Hi I’m so happy to be able to get some advice on a rescue lab that has been given to us to care for. He is a yellow eye, yellow lab that was microchiped a purebred my first concern as I have never seen a yellow eyes in a lab. He is a 3 and 1/2 year old male and is showing all the lab signs of setting in but I’m worried that after almost 2 weeks he hasn’t really shown love and affection back to the family ( 4 kiddos that adore him and a very good dad that play each evening with him also myself that has really tried hard to gain his trust). I am concerned because we have had a beloved lab ( who pass at 19) and I know the breed are so affectionate. My concern is that he is just a lone wolf and not a family member. If he is a mixed dog, would this contribute to the stand-off behaviour I am seeing? I am finding it hard to connect to him please help !
Hi, I think you need to be patient. It takes a long time for a dog to settle in and trust his new family. I don’t know if you know much about his history, but that could complicate things too. 2 weeks is a short time, see how he is in a few months of consistent kindness and fun. Well done for giving him a home.
I googled yellow lab with yellow eyes. They aren’t very common but it is possible. He certainly looks like a lab in the photo. As Edp says,give him time to settle in. Still very early days.
I hope you feel able to give your new boy the time he needs to settle with your family. In my experience it has taken me a while to bond with new puppies because I have inevitably been comparing them with the beloved old dog who has died. Each dog is unique, even if the same breed as a previous one, and eventually becomes a much-loved family member in their own right. Two weeks is a very short time - your new dog can't know he's with you for life, he might be expecting to be taken to another place at any time. All we can do is be consistent and offer a secure place and give it time.
Thanks I know your right ! He will become a much loved member of the family and as some other good peeps on this site have said, I actually don’t know how he may have been treated before he came to us. All I can do is give him all the love and attention he deserves now. I love the breed, but have only ever had my last black lab so any pointers and advice is very welcome. I just want to help him settle in and become comfortable. Thanks again
I had a black lab previously and now a fox red. Energy wise they are polar opposites. Black lab was very calm,greeted people by going through their legs,gave one bark when the doorbell went all very calm. This one is on constant alert to noises outside. Goes mad if anyone comes to the door or steps on the drive,will only be stroked on his terms by people he doesn’t know well and if someone comes up to him outside he has never met,with too much eye contact he will bark at them(usually males)We avoid those situations. However in the house and with those he knows well he is very cuddly and enjoys to be sat on you or stuck to your side laying down. I have never put it down to difference in colour though only different personalities. I have no experience with a rescue but know some evenings Toby wants to be with us and others takes himself off to his bed. Give yours time. Maybe sit on the floor with him in the evening with a few treats until he feels more comfortable. This made me laugh. I sent a message to my kids in their twenties about our upcoming holiday saying “yay hugs all round in Wales next week then” after the announcement. My son came back with....let’s see if Toby wants to first! After 3 1/2 years and a cancer battle we wouldn’t be without him.
