Hello fellow lab lovers! Me and my boyfriend are due to get our first pup together, early November time....and I'm nervous! We both grew up with puppies/dogs as kids so know what is expected! However, I guess its different this time when you're the one that it will solely be dependent on...and not the 'grown-ups' of the family as it was before! As a kid, growing up with dogs I guess you only see the good times with a puppy (my mum on the other-hand tells me now with all 5 dogs we've had she wanted to take back at some stage during the early days of having them!) Anyway, I guess I'm looking for a bit of support/advice on what to expect. My boyfriend is the laid back type and so isn't worried at all and is constantly saying it'll be fine. I, on the other hand am a worrier! I'm already having anxiety about it and the puppy isn't even with us yet! We haven't even chosen one! My main concern is it will just completely wreck my house! It is my house (my boyfriend moved in), so maybe that's why I'm worrying more as all the furniture belongs to me, and knowing how long it took for me to buy, upsets me thinking that it may potentially all get ruined. I've also made extensive lists of what we may need, my boyfriend thinks I'm going over the top - maybe I am. I just want to be prepared! I've even though of ways of re-arranging my furniture so the puppy doesn't chew it! I have a large wooden table in my kitchen that takes up most of the space - I am thinking of keeping my puppy here whilst she grows up, with a pen and crate. This would mean moving the table into my already full living room so god knows how that will work! Reassurance needed please!! Emma
Hi Emma and welcome to the forum! First off, take a deep breath. Using pens and crates is a brilliant way to keep your furniture safe. I am on my third Lab puppy and none of them has done irreparable damage to my furniture - or even been very bothered about it in the first place. In the early days, it's simply about making sure they are distracted every time they put their mouths on something. Use of toys and chews is brilliant. For the first couple of months, your puppy will go from chewing a lot because that is just how they explore the world, to teething, when their mouths are sore and chewing helps with the pain. Throughout all of this, with three puppies, I've not had any piece of indoor furniture damaged. The outdoor wooden chairs suffered a bit, yes, but largely because I wasn't that bothered! When you can't supervise your puppy, he will be in the crate or pen and so both he and your stuff will be safe! As for moving your furniture around, try to remember that this isn't a long-term thing. It's only going to be for a few months, and so it's not the end of the world if it's not ideal during that time. You'll get something a lot more precious than an ordered house from it. Put all your nick-knacks away, clear all the surfaces, even if your puppy can't reach things when he first arrives, it's amazing how quickly they grow and it's best to be proactive about it. It's great to be as prepared as possible, but nothing quite prepares you for the hard work that a puppy is. Even on my latest one, I had forgotten just how time-consuming they are, and how draining. She is now ten months old and I look back on those first few weeks and months with nothing but fondness - I'm sure they emit some sort of pheromone which wipes all the bad stuff from our memories, because I remember being surprised at how time-consuming she was, even though I'd done it with my previous two only a couple of years earlier! For now, enjoy the planning and shopping. Get yourself a copy of the Happy Puppy Handbook if you don't already own it. I'd recommend Total Recall, too, so you can start working on those exercises as soon as you bring your puppy home. Ask any questions you may have - someone usually has the answer, and we're a pretty friendly bunch. In the meantime, tell us something about your puppy - do you know yet if you're getting a girl or a boy? Do you know the colour, and do you have a name chosen? Most importantly, do you have any pictures yet? We love puppy pictures!
Hello and welcome! In addition to all the very good advice from Fiona (snowbunny), I would recommend you take a good look at your garden, and make sure it is totally puppy proof, with really secure fencing. It is amazing how small a space a puppy can crawl through (or get stuck under). Yes, this is going to be quite an overwhelming experience at first, but it will be sooooo worth it...
Thanks Fiona & Karen! I appreciate the speedy responses It's nice to know that I'm not alone on here. Feeling better already. Fiona - We are not sure yet on the sex. Growing up, my family always had girl dogs - these were always neutered too as my mum was never interested in breeding them. Although I've heard females are more expensive than males to neuter? Also when looking at puppies for sale, girls tend to be pricier in this sense too, would you happen to know why? My boyfriend wants a boy, because, and in his words, "he'll be my best mate!"......men! He also thinks they look nicer. Me, on the other hand am worried firstly, I've heard males tend to be more 'boisterous' and secondly, about his manly parts always being on show as I've heard this can be a problem! Going back to my family, my mum and dad actually bought their first male puppy last year, a golden long haired collie called Tandy He's the most loveable gentleman ever - loves cuddles! He has so much hair too that his thingy is always covered! haha. So as of yet we are indecisive on gender. In terms of colour, Fox Red is what we our going for. I'd be happy with any colour to be honest, but my boyfriend loves the fox red, and as I'm not fussed....Fox Red it is! They are such cute puppies!! In terms of names, we are both Games of Thrones geeks. We originally thought Sansa for a girl, but if we get a boy, I like Tommen or Jorah Again, we haven't given the name much thought yet though - I also love the idea of naming it relating to its colour, so Ember would be nice No pictures as of yet, but we aim to view some either this weekend or next so I shall post as soon as we have chosen Karen - Thanks for the advice. We live in a new-build estate so the garden is pretty average size, with fake grass (low maintenance for me!) and plenty of plants for decoration. I have soil but this is covered with those decorative slate - like things if you know what I mean? Until yesterday, this wasn't a worry for me until I read puppies are curious creatures and will put almost anything in my mouths! My concern is he may swallow these? they are not small but he could harm him/herself? Fence is adequate size. I have to stand on my tip - toes to see over and I'm 5ft 7"! we have a garage backing onto the garden with an accessible door into the garage from the garden. My intention is to leave this door open when the puppy is in the garden, in case he wants a rest and I can fill it with a soft bed and blanket for cosiness? The garage needs a good clear-out first though! Thanks once again for your replies, I'm actually more excited now than anxious!
