Hello from a novice Lab owner

Discussion in 'Introductions & Saying Hello' started by Harley Quinn, Feb 15, 2017.

  1. Harley Quinn

    Harley Quinn Registered Users

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    [​IMG]

    Hello to you all!

    I have to start by saying that we did not AT ALL realise what we were getting ourselves into when we bought a lab pup. Biggest ad campaign con since De Beers and diamonds as engagement ring stones. ;) We brought home what we expected to be a darling, loving, cuddly puppy and instead got a crocodile with fur (borrowed from the website).
    And the Labradorsite saved us so many times, I can't even count. I have read so much from there and today I decided to have a look at the forum too, so I am looking forward to the information adventure.

    So introduction:
    My DH and I are the slightly worn parents of a 18 week old cream lab pup called Harley Quinn. She arrived in our home to join our two established Bengal cats (7 years and 5 years). We don't have 2 legged children.

    Both DH and I work full days so Harley was in a smaller pen in the garden until she was about 16 weeks old and now she has the run of the whole place.

    I am so incredibly grateful that she is starting to lose those terrible puppy teeth, she looked like she had meth mouth with all the jagged edges and gaps.

    Harley is a small lab, she came from a less than ideal home where she was fed adult food, only had one meal a day and was full of fleas and worms. But she is now a growing pup with lots of energy and a lovely nature. She has completed her first set of socialisation puppy classes and has just started her second set of puppy classes dealing with introductions to new things and other basics.

    For extra super cuteness I have included the picture.
     
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  2. Karen

    Karen Registered Users

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    Hi there and welcome to the forum! What a beautiful girl you have there. How lovely you have given her a loving home - you clearly care for her a lot, and the baby teeth will soon be a thing of the past!

    Is she out in the garden on her own all day, or do you stagger your working times with your partner? It's not great to leave a growing puppy alone for any length of time, and can lead to very destructive behavior, plus a puppy needs a lot of attention in order to become properly socialized. Sorry to be asking, if you have a plan already in place for when you are working, it isn't clear from your post.
     
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  3. Boogie

    Boogie Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Welcome to you from Mags, Tatze and Mollie :hi:

    Tatze is my pet dog, a black Lab and she's three years old. Tatze means 'paw' in German.

    Mollie is my fourth Guide Dog puppy, a black Lab who is five months old.

    Harley is gorgeous :)

    I was the same when Tatze arrived - I rushed here and thank goodness I did. I've always had dogs and nothing prepared me for the crocapup that was Tatze - she's a sensible, steady girl now who shows the pups what's what.

    ...


    ...
     
  4. Harley Quinn

    Harley Quinn Registered Users

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    Hi Karen,
    No, unfortunately, we can't stagger our work times at the moment. But we have put every precaution in place to keep her occupied and stimulated during the day. Luckily we were able to start a very strict routine that she has fitted into very well, and she is a very easy going pup. We are fortunate that she doesn't whine or bark during the day. She doesn't have any destructive behaviours in the garden yet, but it is early days. And we definitely monitor her for distress. My husband built her a toy dispenser that is timed to realise classic kongs stuffed with food at different intervals. And we watch her on the CCTV. She sleeps most of the day, she does explore and play with toys but I think that will increase as she gets older. She has a very large yard.
    And of course, when we come home she spends all night with us and her feline brothers. We are taking her for short walks and she has regular play dates with other puppies. She only eats from food dispensers and I think she has every Kong toy on the market.
    It was a decision that we gave 8 years of thought, knowing that the chances of us working from home and/or having flexible hours would be highly unlikely, so she was definitely not an impulse puppy and so far appears very well adjusted in the lifestyle that we live.
     
  5. Harley Quinn

    Harley Quinn Registered Users

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    I forgot to add that although Harley came from a less that ideal home, she had the particular personality traits that I was looking for, even in a very young pup. We visited her, and her siblings a number of times before deciding on her. It was important for me that she was happy to spend time with us but could also confidently be on her own, away from the other puppies and people. She is going to be a therapy/emotional support dog when she grows up and has to be able to just "be" with people, without being too needy and demanding of attention. And even though she is still very young these personality traits have stayed true. She is super playful and energetic but once she has had enough she will go lay down on her bed or if she is on the bed with us she will move down to the bottom end and just stretch out and sleep peacefully. She is a confident but not cocky pup and she has the loveliest nature. She follows her feline brothers like a shadow, and if anyone knows the Bengal breed, they are a breed unto themselves. So she is tolerant and forgiving of their strong personalities and you can tell by their body language they are not threatened by her, actually, they are very naughty and steal her toys from her. And she just lets them.
    Because of the career ambitions I have for her, we put a lot of effort into socialising her with everyone and everything and so far she is a star.
     
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  6. Harley Quinn

    Harley Quinn Registered Users

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    Pictures of her feline siblings:
    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
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  7. Harley Quinn

    Harley Quinn Registered Users

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    Thanks for the welcome Mags and family:)
     
  8. Karen

    Karen Registered Users

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    Beautiful cats, too!
     
  9. edzbird

    edzbird Registered Users

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    Welcome to the forum Harley Quinn & feline friends !
     
  10. Cath

    Cath Registered Users

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    Hello and welcome to you all from Fred, Annie and me.
     
  11. Granca

    Granca Registered Users

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    Welcome to the forum. Harley Quinn looks beautiful - and so do her feline friends!
     
  12. Naya

    Naya Registered Users

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    Hi and welcome to you both and Harley Quinn, from me and 3 year old red girl, also called Harley :)
    She looks adoreable.
     
  13. drjs@5

    drjs@5 Registered Users

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    That must have taken some planning.
    Not all puppies settle on their own but you seem to have this well thought out and well under control.
    Harley is lovely and her feline siblings are gorgeous.

    A very warm welcome from me and Lilly
     
  14. Harley Quinn

    Harley Quinn Registered Users

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    Thank you all for the warm welcome!

    Yes it did but he is in the electronic and technical field so it took some work but he did a great job. I don't understand how it works but I love the fact that it does:) And so does Harley.

    We are well aware that we haven't hit the teenage months yet so watch this space for posts begging for help. She is a super special pup and has made such a difference in our lives.
     
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  15. Rosie

    Rosie Registered Users

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    Welcome from me and Pongo in south Wales!
    Oh, yes, the crocopup stage. All you need to do is search this forum for "crocopup" and you'll see we've all been through it. What a shock that was - not what I was expecting from my tiny sweet Labrador! But it is manageable and it does pass.
    Looking forward to hearing all about Harley and your adventures on this forum!

    (Your cats are GORGEOUS too)

    Rosie and Pongo
     

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