having read a thread or two on here I am now angst ridden about getting a lab retriever puppy!

[AllergicToNutters]

calm my frayed nerves someone....

[Elsathelion]

We have a lab, we got him at 8 weeks and he has been a delight for the last three years. We had excellent advice from our vet about how to train him so I thoroughly recommend putting in the time and energy right at the start to show him / her how to fit into your home.

Our lovely chap has been fantastic - he's a bit, athletic boy but soft as anything and even takes care of our lovely but uppity and old cat.

What is it that concerns you?

[AllergicToNutters]

time management mostly. And everyone says how hard the early days are. But mostly another thread about how the OP is just unable to cope.

[Elsathelion]

Sorry OP I haven't read that thread yet. I have to say our chap was much easier than I'd expected.

Obviously any dog is a commitment but we found that getting the basic training sorted early on has really helped. Other than that, he's pretty undemanding. As long as he gets a walk each day, he's very happy.

I was worried about my shoes, chairs, etc being chewed but we didn't have any trouble. It's definitely worth reading the kennel club advice and finding a helpful vet.

And even making time to walk him isnt as much hassle as I'd anticipated... I actually really look forward to taking him out (great to have time to myself)!

As the previous poster said, you are right to take it seriously but I honestly wouldn't change our boy for anything. And FWIW, I had never had a dog before and neither had my DH so getting ours was a huge gamble!

[Scuttlebutter]

I've deliberately refrained from posting anything at all on that other thread. But learn from it and ensure that when you get your pup, you have decent insurance sorted out from Day 1, that your garden is pup-proofed and you all have a clear understanding of what's involved/the responsibilities.

I would also ensure you are getting a pup from a reputable breeder - yes, there are some around. Make sure you thoroughly understand the health tests your pup, it's dam and sire should have and ask. The Labrador forum have an excellent guide to choosing a breeder.here A note of caution - Labs are one of the top puppy farmed breeds so make damn sure you are not giving a penny to one of these factories of misery.

The other thing to consider is taking on a slightly older dog from breed rescue - many pups are rehomed once they stop being cute and start being teenagers but are actually great dogs that just need clear boundaries and training.

Daisydotandgertie is the resident Lab expert - I'm sure she could provide more specialist advice on the breed.

[UptownAbbie]

You'll be better prepared than I was. There's been such great information and advice in the doghouse recently, stuff I wish I'd known when I got my lab 18 months ago, although we managed and even had fun and now have a lovely, mostly calm friendly dog. He also listens and does what he's told, unless being told not to eat a plump pigeon he's just caught.

[AllergicToNutters]

thanks doghouse. I know the other thread is citing an extreme but the general anxiety sounds horrid.
Scuttle - the breeder is reputable. both Mum and Dad are availalble for viewing along with other litter mates. She has fully explained all hip, elbow and eye scores to me They are KC registered and there is a long list of grandparents, great grandparents etc. I fully trust the breeder and she has offered ongoing support should we need it. She sounds great and I am meeting the dogs tomorrow (if I don't bottle out!). They come with insurance for a month (or 6 weeks), food, puppy information pack, flead, wormed etc. it all sounds pretty legitimate to me but I will get a feeling for things once I am there and if I was in any doubt at all I wouldn't proceed. I don;t want an older dog as I want a larger breed and i think it would unnerve my 6yo son as he is not over keen on large dogs but would cope with a puppy sized version that he could grow with iyswim. I know I need to be prepared for the mouthing and biting and jumping up and will doubtless be on here seeking advice and having a rant about it! My worry now is that I will feel as overwhelmed as others have.

[daisydotandgertie]

Why do you think you would?

The extreme anxiety shown on some threads here on the arrival of a puppy is really unusual. Mostly, puppies arrive, cause sleepless nights for a while and make a lot of bit of a mess and then charm you into adoring them.

As long as you are at home for the large part of every day, and are prepared to work out what you expect from a dog before it arrives then you're halfway there.

Labs are social creatures. They love to just be with you. All they want is to please you (and if mine are any guide, to sit right on you). Can you work with that?

You mention that you're worried about time management - what can you see is going to be a problem?

