Perhaps you've watched The Dog Whisperer and thought I'll never have those kinds of problems with my Labrador puppy! Unless you are very familiar with Labrador puppy care, you could easily become Cesar Millan's next client. Labradors are high-energy dogs when they are young. With their intelligence and energy combine, you have a recipe for general canine mayhem. Keep an eye on their diet so they don't get hyperactive.

This is the situation in John Grogan's best selling novel Marley & Me, subtitled Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog. But most families with Lab pups aren't like the Grogans. Most give up and abandon the juvenile dog to shelters. Usually this is not through fault of the dog, but through ignorance of the owners. If you bring a dog home, it's a commitment not a fashion statement. This is why you should never buy a dog or a puppy on impulse.

You need everyone in the household to be consistent in training your Labrador pup. Everyone needs to know and follow the ground rules before the puppy comes home, or else the puppy is going to be confused. Puppies are capable of learning even as young as seven weeks old. Never hit your Lab pup. Usually a sharp word or growl is all it takes to show that you are displeased. Labs love to please and will experiment to try and make you smile.

Burn up some of your puppy's energy with daily walks and play sessions. Neutering or spaying will also keep your Labrador well behaved and looking to you for all good things. Labrador puppy care includes regular check ups with your vet. You don't want to over work your puppy (say, going for ten mile jogs a day) when the bones are still growing. Your vet can help you work out a proper exercise regime and diet.

Raising a Labrador pup is hard work - almost as hard as raising a kid. But the more you put into your puppy's training and care, the more you will get in return. Raising a puppy will then not become a chore, as it will become fun and automatic.

It is exciting to help raise a loving, intelligent animal and being able to communicate with him or her. You are also legally responsible for your Lab's behavior.

You can greatly improve your chances of raising a happy and well-adjusted Lab puppy by making sure he is neutered. This keeps him in an immature state of mind and looks to you as his parent. He is also not preoccupied with looking for a mate.

Keeping your Lab on a sensible diet and regular exercise will keep him from getting too hyper. This is a breed that needs to be active every day in order to keep from going insane.