Thought it would be good to do my own reality check one month in. Circumstance. My Aunt and uncle had a lab when I was a kid. Growing up around dogs even at a young age I knew how to be around it, but this thing was very aggressive. As an adult I know it was because the dog had never been socialised/trained, but it sticks with you. I'm going to say it. I don't like labs. As a fully fledged adult I've had several rescued dogs. Lost are Rottie after only eight months to cancer and are Boxer to age during the uks last lockdown. The house has been so silent. My wife and I decided it was time to give another dog a forever home. Agreed no pups and no Lab's. We looked to get a beautiful Rottie, A stunning Doberman, and several others all fell though. A couple of months went by and to be honest I was losing heart. Remember no pups and No labs? Came home to find Loki. Did belong to one of my wife's friends. The Labrador pup is now 14 weeks old and growing like a weed. We are his second and now forever home. It means his previous family only had him a week two at the most. Some people have more money than they deserve and think life won't change with a dog. But that's a different rant. He had been was cooped up in a puppy pen with training pads for all that time. After three days we bought a carpet cleaner. Seriously why puppy pads? They just teach them to go indoors. All I seem to be doing is research comparing multiple training guidance. Seriously considering dog behaviour courses. I thought I was good before but a pup is completely different. Took every day of my holidays and all the toil owed so I've been hand feeding since day one. This means his training has been coming along really well. We had got down everything they want us to do in his puppy class and a lot more besides before the first class. When out and about people comment about how well behaved he is. Met a huge Rottie in the dog park the other day. Brilliant social interaction. I haven't managed more than four hours of sleep at a time. That's getting really hard. No problem getting up at two because he needs to go out. I've praised all my dogs for that. It's the zoom afterwords and in the last few days he's found his voice. Barking while looking at the food cupboard. Don't know where he got that one from trying to ignore it, but next door can hear him and sound travels well in the valleys at that time of the morning. I admit a couple of times last week I just couldn't handle it and came close to tears. It's at that time I also think why am I doing everything? It's my wife that brought him home. I'm really glad my tetanus jabs are up to date. I get why they have sharp teeth and everything but why.... It's so painful. Enforcing nap time has helped a bit. Ive had dogs most people avoid. What's with people and thinking they can just walk up and get in my pups face. Just ask dam it! Ok I may say no it depends on what we are doing. If you do don't use baby talk. It just winds him up then I have to deal with Mr Hyde. He can not only climb but he's good at it. Nothing is safe. When out and about take your eyes off for a second and he well pick things up. Getting quite angry when I see litter. When he got a bit of chewing gum I honesty thought the worst. Couldn't have handled another dog crossing the bridge so soon. All in all he's a git and I'll fight anyone for him.
So true about the litter! I never noticed much before, but now I can't believe how much crap is left lying on the ground - paper, plastic bottles, bottle caps, plastic bags, etc. Buster is now 18 weeks and is just finally starting to respond well to "leave it" - love taking him for walks but really exhausted with having to constantly scan the ground for things he might try and eat! I worry constantly that he is eating something he shouldn't before I even see it.
It’s so helpful to read these accounts of your experience. Gorgeous 18 week old male lab here and have been in tears many times! I know everyone warns you, but man! Puppies are hard work! Good luck. Liz
