Through no fault of his own...in the last couple of days due to difficult personal circumstances, Benson has not had quite the attention he is used too. Still has had 2 good walks a day over the last 2 days, but unfortunately not the training or interaction he normally has. He was also left a bit longer than I would have liked yesterday..everything contrived against me sadly... Well what I have found interesting last night and this morning is his behaviour..now I am loathe to call it bad, simply because it his not his fault. Hyper is one description maybe. Jumping, biting and pulling deafness ;D..and so full of energy! (the upside is that we had the best retrieves ever..Harley would've been impressed!) Won't take long to get back on track, but it just goes to show how much mental stimulation and exercise he needs, he is also a BIG dog now so it is hardly surprising if someone's circumstances change how hard it would be to look after a dog like Benson? I am sure in the next 6 months he will naturally calm down, he is nearly 10 months old now. I have also recently found out that his dad...out of 6 or 7 adult labs he was the one that was sold...he was a bit of a handful and a very strong dog. He is now living on a farm where his exuberance is a bit more manageable. Don't get me wrong, I am certainly not judging anyone, and absolutely not the previous owners of Benson's sire. Where he is now is far better for him, and I know it was a difficult decision. I just find it interesting, that this is the age when labs are re homed, and if people just persevered a few more months things would improve? (she types hopefully! :)
Re: Hyper Benson...Got me thinking... Oh yes, definitely I think some people needed to try harder with their dogs. The majority of dogs that came into the kennels I worked at for reasons like 'owner not able to cope' were aged between 6months and 2years - the adolescent phase where the dogs are just learning to push boundaries etc. If people had just stuck with it for even a couple more months most of those dogs could have stayed in their homes with their families.
Re: Hyper Benson...Got me thinking... I agree with Lauren Kate , I remember my last Lab Tess , she was an absolute heller at times , needed constant stimulation . I undertook taking her out alone ( we had five dogs at the time ) every evening for about an hours training which she soaked up , and best of all she would come home shattered . I do think that some give up too quickly , simply cant cope with the exhubance of a bouncy Lab , but as Lauren says ,most ( note most ) do get past this stage and become quieter and calmer dogs x
Re: Hyper Benson...Got me thinking... Kate I am sorry you are going through difficult times right now and I hope things get better for you very quickly. I couldn't agree more with you and Lauren and I know from experience after getting Charlie from a rescue centre at 9 months old he was out of control. His first family surrendered him to the pound to be PTS at 6 months old :'( We found him standing on the kitchen table, he would would tear round like a whirl wind inside and outside, jumped over anything and everyone in his path, crawled on his tummy when on lead, would steal food including Hattie's, was quite protective over any new toy that came into the house which never happens now and the list goes on and on and of course not forgetting the absconding issues . With training, perseverance, continuity, lots of love and patience he is a well mannered young man of 3 1/2 years now, not perfect by any standard, still a couple of things to work on. It's a good job we don't want perfection as we sort of like his mischievious character Stick at it everyone who is going through this stage it will get better if you stick with it xxx
Re: Hyper Benson...Got me thinking... Sorry to hear you've had a difficult few days Kate ;( I hope things get better soon. Well done Benson for the retrieves Harley is impressed They certainly do need mental stimulation, and regularily. If you ever want me to have Benson for a few hours, I would be more than happy
