Im gonna be picking up my first lab pup within the next couple weeks and I have a couple questions. What is the best dog food to feed him? What is the right age to start training him? Any pointers would be helpful.

Get the chris akin vid and watch it. Lots of good info

i feed my pup Nutro and Blue Buffalo.

Started a few of mine on Royal Canine, expensive stuff!

Old School, you may want to keep an eye on what BB food you by. I know this recall is from last year, but look at the use by dates.


I've swapped my dog over to Taste of the Wild. It is a grain-free food and is actually better and cheaper than Blue Buffalo.
It's available at Tractor Supply.

If you want a good food, you can do a bit of research and learn about them all.


Or read here;

Hey cmiller, is that a one time deal with Blue Buffalo or do they have ongoing issues with quality?

Just a suggestion, I would call the breeder you’re buying the pup from and at least start with the food their feeding. Not necessarily, but you might run into issues switching the pup food overnight on the youngster. If you do change do it gradually over time adding in the new with the old and then blacking off the old in small amounts. If you stick with the same food you just might want to transition with the same brand into their high performance if your working the dog a lot and hard. You can ask 10 guys and get 10 answers on what is a good food for the price. You need to be the best monitor; their coat, their weight and their waste is the best barometer if the fuel is going through the “boiler room” room and working the way it should.

As for training … immediatey, house breaking, kennel training and obedience – obedience - obedience... keep it fun while they are pup and get a good video or book by Dahl, Lardy or Boinken (spelling?) and it will give you something to work with.

Also find retriever club near you and go to a training day … a lot of folks there willing to help and lot to learn even if a hunt test or trials are not in your plans.

Good luck ..

Willet I have to agree.
Used to use Purina Pro Lamb & Rice
When I was in college might end up hunting out of town longer than excpected and run out of dog food. In the boonies you can always get dog chow.

Mallard
Another good book is Water Dog or better Game Dog.
Books been around for years and does a good job when used right.

I bought Water Dog.