mrs tornsocks

I'll have to look this up sas, thanks. We do ignore him initially and stay very calm when we first come home, give him pats about 5 minutes later when he's normal again. His regular behaviour after we've been out for a few hours is a massive lab bum waggle/wag and sometimes little grunty noises, or collecting a toy/leaf/bark/stick for his in his mouth. He generally doesn't jump etc

I guess it's mostly because he's only 10 months, although quite mature, and he normally sleeps inside, so it was a sudden 'change' for him. He does spend plenty of time outside but almost always inside when we're home.

We own a young lab (10 months) and recently have had to spend a bit of time back and forth away from home for various reasons (holidays/work committments). We've had him stay in a combination of places, a DOLers kind and loving house with another lab, and also at kennels. He must be a bit broken because on the whole, he's very mature for a lab. Yesterday it was OH's 40th b'day and I'd booked an overnight stay in the city for us. OH suggested that since we were leaving late in the arvo/evening, and back early in the morning, Archie would be okay alone. We fed him, I went next door and asked the nice next door neighbour to look out for him (she had my phone number and her bedroom runs alongside the side of our house). We left about 5pm and I got back about 8.30am this morn. The neighbours also have builders atm so they need to access the side of our house now and then. When I got home, he was up the side of the house, 'helping' the builder measure a piece of wood. When he saw me, he went ballistic and was so happy he did all his many dances and barking. He settled down, we had brekky and a nice play and he's been sleeping and hanging happily in the house since. I just feel so guilty that he spent all that time alone and I need to get it off my chest. Am I stupid, normal or mean ?

Oh yes, we go crashing through those spiky low bushes for a little squirt right in the middle. It looks so uncomfortable for him !

I do try to make him sit, and he generally does when he's in front of them. I have started asking him to sit when he SEES another dog or adult and he does this -- but I feel like it somehow creates a heightened sense of tension, in that he knows if he sits, the excitement is not far away. His bott bott lowers to the ground very tentatively and slowly (it's kinda funny) but I guess it's better than having him yank away from me. I tell him to 'stay', 'stay' until they approach but when they're 2 metres or so, the sled dog kicks in. But he's definitely overall a good fella, and actually pretty mature for a 10 month old lab.

wow, that is amazing and encouraging. I'll try and get him lying down for a pic-- it's still very definitely there but better. The main thing is his teeth and gums are in great shape, and he's healthy, no side issues from the o/bite.

Totally right, he is almost more gorgeous than when he was a gorgeous baby. He is still super-excited on walks and we have some work to do. We've been out of formal training / obedience for a while and need to get back into it. Anyway ... he does pull alot on walks, mostly when he sees another dog, a person -- and now, a tree or yummy-smelling piece of wee wee grass. This is mostly what prompted my post; he has started dragging me across the grass to get to his sniff patch. This has been happening for 10 days or so although he has improved with the 'no'/'leave' in that time. All that said, today we went out for a brief afternoon stroll and three sweet kids and mum came the other way and wanted pats. Without being asked, he sat down, dropped and rolled onto his back for them to cuddle and give him belly rubs. With adults and bigger people he tends to want to jump up immediately although is getting better there too. He knew instinctively how to behave with the littlies and they went crazy when I showed them how to get him to 'speak', roll over and play dead on their command. I was choked up with happiness and pride at the way he behaved with the little strangers.

I think tiredness could def be a possibility. Did you take Chloe for a vet check already ? If you haven't maybe take her along and explain Bru's situation. Maybe Bru's just not really used to this level of play and the first few days he may have been in such a state of excitement that he 'forgot' to be tired -- and now it's catching up with him. Archie sleeps for at least a day after kennel stays -- young labs just don't know when to stop sometimes - until their bodies tell them enough's enough.

Archie's got one of these I think, same place. When he rolls over for belly tickles I have wondered whether it's normal but I'm sure it is. We have a chocky coat though and it's always been there and pretty sure it isn't red. Is it possible yours has been there for a while and you just haven't noticed ?

I just bought a large one on ebay for my lab after reading the reports here for $17.50 inc postage.. d'oh ! ;) - $69 bucks @ Petbarn ours was.

