you plan to do outdoor activities in the winter.

Winter Apparel and Accessories for Dogs

Our dogs depend on us to keep them warm in the winter and colder months. Below is a list of a few items that do just that.

Depending on how cold it is in your region, one or more of these items can greatly increase your pets safety and comfort in the cold.

Warm Sweaters and Jackets

Dog Jacket

Kurgo Dog Jacket

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In most cases, the sweaters and jackets are for the older Labrador Retrievers, who are more sensitive to colder temperatures. However, the younger pups could benefit from this as well in those frigid temperatures. Be sure to measure your dog and consult the size chart before ordering.

As Labrador Retrievers age, their immune systems weaken, and their fur thins. So, these winter jackets can benefit their health during the winter or for dogs that live in colder regions.

Common fabrics for dog jackets include nylon and fleece. You will want to be cautious that when using these jackets, it is for the purpose of keeping them warm during the cold and not risk overheating your dog.

Dog Booties

Dog Booties

QUMY Dog Boots

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What a brilliant product! Dog boots are available for all shapes and sizes. They are durable and keep your dog’s paws warm. Better yet, they are waterproof, enhancing the ability to keep your dog’s paws dry during those winter walks. If you are planning to take your dog out in wet snow these are great for preventing the snowballs that build up between their pads.

There are many products and brands available to choose from. They have easy and adjustable straps that are convenient for placing on the paws of dogs. Labradors are known for pleasing their owner. So, with ease, these boots should be no hassle to get on. They may take a few days to get used to them but after a week or so of daily use they will forget they are there.

The bottoms of the boots are durable and anti-slip, providing traction and protection from the cold and rugged terrains. Some urban search and rescue dogs wear boots like these to protect their paws from sharp disaster debris.

Outdoor Dog House

Dog House

Outdoor Dog House

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If your Labrador spends most of their time outdoors then a dog house is absolutely essential for cooler weather. This house keeps your labrador out of the wind and can be insulated for further warmth.

Add the heater dog bed below and this house could extend the outdoor season for your Lab.

Or if you have more than one dog and your Labradors get cold, they can cuddle in this dog house or a slightly larger one to keep warm.

Outdoor Heated Bed

Pet Bed

Outdoor Heated Pet Bed

View on Amazon

Your Labrador may love sitting or sleeping outside in the cold seasons, but the ground can amplify that cold temperature. Let your dog enjoy the outdoor weather without the cold ground lowering their temperature.

A heated dog bed, or pad, can keep your Labrador’s temperature at a safe level while letting them watch nature in the winter months.

If your dogs is primarily an outdoor dog, and the temperature are on the borderline, this bed in their dog house can keep them comfortable in slightly cooler weather than a standard bed.

Another addition that could come in handy is a heated dog dish. Keeping your dog’s water at drinkable conditions is key to keeping them hydrated in the cold.

Conclusion

A few other factors to consider, when asking if Labradors get cold:

Puppies and Older Labrador Retrievers are more sensitive to cold
DO NOT leave your dog in the car (in hot or cold weather, cars get hot and cold very fast)
Ensure they have a warm place to rest away from the wind and off the ground

Be wise when caring for your Labrador Retriever because, after all, they are your fur baby that needs nurtured. The dogs age can influence how much cold they can tolerate. Puppies and older dogs tend to be more sensitive to colder temperatures. Training puppies in the winter is not the easiest due to this sensitivity.

Just like you wouldn’t leave your dear pet in a car in scorching hot summer temps, do not leave them in the cold either. A closed environment, such as a car, can amplify the outside temperatures. This can be dangerous and potentially lead to death.

Keep a warm area for your Labrador to rest, whether it be a cozy bed or a warm blanket. This will comfort them and keep them warm. Put their bed or blanket in an area that is free of any cold drafts that may be blowing.

Go the extra mile and accessorize your Labrador with puppy apparel when all else fails to keep them warm!

If you are going to have your Labrador outside, be sure to check out our article on Microchipping Your Labrador Retriever to learn how to keep from loosing your best friend.

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How Much Exercise Does a Labrador Need? Puppies

How Much Exercise Does a Labrador Need? Adults and Seniors

Best Ways to Exercise a Labrador Retriever

Exercise Ideas for Puppies

Exercise Ideas for Adult Labrador Retrievers

Hiking

Dog Parks

Swimming

Fetch

Agility Training

Walking or Running

Hunting

Hide and Seek

Dock Diving

Laser Pointer

Tug of War

Hiding Treats

Signs Your Labrador Retriever Isn’t Getting Enough Exercise

Conclusion

Labrador Retriever Shedding

How Much Do Labradors Shed?

Do Labradors Shed Regularly? Types of Regular Shedding

Seasonal Shedding

Puppy Coat Shedding

Shedding After Neutering or Spaying

Effect of Diet on Shedding

Shedding Caused by Stress

How to Manage Shedding

Regular Grooming

Brushing

Bathing

Deshedding Tools

Controlling the Mess

Vacuuming

Furniture Covers

Lint Rollers

Conclusion

Do Labrador Retrievers Smell

Why Labradors Smell (sometimes)

Health Problems

Cheese-like Smell

Skin Infections (Pyoderma)

Canine Atopic Dermatitis (Allergies)

Rolling on Smelly Substances or Water

Infections

Bad Diet

How to Improve the Smell of Your Labrador Retriever

Keep Your Dog Dry

Diet and Hygiene

Regular Grooming

Talk to a Vet

Conclusion

How To Train a Labrador Retriever

Training: Labrador Retriever Puppies

When to Begin Training

Before the Pup Arrives Home

First Night Home with Puppy

Short Crate Training Sessions

First Night’s Sleep

Potty Training

Puppies Have Tiny Bladders

Take your Labrador retriever puppy outside frequently

When to and When Not to Scold/Punish

Scoop the Poop Outside

Clean the Accident Area

Do Not Reward Potty with Food Treats

Socialization

Acclimating with Other Household Pets

Sound Exposure

Let them Explore Safely on their Own

Vigilant Supervision: Behavioral Correction

Biting & Chewing

Name Reward

Leash Training a Labrador

Continued Training: Adolescent Labrador Retrievers

Reinforce Commands