We must be mad... That black lab that needed a home...

[Kat_Bath]

...has come to stay with us to see how he gets on!

Disclaimer: I tried to upload a photo but it says it's too big, so I'll post one tomorrow when I put a computer on!

When Dizzy Socks posted about a lab needing a new home in Scotland, I accidentally messaged her. Two weeks later and he's here on trial, to see how he gets on with Harvey, who will now be known as Harvey 1 because unfortunately they have the same name ??

I'm a bit worried about him just now as his tummy is making some incredible noises... He didn't come with any food, so he had 80g of salmon and potato kibble (unsoaked but it will be soaked in future) at half 5. He was then asleep for an hour and now he seems a bit unsettled. Will keep an eye on him, of course. I worry about bloat, but not displaying any of the major symptoms.

He comes from living in kennels for his whole life, so he doesn't really understand coming in the house, bless him. And he looks ever so worried when we go up the stairs!

So far so good though, and this is what my main point of posting was... What does success look like? So far, we've had plenty of quiet time, which I think can only be a good thing. And he's also been in one of Harvey 1's beds upside down sleeping already, which I also think is good. He's currently flat out, snoring away now, which is good after looking a bit unsettled. I know he'll take some time to settle, and Harvey 1 will take some time but he is currently on the sofa as normal, asleep, so I think we're doing OK...

We're going to stick to our usual routine and Harvey 1 gets fed 3 times a day with a snack before bed, so Harvey 2 will get the same (he'll probably think all his Christmases have come at once!). He's a working dog so a completely different type of lab and he's very lean, so I hope 80g of food 4 times a day (might make it 90x3 and then 60g before bed) will suit him and be the right amount for him. His poos are very loose so if that continues, I might give him some of Harvey 1's Purina HA as that makes his very firm!

Anyway, I just thought I would post for moral support really. I feel a bit mad! And it'll take some time transitioning from a very countryside home, to sonewhere out of town, but I really hope he likes living with us. He is incredibly sweet!

I promise I'll post a picture tomorrow!

 

[Equi]

Oh he will love you no matter what with that many feeds a day hahaha good luck, i hope it works out for you. Loose poo can be stress or maybe the food just not agreeing with him yet. Do you know what the kennels were feeding him? I agree with putting him on "your" routine from the start...it will make him settle into your life a lot easier.

 

[Red-1]

Harvey2 is a very lucky boy. So are you! X

 

[Kat_Bath]

Oh he will love you no matter what with that many feeds a day hahaha good luck, i hope it works out for you. Loose poo can be stress or maybe the food just not agreeing with him yet. Do you know what the kennels were feeding him? I agree with putting him on "your" routine from the start...it will make him settle into your life a lot easier.

Ha - I know. But I need him to love me and imagine if I fed one and not the other - he'd up sticks and go back to Perthshire!

Skinners, apparently. Which I don't think is amazing...? We have a salmon and potato kibble, the equivalent of Wafcol but made up the road.

Our routine is pretty simple so hopefully he'll settle into it along side us and Harvey 1. The only thing is, we might add in an extra walk, just a short one, to help with any nervous energy.

Harvey2 is a very lucky boy. So are you! X

??? I hope he feels that way. We are definitely lucky. I really hope it works out. We got lucky with Harvey 1 too, so I feel very, very fortunate.

 

[Clodagh]

Oh wow that’s great. I’m so pleased for him, what a lucky boy. I am sure it will work out, and if it doesn’t send him to Devon!
Will you change his name?

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

I‘m delighted for him and you! How is he with the original Harvey? I am dying to see pictures!

Re the food, my two teenies are getting 70g x 3 a day, although I’m splitting the last feed otherwise it’s too long between feeds. I was thinking it wasn’t enough, one is very skinny.

 

[wren123]

Oh that sounds like a good start, I love they're both Harvey!
Can't wait to see photos.

 

[Kat_Bath]

Oh wow that’s great. I’m so pleased for him, what a lucky boy. I am sure it will work out, and if it doesn’t send him to Devon!
Will you change his name?

I'll bear that in mind but I now I've gotten over the initial OH MY GOD WHAT HAVE WE DONE, I really hope he stays! When I met him, I just got this feeling about him.

