bonding with your new arrival

Labnewbie · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 11:25 am Post subject: bonding with your new arrival

Hi again guys

What length of time would you recommend spending full time settling your new lab into your household before it's OK to put him/her in kennels for a weekend? I was thinking 2 weeks.

I dont want to take my lab with me on the weekend as it's with family who have cats and they've asked me not to bring her.

Cheers

JohnW · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 11:58 am Post subject:

That would be far too short a time for me. two to three months minimum as far as I'm concerned. The only way I would consider acceptable would be if the breeder could have the puppy back for that time. It would reduce the stress for the puppy a little, but even that is not ideal.

Regards, John

Hersheys · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:00 pm Post subject:

I agree with John Hershey is 6 and he has never been in a kennel either my dad looks after him or he comes with us otherwise we just dont go... He is part of the family lie a big baby really Laughing

JohnW · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:08 pm Post subject:

On a slightly different front, we brought a caravan so our dogs could go on holiday with us and my first Labrador, Mandy, went on a holiday in Scotland at the tender age of 16 weeks! I still have the photographs of her paddling in a stream at St Mary's Loch. Not maybe the best thing for a puppy of that age but back in those days, links between exercise and HD were not so well understood.

Regards, John

Labnewbie · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:10 pm Post subject:

Sorry, I should have explained, my lab is 2 and a half years old not a pup. Does this make a difference?

Am I bad for wanting to put her in kennels every now and again? It would only be for the odd weekend and holiday. Dont shout at me!! Be gentle!

JohnW · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:20 pm Post subject:

Don't worry Labnewbie, I growl occasionally but I dont bite.

Yes, it does make a big difference because an adult, just like a human adult, is better able to take sudden changes. It is still a shorter time than ideal but long term would not make any great difference (Providing of course that the kennel is a good one.)

As to putting dogs in kennels for holidays. It is not something I do but thousands of people do. Find a kennel run by someone you feel you can trust. Go to see it so you know where your dog will live and what it will be eating. Book in plenty of time! Good kennels are fully booked months in advance.

Regards, John

Hersheys · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:21 pm Post subject:

Labnewbie

How long have you had your lab

JohnW · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:32 pm Post subject:

Deleted. It will teach me to read posts before answering Razz

Regards, John

Amandajvv · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 1:54 pm Post subject:

Labnewbie,

Have you considered a home stay type person to look after your lab?

I dont put mine in Kennels, I use a lady from http://www.petpals.co.uk
They are located throughout the UK. I have her come around once every two weeks to take them socialising and walking whilst I am at work. Then when I need them to stay with her if I am going on holiday. She picks them up and they stay at her home. They love her to bits and they know her from the walks. The cost is only slightly more than a kennel but it does mean they have a home environment with more attention.

I was away for a month in Dec and although I know my boys missed me. They had a ball stay at her home, as its literally a second home for them. Lots of nice things happen there like swimming and other dogs!

Labnewbie · Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2005 2:16 pm Post subject:

Hersheys I'm picking Goldie up next week - i've got a weekend booked with my family at the end of April...soooooo, I guess moving it to, say, mid May, beginning of June, would give me and GG enough time to bond, and for her to settle?

I'll look into the pet pals thing too I think, thanks for that.

PS John, is that your lab on your avatar? What a cute expression!