Also, if you want to pm me the kennel name of your breeder feel free.

[AllergicToNutters]

daisydotandgertie - thanks for your post. I am at home for most of every day apart from the normal things - food shopping, school run etc. AT weekends we are flexible and mostly mooch about usually dropping my daughter off at various friends etc. i can pretty much choose to be wherever I want and can work around a dog's needs. I have absolute freedom really. Taking that into account I have no problem being around for a puppy but I am suppose I am getting last minute nerves about relinquishing that freedom. I am panicking unnecessarily I know I am. Bride's nerves!! I'll PM you breeders details.

[Lizcat]

Please don't take that one thread as the norm. Yes initially like children puppies are hard work, but like children if you are consistent and give them love and stimulation it is worth it.
I have just snuck up stairs to check on DD (8) to find the lovely mobile mop sound asleep on the floor by her bed 'guarding her'. He is 22 months now and yes I have been to training for an hour nearly every week for nearly 18 months now, but I am now at the point of starting competitive agility with him.
I work full time (really lucky mobile mop comes to work) and to be honest without him I think I would have drowned in not having anything for me - he has been my salvation and I would not be without him.
Today he and I went on a wonderful walk in the glorious spring sunshine he ran and ran for the sheer joy of running.

[AllergicToNutters]

Lizcat What a lovely post . What dog is he? He sounds lovely. I konw that things will be hard at first, but this evening I was just visualising things a year down teh road (not that long really) and imagining our lives with a gorgeous dog bringing smiles and love all round- that;s my hope for our future

[Lizcat]

Mobile Mop is a chocolate cockerpoo. He is marvellous when the world is horrid he loves you no matter what and he is a joy to watch when he runs with such glee. Yes he brings mud in the house and he does vomit dramatically if he accidentally gets any human food, but still wouldn't be without him.

[mumofthemonsters808]

We have a gorgeous black lab who is nearly 6, we got him as a pup and we adore him. He is a friendly, well behaved boy who brings us a lot of pleasure. Yes fitting in his walks in a busy household is difficult but we have such an established routine now it is second nature.

I could write pages describing his puppy antics and the damage he caused but looking back this was our fault because we did not puppy proof the house properly.We laugh about it now but at the time I dreaded coming home and seeing what he had chewed.My advice is lots of training and you will an amazing addition to the family who your children will adore.

[AllergicToNutters]

now i cannot wait! you are all lovely - thank you

[AllergicToNutters]

*mumofthemonsters808 - I ADORE black labs - but my children want a golden

[fit2drop]

I have two labradorables!
They are wonderful dogs who just want to please.They are willing (playful) pupils. They love life and see the world as a massive playground.
They are (mostly) easy to train as they are eager to please.
We were aware of the chewing stories so just had lots and lots of toys for them so were lucky that there was no mishaps with furniture or our belongings.
The worst was the digging in the garden ...but as we are not keen gardeners it made sense to pave the whole garden anyway.
They are worth any extra work they bring as the joy they add to your lives is unsurmountable.

[daisydotandgertie]

Allergic - puppies are hard work, but for me, they repay that hard work every minute of every day with their joy for life.

They need managing like toddlers and the house and garden need puppy proofing, just like you'd do with little children.

We have 4 black labs, aged 10 months, nearly 2, 6 and 10, they are the most fabulous, funny, playful, intelligent, entertaining creatures. I cannot image life without them.

ps - I think your DC mean a yellow lab! Golden is only for Retrievers .

[AllergicToNutters]

daisy - yes they do!

[aliciaflorrick]

My pup is about 8 months old now and to be fair he is a dream, his one problem and it's been my fault not his, is his lack of socialisation. I live in the sticks so it's generally just me and him. But we have a trainer and have been working on it and in the last four weeks he's a million per cent better, in four weeks time he will be better again. He's a lovely pup the only damage he's caused in the house have been toys that haven't been put away and the Sky remote control - which the DCs didn't put away. I would say socialise from as early as possible, training classes (I've met a lovely lady who I now walk with every week from mine) and just relax.

Don't be too precious about your garden either, last year I was cursing the mole hills this year it's holes all over it, on the plus side - no moles.