Anyone have a Labrador Retriever?

[Turd Ferguson]

One my wife's coworkers is moving and can't bring her dog with.  It is a 5-year old chocolate lab.  I have been nearly obsessed with labs for over a decade (mind you I'm only 24), so naturally I'm pondering this deal.  I have been around many labs over the years, and even cared for a neighbors for a few weeks a year while they were on vacations.  My parents are dog people, and I always grew up with at least 2 dogs living with us.  As with many others, I absolutely love the personality and temperament of labs.  I plan on having kids in a few years and they have a great reputation with children.

I have yet to talk to the owner about the dog's training and temperament.  I plan to find out about his attitude with strangers, being alone (we both work) and overall obedience.  I know it can be tough training a 5-year old dog, so these are things I must know before I even consider this deal.  I obviously plan on spending quite a bit of time with the dog (and my wife) to make sure it would be a good match.  Are there any other personality traits I should look out for?

I know that they have lots of energy and need exercise, but I only have a small(ish) fenced in backyard.  The garage has a door that is open to the back yard, so I plan on keeping the door open so the dog can escape the heat.  I've even considered a kiddie pool for the 100*F+ days.  I plan on taking the dog for frequent walks and a few jogs a week, but is this enough?  My wife and I both work 8-5 and the dog will likely be in the backyard all day.  Is my 1700 sqft back yard too small for an energetic lab during the weekdays?

Sorry for the long post, I'm just excited.  I've talked about labs for years and my wife loves them too.

-Turd.

[RVertigo]

Tons of general info...
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/labrador.htm

Show info and general info...
http://www.akc.org/breeds/labrador_retriever/

And... Some more general info (although, I've never looked through this site)
http://www.dogluvers.com/Labrador-Retriever.html

[Jake D]

Labs are one of four things:

1) Barkers.
2) Chewers.
3) Jumpers.
4) Dead.

Now if you're really lucky, it will just be one of those things.   If you're my father, you have a lab that is numbers 1 through 3.  In which case, good luck.  

Most labs will mellow out right before they become number 4.  Then they receive total enlightenment.  Which is nice.  

[Turd Ferguson]

Bwahahaha.  Jake D for president.

[Turd Ferguson]

Tons of general info...
http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/labrador.htm

Show info and general info...
http://www.akc.org/breeds/labrador_retriever/

And... Some more general info (although, I've never looked through this site)
http://www.dogluvers.com/Labrador-Retriever.html

I read all of those this morning.

[spc]

I love mine.........he was 1-3 until a car broke his jaw.......seemed to mellow him out a lot

That was 5 years ago and he's as happy and healthy as ever at almost 10

He's great around everybody unless they start yelling at me   he gets pretty damn protective then

Great dogs

[LPC2104]

I've got a 3 year old lab.  He never chewed and he rarely barks but he does jump.  I screwed up that bigtime though.  I'd let him get on me when he was a pup.  I still don't really mind it but it can be a little awkward when other people come in.  I've been working with him and he's getting better but he still losing it sometimes.

A lot of people complain about shedding but I also have a Siberian Husky so I laugh when people complain of Lab hair.  One does not know shedding until they get an arctic breed.    Make sure your wife is cool with not having nice furniture.

Another slightly annoying thing is drool.  I'd ask the current owners if he's wet/dry mouth.  It really isn't a big deal but it grosses some people out.  It's usually the worst when you are eating, they are eating, or they are really hot.  And, when they drink it looks like they dumped half the bowl on the floor.  It gets stuck in their mouths and drips everywhere.  Make sure you don't put the bowl on carpeting.

In our case, the need for exercise for the lab was extremely overestimated.  If you take him for a quick walk per day or spend 15-20 minutes throwing a frisbee for him/her that should be fine.  Or at least it is for mine.  Again, I have a Siberian Husky who wants to run hundreds of miles per week so the lab's exercise needs pale in comparison.

One thing to consider is that labs really need companionship.  If you and your wife are going to be gone a lot I'd let someone else take him in that will be there more.  If I don't see my for at least 6hrs in the day he literally won't give me an inch when I'm home.  Sits on my feet when I brush my teeth and won't let me put my shoes on in the morning sometimes.

I really didn't want a lab when we got him because everyone and their mother had one.  Now that I've had one for 3 years, a lab will always be a fixture in my family.  Greatest dog in the world.

[Turd Ferguson]

Great post, thanks for the help!

[Turd Ferguson]

Going to meet him tomorrow.  If he jumps up on me when I get there, his ass is out on the street.  (kidding).









He looks so aggressive!  Er, wait...

[Turd Ferguson]

Make sure your wife is cool with not having nice furniture.

We just spent a small fortune on new furniture...if the dog even touches it, he's in deep crap.  The owner says he has never been allowed on furniture and doesn't even try.

[spc]

Awwwww.......I have a soft spot for dogs   People, I tend to harbor intense feelings of hate towards, but dogs, I love!!!  I think I'm buying a 3 month old AKC registered Husky this week......

[Crash-n-Burn]

I have a chocolate lab who is 9 years old. My lab is unlike any other lab I have meet, he seems to sleep all day. We walk him 3 times a day for about 30mins to an hour each walk. They are (personal opinion) the best dogs/friends you can possibly get!

