Labrador

[User020367]

I have the possibility of adopting an 11 year old chocolate Labrador. I didn’t want a puppy as I don’t have the time to educate a puppy. I have 3 boys, 15,11 and 5. I met the dog yesterday who seems lovely, very docile loved being stroked. I work about 6-7 hours a day and sometimes my eldest looks after his brothers for an hour occasionally until I get home. Would it be ok to leave the children with the dog until I get home? Obviously not straight away as they would need to get to know each other, but I’m thinking long term. Also if anyone has a Labrador what are your experiences? TIA

@Ladyli

And I contacted the local vet who didn’t see a problem at all in adopting her

Has the vet met this dog? Have they done a health check on it and seen whether she's struggling with any pain, health issues, sight or hearing loss, all of which are incredibly common in senior dogs?

I used to walk a dog of a similar age who sadly passed last year. He had stiff joints and pain in his legs which required daily painkillers and supplements. He was in kidney failure which required even more medication, a specialist diet and regular blood tests to check kidney function. Not to mention the regular accidents he had on the floor and on his bed due to his kidney issues. He also had vestibular disease which meant he lost his balance, had "fit" like episodes and lost control of his bladder and bowels.

He was also losing his sight and his hearing and he became snappy as a result - he snatched at hands when you gave him treats as he just couldn't see properly and he did nip. Not intentionally but because he just wasn't aware. He also ran off on walks and had to be kept on a lead as his hearing vanished and he'd just wander off with anyone or run off down the road.

He was a lovely boy and so healthy up until his final year - he competed in crufts, ran Cani cross and did agility, but old age came to him and he declined very quickly and it wasn't cheap to care for him.

Please be fully aware of what you're taking on with a senior dog. They are expensive and often uninsurable - you need deep pockets and a big heart.

An eleven year old lab needs a comfy bed, warmth and a secure environment. Not to be put outside for hours a day. Also, as other posters have said, he may well need very expensive vets bills to be paid. Having said that, he will probably be fine in your house, with your children. He will be slow, arthritic and wanting to lie down in his bed at at that age. It might work out very well if you’re prepared to take on his probable future health problems.
Good luck, whatever you decide.
X

An eleven year old lab would be a very low risk to a five year old child.

I have had/ have lots of labradors and children.

@User020367

I have the possibility of adopting an 11 year old chocolate Labrador. I didn’t want a puppy as I don’t have the time to educate a puppy. I have 3 boys, 15,11 and 5. I met the dog yesterday who seems lovely, very docile loved being stroked. I work about 6-7 hours a day and sometimes my eldest looks after his brothers for an hour occasionally until I get home. Would it be ok to leave the children with the dog until I get home? Obviously not straight away as they would need to get to know each other, but I’m thinking long term. Also if anyone has a Labrador what are your experiences? TIA

This is too big a responsibility for your eldest. It would only take a momentary lapse in his supervision (e.g. a call or message from a friend) for your youngest to do something that provokes the dog to bite. What experience does the lab have with young children? Labs aren't intrinsically good with children and I've met plenty who wouldn't be able to cope with living with a 5 year old.

Labs are prone to separation anxiety, which can be triggered by being rehomed.

Dogs, like humans, need the most care at the beginning and ends of their lives. If you don't have the time for a puppy then you don't have the time for a senior dog.

@Nevercloser

An eleven year old lab would be a very low risk to a five year old child.

I totally disagree. Labs are know as worst biters for kids in A&E then throw in the fact it's elderly and most old dogs just want left in peace.

Absolutely disaster waiting to happen and totally irresponsible to even consider having this dog around a 5 year old.

@Nevercloser

An eleven year old lab would be a very low risk to a five year old child.

But the OP is planning to leave her 5yo alone with the dog everyday with just her 15yo in charge.

As a rule, labs are good with children but we don't know this dogs' history and many older dogs get grumpy and snappy as they're in pain with sore joints and struggle with their hearing and eyesight.

Fair points by pp re the 15 year old being left in charge of the dog and younger child. You are right , not a good idea.

