Ahona

My lab used to eat poos too! Apparently feeding them canned pineapple stops them eating it because it alters the taste of the poo. I don't know about that though. There's nothing grosser than kissing a dog and then realising what she's just been eating. ;)

Interesting Gayle, I'm going to chip in here, because Hubby and I are currently on one income since I'm a full time student and can't afford a dog. I am hopefully going to start work soon and will then be looking at getting a pup. I need to work for us to be able to afford rent on a bigger dog-friendly house and also to afford medical care, premium quality food, toys, bedding, imsurance, obedience classes etc etc for it. I reckon we're going to end up spending at least 2k to start with, for the pup and for medical insurance, vaccinations, desexing, a pen, toys and all the little things a dog needs, plus another $30 per week on food, because we're going to feed it Eagle pack, unless something happens and we REALLY can't afford it. I also want to take my dog to preschool and obedience classes as well as be able to afford a naturopathic vet for it, so all up, we are looking at rather a lot of money and I definitely will need to work full time to give it the best I can.

^^ That is true, going by all I have heard! I've heard that most responsible breeders won't sell a person two pups at the same time either!

Eee. cutie!

^^ I share that attitude James and Dean ;) Are you looking at a girl or boy? Have you looked into breeders yet?

I expected retriever puppies to be rather boisterous ;) I remember how absolutely MANIC my lab pup was, with the running around, biting, chewing and jumping. Tiring pups they are, but so gorgeous ;)

Thanks Littlelabrador. I think hubby and I have settled on a goldie for now, we want something just a little quieter than a lab! I do think it is possible to raise a puppy properly, even if you are working full time. Hard yes, but doable, with the right amount of care and attention before and after work and on weekends. I know my hubby and I will make fantastic dog (or pup) parents, despite being away from home 9-5 4 days a week, simply because we are committed to the dog and socialisation/training and just cuddling and loving it. I think quality takes preceedence over quantity in some instances and you can be home all day and still neglect the dog or leave it locked out in the backyard. Not everyone has the luck to be able to be home all day, but that doesn't mean they cant be responsible parents, or dog owners.

It sounds like she's doing very well indeed Littlelabrador ;) Lab puppies are always very bouncy and rather jumpy, but that's why we love them so much too! Keep going with what you're doing and I'm sure she will learn what she's allowed to do and what not very soon indeed!

Thanks dogmad, I appreciate your help I'll contact the club and other rescue orgs when we're closer to being ready to own a dog. Hopefully not too far away!

Hi dogmad No, I'm in Victoria unfortunately! That said, if we could find a dog that was a perfect match, I'd be happy to pay for inter state adoption. Like you, a dog is for life for me, and barring death or extreme ill health I cannot imagine re homing a dog! We're going to rent and have already lined up 3 places that will take our soon-to-be dog temporarily, so that we have time to find a pet friendly rental if evicted with not much notice! How do I go about finding goldies up for rescue in Victoria? Thanks Ahona

Hey Spanner Thanks for that idea ^^ I think an older pup would suit us well, much as I love puppy kisses, so I'll have a look around and see what I can find when we start looking! a.

Ooh James and dean! Hubby and I are in EXACTLY the same position, we want to get a goldie puppy early next year Difference being, we need to find a rental which will let us have dogs first! As far as I understand, a crate is not a good idea for long periods of time like that, you're much better off with the dog in a run in the backyard, with shade, food, toys and water. I plan to get it a clam shell pool filled with sand, and leave it frozen chicken necks and kong toys to keep it busy. If you can get someone to feed it lunch and play with it for a bit in the afternoon, that would be ideal, if not, what I've been told is one large meal before we leave, a large meal as soon as we get back and a smaller one at night. We do the best we can within our circumstances We'll be taking our pup to puppy preschool, about twice a week I think? Not sure how many days a week is ideal. A lot of other people will be in, there are some very helpful and knowledgeable goldie people on here! Come join us in the retrievers thread under general discussion Good luck! a.

My dogs completely obsessed with her ball too, only she just likes carrying it around in her mouth with her and chewing it, so its not an issue for us! She's very reluctant about giving it to us to throw for her!

Also, if she's being nervous and aggressive, maybe try some Rescue remedy on her.

Hey I dont have any suggestions about training Molly, I just want to say hang in there I've had 2 labs, and they had both been through this aggressive stage! Our first lab bit my sister on the nose and snarled at me and bit my hand really badly when she was a puppy and the second one was just hyper as a pup, always jumping and barking and snapping. What really helped us was to isolate the dog when it was behaving badly, put it down, say no firmly and just refuse to engage with it. My mum and I did that with our second lab, while my sister continued to roughhorse with her, smack her and so on, and as a result we have a dog whose very well behaved around my mum and I, sits, listens to us, and is very sweet all up, but goes crazy jumping and biting the instant my sister walks through the door!! I'm sure that with perseverance, you will be able to get past this stage. Labs really are the sweetest dogs a.