Hi all, I've been reading through this site over the last few weeks and decided it is time for me to join. As my title says, we are getting a yellow female puppy in January. She will be named Gretta and we couldn't be more excited! A little background: we had a wonderful and crazy black lab, Bear, who we had to put down in August. It was heart-wrenching. To be honest, we were not thinking about getting another dog, but as my 15 yo son said, "it physically hurts me to not have a dog." So here we are! Bear was our first dog, and we learned a lot with her and what we would do the same and what we will do differently. She was very high-drive, from strong working lines, and had more energy that I think we knew what to do with. As a result, she drove me crazy a lot of the time and was a real handful. This time, we have really researched breeders and have found one we feel comfortable with that will produce a more mellow-tempered dog that will still be fun and playful, yet more easily trained and will settle down when needed. We also have a great trainer that only uses positive reinforcement that we will use from the beginning. And of course, I have been pouring over every dog book I can from the library (including both of Pippa's!) so we can start out on the right foot. It has been 10+ years since we have had a puppy, so I feel like I am completely new at this again - I can't remember what we did to get Bear house trained so quickly, for example. But I'm here to learn, and excited for our new adventure! Of course, I will post pics of Gretta as soon as we get her!
Hi and welcome to the forum. Sorry to hear about Bear, but exciting news about Gretta House training is about consistency, taking them out on a very regular basis and watching them like a hawk. Pippa's Happy Book has some really good suggestions on how to deal with this. How did you come up with the name 'Gretta'? Look forward to hearing about your journey with Gretta
Hello and welcome to you and your new arrival! I guess there will be ups and downs, but suspect your son is going to made up. Wish you luck jac and Lilly
Welcome from Hattie 9 years and rescue boy Charlie 6 years. So very sorry to hear about Bear. I hope Gretta (fab name ) helps to fill the hole in your hearts with fun and a little mischief Look forward to seeing pictures of her. Good luck! xx
Hello and welcome to the forum! It sounds like you've got your head screwed on and have been researching well already. As for house training, it really does seem to just depend on the puppy to some extent! But vigilance and consistency will be your friend. My new puppy arrives in 13 days (not that I'm counting) so I'll be just a little ahead of you in puppy stories
Welcome to you both from Mags, Tatze and Mollie Tatze is my pet dog, black Lab three years old. Mollie is my fourth Guide Dog puppy, black Lab ten. weeks old. Be sure to inwardly digest the Happy Puppy Handbook - I read it cover to cover every time a puppy is due - you forget FAST!! Mollie is the most laid back Lab I have ever met. No crocapup teeth and she sleeeeeeeeeps and sleeeeeeeeeps!
Ah, the yellow ones are my personal favorite (I'm biased) but all colors are equally handsome. Sorry to hear about Bear's passing... sometimes another dog and a new start is a perfect prescription for healing. Many years ago, we lost our Lhasa/Tibetan terrier on Christmas Eve; she was only 2 and had a crippling autoimmune disease (another important reason to make sure the pup's parents have all the proper health screenings). A few months later a Shih Tzu in need of a home came into our lives and we still have her today. Sounds like this pup has an awesome life ahead of her and that you're doing all the right things to prep and ensure she gets off to a great start! Welcome from myself and Teller and DO post pics as soon as possible, or don't because it will make me want a pup of my own, lol.
Hello and a very warm welcome to the forum for me and my choccie girl. So sorry to hear of your loss, Bear sounded a beautiful normal bouncy fun Labrador.
Welcome from me and little Lord Stanley So sorry to hear about Bear But can't wait to see pics of Gretta
He says thank you and he's pleased to note his plan for world domination by looking extremely cute when he's actually satan is still going well
Welcome! My condolences for your beautiful Bear (I agree with your son - he's a smart kid) and congratulations on Gretta's impending arrival. Can't wait to hear more about her!
Hello & welcome from me & Coco. I know what your son means - a very wise lad. We lost our beloved Belle earlier in the year. We are now missing a second dog dreadfully, but have to be sensible & wait until Coco is easier to handle on the lead.
Thanks to everyone for such a warm welcome - I am excited for our adventure ahead. @Naya We chose "Gretta" because my husband and I both have German family heritage and so we wanted to honor that with a German name. And we wanted a name that was different from any other dog that we knew in our area. @Boogie Tatze looks a lot like Bear, and Mollie is so sweet - gorgeous dogs! @JenBainbridge Stanley is adorable - hopefully his world domination plans are just a phase that he will quickly grow out of!
Hi there from Simba and I - we "acquired" Simba (son's ex-girlfriend's dog) about 6 months after our beloved old dog had died. I had planned to wait a little longer, but in the end Simba was just a wonderful addition to fill the hole left behind in our house (after we got used to him, and he to us!)