My eldest is in charge for about 30 minutes onece ot twice a week

Ime Labradors have lovely temperaments, they want to please so are easy to train and docile.
All dogs have the potential to snap if they are in pain or pushed too far.
Personally I wouldn't leave a dog outside for 6/ 7 hours.
Labs like company.
You would need to be around for settling in period to assess temperament of dog before deciding but chances are it would be fine, as long as your 5 year old is taught how to behave around dogs and your 15 year old isnt in their own world with gaming headset on!
Why do owners want to rehome? The age if the dog would be a concern if I'm honest as there is high chance of ill health and expensive vets bills.
Do you know medical history of dog? Might be worth getting a vets health check.
I would also ask if you can " borrow" the dog for a weekend before commiting to see how you all get on.

@Ladyli

My eldest is in charge for about 30 minutes onece ot twice a week

Does your eldest know anything about canine body language? Does he have enough control over the 5yo to stop him pestering the dog and winding him up?

What would he do if the dog went for the 5yo?

I volunteer for a Labrador rehoming charity. Under our guidelines you would not be getting a dog from us. You can't leave a dog for such a long time on a regular basis and you can't have a child in charge of the dog and a very young sibling each day. We also don't rehome dogs used to being in a house to people who want them living outside, even in a kennel. This is an old dog. Show some proper thought and kindness towards him.

No, for all the reasons people have mentioned above. YOu don't know if this dog is docile, not all 'docile' breeds are, and you can't tell from a first meeting.
Quite aside from the safety considerations, and animal welfare issues, It will be you funding old age and end-of-life care. If the dog gets cancer, tears an ACL, starts having seizures, etc, will you pay for the treatment (thousands) and or have it PTS?

@User020367

Ok I’m hearing what everyone is saying about the dog being left alone for 6-7 hours a day but what do other dog owners do? Am I to believe all dog owners are at home all day? I find that highly unlikely!

Er I waited until I worked from home until I got a dog

@User020367

Ok I’m hearing what everyone is saying about the dog being left alone for 6-7 hours a day but what do other dog owners do? Am I to believe all dog owners are at home all day? I find that highly unlikely!

We had a lab cross that sadly passed away last year. I worked from home full time, when I changed job I ensured my salary was £400 a month more to afford day care for him. It was honestly the best thing we have her did for him, did wonders for his socialisation, and he became so much calmer.

We now have a 7month old puppy, and a baby on the way shortly, and will be doing the same for her when hubby goes back to work after paternity so I don't have to look after both puppy and baby.

It's a cost that I say anyone getting a dog should factor in. Especially with a social dog like a lab it's unfair to them to leave them alone all day.

@User020367

The current owners leave her in the garden when they’re at work. I was planning on doing the same

That is not adequate for an elderly dog.

@Nevercloser

An eleven year old lab would be a very low risk to a five year old child.

any 11 yr old dog could have arthritis, bad teeth, failing eyesight or be developing dementia . Any of which can make a previously docile dog snappy and defensive to sudden touch, loud noises, pestering by a 5 yr old who doesn't understand dog body language.

You haven't got time for a puppy; and apparently you don't know that the older a dog gets the more likely it is to need MORE attention, patience, time spent with it etc. Just like elderly people often need more help and support than they did in their prime.

For instance, it's common for older dogs digestion and bladder capacity to weaken. So they need more frequent meals; more short walks , more frequent garden exits to pee and poo (including, at night); regular medication, regular trips to the vet. They may be more sensitive to heat and cold so less amenable to car trips.

@User020367

As for most dog owners not leaving the door open that’s up to them! As I said I live in a secure area with high fencing, electronic gate etc!

High fencing and electronic gates don't spell "secure area" to me; sounds more like " dodgy yobs abound".

If you always leave your door unlocked when the house is unoccupied, you've probably breached your insurers T and C's, invalidating any claims.

No actually I live in a very affluent area

You cannot leave a dog for 7 hours a day. It having access to a toilet (garden) is not the issue.
At an absolute minimum you hire a Walker or ideally day care.
At 11 with arthritis id imagine the costs would be enourmous very quickly.

OP with your working hours and dogs health conditions this is a shit idea but you seem to have made your mind up so… your funeral/bank account…

I'd let the dog go to a rescue to be adopted instead. We waited until someone in the family could be at home all day before we got a dog (Labrador!)
I wouldn't leave an unknown dog with young children either.