Re: Hyper Benson...Got me thinking... We got our first "rescue" when he was 18 months old. He was the most beautiful, oh heck I cry at the memory of him. We got him through Labrador rescue . He was down as one of those difficult to rehome dogs. When I told the rescue coordinator that I worked in kennels, she asked if I would be interested in going to see him. I may have worked with dogs , but believe me that does not make you a goid dog trainer. We as a family discussed it and said yes. The first time I laid eyes on him he was on two legs being held back by his owner. He was my height. Five foot. The most gorgeous black Labrador I have ever known. All 30kg of him. His owner had three young children, I had three older children and one of the most biddable Labrador ever at home. The introductions were of myself , my OH and my children trying to avoid being crushed, stood on or licked to death. The reason for rehoming, barking all the time and the owners both working and having no time for him. I'm so thankful they decided to rehome this most exuberant dog. I remember his owner telling me he stole food. Already having a labrador, I was aware of the fixation with food. Ha! I hadn't seen anything until we adopted Jake. He actually jumped up and stole the food off my plate as we sat eating our dinner at the table. So Jake's training began. Unfortunately Cesar what's his name was not alone in 2000. His issues were numerous. Recall until the day he died none. Walking on a lead meant my shoulder being damaged. I found the halti invaluable. Stealing food got better. I managed to stop the table snatching but I had everyone and I mean everyone that lived or visited the house instructed not to leave anything lying about. You sat a plate down at your own risk. Barking omgoodness. I asked my neighbours if they would give me a week to try and stop this. He was put to bed and left. 4 hours he barked it seemed without stopping for breath. We didn't get peace until the fourth night. His last owners allowed him to sleep in their bedroom, because he barked if they didn't. I wish I had access to the information I have now. I didn't, but we still managed to live with and love and adore one of the most gentle dogs I have ever had the pleasure to live with. My family will dine out on the stories we have about Jake. I can only thank the family that decided they couldn't cope with him, to rehome him through one of the wonderful rescue charities that we have. Because if they hadn't so many people would have been deprived of knowing this gentleman. I hope you don't mind me telling a wee bit of Jake's story. My first rescue.
Re: Hyper Benson...Got me thinking... I can well understand why people send labs to rescue at this stage. You have worked so long and hard and it's getting worse. I have a trainer coming for a 1 to 1 next week. I am not expecting miracles. I do think that she is basically a sound dog. I am hoping to learn where I can make improvements. It is about 5 months since I had any formal tuition. I think it is very easy to become lax and hope that the lady will help ME to sharpen up. I think it is up to me. It is a difficult phase she is passing through (please God) and she will grow out of things, but I would like to help to speed the jumping up etc on it's way
Re: Hyper Benson...Got me thinking... Cup case,I've had a little,tear reading about your Jake...what a personality xxx
Re: Hyper Benson...Got me thinking... Jake sounds like a sensational boy. Maybe you could start a thread about him? I'd love to hear more Jake stories Mollly, it definitely will get better
Re: Hyper Benson...Got me thinking... Jake was very lucky to have you cupcase. Always a two way thing...... :'(
Re: Hyper Benson...Got me thinking... Lovely to read about Jake, sounds like he was a much loved lab with a real personalty. And ditto, would love to hear more about him Benson has been relatively calm tonight....hoolied around the garden, sat still for a few minutes to munch a patio chair...the one I was sat in.
Re: Hyper Benson...Got me thinking... Lol Benson ;D ;D think you are definitely hitting the teenage stage
Re: Hyper Benson...Got me thinking... [quote author=Naya link=topic=7225.msg99972#msg99972 date=1407360843] Lol Benson ;D ;D think you are definitely hitting the teenage stage [/quote] Oh yes! btw, thank you so much for your kind offer..and of course we would always be more than happy to have Harley here if needed
Re: Hyper Benson...Got me thinking... Would love to hear more about Jake, and to see any photos if possible.
Re: Hyper Benson...Got me thinking... https://db.tt/hXQwO70f Should be a photo of Jake. https://db.tt/dpNI5wUh Now I think the last photo is a scan of a real photo. It was on one of the numerous occasions he was caught counter cruising. At one point we were convinced Jake thought his name was JakeNO.
Re: Hyper Benson...Got me thinking... [quote author=Cupcase link=topic=7225.msg100104#msg100104 date=1407415151] Now I think the last photo is a scan of a real photo. It was on one of the numerous occasions he was caught counter cruising. At one point we were convinced Jake thought his name was JakeNO. [/quote] ;D ;D ;D
Re: Hyper Benson...Got me thinking... Hilarious ;D ;D ;D The grainy nature of the photo only adds to the hilarity - like he was caught on a surveillance camera ;D
