dr2little said:
One more thing that I did forget to mention, something that the clinic staff and I were discussing after one of my classes. When you see a lab who's crazy and out of control...just look to the handle end of leash and you'll usually see why. Like almost no other breed that I train, it's uncanny how clearly they show in their disposition how well they were treated and properly trained. While this can be said of most breeds, labs more predictably tend to do fantastically well with terrific owners and can appear to do the complete opposite with owner's who refuse to do the work.
They're wonderful but certainly not "bomb proof" as far too many people assume.
Exactly.
Labs are alot more work then what you normally hear about.
They need consistant training. When they are puppies they need short training sessions as thier attention span is almost nil.
If I were you I and were looking for a mix or rescue get one that is mixed with a breed that isnt so energenic. Like a basset hound or something.
Labs especially field bred or byb bred can be very excitable and can bring you to the brink of your nerves. Show bred labs tend to be calmer. More like couch potatoes.
Most of this is true with any breed but because of thier size it makes it harder.
Some good toys for labs are Kongs, small tires with ropes, bones and lots of them. As long as they have plenty of tough toys and bones usually they will leave your things alone if taught to.
Puppies are like raising children. They need a routine and consistancy.
