Hi, This is my first post so thought I should introduce myself. I'm Nicky and I have choc lab pup called Odin who is 6 months now (time does fly). Before a couple weeks ago he was an ideal pup, very laid back chap. Did what he was told and doing great at puppy classes. Although our recall with other dogs is a bit rusty, we're working on that. However I believe we have hit the teenager stage. Sits appear to be a huge struggle at the moment and 'leave it' is my most over used word. Typical puppy problem. Odin is prefect in the house and outside when practicing leave it with goodies, toys etc/when he spots the item. However if you don't spot it, that's it. No chance. His nose seems to be glued to the floor these days looking for those special goodies he shouldn't have. While I have taught him 'watch me' to try and combat this once I've said good boy and rewarded, that's it. Back to the floor. Sometimes he will leave the item if there nothing in it for him. But Dead animals are the favourite and my greatest concern. As another lab our puppy school was fighting for her life after eating slug poison recently. Any suggestions and tips greatly welcome. I'm getting to the point of considering a muzzle to stop him picking up stuff and I really don't want to use this route. I have owned gun dogs before however this is my first lab. Thanks in advance
Re: Where my good puppy gone Hi there and welcome Sorry to hear you are having problems. Labs are often great fans of eating rubbish. There are a couple of articles that might help you. How to stop your Labrador eating rubbish and Your Labrador's magic word Picking and choosing where you walk can help, especially whilst your dog is young and easily distracted. Using a muzzle can be a life saver with dogs that are obsessed with potential hazards ( mushrooms for example) at relevant times of the year. Dead animals, though gross, are often consumed with no side effects.
Re: Where my good puppy gone Hi Nicky, Welcome from me and Lilly too - 3 and a half and sometimes gets it just right! Lots of the time not though. Leave it and recall are our two challenges - always a work in progress! jac
Re: Where my good puppy gone Welcome from us, Hattie 6 years and our rescue Charlie almost 3 years. Recall is Charlies' BIG downfall Have fun on this lovely forum
Re: Where my good puppy gone Hi there, Welcome to the forum,Dexter is 13 months,recall is pretty good ( other dogs still a challenge though ) we are the same as you ....in the house leave it and ah ah work but outside I need to police him....to be fair though he doesn't bother with too much yukkkies....we live in Dubai and the public areas are immaculate...it's rotting dates and the consequences of them that we are challenged by. : if I can anticipate him licking one up he will leave it,if I miss the chance I have to fish them out his mouth.......whilst he's still doing his best to chew it. .....better still he will let me think I have got it all out and walk a long a few paces with his mouth perfectly still and then start chewing frantically again...don't know why he chews them...he doesn't chew his dinner,he just inhales it! Bfn
Re: Where my good puppy gone Thank you for the warm welcome. I think sometimes it just nice to know your not the only one with the problem. I know he's still only young so I'm hopeful it will get better with time. But we will continue to practise. I will try and up load a picture of him soon Ah Dubai, I know it well. Spent 3 years living out there. I did miss the furry friends tho as locals don't seem too favourable to pets out there. Finding somewhere to walk must be a nightmare
Re: Where my good puppy gone Ah an ex Dubaian!...I wonder if we've met?you can totally understand why it took my Husband 10 years to convince me to have a dog......it's a challenge out here for sure.The Summer was tricky but we managed,he was only young then so I wasn't walking him for too long but he still got his 3 times a day....next year will be tougher when he is older and fitter.....I was out at 5 am ( still am this week with one thing and another!)...but he's worth it and now we have him I wonder how we did without for so long
Re: Where my good puppy gone Odin and I are having a good day today. Successful recall with other dogs running loose and a leave with horse muck. Let's hope this continues ;D Yeah I bet it's not easy! As you can't walk in the parks or certain beaches. Your a true expat then, Not one of these that disappears in the summer hehe (however I don't blame ppl who do). I missed dogs so much I even helped out at k9 for a while. My Job with Emirates made it impossible to own a dog.
Re: Where my good puppy gone Nicky I worked for emirates 1996-2005.....Cabin Crew.....what did you do?i found an illegal hole in a fence on the palm and took,Dexter a couple of times,I let him swim too long with his pals the last time though and he got frozen tail.... I can't enter k9's doors I wouldn't come home alone for sure x
Re: Where my good puppy gone How funny. I also worked for emirates however only from 2010 - 2013. Only just returned the UK in july and got Odin almost staright away. Plan on returning hopefully next year to catch up with friends. I do miss the lifestyle it has to be said. Not the job tho
Re: Where my good puppy gone [quote author=Nickynevers link=topic=3125.msg33069#msg33069 date=1383252468] His nose seems to be glued to the floor these days looking for those special goodies he shouldn't have. While I have taught him 'watch me' to try and combat this once I've said good boy and rewarded, that's it. Back to the floor. Sometimes he will leave the item if there nothing in it for him. But Dead animals are the favourite and my greatest concern. [/quote] I had an awful time with similar when Charlie was about 6 months - 2 months on and it's much better. We dealt with nose glued to the floor on lead with much clicker training and leadwork. Off lead, my leave it eventually got stronger (it's still not great though) but what I managed in the end was to call him away - let's go, he usually doesn't pick up whatever but just comes away (unless it's a stick that is the distraction). I think he also grew out of it a bit, and doesn't find absolutely every last thing quite as mind blowingly exciting as he once did. Dead animals and fox poo still defeat me - I've got a magic word charged up ready for next time....
