New rescue lab owner - hello everyone

Mauf

Hi I'd like to introduce myself and my beautiful rescue labrador x border collie Bliss. We've been together 18 months now and we think she's 7 years old. So far we've managed to heal the various injuries, pressure sores etc and filled her out a bit (well she is half lab, no problem there!) But some of the mental scars remain. She's getting better near traffic and with some dogs but is fear aggressive towards bigger dogs. We've developed a lovely bond though and she's worked very hard to become the dog she is today, I'm very proud of her.

Being new to lovely labs (I've always had border collies) I'd welcome any training tips. I get her to hunt for her meal in the field, which sets her tail a-wagging, but am not having much luck with retrieve. This gundog lark is new to me!

Would welcome any advice. Very Happy

_sheila_ · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:33 am Post subject:

Hello and welcome, she sounds lovely can we see a pic please ?? Smile

sheila and zak

_Mary_ · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:33 am Post subject:

Hi and welcome to LF, well done for giving Bliss her new forever home, she sounds a lovely gorl and we`d love to see pics of her Very Happy

As BC`s are bred for herding and Labs/retriever for retrieving (hmmm surprise surprise Laughing

) it could be that Bliss has more the BC instinct to herd rather than fetch, hopefully those here that train their dog for working retrieves will be able to advise.

Carley · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:40 am Post subject:

Hi and welcome. Sounds like she is doing really well. Very Happy

My last lab had no desire to retrieve at all, whereas Wicca would do it all day if she could. They are all different and maybe it's just not for her. Laughing

littlelab · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:47 am Post subject:

Hi there and welcome to Lab Forums

A Lab X collie is quite a handful, but wow what a great combo, the intelligence of a Collie and the willingness of the Lab

Bet she looks stunning Very Happy

sheens · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:55 am Post subject:

Hi & welcome to LF Very Happy

Munckles · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 10:56 am Post subject:

Hello and welcome to LF!!

wav

Mauf · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 11:13 am Post subject: Thanks guys

Wow thank you all - rapid fire response! Ah yes, pictures. Can't quite figure that one out yet but will work on it. I'm constantly being asked if she's a flat coated retriever, usually by flat coated retriever owners. She definitely has the lab love of people, and food, and water. In the meantime if you go to www.fourpaws-oxon.co.uk and click on Training Classes, you'll see the beautiful Bliss's backside in action - not as wierd as its sounds, honest - and yours truly desperately trying to demonstrate some sort of control over the beast.

Yes I think you're right about the collie side of her coming to the fore. One of the first times I let her off the lead she herded up a springer spaniel for me - not an easy task I'm sure. The owner was well-impressed. I did get her a rabbit-fur dummy for retrieval work - it took quite a while to pick up all the pieces. Well no one said it'd be easy! My main aim is to make her safe around other dogs so she can enjoy more off-lead activity. When I got her she had a bite-mark under her eye, and the shelter admitted she'd been bitten by one of their other dogs. My plan is to keep her focused on me with games, retrieve etc. and introduce her slowly to calm sociable dogs. We'll get there ...

All your dogs look gorgeous. Looking forward to getting more involved when I've got my head round the technology. Confused

Em_n_Bailey · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:13 pm Post subject:

Hello and welcome wave

Bliss sounds lovely Very Happy

Dora5 · Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:17 pm Post subject:

Hello and welcome to LF! Very Happy

It sounds as Bliss has come a long way since you rescued her... Well done to you and Bliss! Very Happy