Just one word of warning - I completely understand your love for fox-red puppies and dogs (ahem, look at my avatar!!!) - but they have rather become the newest fashion in labrador colours, and consequently there are some less-than-ideal breeders out there, more concerned with making money than with the health and well-being of their dogs ... Be very cautious, take time to research and find a really good breeder, and make health and temperament your prime considerations rather than colour. Any questions, we will be more than happy to help with advice!!! Second the advice for The Happy Puppy Handbook, by the way. The BEST puppy book I have ever read, bar none.
That's brilliant! You will feel overwhelmed at times once pup arrives, but it helps to know that's completely normal and other people are going through the same thing As for what's "better", boys or girls, it completely depends. Everything, completely depends. I have two girls and one boy. Of my older two (three-year-old litter mates), Willow (black girl) isn't cuddly at all, but every now and then cuddles in and it's really special. Shadow (yellow boy) is the complete opposite and a real cuddle-bum. But, so is the puppy, Luna (chocolate girl - AKA Squidge). Willow is quite reserved. Shadow is outgoing and wants to be everyone's friend. Luna is a hooligan. Willow is a thinker, Shadow is a doer. Luna is a bit of both. You just can't say "girls do this" or "boys do that". Boys are generally bigger, with broader heads, that's about all you can really guarantee. As for girls being more expensive, that's just because of their potential for breeding. But this, and the cost of neutering (you're right, it's more expensive for girls than boys) shouldn't really come into your choice of long-term companion, as it's just a one-off. Spread over the lifetime of the dog, it's peanuts. You might like to read up on the latest thinking on neutering or spaying dogs. It's not as clear-cut as it was once thought, that all responsible owners have their dogs neutered. https://www.thelabradorsite.com/should-i-have-my-labrador-neutered-the-latest-evidence/ It's a very personal decision. For myself, I had Willow spayed before her first season, but left Shadow entire. I wish I had left Willow a while, but that's another discussion. Shadow will remain entire unless he develops strong sexually-driven tendencies that I can't deal with through training. That's very unlikely now, at his age. He humps Willow on occasion when he's excited, but he's actually on a chemical castration implant right now (long story, nothing to do with his behaviour), and he still does this, so I know it's nothing that castration would fix. Luna I have kept entire so far. She has not had her first season yet - I keep thinking it's starting, and keep being wrong - and I will consider how that affects her as to what I decide to do going forward. It's a bit more complicated since we have an entire dog in the household, but something we can manage if needs be. My decision will be based on the quality of life for us all, not just convenience, as I'm ashamed to admit was a large motivation for having Willow spayed. Fake grass is THE best invention when it comes to winter pups! I was in the UK for a couple of months last winter, as Luna came from Scotland and I couldn't travel with her until she had had all her vaccines, plus the obligatory wait after the rabies jab. The first couple of weeks were spent at my sister's house, where there is fake grass, and it was brilliant. After that, I moved to Cornwall, where the real grass quickly turned into a mud pit from the puppy's incessant circling for a toilet spot. So every time she came in, she had to have her paws cleaned, ready to go out again twenty minutes later. So tedious! Yes, those slate chips may well become puppy chew toys. You could either cover them with something, put a temporary fence around the beds, or train the puppy not to pick them up. S/he will grow out of it in time, but it could be expensive and possibly dangerous in the meantime. I absolutely agree with Karen's advice on choosing your breeder carefully. My older dogs are anxious by breeding - it was fate rather than careful planning that brought them into my life. I was so much more careful when choosing a breeder for Luna, and I reaped the benefits with a hugely confident young lady with great breeding.
Hi @Emma88 and welcome, I was very anxious too as the time drew near for my pup to come home, and, not wanting to be negative, I really struggled for the first couple of months or so. As @snowbunny says, nothing can adequately prepare you for the arrival of a pup in your life. But the fantastic advice you have already been given will help enormously. As will regularly visiting this forum and asking all the Qs you have. I haven't read either of the books recommended but they are regularly mentioned on the forum so it makes sense to look them up. I have a black girl, Plum, and like you, grew up with girls (all black) so there was no question in my mind that I would get a black girl. Also, like you, my parents did all the hard work of raising our dogs from pups so I was shocked at discovering how hard it was to raise a pup thinking they just turn in to the sweet, calm, doting, obedient girls I knew through osmosis! Despite my difficult start I love Plum with heart and soul now (she's nearly one) although I remember the early days too well to ever do it again! It might be helpful that your b/f is chilled about it as he can be the yin to your yang. Good luck.
