Labrador Retriever Owners

[BLACK6PACK]

Originally Posted by chrisgarrett46

How about a poor little rescue dog?

Adopt a Black Labrador Retriever: Maddie: Petfinder

Chris,
If you're going to get a lab get one from a rescue shelter like you linked to. I agree with Orlando, no pure breeds.

As was mentioned, a lab will absolutely destroy your house.

Even older dogs learn the cage training. Had a buddy with a boxer and a rotti. Both about 4 years old. He got them each a good sized cage, and whenever there was a storm or the were scared they ran to the cage and felt safe. Its their little cave. The funny thing was, if my buddy yelled at the dogs and told them to get in the cage, they'd run over there and both cram into one cage. Made them feel safe I guess. He wouldn't even have to close the door to the cage.

[mjdwyer23]

+1 we found our dog on petfinder. We got him 3 weeks ago and he is slowly learning, he doesn't like the crate yet but he doesn't have a choice!

[87GTA-turbo]

Originally Posted by chrisgarrett46

Here's my problem: Because I'm a teacher, I'm home til late August. After that I'm gone from 6AM to 4PM.

NOT GOOD for a lab.

Get a Rottweiler or German Shepard to protect the GN they are great one owner dogs.
Becareful of rescue dogs you get some of the problems from the demented previous owners.

Have you considered a retired seeing eye dog? I heard they are great companions.

[gbsean]

Originally Posted by 87GTA-turbo

NOT GOOD for a lab.

Get a Rottweiler or German Shepard to protect the GN they are great one owner dogs.
Becareful of rescue dogs you get some of the problems from the demented previous owners.

Have you considered a retired seeing eye dog? I heard they are great companions.

was just going to mention that...in Morristown NJ the have a seeing eye dog training school and I heard they always are looking for homes for "retired" dogs...

About Us – The Seeing Eye

[mjdwyer23]

links like that make me want to go adopt another dog!

[ULYCYC]

Labs are good for sniffing out knock and oil leaks too

I had a lab for 15 years and grew up with my kids. Best dogs ever. One thing is they don't like being alone when young. Mine didn't mind long stays alone until 7-8 yrs old. Also when young it would try and catch cats, squirrel's and birds in the yard. After age 8 it would get along with cat's, squirrel's and birds bathing in his water bowl.

[PaCemkr86]

i have to agree with Orlando , but Labs are great dogs.. We had Blaze for almost 17 years... and i can tell you he SHED ALOT "damn near all year long"..
and always wanted to be in the water ..
Finding an older lab, will work also.. Just give it attention and love and it will always return the favor.

[TurboDave]

My advice, thing long and hard about it..... If you are die hard dog lovers like us, it's a difficult decision.

We are litterally within days of putting our beloved Candy down. She is like a Daughter, and this difficult decision is beyond comprehension. We have decided that putting our loved one's down is just getting too too hard, and this has been our last!!!

Good luck on your decision.

[Kma697]

Got a 1/2 lab 1/2 german shepherd and it sheds ALOT. She is a year old and has been crated from day one. Funny thing is if she hears someone yell or is scared she also runs for the crate. Good dog so far(7 months). Tempted to leave her out at night but I'm afraid of what the house will look like the next morning, she wants to play with our cat but I just can't leave them two together yet.

[firebird_1252]

as i said in my pm chris.. boxer boxer boxer boxer! i took my "killer" dog to the dog park today.. the idot was letting all the little dogs beat her up.. lol

[timevacuum]

Chris,

My previous dog was a lab mix, and as others have said they do shed. I brushed her about once per week, but it was never a big problem. That dog was a great companion, very loyal, and smart too. I wish you well with whatever dog you decide on.

Bill

[PaCemkr86]

PS.. i brushed mine everyday when i got home from work,before i fed him, and the shedding wasn't that much of a problem..

[BLACK6PACK]

Originally Posted by TurboDave

My advice, thing long and hard about it..... If you are die hard dog lovers like us, it's a difficult decision.

We are litterally within days of putting our beloved Candy down. She is like a Daughter, and this difficult decision is beyond comprehension. We have decided that putting our loved one's down is just getting too too hard, and this has been our last!!!

Good luck on your decision.

Dave, I hear you. Losing a pet is almost harder than losing a relative. I lost my cat to cancer 2 years ago, he was my "Buddy" for over 10 years. I said I wasn't going to get another, then almost 2 years to the day another black cat shows up at my house. I wish I hadn't waited 2 years. Its very hard losing a pet, but don't give up on them. Knowing you're a dog lover, it would be a shame not to bless another little dog with your companionship.

[TurboDave]

Originally Posted by BLACK6PACK

Dave, I hear you. Losing a pet is almost harder than losing a relative. I lost my cat to cancer 2 years ago, he was my "Buddy" for over 10 years. I said I wasn't going to get another, then almost 2 years to the day another black cat shows up at my house. I wish I hadn't waited 2 years. Its very hard losing a pet, but don't give up on them. Knowing you're a dog lover, it would be a shame not to bless another little dog with your companionship.

I know. But it's just that this is our 3rd boxer, and because she was a rescue, she is closer to us than a pet has ever ever been. She's failing so fast now, it looks like we'll have to say goodbye to her and send her on her way to the Rainbow Bride tomorrow or Fri. She hasn't been able to keep any food or water down now for 3 days, and it's rapidly taking it's toll.
Sorry, I can't concentrate right now, so gotta go.

[BLACK6PACK]

My "Buddy" was super healthy for over 10 years, then one day he started throwing up. I took him to the vet, he sent me to a specialist, long story short, they gave him one month to live. I spent $1500 in that month just trying to make him comfortable. I'd get home from work, and grind up food, and do all kinds of other stuff for him. It was taking up all of my time after work, but I didn't mind. He went from perfectly healthy to really bad shape in just a few days, so I know what you're going through.

GO SAVE ANOTHER DOG RIGHT AWAY. It will help you and the new dog more than you can imagine.

I wasn't able to talk about buddy for 2 years without getting choked up. Now with the new cat around I can remember buddy fondly. It seems strange, the new animal will help heal wounds, and let you remember the good times with your dog instead of dwelling on the loss. I know this may sound very cheesy, but I'm guessing your dog made you happy and you made him happy. He wouldn't want you to carry the hurt for a long time.