"good carpet, bewdiful animal we breed to make carpet, for you I make special deal"

I asked the same question here Passed the lab test at our place ! It's really useful on doggies with double coats I think.

aw, 54 views, no opinions ?

I don't think there's anyone who provides livestock as such, but the Quaker's Hill/Kellyville / Annangrove areas certainly have wider spaces and possibly a few small farms. However I would also imagine that if the BC is not trained as a working dog, most people with cattle etc. would not really want a herding breed 'randomly' amongst their stock.

Have been following and now so sad to hear this news. Run painfree and happy Reg old boy, hugs to you indi.

I don't really have any reccs however I have a trainer that we used for pupppy school in Rooty Hill but she didn't really seem to be a formal 'behaviourist'. She had a great way with the dogs though, it might be worth a call. Can PM if you like. However, if the dog is one that isn't too far 'gone' in the unfriendly stakes, I have a bouncy lab that makes friends with everyone and would be happy to perhaps have some play dates with the BC to help socialise. I owned a BC as a kid so have a soft spot - and we live in Blacktown.

Hi, we're novice owners with a gorgeous 10 month old entire lab - who has just started cocking his leg, although he still wavers between crouching and cocking. He is cute to watch sometimes in that his hormones realise he is 'supposed' to be marking along the way, but sometimes the message doesn't reach his back half. For example, a friend brought her swf entire male over the other day, slightly older, and he went round the backyard marking. Arch followed, investigating all the swf's wees, and at one point Archie did not even realise he was peeing himself -- no crouch, no cock, just a bit of wee as he left the tree trunk. Anyway ... this now means walks are a whole new experience. I don't let him stop and sniff wherever he wants but his desire to has gone OTT. So the question is ... does this settle down a bit ? I get the sense he is discovering a whole new world but his nose never leaves the ground. It doesn't bother us massively, it's just a behavioural thing I was wondering about. He will be getting the snip soon, but after consulting a few experts and reading, we decided to hold off till he's 12-14 months (he had an overbite/growth plate questions etc. The overbite definitely seems to have improved in the last couple of months).

Not very happy with this thread ...... you didn't warn us about the CUTENESS OVERLOAD !!!!!

Just now, Archie was pottering about the front yard; I work from home and the office looks out to the yard. A few times, he's tried to get under the house next door so I keep an eye out. I walked outside, saw him sniffing about the potential entry point and said "Are you being naughty ???" He shook his head immediately -- not like a shake when they're wet -- he moved his whole head back and forth horizontally a few times from side to side. I wish someone else had seen it :D :D

How many pups in the litter ? I'm sure it sometimes gets confusing with buyers, puppies, bitches and generally managing stuff (including 'day' jobs !) I would give the breeder a quick ring and chat to her, politely pointing out the mistake. How did you inform her of your choice ? Via email ?? Perhaps you could re-forwrd that and say thanks for the great pics, just feel like there's a little bit of an oversnight because of photos she sent etc.

My Dad (who turns 78 today) is a total Leica man. He spent a chunk of his student days in Germany and was a geography academic so had good reason to fall in love with them, and also had a few as tools of the trade. He now has a secret compartment in his bookcase - hidden from view - with a series of Leicas, dating back to 1950s/60s. He rarely takes any photos now, just caresses all his cameras, talks to me and OH for hours about the technical superiority of them ... and lives vicariously through camera mags and books. He isn't on line though (and refuses to be) so is missing out on alot of info and Leica lovin' but sometimes stalks the few stores that carry the 'speshull' ones. edited: to replace 'OHs' with 'OH'

Maybe back off the chicken wings for just a little while and see how he goes on the Advance alone for a couple of weeks ? Was he eating the wings okay before the vomitting started ?

Suggest you get her used to being out there alone while you're home as well. If she doesn't already do 'stints' out there, get them happening. Short amounts of time at first, build her up to getting used to long periods. She will be fine, act normal, and all should be fine. Also her feed schedule is something else to consider, depending on how long you're away from home - get her used to being fed the times that work for you and the 3 days she's alone (if it's twice a day shouldn't be any probs)

Oh MAO, so so sorry to hear this !! Please keep us updated, I hope the antihist etc get him better quickly. Are you in a bushy/spidery/snakey area ? Extra big to you all today.