I have a Labrador!

[KosmoKramer]

And I'm feeling so over whelmed! We went to visit him today and the family were happy to rehome him to us. He is a proper lab...we were given all of his papers and his family tree. He's 11 months old...so good on the lead and he rode for 1.5 hours in the car without a murmur.

But I'm feeling really really worried. We have never had a dog before but were excited to get him. He's been good as gold. My cats are not impressed however and have been hiding since we got home.

Might the cats accept the dog? He's only been home three hours and so it's so early. The family (who are very well known Labrador show dog breeders) have made it clear that we must take the dog back to them if for some reason it doesn't work out, which is obviously very reassuring.

Is there anything I can do to make sure he's ok tonight? He's currently fast asleep, but keeps waking to check I'm still here. Any, any advice is so appreciated. I'm so new to this and want to do the best I can.

Just to say also, we didn't buy him. The breeders had screened lots of families prior to us, so I obviously want to make sure we look after him properly.

He's been out in this horrible weather. Isn't nervous of wind, rain or cars. He is a joy.

Aw he’s gorgeous. Try not to worry and just let him settle in. Have you owned a dog before?

No, never. But we had been looking for the right dog for ages. I'm unsure why I feel so panicky...it's the same feeling I had when I brought the children home from the hospital after birth! 🤷‍♀️ I'm just not sure what to do. He's been fed, Walked, he has explored. He's now fast asleep.

He's not weed or pooed yet, but I'll walk him again before bed. Will he let me know if he needs the loo?

I'm so sorry about this. I'm aware how pathetic I sound.

Am I over thinking it?

Don’t worry a Labrador is the perfect ‘in’ to dog ownership! If he is housetrained he MIGHT go to the door when he needs a wee/poo but only if he is familiar with that being the route to garden (do you have outside access for him?). Or he might look for somewhere behind a sofa or door etc to do it out of sight if you don’t take/let him out often enough. The best way really is to let/take him out often so he gets used to the set up in your home. Don’t worry he and you will be fine! ......and so will the cats eventually though it may take them a while to forgive you . Just make sure that they can always get away from where he is if they choose to.

Why were they rehoming him? I would expect to see his true colours (good or bad) in the next week or so.

PS if he is housetrained and he does have an ‘accident’ indoors do not make a big thing of it because he will not want to do it, and will be more upset than you if he has to ‘toilet’ where he knows he doesn’t want to. As I said above, just keep going out often and he’ll quickly get the hang of it. If you have a garden go out with him and when he does wee/poo, praise him.

I’d probably take him out every few hours to make sure he knows where to go. A bit like potty training a toddler 😀 Labs are fantastic. You’ll get used to having him once the initial shock wears off.

Very good that he doesn't get car sick and walks well on the lead. He looks lovely.

LEMs right, rehomed dogs generally have an element of stress to overcome when first with you so his real character may not be apparent for a while. We’ve rehomed many dogs, mainly Labradors, all different and all turned out wonderfully in the end. We were novices too once.

I would assume nothing so take him out lots and praise when he does eventually toilet outside like a puppy until you know he is toilet trained as even if he has been trained to go outside he is in an unfamiliar setting with new people. If he does toilet inside make sure you clean it up with an enzyme cleaner so it doesn't encourage him to do it there again.

I think lots of people have anxiety whether they rescue or have a puppy so don't worry about feeling anxious or being overwhelmed as it's a common feeling.

Have you decided where he will sleep. Do you have a plan if he cries? Is the area safe e.g. nothing he can chew if stressed.

He’s absolutely gorgeous. Good luck. Labs are mischievious delightful loveable dogs. Be ready!!! Got mine at 8 weeks so not sure if particular issues you may have with one that’s re homed.

He was rehomed as the male owner (very elderly) had a stroke, and cannot walk him as much as needed. I'm just going to take him out for another walk now. I'm worried about everything...I don't know why.

He's happy to sleep next to me, he loves tummy rubs and keeps waking to check him still here.

He lived in the most gorgeous mansion you have ever seen....with acres and acres of land. My worry is that he apparently has never met a cat before and I'm feeling guilty on behalf of my cats. Is this all normal?

He looks really relaxed already!

All this is completely normal. It’ll be an adjustment for you and the cats but over time you’ll be fine. He looks gorgeous.

Aww he looks lovely I bet he will fit right 🐕

He is gorgeous! That panicky feeling will dissipate soon and he will feel like family. What's his name?

Aww, he’s gorgeous. How sad for his first owner 😢 Our lab is trained to sit and wait when our very nervous cat comes near. I was anxious about poor kitty when he arrived. They’ve lived together for two years and are fine now - sometimes get in nose rubbing distance but mostly just existing in same house together without much interaction. I’m sure you’ll be fine. Remember you have a teenager there - if he’s a bit naughty sometimes don’t be too worried, it’s perfect age for some of their training to go to pot for a while. Have fun, they are amazing family pets.

I am sure your cats will put him in his place soon enough

And yes the "what have i done?" Feeling is very common when we get new pets

He looks pretty chilled out already! Don't worry too much, give him lots of love and plenty of praise when he is being good (toileting outdoors, greeting people calmly etc) and I'm sure it will all work out. Don't leave anything valuable within reach just in case he is tempted to chew, and gradually build up the time you leave him alone (e.g. Just leaving him for a few minutes at a time and going upstairs etc) good luck!

I've just come in for a long walk and he's just peed all over the kitchen. Managed to get the cats in one room downstairs.

Youngest son is covered head to toe in hives. Jeez.

He's called Rocky.

On the walk he didn't squirt on any lamppost at all. Is that normal? I'm also worried about when he might poo...

I really didn't expect to feel like this!

Thank you for all of your messages. You're so kind.