Page 5 | Labrador - do we adopt her?

Primrosefrill · 2023-07-03T21:09:32+00:00

DH work colleague has a lab, 9 months, colleague is older and is on her own and family persuaded her to get her but it is too much work. Lab has come to stay with us for few nights to give her a break but I know my DH badly wants to adopt her. I am not a dog person but do like certain breeds including labs. She really is beautiful but a bit smelly, VERY boisterous and licky. We live right next to a beach (very lucky) so she has been having long walks which she doesn't currently get to have. I can't help loving her tbh. My DCs are enjoying her. But I am a bit nervous that if my DH offered to adopt her, about having a house that smells like dog and hair everywhere all the time. If you got a dog, did you grow to get past the smell/hair? Does your house smell like dog? Are there certain areas off limits from the dog that are your sanctuary?

nobodysdaughternow · 24/09/2023 08:33

You made the right decision!

We have three dogs who are hairy and smelly and the best thing we ever did.

We are also near a beach and it is almost mandatory to own a dog, so you'd have had to get one eventually op

Original poster

Primrosefrill · 24/09/2023 08:33

@Buildingthefuture thank you :)

OP posts:

Azaeleasinbloom · 24/09/2023 08:45

oh, well done for giving her a lovely home. My two labs are generally in their beds when we are out, in the utility room, or in the kitchen. We do find them on the sofas sometimes, but only if their blankets are laid out for them.

I keep the bedroom doors closed if we are out or there would be no stopping them🙄

Lab 1 ditched the crate at about 5 months - his choice, and he had earned that; Lab 2 was a rescue and had spent way too much of her life in a cage and is somewhat traumatised by that so from day 1 she chose to sleep with Lab 1. Wherever he is, she will be close by.

DupontsYellowDressingGown · 24/09/2023 19:33

Oh look at her! Squeeze her and tell her she's a good girl from me

HappiestSleeping · 24/09/2023 19:40

Fabulous, you'll have a ball.

Labs have lanolin in their coat, so smell more like sheep than dogs in my opinion. Daily brushing will help keep coat in good condition and reduce the amount of hair dropped. Solid floors are better than carpets, and I recommend a Trend T33 wet and dry vacuum. It's M class which means it filters small particles (smells) out, and is really great value.

An Andis Deshedding rake is a must (https://christiesdirect.com/andis-deshedding-tool.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwvL-oBhCxARIsAHkOiu16f0PhGOKjyFPRVPUJArtXJtH8bsBU6fODquAhp_M4YfVbIMHY4oAaAgUjEALw_wcB) as is a slicker brush.

Try not to bathe too often as it removes the natural oils from the coat. You'll be forced too when something has been rolled in though.

We have beds which are washable or have removable covers and switch them regularly. Also, a collar that isn't absorbent helps as that also gets smelly if it is absorbent.

Best tip ever given to me was rubber gloves from screwfix (https://www.screwfix.com/p/site-320-nitrile-foam-coated-gloves-red-black-large/907fr) can be used to remove hair from fabric. Cushions, dog beds, carpet, everything. Just put the glove on and sweep the nitrile part across the fabric and it will pull the hair out. This also reduces any smells.

Mine is a rescue and had little to no training. He drives me nuts at times but I wouldn't swap him. Labs are easily trainable, so you'll be fine.

Enjoy. A dogs devotion is absolute.

Andis Deshedding Tool

Remove undercoat Helps strip coat to reduce sheddingEasy grip rubber handle Essential kit for every groomer

https://christiesdirect.com/andis-deshedding-tool.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjwvL-oBhCxARIsAHkOiu16f0PhGOKjyFPRVPUJArtXJtH8bsBU6fODquAhp_M4YfVbIMHY4oAaAgUjEALw_wcB

SlipSlidinAway · 24/09/2023 20:03

Try not to bathe too often as it removes the natural oils from the coat. You'll be forced too when something has been rolled in though.

Agree with this. I don't bathe my labs. They go out in the rain or have a swim then get a good towelling.

A previous dog used to love to smear fox poo on her neck. But that would get a spot wash.

Having said that, junior dog got covered head to paw in mud on a recent walk so had to be hosed down when we got back.

But Labrador is my favourite smell!

