First-time Labrador owner

Sukhpreet Aujla said:
I have done some more research into lepto, and it appears that the vet will recommend whether its needed in the area. However it really does appear necessary for people who live near water, farms or the countryside, everywhere I have looked recommends it highly for those areas and optional for others
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TBH, if there is water anywhere near, a Lab will find it!
 
Someone at work, their dog got lepto. It did survive, but was a massive vets bill that took months to pay off. Had the dog had the vaccination, insurance would have paid it.

As mine are at the horses with me all the time, and we do walk along rivers and ponds, mine are all covered.
 
I always do the initial vaccinations I am not certain they are necessary annually but again vets advice should be followed. One of the most important things about elbow, and hip problems is to make sure you do not over exercise a young puppy. I bred large breeds (Newfoundlands) the parents were elbow and hip scored as low risk but one or two pups did get problems as about 2 year olds the problem was that big dogs get big quickly and walking up stairs and walking too far too soon can cause hip displasia and elbow problems which could be where the 1 score on the elbow actually came from. 5 minutes forced exercise (ie lead walking or running around the garden playing with you) per month of age is enough. Walking miles will not tire out your pup but will make it need more and more exercise as it gets older anyway
 
amymay said:
Wouldn’t they want to go after the drug company?
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Makes sense! I think she was upset that she hadn’t been warned that there might be issues, as in any medical treatment holds an element of risk, I’m not saying it’s the fault of the vax, I have not researched anything about this and know nothing about it bar the anecdotes online. She was very emotional when I spoke to her, pup had just died. I don’t know if it came from a reputable breeder.
 
Cinnamontoast said:
Makes sense! I think she was upset that she hadn’t been warned that there might be issues, as in any medical treatment holds an element of risk, I’m not saying it’s the fault of the vax, I have not researched anything about this and know nothing about it bar the anecdotes online. She was very emotional when I spoke to her, pup had just died. I don’t know if it came from a reputable breeder.
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It is very sad.
 
windand rain said:
I always do the initial vaccinations I am not certain they are necessary annually but again vets advice should be followed. One of the most important things about elbow, and hip problems is to make sure you do not over exercise a young puppy. I bred large breeds (Newfoundlands) the parents were elbow and hip scored as low risk but one or two pups did get problems as about 2 year olds the problem was that big dogs get big quickly and walking up stairs and walking too far too soon can cause hip displasia and elbow problems which could be where the 1 score on the elbow actually came from. 5 minutes forced exercise (ie lead walking or running around the garden playing with you) per month of age is enough. Walking miles will not tire out your pup but will make it need more and more exercise as it gets older anyway
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The breeder said the elbow score of 1 was from the sire banging his leg a few times when he was young, whatever they cause I have decided to not go with this sire/breeder, there are some American lines in his pedigree which is something I feel I should probably avoid, especially for my first pup.
 
A friend of mine breeds labradors, based in Leicestershire. Dogs are very well looked after, can’t comment on elbow scores etc but maybe worth a look. Called Farseer labradors.
I’ve never had a pup, my dogs are from a rehoming centre and unwanted pet. A local rescue may also be worth a look, not necessarily for a puppy, but I’ve seen a few older labradors looking for homes recently.
 
Evie91 said:
A friend of mine breeds labradors, based in Leicestershire. Dogs are very well looked after, can’t comment on elbow scores etc but maybe worth a look. Called Farseer labradors.
I’ve never had a pup, my dogs are from a rehoming centre and unwanted pet. A local rescue may also be worth a look, not necessarily for a puppy, but I’ve seen a few older labradors looking for homes recently.
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Thank you I will have a look at them, I have thought seriously about rehoming a Lab, if I do not find a puppy I like or if the worry about neighbours dogs around a puppy becomes a bigger issue I might go down that path
 
Errin Paddywack said:
You could try Guide Dogs for the Blind. I belive they sometimes have older dogs needing to retire or young dogs who for whatever reason have failed to make the grade. Just a thought.
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I thought long about this but did wonder if maybe they are still working dogs which would be better for experienced owners. There is a documentary on Netflix called "Pick of the Litter" about 5 puppies training to be guide dogs, was entertaining and fairly informative
 
Errin Paddywack said:
You could try Guide Dogs for the Blind. I belive they sometimes have older dogs needing to retire or young dogs who for whatever reason have failed to make the grade. Just a thought.
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If the guide dog rejects are anything like the Hearing dog rejects they will not rehome them to anyone. Called Fallen Angels many go onto be trained as assistance dogs in another sphere. Those that are really untrainable can only be rehomed with someone who has walked at least two puppies for them.
 
