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.

Don't worry about the cats they'll come round. He looks so settled in already. Is he sleeping in your bed tonight or on his own ?

I've made him an old duvet bed up on the floor of my room. It's a horrid windy rainy day here. He's just had a really long walk and peed in my kitchen. No poo yet. Do I need to take him out again later? Or could we go to bed and get up early?

If he was house trained in his previous home then he should catch on pretty quickly with you, he just needs a bit of a refresher course. Dogs aren’t always great at generalising and just because he was trained to toilet outside in a different house doesn’t mean he’ll automatically understand he also needs to go outside now he’s in a new house. The stress of the change (although he is looking pretty relaxed there!) will also have an impact, it’s common for dogs to have a bit of a wobble in their training during times of upheaval.

Your best bet is to treat him like a puppy. Take him out regularly and heap the praise on any time he goes outside. If he has an accident inside then don’t make a fuss (and certainly don’t tell him off), just clean it up and move on. Using a proper enzymatic cleaner or a solution of biological washing liquid/powder (patch test first if you want to use the latter!) will remove any scent which might encourage him to use the same spot.

Do you know if he has a command associated with weeing/pooing? If he does then that will be a big help as you can use it to tell him where he should be going. If he doesn’t then it’s well worth training as it’s really useful if you go away anywhere or if the dog is dicking around outside and you need to remind them why they’re out there Just pick a phrase and repeat it any time you’re with him outside and he goes, he’ll soon make the association.

With the cats maybe try a pet gate with a cat door in it. Something like this:
https://www.bitiba.co.uk/shop/dogsaccessories/doggflapskennels/doors/371006
Also got a feliway plug in for the cats.
My two cats were 9 when we got our puppy in June, and with this gate they could join us if they wanted but also escape if the dog was too much. It took the cats 3 months to start coming down & through the gate. Now at 7 months they get on well, but cats know they have an escape route if they need.

How's it going? We've got two labs at the moment and lost our other a year ago. they've all come between the ages of one and three. They've all settled very quickly. As long as you give them plenty of exercise they're very easy dogs (much more active dogs than you expect!).

Oh, and with the cats, give them space (a room the cats can get in but the dogs can't) seperated by a child gate. Cats get gradually nearer and nearer, but sometimes it takes months.

I'm not a massive Labrador fan, but I have to say, he is absolutely gorgeous. He looks so comfy and relaxed. Beautiful boy!

It's only natural to feel like that surely, it shows that you are a responsible person who is aware of the new responsibility. I guess if you think that a dog is completely self-sufficient really, and isn't going to break you might feel less worried? He looks really relaxed in your second pic!
I wonder when he is likely to hit puberty?

Oh, he's gorgeous. How are the cats doing? I don't have any advice other than hang on in there, labs are lovely dogs and I'm sure you'll have a great time with him when you've all got used to each other. I'm very sad that I can't have a lab just now - I'm on my own since my adult DDs left home and I work long hours so it wouldn't be fair. But I'm counting down the months till I can afford to retire and be a happy lab-owner again! Good luck with your lovely dog.

How's it going? Hope you're all settling in, and have a lovely 1st Christmas together!!

He's very lovely and I'm sure all will be well with him.

Just one thing though...In your photo you have a lovely tree with lots of presents underneath - do not leave him unattended in that room or might find he'll help himself to some yummy parcels. If they happen to contain chocolate he could make himself very, very ill as chocolate is poisonous to dogs.

Labradors are famous for their appetites and ability to eat large amounts of almost anything. A lab local to me was walked round the edge of a golf course every day and when he became sick the Vet found 16 golf balls in his stomach. Be aware!