AliceOlive · 25/09/2023 03:05

SlipSlidinAway · 24/09/2023 05:33

Your puppy's in a crate unless she's eating, playing or out walking?! Don't you let her just potter around/sit and watch you/snooze outside her crate? How sad.

OP's dog must be about 1 now so not a baby.

Show quote history

Key word here was “with us”. She’s out of her crate plenty.

cheezncrackers · 25/09/2023 07:53

Most people contain their dog(s) in a suitable area of the house when they go out OP. Some dogs chew things when left alone, for instance, or if they get an upset tummy it's better to have them contained in a room with a hard floor. My DPs use baby gates to keep their dogs out of areas they don't want them in, which negates the need for a crate. I'd worry about them being able to stretch and walk around if they were stuck in a crate.

SlipSlidinAway · 25/09/2023 08:45

@AliceOlive

But what you actually said is that your puppy is out of her crate 'when she’s eating, playing with us or taking a walk. Otherwise she's in her crate'.

So indoors you let her out to eat and play with you, but crate her the rest of the time? What about letting her just be out and able to potter/move about/explore when she's not playing with you or eating?

AliceOlive · 25/09/2023 09:01

SlipSlidinAway · 25/09/2023 08:45

@AliceOlive

But what you actually said is that your puppy is out of her crate 'when she’s eating, playing with us or taking a walk. Otherwise she's in her crate'.

So indoors you let her out to eat and play with you, but crate her the rest of the time? What about letting her just be out and able to potter/move about/explore when she's not playing with you or eating?

I’m not here to answer your questions. Take it however you like.

Be glad to answer any questions from someone who is sincere rather than just looking for people to judge on the internet.

Sheesh, even on a happy thread about puppies…

Tadpolle · 25/09/2023 09:11

I love the smell of my dog. Honey ears and biscuit feet.

SlipSlidinAway · 25/09/2023 09:17

Be glad to answer any questions from someone who is sincere rather than just looking for people to judge on the internet.

Oh I am very sincere about dog welfare - believe me. And yes, I do judge people who overuse crates - happy thread or not.

Original poster

Primrosefrill · 25/09/2023 19:34

cheezncrackers · 25/09/2023 07:53

Most people contain their dog(s) in a suitable area of the house when they go out OP. Some dogs chew things when left alone, for instance, or if they get an upset tummy it's better to have them contained in a room with a hard floor. My DPs use baby gates to keep their dogs out of areas they don't want them in, which negates the need for a crate. I'd worry about them being able to stretch and walk around if they were stuck in a crate.

Thank you. I was starting to wonder about that. She sleeps in our bedroom so I wondered about there. Our living room kitchen etc is all open plan. So bedroom really only place. Is it best to try a short time and slowly extend? Obviously not planning to leave her for too long, we both wfh so it’s mostly just occasional evening or if DCs have something on we can’t take her to.

OP posts:

ilovesushi · 25/09/2023 22:45

Our lab smells of biscuits straight from the oven. The hair is insane but we have a lab golden retriever cross, so maybe regular labs are less hairy. Sounds like she is a brilliant fit for your family. I would say go for it if you can. I adore ours. I had to be heavily persuaded to get a dog and I am the biggest convert. She is my baby.

HappiestSleeping · 25/09/2023 23:14

ilovesushi · 25/09/2023 22:45

Our lab smells of biscuits straight from the oven. The hair is insane but we have a lab golden retriever cross, so maybe regular labs are less hairy. Sounds like she is a brilliant fit for your family. I would say go for it if you can. I adore ours. I had to be heavily persuaded to get a dog and I am the biggest convert. She is my baby.

Regular labs are definitely not less hairy. Self propelled hair dispensers. It's like a carpet maker. I had no idea a dog could shed so much and not be bald 🤣

cheezncrackers · 26/09/2023 07:30

Is it best to try a short time and slowly extend?

Yes, don't leave her for the first time for three hours. I'd start with 15 mins and build up from there. An upset dog can do quite a lot of damage (including to your relationship with your neighbours if she barks continuously), if left too long to start with. Some dogs like to have the radio on for company, others are fine.

HappiestSleeping · 26/09/2023 10:11

@Primrosefrill I'd start with 1 minute. Stand outside the room, and reward if the dog us calm for the minute. If the dog isn't calm, drop to 30 seconds. If it is, repeat about 10 times, then move to 2 minutes, then 4 minutes etc, only moving on if the dog is totally calm when you are out of the room.