New to dog ownership, understand your dog & training tip

gixju · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 12:12 pm Post subject:

Very helpful post. It has opened my eyes.

Wattsy · Posted: Tue Sep 23, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject:

I have read that with interest, I have a six month old lab. She has quite a problem with greeting people on two legs rather than four! She is getting better but very slowly!

Andieh72 · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 2:34 pm Post subject:

Thank you so much for this information. We pick up our puppy tomorrow and I feel a mixture of excitement and apprehension, as it will be our first puppy experience. Your article has made me feel much more confident that I can do this, and bring up a happy, healthy and well rounded lab. One question I do have - when I come down in the morning (or come back from the school run), do I let her straight out for a wee, or do the 5 minute rule? Will she be so desperate that she can't wait 5 mins?

I'm sure i'll be on here more once she's here and I have a hundred questions, so I look forward to getting to know you all.

LovelyLucy · Posted: Thu Jan 22, 2009 3:07 pm Post subject:

Hi Joanne, some good info there. My Lucy is 2 now, and fingers crossed in pup. If we do get some, I want to keep a pup, so very handy info. Going to print it out and keep! Lucy went to different training classes, and I feel that I could have tried a lot harder with her. I was far too soft and let her away with too much - nothing major, just the usual things that if trained correctly wouldn't happen! I'm a bit too laid back! But if I am blessed with a little mini Lucy, then this time will be different. More time and effort!

Thanks

Lynsey Very Happy

Jess28 · Posted: Tue Feb 24, 2009 9:19 pm Post subject: thanks so much

this is a wonderful post! A puppy is like bringing home a new baby you want to do everything right but may not be sure how. thank you soo much this post is a big help!

Jess28 · Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 4:33 pm Post subject: when to start leave it

thanks so much for the info it is so helpful! i was wondering when i should start with teaching leave it?

Lochie · Posted: Tue Mar 10, 2009 6:27 am Post subject:

I have just read this post through from start to finish and I am sure it will prove a great help.

This contains more useful and concise information than in many of the books i have seen. Again thank you I am sure this will come in handy and can be applied when we get a rehomed dog.

Silke · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 2:13 pm Post subject:

Thank you so much for this post - we brought our lovely pup Buddy home at 11 weeks last saturday and although we had read all the puppy books we could, we were still very overwhelmed and unsure that we were doing the right things. Your post made so much more sense than any of the books and he already seems much calmer and we're much more in control. Amazing! Thank you thank you thank you!
Will post pictures of Buddy soon!
Silke

gjp · Posted: Sat Apr 11, 2009 3:21 pm Post subject:

Thanks this has been a very useful article(s) and I've saved it fior when we have our next addition.

Re litter siblings we had 2 boys at the same time nearly 4 yrs ago and I'll totally agree they are a lot of work, however ours have always shared the same crate without any problems even though the article linked to the reply says not to.
we've always split them on the walks when younger ( when I had more help in the house) so we might start of together but divide during the walk with son or daughter (who ever was with me) going a different route. Now adays as 'the help' has got older, uni, joined the police etc I tend to walk them on my own in the mornings and the earlier work has paid off as it usually goes well except when we see a cat!!
One of the boys, Finn has now been in the beating line twice this last season and both enter have a go scurries at country shows, we are off to Kelmarsh show tomorrow to have another go.

As these were our first family dogs (silver wedding present) ill admit they probably aren't as steady as they should be and that reflects on the trainer (me) and the amount of effort two together are but we wouldn't be without them.
[img]http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/gwilympritchard/MiloAndFinn?feat=directlink[/img]Milo and Finn

Sampson600 · Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2009 11:51 am Post subject: A great insight!

Hello Joanne.

My wife and I have recently joined this forum as we are desperately trying to gather all the info we can on this breed as we hope to get ourselves a Chocolate lab puppy later in the summer. As this will be my first ever pet (gulp!) and the second family dog for my wife, we feel this breed will be perfect for us, plus of course they are adorable.

I just wanted to say that having read your 'Canine Connection' article I can fully understand your approach to dogs as pets and that it seems so obvious when someone with experience puts it in writing!! Doing it all for real is going to be a real challenge but a truly rewarding one I'm sure. Thank you very much for your efforts with this and you've made two potential puppy owners even more excited knowing this sort of support and community is at all our fingertips.

Cheers
Darren & Josette