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Jnanne
Star Contributor
Shreveport, LA
USA
2751 Posts |
 Posted - 03/02/2012 : 10:01:00 AM
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We just picked up another stray and she's been with us long enough now that I doubt we are going to find her previous owner. She's a gorgeous chocolate lab--the vet says about 2 1/2 years old. Took her to the vet today for shots and she's healthy as can be--could put on a little weight, but not much.
Anyway, I lived with doberman all my childhood and much of my adult life, so big dogs are not new to me. My husband, however, never lived with anything bigger than a beagle. This gal is very energetic and doesn't appear to have any training. Obedience school begins soon. She jumps on people, and since my mother-in-law lives with us, I want to curb that behavior before we are dealing with broken bones.
Besides needing to give her lots more exercise than our other dogs require, is there anything I should know? Special toys? Tips on grooming--such as the beagles nails grow a lot faster than our other dog's and need more frequent trimming?
She's integrating well with the other animals. The beagle ignores her. The All-American dog initiates play. The cats who are always wary of newcomers are watching her from a distance. The ones who are always more brave are stopping by to sniff. Looks like we have gotten lucky in this, but we are still going to make judicious use of the crate indoors and keep her tied away from the other dogs outdoors for a while. |
Jnanne
Silver certified and looking for work near my new home |
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NancyG
Contributor
Arlington, TX
USA
90 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2012 : 12:52:38 PM
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Good luck ! My daughter has two black labs - litter brothers, one of which I had planned to take after a month or so of travel. But they were so attached that they mope when apart. So she has them both and I dog sit a lot.
They are 2 1/2 years old, but still act like puppies although they've had three sessions each of obedience school. They are loving dogs, but still think they are puppies. The biggest one (over 100 pounds) thinks he is a lap dog and wants to crawl up on you on the couch, in the chair, in the bed..... And he was the one that was designated mine when acquired.
My dental hygienist has a chocolate lab about 6 months older than these two and she says she's waiting for year 4 and hopefully her dog will settle then.
"My" lab was neutered as a puppy and is calmer than the other although the other has since been neutered. If neutering calms a dog down, we're still waiting for that to kick in for the second one. Allegedly they eat everything - clothing, shoes, anything on the floor, or within reach. We're not encountered that in terms of finding anything coming through the digestive track. However, in the past 2 1/2 years, I've had 3 pairs of glasses scratched and one pair replaced (glad it was under warranty) because the more active one jumps/stands up to get things off counters, tables, etc. and then chews them. They are now able to stay out of the kennel for an hour or so while we are away, but if longer, they go to the kennels. I've never kenneled dogs before so this was new to me, but they seem to handle it quite well. They LOVE to play laser tag -- get a cheap laser just shine it everywhere. They chase after it to get the exercise. However, they are smart dogs and paw me to get my attention and then stand in front of the table where I keep it. They could play laser tag about once an hour, if I'd play. |
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JudyK
Star Contributor
USA
872 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2012 : 1:26:09 PM
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| We had a Lab we inherited from a friend, that liked to jump on people. To stop the habit, we put her on a leash in the house to train her. When shed jump on someone we gave it a good tug. After awhile, she got the idea it wasnt acceptable behavior and stopped. |
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Jnanne
Star Contributor
Shreveport, LA
USA
2751 Posts |
Posted - 03/02/2012 : 7:18:53 PM
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Years ago I had a friend with a golden retriever that ate everything--including chewing holes in the drywall and eating the insulation out of the walls. When he took her for walks he'd have her carry a tennis ball. Otherwise she'd want to walk beside him with his hand in her mouth--chewing a little. Kind of like a teething kid with a pacifier.
I'm wondering whether we need to get her a tennis ball. Today she gnawed my arm pretty well--without breaking the skin at all--and I can't say it felt good. She was just happy to see me. I think this could potentially be worse behavior than the jumping. |
Jnanne
Silver certified and looking for work near my new home |
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Jnanne
Star Contributor
Shreveport, LA
USA
2751 Posts |
Posted - 03/23/2012 : 10:40:40 AM
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Update: After two obedience classes, Godiva is getting pretty good at sitting and going to the down position, but seems to be confused by the direction to stay. She heals very well when we walk, but as we near the house she wants to race to be the first one through the gate. Maybe she was a racehorse in a previous life?
The jumping has decreased, as has the arm chewing, but both are still a long way from being resolved. I'm very impressed with how quickly she is progressing.
She's made friends with the other three dogs. One cat has ventured nose-to-nose contact and three others will check her out from a closer distance than before. They are willing to come downstairs while she is in the house, but are still too wary to get within reach. The fact that her yawn is larger than the smaller cats' bodies probably doesn't make them feel secure and trusting. At least she doesn't bark at them. |
Jnanne
Silver certified and looking for work near my new home |
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SheilaC
Star Contributor
Philadelphia, PA
USA
261 Posts |
Posted - 03/27/2012 : 10:32:18 PM
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I've loved and worked with dogs much of my life. I currently have a standard poodle but suggested reading for ALL new dog owners (as well as old dog owners!) "Marley and Me"
Remember larger breeds do not come into adulthood until they are about 2 years old when the brain and body actually attach and they realize that the world is not just for big dogs! With my dog he's settling in now at 7 years old. Dunno what I would have done without him even when he still had the papershredder attachment!
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Jnanne
Star Contributor
Shreveport, LA
USA
2751 Posts |
Posted - 03/28/2012 : 3:39:58 PM
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| "Marley and Me" is a great book. Hope we don't have quite that much drama, though! |
Jnanne
Silver certified and looking for work near my new home |
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Any advice regarding labrador retrievers?