Thanks everyone! Your advice has helped a lot! I'll talk to my boyfriend about the sex of the puppy, and TRY to convince him that girls are just as good as boys....if not better Thanks for the neutering advice Fiona - shall definitely read up on that. I had read somewhere that it can actually have detrimental effects on certain breeds...think it was golden retrievers. Anyway, I'll make sure I do my research before I go ahead! Slightly concerned about the slate chips so will read up on that also! Lots of reading shall commence in the forthcoming weeks!! You're right Plums Mum - My bf definitely calms me! - Hopefully he can calm the dog too! hahah Bought my first dog toy today! - A puppy kong! Its beginning to feel real! Emma
Hello and Welcome @Emma88 from me and my 18 month old boy Bailey (fox red btw). I always had girl dogs growing up, but my OH said I could choose the dog, but it had to be a boy dog. So a boy we got! Bailey is a mix of both types of lab - a chocolate show lab dad and a yellow field lab mum - so he is a slim, leggy boy with a block head (sometimes I think solid bone!!). He is the most loving boy and adores cuddles, but still likes his own space at times too (he has spent about an hour on my lap and an hour on my OH lap but is now curled up in his downstairs bed. I have not had Bailey castrated as yet and I am undecided if we will or not - he so far has only humped his teddy and Eyore although there was a female Great Dane that has just finished her first season and he showed huge interest in her - in fact the only time I've seen his lipstick out in public! I had to walk him around for a while away from Ice (the GD) to calm down! That said once Ice went home Bailey was totally unfazed. I am going to keep an eye on him as sometimes an in heat female will be walked near us and he does seem to go a bit mad sniffing around after her and can be a pain keep wanted to go back out for another sniff. As others have said no amount of reading can prepare you for the actual hard work puppies are - I also had a few down times - but luckily my OH is pretty laid back and when I was down stepped in and cheered me up. It didn't help matters that we had only had Bailey about 5 weeks and I broke my left wrist in two places (not puppy related!) so I couldn't do too much with him - although it did give Bailey a new chew toy for three months! We all have our own horror stories of when they were puppies but we would all do it and put in the hard work to get the wonderful, loving, loyal companions that Labs can be. Good luck with the puppy search and as has already been said be confident with your breeder and choose your pup for temperament rather than colour
Thank you Samantha Bailey is a cutie!! I shall let you all know how the search goes and keep you updated Emma
Hello Emma and welcome from me, Wispa (5, fox red-ish) and Tuppence (4, black), both bitches. Yes, it is more expensive to spay a bitch - and they can be just as energetic and scatty as dogs! I'm sure you'll find the right puppy for you, male or female, when you make your choice. Ask the breeder about temperament, watch the puppies and try to see which one suits you best. My two (from different breeders and unrelated) are very different in character, but equally loveable. We had the most contact with Wispa's breeder, I did my homework on health checks and visited the litter frequently from when she was four weeks old. We already had two older dogs with whom she settled in very well but, despite early socialisation, puppy classes, ongoing training, she's the more reactive of my two and can be nervous and jumpy. I bought Tuppence having seen her once, though my son had seen her previously, and in many ways she's much easier although quite lively. So be prepared for anything! Enjoy all the preparation but be prepared for the ups and downs of having a puppy. It's hard work but all worth it in the end, though!
Just want to say hi & welcome. And wish you all the best with your new puppy, boy OR girl. I've never had a puppy and will take my hat off to anyone who brings one up.
You don't take your hat off with a puppy.....EVER.... Benson LOVED hats to pieces...literally... @Emma88 welcome to the forum from the Beanwood pack
Welcome to the forum from me and my little lad Stanley! I feel as though I have to big up the boys now! My lad is a little delight! But I've never had a girl dog so I can't comment.. he's definitely no more mental than any of the girl dogs I know though Getting a puppy is such an exciting time. I second that you can't prepare for the amount of work. I read all the books, got all the stuff and then this little ball of terror arrived and blew it all out of the water. He's 18 months now and the absolute love of my life, he's been the hardest thing I've ever done but without a doubt the most rewarding I also agree regarding the fox-red points. They are the latest craze in labradors - im also a huge fan of them, they're gorgeous. I would be extra cautious though to ensure the breeder was reputable and the puppies were bred for more than colour. I think if they were even marketed as fox red rather than yellow I'd be a bit wary. Good luck with your puppy search! Please show us pics, we love puppy pics around here!
My hat blew off one day last week --- it provided wonderful sport for Cassie as it skimmed the ploughed field, Frisbee like, she tracked and caught with a precision jump in spectacular style. After three laps of honour while I'm standing bare headed in a downpour she brought it too me - delivered to my hand sorry OP, a bit of a digression.