rabatsa said:
If the guide dog rejects are anything like the Hearing dog rejects they will not rehome them to anyone. Called Fallen Angels many go onto be trained as assistance dogs in another sphere. Those that are really untrainable can only be rehomed with someone who has walked at least two puppies for them.
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I think those that fail to make the grade often go back to/stay with their puppy walker
 
rabatsa said:
If the guide dog rejects are anything like the Hearing dog rejects they will not rehome them to anyone. Called Fallen Angels many go onto be trained as assistance dogs in another sphere. Those that are really untrainable can only be rehomed with someone who has walked at least two puppies for them.
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Friends of ours, first time dog owners, got a pup from guide dogs. Well, he was an adult, about 18 months old I think.
 
I've spoken to a lot of trainers, some say the dogs next door will be an issue others say it will okay but require greater training, general feeling is that it will be problematic which I thought so myself before researching it.

I have decided that I will approach the neighbours about this, and ask if they can keep their dogs indoors when they do go out for extended periods (they are indoors at night so I know its got to be possible). Not entirely sure what I will say without them taking offence, slight worry that they'll go the other way, refuse to acknowledge the issue and intentionally make things worse but I have to try. Our relationship with them is civil at best which doesn't help
 
We've always had a few yappy dogs near us and our labs have always been oblivious to the noise they'll sleep in the sun or play with us or their toys. I'd tread very carefully with your neighbours it might go wrong and end up with them leaving their dogs out longer.
Id probably wait till I got the puppy, see if it's a problem, if it is then go round with a bottle of wine asking them nicely if they can help.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I wouldn't ask the neighbours to keep their dogs in, so that yours can go out, I can see that going horribly wrong. I wouldn't be happy to be asked to take responsibility for the training of my neighbours dog. They presumably are happy to let their dogs bark all day.
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I agree its a delicate situation but my concern is that I cannot see how the constant barking wouldn't be an issue. Currently they have been gone since 9am, still haven't returned and its 7.30pm, this is a regular thing on a Saturday and even opening our back door sets them off. I've thought about waiting and seeing how it is after I get a puppy but that feels equally dicey.
 
Pearlsasinger said:
I would speak to Environmental Health/Dog Warden about the way your neighbours keep their dog, before getting your pup tbh.
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I have before, they said there isn't enough of an issue for them to investigate. Only thing they would consider is noise complaint but as they do not bark continuously but bark when we go out it doesn't qualify, as they are in the patio area it qualifies as shelter as well
 
Pearlsasinger said:
In that case have you got a side/front garden you could let your dog out in, away from the barker?
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No sadly, front garden is all paved and open, for toilet training it should be okay as I have artificial grass right outside our back door (although they are barking now at that but I think they are highly attentive right now), its more when we go deeper into the garden where the natural grass is. The owners still have not returned and its approaching 9.30pm, I do feel very sorry for the dogs they must be distressed and bored, even if they have each other for company
 
Slightly different but my husband keeps his working collies in kennels in our yard and they usually bark when I go out with my dogs. It’s never worried any of my pups, but then mine have come from a breeding kennels with quite a large number of dogs as well as being a boarding kennel so guess they are already desensitised to the noise. I wonder if you could get a breeder on board by asking them to play CDs of various noises, starting off very quietly and increasing the level over time before your pup comes to you. I know some breeders do this already, so might be worth a conversation.
 
I do like that idea, although some breeders I've contacted have said they wouldn't sell me their pups because of the dogs next door, I have to be honest about the situation and its their right to not sell to me I know.

Update on next door they still aren't back and its Sunday morning now, this is not unusual behaviour but it was raining very heavily last night.
 
it wouldnt occur to me to worry about dogs barking next door. if they bark continually when you are in your garden surely you can get something done about it. if i felt i couldnt go in my garden in the summer as it was spoilt by barking dogs i would expect the council to do something if the neighbours ignored my requests to stop them. it certainly wouldnt stop me getting a puppy..
 
rabatsa said:
My GSD learnt to ignore the neighbours ridgebacks barking at everything. She went through a spell of joining in but learnt the phase "next door" meant that it was not her job to bark.
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How did you go about achieving this? I have read some focus training tips but I'm keen to hear peoples methods that they've tried and know that they work
 
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