Okay, so I’ve got this Labrador Retriever puppy, and he just turned seven months old. It’s been a wild ride, let me tell you! I wanted to jot down everything I’ve been dealing with, partly for me to look back on and partly to maybe help out other folks going through the same thing.
The Beginning: Bringing Him Home
When I first brought him home, he was this tiny little ball of fluff. I remember being so nervous. I had read all the books and watched all the videos, but nothing really prepares you for the real thing. The first few weeks were all about potty training, crate training, and trying to puppy-proof the house (which, spoiler alert, is impossible).
Months 2-6: The Chaos Phase
- Chewing: Everything. Shoes, furniture, my hands, you name it. I learned real quick to keep anything valuable out of reach. I bought all sorts of chew toys.
- Potty training: This was the biggest challenge. So many accidents. I felt like I was constantly cleaning up pee. But, slowly but surely, he started to get it. Lots of positive reinforcement, treats, and praise when he went outside.
- Socialization: I took him to puppy classes and made sure he met lots of different people and dogs. It was important that he learned how to behave around others.
- Basic training: Sit, stay, come… the basics. It was a struggle at first. Labs are smart, but they’re also stubborn. Consistency and patience were key. I had to repeat those many many times.
Month 7: Teenager Time
Now that he’s seven months old, it’s like I have a furry teenager on my hands. He’s got way more energy, he’s testing boundaries, and sometimes it feels like he’s forgotten everything I taught him.
- More Chewing: He’s gotten his adult teeth, and it’s back with a vengeance.
I found some durable chew toys helped keep it in control.
- Increased Energy: He needs so much exercise now. I’m walking him more, playing fetch in the park, and even started some basic agility training. It’s tiring, but it’s also fun to see him learn and grow.
- Selective Hearing: Sometimes, he’ll just completely ignore me, especially when there’s something more interesting going on (like a squirrel, or another dog). I’m working on reinforcing his recall training, using high-value treats and making sure I’m more interesting than whatever he’s distracted by.
- Continued Socialization: I think, socialization is not one and done. I’m still making sure he meets new people and dogs, and keeping his experiences positive.
The Results (So Far)
It’s definitely not been easy, but it’s been incredibly rewarding. Seeing him grow from a tiny puppy into this goofy, energetic adolescent has been amazing. He’s still a work in progress, and I know there will be more challenges ahead, but I’m excited to see what the future holds. I learned a lot during this process.
I’m trying my best to raise him well.
