Labrador Retriever: food puzzles turn appetite into measured enrichment and impulse-control practice.
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Labrador Retriever: food puzzles turn appetite into measured enrichment and impulse-control practice.
Breed profile
Training group
Gundogs and retrievers
Origin
The Labrador Retriever originated from Newfoundland fishing dogs and was developed for retrieving work.
Shoulder height
55–62 cm
Weight
25–36 kg
Coat
Short double coat
Coat care
Build calm, reward-based acceptance of brushing and of dryer or blower sound and airflow; do not force handling.
Drive keywords
Food · Retrieving · Social contact
Handling practice
Condition the short double coat to calm brushing and to dryer or blower sound and airflow, marking relaxed stillness and allowing breaks. · Build cooperative paw, nail and harness handling while the puppy is relaxed; stop before restraint creates a struggle.
General Australian reference range only; individual dogs vary.
05
Development has a clock
The 8–16 week window
Between eight and sixteen weeks, the puppy is learning what is safe, ordinary and worth avoiding.
You cannot pause this developmental period. The goal is not maximum exposure; it is carefully controlled experience at an intensity the puppy can process.
Development timeline
0–3 weeksNeonatal period
Basic sensory and physical development.
3–8 weeksDog-to-dog socialisation
Early dog-to-dog learning begins with littermates and stable adult dogs and continues after the puppy goes home.
8–16 weeksHuman and environmental socialisation sensitive period
Build calm, positive or neutral associations with ordinary life.
About 8–11 weeksFirst fear period
One intense fright can create a durable fear memory.
4–6 monthsTeething
Chewing needs increase as adult teeth replace puppy teeth.
6–12 monthsAdolescence
Expect a second fear period and a temporary “selective hearing” phase.
Sleep requirement
18–20 hours every day at eight weeks
Sleep loss often intensifies frantic biting, zooming and difficulty settling. Use scheduled, protected naps; see Chapters 7 and 19.
Attention span
2–3 minutes, 4–6 times a day
Several tiny successful sessions teach more than one exhausted 30-minute session.
Training with FluffyWA
Day school, board & train and private sessions are quoted after a chat, and boarding or daycare can be booked online with live prices.