I thought Harvey 1 didn't respond to "Harvey!!!" but turns out he does and Harvey 2 has no idea what his name is, so we are tempted - he might be a Buddy. I think if we continue with Harvey 1 and Harvey 2, we'll end up with two dogs literally called 1 and 2 ??

 

[Clodagh]

I'll bear that in mind but I now I've gotten over the initial OH MY GOD WHAT HAVE WE DONE, I really hope he stays! When I met him, I just got this feeling about him.

I thought Harvey 1 didn't respond to "Harvey!!!" but turns out he does and Harvey 2 has no idea what his name is, so we are tempted - he might be a Buddy. I think if we continue with Harvey 1 and Harvey 2, we'll end up with two dogs literally called 1 and 2 ??

Simples! ?

 

[Kat_Bath]

I‘m delighted for him and you! How is he with the original Harvey? I am dying to see pictures!

Re the food, my two teenies are getting 70g x 3 a day, although I’m splitting the last feed otherwise it’s too long between feeds. I was thinking it wasn’t enough, one is very skinny.

Thanks Cinnamon. He is so good. He is used to other dogs and he's very tolerant of Harvey 1's mischief. I actually think, having them seen them in the house for a couple of hours now, they might compliment each other very nicely.

I swear I replied to your thread on your new additions but apparently not... They're ADORABLE! How are you all getting on? Food is a tricky one, especially with spaniels I feel.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Our 2 yr old Labs have 3 meals per day, mainly because the Rotter needs that to avoid bloat, we always give pups 4 meals until they are about 6 months old, then stop the lunchtime one.
We have introduced adult dogs, as well as pups into the household and they have been fine. It does take a while for them to settle into the new routine but if you keep everything as calm and consistent as possible, they do settle. Having a friendly dog already there, who understands how things work helps the new one to feel secure and safe. I'm sure you will all be fine.

 

[Kat_Bath]

Our 2 yr old Labs have 3 meals per day, mainly because the Rotter needs that to avoid bloat, we always give pups 4 meals until they are about 6 months old, then stop the lunchtime one.
We have introduced adult dogs, as well as pups into the household and they have been fine. It does take a while for them to settle into the new routine but if you keep everything as calm and consistent as possible, they do settle. Having a friendly dog already there, who understands how things work helps the new one to feel secure and safe. I'm sure you will all be fine.

Thanks Pearl (I still read Pearl Sasinger, despite the "carol"!!). I feel all Harvey 1 is going to do is show Harvey 2 where the bins are ? But all is extremely calm in here just now, so much so that I just forgot there's another upside down dog asleep in here! Long may this chilled vibe continue - fingers crossed!

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Thanks Cinnamon. He is so good. He is used to other dogs and he's very tolerant of Harvey 1's mischief. I actually think, having them seen them in the house for a couple of hours now, they might compliment each other very nicely.

I swear I replied to your thread on your new additions but apparently not... They're ADORABLE! How are you all getting on? Food is a tricky one, especially with spaniels I feel.

I am so in love! They're teeny and cute and so into being with the humans! Both curled up on my lap next to Bear. ?

I'm thrilled you got the boy, can't wait to see him!

 

[silv]

Cannot wait to see his photo, nothing nicer than a labrador, lucky boy!

 

[Annette4]

Ooooo exciting!

I'd agree in terms of getting him on your routine, we did the same with Ginny and I'm certain it helped settle her.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

Ooooo exciting!

I'd agree in terms of getting him on your routine, we did the same with Ginny and I'm certain it helped settle her.

We do dog-sitting duty for a friend who works f/t and only got her Lab pup because we said that we would look after her. She normally has her tea-time meal at 5o'clock, at home, while ours eat at 6. On the few occasions when she has had to have that meal at our house, we have kept them all in their own routines, until recently. As the pup has got older she has realised that the older dogs are being fed at 6 and made a terrible fuss, although she certainly wasn't hungry. We have decided that it is better for all concerned if they are all on the same routine here. We did that this week when she was with us in the evening and it worked so much better. Even if they had to eat separately, I would stick to the same timetable for them both.
If they are already both lying around relaxed as you described yesterday evening, I'm sure they will be great together. Can't wait to see the photos!

