Re: how do you cope ? My kitchen floor looks like that Lynne, but I only sweep it once a day, so although it seems a lot to me, it isn't as much as you if you have already vacuumed!
Re: how do you cope ? I don't think brushing makes them shed more. I hardly ever brush Poppy, but at the moment she is shedding so much we call her The Hairy Fairy. : The only good thing is that our floor is light wood, so you don't see all the hair too much. When I bought new floor length curtains recently, I made sure they were oatmeal coloured. My clothes, however, are awful - the second I get home from the office I am off to change into 'doggy clothes'; despite this I am constantly brushing blonde labrador hairs off my dark work clothes! I would love a black labrador as our second dog, but think it would just mean that the floor AND clothes would always look a mess. I do have a theory though, and that is that our dogs shed so much in the winter because of central heating. Poppy certainly already has her winter coat with the very fine but very thick undercoat - and this seems to be coming out in bundles. I am sure that if she lived in a kennel, she wouldn't be shedding. I even used the fulminator on her at the weekend, which does help, but I definitely won't use it more than once or twice because she NEEDS that undercoat. So, on balance - we just have to live with the hair. Deal with it. 8)
Re: how do you cope ? [quote author=Karen link=topic=3533.msg39102#msg39102 date=1386079309] I would love a black labrador as our second dog, but think it would just mean that the floor AND clothes would always look a mess. [/quote] One of the worries getting a Clumber - black and white hairs! Currently clothes look ok and floors are generally horrific ;D
Re: how do you cope ? Now that is an interesing theory about central heating. Our house is so blinking cold even with the heating on, infact it was warmer outside during my walk early this morning I wonder if that's why Charlie doesn't shed so much or it could just be because he is a Lab x Pointer - who knows but I'm really glad he doesn't
Re: how do you cope ? Really behind on this and a lot of other post so I'm just scanning quickly so sorry if I misread important points....just wanted to say a perspective from someone who lives in the heat....well ok it's low 20's now.i haven't noticed any more noticeable shedding though from the Summer when it was in the 50's .....he's consistent really.I would have half of what you photographed Lynne as a full days sweepings.....but there would be the rug as well that is hovered in the morning but is hairy again in the eve when we are lying playing with him"......but it's the same colour as him :..... I brush him every day and hardly anything comes off him,I meet some lab owners who have terrible moulting problems....so I'm counting myself lucky. Be interesting to see if you find a difference Lynne x
Re: how do you cope ? Helen, possibly Charlie doesn't have an undercoat, which is what the bulk of a Labrador's shedding is. Count your self lucky ;D I agree about the central heating theory - I think that it somehow encourages year-round shedding....
Re: how do you cope ? Heating is deffo an issue....I spend hours outside walking, Chip runs and runs in the cold, swims in freezing rivers and lakes then comes in and the heating's on....I can't wait to throw my coat & cardigan off and so I'm sure he must feel the same. My other half goes mad, I open windows, turn the heating down and am often found in a vest, while he's closing windows, turning the thermostat up & wearing 2 jumpers! Chip shed's loads, I have learned to relax with it though - can't worry over what I can't change. A quick sweep through the kitchen each day into the corner then the vac comes out every couple of days. We often have what I call a Labrador nest under the table - it floats under there when people walk through
Re: how do you cope ? I deliberately went for the same coloured dog second time around so that the fur balls blowing down the hall way would be the same colour. I don't find hair the worst problem. Mud from treking in and out of the garden plus bins over and other naughtiness keeps me on my toes more than hair. My two dogs wouldn't moult as much as yours but the little one seems not to have a full second coat and is more pointer-ish in coat than standard lab.
Re: how do you cope ? I had to rehome my dog as this one one huge issue my OH just couldnt cope with. I must admit i got a dog that was too large for the house. We have tiled floors and with other half having OCD and couldnt cope with the mess it was a disaster. Plus he had bad skin which needed bathing. Then my friend started bonding with him and he preffered her anyway so he went to live over the road. He is over about 2 days a week and i still walk and play with him. But he still ignores me in favour of her. Hurts considering i raised him from 10 week old. Anyway labradors just are not the right dog for us. Too big, too much shedding and too high energy. My OH didnt bond with him at all and with the mess, constant rowing. My bad i know. Wrong breed, wrong personality, wrong size dog. I think a small staffy will be better. But we are thinking of fostering to find OUR dog. We can decide to let the dog go to his new home or keep him. ANYWAY bathing the dog helps remove ALOT of hair. Makes them smell nicer too. Or you could run wet hands over your dog but go the oposite way the hair is going. Do this next to the sink as the hair that comes off is unreal. You can also use damp hands on your clothes to help get the hair off. It helps i swear.
Re: how do you cope ? To be frank , having had dogs all of my life , dog hairs have become something we just dont care about I hoover most days , wash my floors when they need it but refuse to be concerned about a few dog hairs wafting about . I understand that for someone like you Lynne with OCD , it must be difficult to cope with, but I also know how much you love Jasper so I know that you will cope ;D Bathing isnt the answer, not with Labs especially , it can remove the oils required for water proofing . The occasional bath is fine but it shouldnt be a regular occurrence x
Re: how do you cope ? i am learning to cope with it kate, i do find it difficult,.....i have a good routine going, we don't bath jasper, i have a wash mit,when he is muddy we hose him down in the garden,......i would not change him for the world, he is my little treasure
Re: how do you cope ? Well, after the OH the other day exclaimed my Vax to be totally useless (yes, I agree) I have been online and ordered a new vacuum. After extensive research (ho hum) I have ordered a Miele Power Plus "at a good price" and hoping it will not drive me to distraction like the Vax which was frankly quite useless. Hoping it will help me tame the dog hair. Employing a cleaner might actually be more effective, but here's hoping ;D
Re: how do you cope ? jac i have the henry xtra, very powerful, just when i have hoovered within an inch of my life,i let him back in the lounge and it needs doing again,.....no wonder i am losing weight
Re: how do you cope ? We have a Dyson DC54 Animal Pro arriving next week. Our old Dyson is over 15 years old, so it's time for an upgrade. Watch out, fur!!!!!
Re: how do you cope ? [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=3533.msg43328#msg43328 date=1388267925] Miele Power Plus [/quote] I have one, it's fab. Unfortunately, I still have to get it out and vacuum though. You'd have thought they would sell ones that did that for you, really.
Re: how do you cope ? [quote author=JulieT link=topic=3533.msg43338#msg43338 date=1388269035] I have one, it's fab. Unfortunately, I still have to get it out and vacuum though. You'd have thought they would sell ones that did that for you, really. [/quote] Absolutely!
Re: how do you cope ? [quote author=JulieT link=topic=3533.msg43338#msg43338 date=1388269035] [quote author=drjs@5 link=topic=3533.msg43328#msg43328 date=1388267925] Miele Power Plus [/quote] I have one, it's fab. Unfortunately, I still have to get it out and vacuum though. You'd have thought they would sell ones that did that for you, really. [/quote] Get a robot vacuum! We have a Roomba and it's very good as an in-between vac. You still have to empty it yourself though... Ours is called O'Brien.
Re: how do you cope ? [quote author=Oberon link=topic=3533.msg43342#msg43342 date=1388269482] Get a robot vacuum! We have a Roomba and it's very good as an in-between vac. You still have to empty it yourself though... Ours is called O'Brien. [/quote] Ooo - I'll have a look. They work, do they?
