[bradleysmum]

Today we set up our video camera to record Bradley whilst we went out, leaving him on his own. We have left him a few hours before now, and we have always wondered if he misses us when we go out, or pines etc., although he is usually fast asleep when we get back after a few hours.

Anyway, we have just watched the video playback, and miss us - he did nothing of the sort! lol. He spent the first 20 minutes playing with each and every toy he has, chewing each one in turn, then had a quick kip for 10 minutes, back to another 20 minutes play before sleeping for the final 1.5 hrs. During the whole time, he seemed really relaxed, happy and not bothered that his mum and dad had gone out! lol. :shock:

At least we know now, puts our minds at rest!

I expected to catch him getting up to alsorts of mischief, but he was such a happy boy!


How do your labs cope without your company?

 

[Labdad]

Mine put on quite a show when I leave. Both Jack and Misty escort me to the door. Misty has that annoyed Lab look on her face and is poised to rush the door if I change my mind and say "Wanna go-fer?" Jack usually is carrying a ball in his mouth and stands ready to accompany me or at least play some more ball before I go. After I tell them to be Good Kids while I'm gone" Jack gets a sad look on his face, wags his tail and watches the door close. About a three count or when I am about halfway down the stairs I hear the ball thud against the floor. It is a very sad sound, a manouver designed I am sure to really bring on the guilt of leaving them behind. When I pull out the drive and look up at the house, Jack is sometimes in the window, watching. Sometimes he stands in the window as a sentry, other times he sees me looking at the window and turns slowly away.

There have been times I have come back in almost right away to find Misty already asleep in the front room and Jack chewing on a bone on the couch. I have also come back and found the wrath of Labs.

Sometimes Jack is watching out the window for me. Sometimes if I have rung the wife and they hear my voice the run to the door ready to greet me. Usually they are the welcoming committee. Sometimes Jack is waiting by the door to the garden with a ball at the ready. Sometimes he greets mne at the door and trys to put the ball into my hand. Misty is just glad to see me because when I get home, she gets to eat.

 

[emuk]

sasha is great, obviously, because she is 3 in feb, but millie, whined for a while at first, even tho she loads of toys and sasha to play with. she accepts we have to go out, although im tempted to set up my video camera

 

[NicolaL]

Leaving Labs Alone

Hi Julie

I'm glad that Bradley settled ok when you were gone - great idea with the video camera!

Smudge is still pretty young so he stays in the kitchen whilst we are out. During the second week we had him, I went outside to mow the grass and put him in there - the whining made me very sad! However, we found that if we just put the child gate across and left the door open, he settled much better than if we shut the door as well - we think he likes to be able to look out into the living room. Unfortunately, we can't let him have the run of the living room due to electrical cables etc but the kitchen which is quite large seems to suit him very well.

When we get home at lunchtime, he is very pleased to see us and we try to let him out to go the loo (he must be bursting surely?!) but he just wants to be with us and we have to virtually put him outside to make him remember what he's supposed to do!

All in all, Smudge is great when we leave him and makes us very proud - it's still pretty heart-wrenching to shut that front door and drive off though!

All the best,
Nicola.