 

[PinkvSantaboots]

I'm genuinely curious but should you feed a dog a few times a day I feel a bit bad I only feed mine once, she does get a few biscuits and a bit of my toast in the morning and the odd treat but that's it.

She is a small JRT I just feel she would get too fat I have had to slim her down in the past.

 

[meleeka]

Upside down sleeping is a good sign. Both my nervous rescues didn’t sleep upside down for months!

I do feel that the photos are taking a bit long though :stampsfeet: ?

 

[Clodagh]

I'm genuinely curious but should you feed a dog a few times a day I feel a bit bad I only feed mine once, she does get a few biscuits and a bit of my toast in the morning and the odd treat but that's it.

She is a small JRT I just feel she would get too fat I have had to slim her down in the past.

Harvey I has to be fed that often as he gets indigestion otherwise.
My labs are fed twice a day.

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

I'm genuinely curious but should you feed a dog a few times a day I feel a bit bad I only feed mine once, she does get a few biscuits and a bit of my toast in the morning and the odd treat but that's it.

She is a small JRT I just feel she would get too fat I have had to slim her down in the past.

It isn't about giving more food, if you felt that you should feed twice a day, you would just split the total amount into 2 smaller meals. I used to feed labs one proper meal with a handful of biscuits morning and bedtime but the Rottweilers need so much food that they would succumb to bloat if it were given to them all at once, so we always gave them 3 equally sized meals, then when we got the Labs they fitted into the routine and had meat at every meal.

 

[Moobli]

How wonderful! It sounds like Harvey 2 is settling in brilliantly and Harvey 1 is accepting of him straightaway. I would definitely change Harvey 2’s name, especially if he shows no recognition of it anyway. My dogs respond to all kinds of nicknames they are given over the years so changing his name is no big deal.
I’ve recently heard of a young male fox red lab needing a new home in Fife … do you fancy him too? ?

 

[windand rain]

My dogs have always been free fed we fill the bowl in the morning when it empties and they have always just had what they want. Pattern wise Willow Labrador mostly eats once a day in the evening but has a pick at the food during the day too. She has never gorged or felt the need to bolt her food she just helps herself if hungry. She is pretty much the right weight too

 

[Pearlsacarolsinger]

My dogs have always been free fed we fill the bowl in the morning when it empties and they have always just had what they want. Pattern wise Willow Labrador mostly eats once a day in the evening but has a pick at the food during the day too. She has never gorged or felt the need to bolt her food she just helps herself if hungry. She is pretty much the right weight too

That only works when you have 1!

 

[Parrotperson]

Thanks Pearl (I still read Pearl Sasinger, despite the "carol"!!). I feel all Harvey 1 is going to do is show Harvey 2 where the bins are ? But all is extremely calm in here just now, so much so that I just forgot there's another upside down dog asleep in here! Long may this chilled vibe continue - fingers crossed!

but hates what labs are for isn't it? Cleaning out the bins......???? Good luck. It sounds like he's settling in well. Buddy is a good name!

 

[windand rain]

That only works when you have 1!

We had 7 at one time still free fed

 

[AmyMay]

I'm genuinely curious but should you feed a dog a few times a day I feel a bit bad I only feed mine once, she does get a few biscuits and a bit of my toast in the morning and the odd treat but that's it.

She is a small JRT I just feel she would get too fat I have had to slim her down in the past.

My dogs are small breed dogs and are fed three times a day. I initially started adding in a lunch time feed because my little Bichon was walking about 10 miles a day and needed the extra food. Whilst she doesn’t do that amount any more, lunch is still fed to both. I simply weigh out their food in the morning and split it in to three.

Just to add, I’ve very successfully dieted my new dog on this method - he came to us obese. He’s lost just over 4.5kgs.

 

[Kat_Bath]

Do these work...?!

 

[Kat_Bath]

I think they work!

That's Harvey 1 on the right and Harvey 2 on the left and upside down!

 

[AmyMay]

Yaaayyyyy! Pictures!

Harvey 2 looks like he’s been with you forever ???

 

[Mrs. Jingle]

Well! They could have been together all their lives!?