Labs are extremely smart and loving, they love attention and will do anything to get it from you. As far as having energy it depends on the dog and his up bringing. They are also extremely smart. My dog knows each member of the family and tries to trick each one into giving him food. If you plan on leaving him home most of the day I would consider getting another dog to keep him company. That is my only regret now, because my dog seems to be sad by himself. (He frequently has friends come over)

I don't understand how somebody can move and not be able to take a dog that has been with them for 5 years! That's like leaving a child behind! I'm sure that a lab or any dog will bring you more joy then you could have possibly imagined.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[LPC2104]

Awwwww.......I have a soft spot for dogs   People, I tend to harbor intense feelings of hate towards, but dogs, I love!!!  I think I'm buying a 3 month old AKC registered Husky this week......

I'd make sure you do your research before you buy the Husky.  I've had one for 4 years and it's a lot of work.  Can't be off leash, tons of exercise and grooming needs.  If you get lazy with their exercise you'll pay for it.  A lot of people get Huskies because they look so cool and wolf-like but they fail to do their homework on what an unique breed it is.  That's why there are a lot of Huskies in shelters. 

They need a lot of mental stimulation too.....incredibly smart breed.  My lab is an absolute dumbass compared to the Husky.  Brains aren't always a good thing either for dogs.

[natedawg120]

Awwwww.......I have a soft spot for dogs   People, I tend to harbor intense feelings of hate towards, but dogs, I love!!!  I think I'm buying a 3 month old AKC registered Husky this week......

I'd make sure you do your research before you buy the Husky.  I've had one for 4 years and it's a lot of work.  Can't be off leash, tons of exercise and grooming needs.  If you get lazy with their exercise you'll pay for it.  A lot of people get Huskies because they look so cool and wolf-like but they fail to do their homework on what an unique breed it is.  That's why there are a lot of Huskies in shelters. 

They need a lot of mental stimulation too.....incredibly smart breed.  My lab is an absolute dumbass compared to the Husky.  Brains aren't always a good thing either for dogs.

Sounds just like my dog Otis was, He was smart as crap.  He was a Red Healer/German shepard mix.  He did listen great though. 

Also he knew how to get in the fridge, and when he was a puppy (teething) he would eat anything, carpet, walls, vinal floor it didnt' matter.  man i miss that dog....

[Turd Ferguson]

I don't understand how somebody can move and not be able to take a dog that has been with them for 5 years! That's like leaving a child behind! I'm sure that a lab or any dog will bring you more joy then you could have possibly imagined.

Yeah, that part has me baffled.  She gets choked up every time she talks about him, she's pretty upset about the whole deal.  I still don't get it.

-Turd.

[Jake D]

That looks like a good lab.  My buddy in Seattle has a chocolate that doesn't bark, jump, drool, eat parts of the house.   Looks like you may have found a good one. 
My roommate in undergrad had a chocolate.  He was pretty fun.  But he would take my seat whenever I got up to go the bathroom and he would turn over the trash can if you left him alone in the house ever for one second. 

[spc]

    yeah that's a typical Lab, gotta love em though.  Looks like a well-behaved pup

[natedawg120]

Yeah, He does look like a good pup.  If he stays off the furnature already that is great, even though i am sure that if left to his own would probably start getting on the furnature

[tslugmo]

I have to say I disagree with the complaints people have listed here about Lab behavior.  It's not to say that labs don't exhibit this behavior, but I'm a strong believer that dogs' behavior is a reflection of the owners' caretaking style.  I know people may bristle at taking responsibility, but I'm proud of my lab's current behavior, which is a far cry from what he was like when we brought him home from the pound.

I'm sure people will roll their eyes, but I highly recommend checking out episodes of The Dog Whisperer.  We watched episodes for months before we actually got our dog, and felt very well prepared for how to treat Charlie once we brought him home.  The introduction phase is paramount, you establish your house as your territory, a place which (s)he can only enter with your permission, with rooms that are only explorable with your permission, with things that are only lent to him/her to play with with your permission, but which belong to you, etc.  Dogs are very attuned to your attitude and energy, and despite being a certain way for years with a different owner, their behavior is very fluid due to pack dynamics, and they will adapt quickly to your style, for better or worse.

His theory on the right balance of exercise, discipline and affection being what all dogs not only need, but crave, is spot on.  If you can't commit to at least 2x/day walks, expect his behavior to reflect this lack of commitment.  His calm-assertive style cut straight through to our dog, and within a few weeks of continuous contact with us in this style, he was a new dog.  The rules, boundaries and limitations we set for him made him understand his place, made him able to relax knowing we'd worry about things so he didn't have to, etc.  Anyway, I can't say enough, but every single day we get compliments on our dog and his demeanor, and when we first got him he had no clue how to walk on a leash, strangling himself and I had to wear thick gloves to keep from bleeding on walks, for instance, and was a barker.  He is now as close to a perfect dog that I can imagine.  Maybe it's just that I'm a proud owner, but I think he's the most handsome dog ever and looks like he belongs on dog food packaging or something.   




Good luck!  Charlie is literally considered family, and our relationship is so rewarding.  We teach each other.

[spc]

I love the expressions that labs can conjur up