Owning a dog - even one ‘free’ from a rescue home comes with a price tag. Feeding, immunization, kennel fees just to name a few does not come cheap. Add into the mix a pure breed like a Labrador then the cost of owning a dog can rocket. Of all the breeds of dogs, the Labrador is the most popular dog in the UK, taking the number one spot with 45,700 registrations in 2006 according to the Kennel Club Top 20 Breeds list.

Known for its fine temperament, easy-going nature, the Labrador makes an excellent family pet, as well as being ideally suited to a working life. Synonymous with its role as a Guide Dog, they can also be trained to be an Assistance Dogs for the disabled and Therapy Dogs, being used in homes and hospices as a comfort for residents and patients alike.

There are three recognized colors of Labrador - yellow, black and chocolate. Apart from the Black Labrador, the yellow and chocolate varieties can see a wide range of variation in pigmentation. The yellow Labrador can be anything from a cream color through gold and to what is a called ‘Fox-Red’. The chocolate Labrador can vary between a medium-brown to a dark-brown color.

So, what is the typical price tag for owning a Lab and how do you go about getting one? The first port of call could be the Kennel Club website. Here you can find out details about breeders in your area with Pups for sale, along with lots of other information about the world of dogs.

Okay, so you’ve sourced a potential puppy. What about the cost? Well, there are two types to consider -physical as well as financial. The Labrador needs a lot of exercise to prevent it becoming hyperactive and boisterous. Its good nature is derived from being kept active and adored by you, the owner.

In the UK, the typical cost of a pup can range between £300 and £500 (US$420 - US$700). Your pup will need to be inoculated. The primary course of treatment involves two injections at around £25 each (US$35). Thereafter, on an annual basis, it is recommended that you get your dog a booster jab, at around £30 (US$42). In the UK, if you want to put your dog in the kennel while you go on holiday then you will need to have your dog inoculated against Kennel Cough. This might cost another £25 (US$35). To keep your dog free of fleas then expect a cost you about £30 (US$42) every 3 months and worming about £3.70 (US$5.20) a month. (All prices are shown are approximate and for illustration purposes only). It’s suggested you telephone a few local vets to get an idea for yourself of what they charge.

Pet Care insurance is a must if you don’t want to be landed with unexpected vet bills. If your dog gets a chronic illness - where treatment goes on longer than a year - then it is recommended that you take life-time cover and not the cheaper ‘1-year only’ version. Cover does vary, so shop around and make sure you read the small print. Finally, with any breed, it might be a worthwhile exercise to get you dog micro-chipped. This can be done by a vet and costs between £35 and £50 (US$49 - US$70).

For this training example, let’s say your dog chose to continue away from you. Immediately repeat your phrase without the accompanying sound; your (3rd request) “dogs’-name-come-good-boy”.

At this point, you might figure that the dog would not respond. While this may be so, we do not know for sure. Observation is required. He may have experienced the desired conditioning from even just that one instance of presenting the “key” or “cue” word in association with the sound.

For this reason, we presented our command on this, your third request, without the conditioning sound. If any response occurred, again, even a seemingly negative response like running further away, praise is required. If you’re certain your dog is not responding, on this, his third request, the request will then once again be repeated, for the fourth occasion, this time, while presenting the sound from another direction, preferably beyond your dog, and exactly timed to occur with the “key” or “cue” word.

SOUNDS MUST NEVER BE REPEATED FROM THE SAME POSITION TWICE IN SUCCESSION!

In this instance you will repeat the command phrase, your (4th request) (toss can now) “dogsnameCOME good boy” and toss your can beyond (not at, but beyond) your dog, so as to cause the can to strike the ground exactly on time with the “key” or “cue” word.

This requires just a little bit of skill, because the can must be ejected several moments prior to repeating the command phrase, (because of the distance), so as to strike the ground exactly at the same time as our “key” or “cue” word, and the entire sequence must occur as quickly as possible. Yes, I agree, things sounded simple enough until all of this first and third without sound, and second and fourth with sound stuff. Relax, we’ll try this again, in “real time”, and then you may try to practice on your own for a few minutes. Let’s run through the command sequence as if you’re dog were not cooperating.

We’ll use UPPER CASE to denote command accompanied with sound.
Try reading aloud, (not in the presence of dogs) and actually using the cans. Set a target about 10 feet away to practice your throw on the fourth command. Start now: take a deep breath, hold it, read aloud: “dogsnamecomegoodboy”- (next create sound on COME) “dogsnameCOMEgoodboy”-(repeat quickly)”dogsnamecomegoodboy”-(toss can now) “dogsnameCOMEgoodboy”.

Breath!

See? It’s easier than it sounded the first time.
Try this until you’ve got the timing down so the “key” or “cue” words and sounds are in sync.
If any response occurs, instant, spontaneous, constant praise, must follow, until your dog is close enough to pat. Remember, even begging and pleading are O.K., as long as you do not move toward him and you do and repeat the command.

Repeating commands will cause the dog to cause you to continue repeating commands. But are we not repeating the command in the exercise?

Yes, we do repeat the command, but never without punctuating the command on its first repetition, which will fix that command into the reflex system. As soon as the conditioned reflex is installed, the command may not be ever needed more than once.
That’s it!
And it happens that fast!
Over some period of time the conditioning may deteriorate for a variety of reasons.