Introducing a black Lab to an apartment can be a trying experience.
Keeping a pet in an apartment, particularly a dog the size of a black Labrador, is no easy feat. Fortunately, there are ways to go about ensuring a smooth progression when it comes to introducing a black Lab to an apartment, pertaining to house training and health.
Instructions
1. Select a proper type of flea/tick medication. Any time a black Lab goes outside, whether for a walk or to relieve itself, any fleas/ticks that pet brings back into the home will easily populate a small apartment.
Standard flea and tick medications can be found at all major pet retailers, while natural remedies can be found at most organic markets and health food stores. Some of the more popular natural flea remedies for black Labs include a shampoo mixture of lavender, eucalyptus, citronella and rosemary. Mixing these herbs together, and bathing the dog in it, is known to rid the pet of fleas and ticks without harsh chemicals.
A flea/tick collar is also a surefire way of keeping fleas and ticks at bay, as well as keeping them from infesting an apartment, upon which it can be quite difficult to rid the entire home of them.
2. House train a black Lab. Ideally, this will be done when the dog is still a puppy, thus making it much easier to housebreak it. This also ensures that the Lab will learn not to chew furniture or doorways, or scratch walls and doors. In the case of a puppy, upon bringing it into the apartment for the first time, stake out a place that will be its "place." This can be a utility room, bedroom---basically anywhere a pet owner is comfortable leaving the puppy alone. To keep the puppy contained, try using a puppy gate or crate, the latter also aids in housebreaking the dog. Introduce toys to the dog soon after bringing it into an apartment, as this can provide a welcome distraction and deter it from chewing and scratching valuable items in the home. Use puppy pads as well in attempting to housebreak your pet. Try to leave a puppy in rooms with wood or tile floors; carpet can prove much tougher to clean in the case of an accident.
3. Allot plenty of "outside" time. Black Labs are known for their energy, as well as the ability to get into trouble (clawing, chewing) when not given enough exercise time. This holds particularly true in the case of an apartment, which does not feature a yard for "outside time." Daily walks are optimal, as well as trips to any local dog parks, which can provide a black Lab plenty of exercise, as well as plenty of time to interact with other dogs.
4. Work on controlling barking. An apartment means plenty of neighbors close by, some of whom may not take kindly to you Lab barking day and night. There are numerous ways to get the dog to cease or decrease barking. These include taking it for walks (a tired dog is less prone to bark), providing toys (an occupied dog is less likely to bark), and working on commands (such as "stop" or "quiet"), which can reinforce a quiet puppy.
5. Crate train your black Lab, particularly for dog owners who spend a lot of time away from the apartment. Many pet owners opt to leave their dog in a crate during such times, particularly early on in the living situation, before easing into less crate time, and soon, with luck, no crate time at all as the dog ages and matures. Crate training can also aid in housebreaking, as dogs are less likely to go to the restroom in a crate (where they're confined and where they eat) than on the apartment floor, where they can relieve themselves and move on.
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