mrs tornsocks

My lab loved rocks too when he was a baby, they just love getting anything in their mouth ! We tried to teach him 'leave it' or 'drop it' from an early age, and he'll now pretty much 'leave' anything he has in his mouth, including food. You can teach your pup this with anything, toy etc. As someone mentioned earlier, just have a yummy treat on hand, give him the instruction (we say 'leave it'), and the second he drops it, praise him and treat him. Or a clicker is good too. Feed the man meat.

bumpeth into peak hour

Our boy was desexed around 9 months, cocked his leg and crouched pre, cocks his leg and crouches post. Probably crouches more than cocks now he's dexsexed but still cocks.

me too ! I was Congrats to those who have been selected ! I love my PA PJs, hope your doggies make the final cut.

It's more like his wet nose spots, but there are a few slobbery spots on the lounge, which have dried into a slightly white mark on my chocolate fabric lounge. It's a sort of weaved fabric. I was silly and didn't scotchguard it. Any tips ? Do you think I can scotchguard it now myself, just out of a can ?

We had a great lab meet here a few months ago LMS. It's a bit of a hike from Rooty Hill (about 30-40 mins) but it would probably be the best water option in the area.

If he gets worse - ie vomits again today and poos are still not good, I'd take him to the vet. If the vet isn't open Sundays, now could be a good time to investigate one that is, so that in the case of him getting worse, you're not in a rush to find one. I wouldn't be waiting too long for a vet's trip when it comes to an oldie.

OMG Macka, Archie does this too !! Sometimes he stays in that position just watching what's going on around him. Front legs on floor, back legs still up on the couch.

I am a massive fan of the gentle leader harness. We tried halti, training, more training and he was pulling like a steam train. The harness has improved him overnight, and now sometimes during the walk, I switch him back to the lead/flat collar combo and he is starting to walk beautifully. It's the best investment we've made.

What, you're not allowed to walk dogs in the rain ? Actually my OH and I have talked about living in Melb, we both go there a bit for work, although he likes the cool weather more than I do. The brisk mornings are lovely.

Okay, well you all motivated me and we are both very appreciative !! Just got back. We went out and I actually ran, Archie couldn't quite figure out what was going on with me running alongside him He had a few lovely zoomies and a bit of time in the off leash, which is right near home -- we came home via Petbarn, where he always get attention and pats and shows off his tricks. And now he's lying down having a rest ! It also stopped raining for our walk so the dogs gods must've been smiling.

I am starting to feel horribly guilty as it's been raining here all day and poor Archie hasn't had his walk. I think I'll put the wet weather gear on and just go but am I a bad mum if he misses out ? The thing is, we've got heaps of rain forecast here ....

After he nyom nyoms his dinner, comes to the edge of the kitchen, where I'm often cooking, to see if there are any other tasty morsels. Still licking his lips, he will let out a decent human-sounding burp. It cracks us up every time.

Our lab came home in his crate, he cried all the way home but fell in love with his crate anyway ....

:D

Another who has a series of lab rugs throughout the house. He sheds every day, most of the day. I sometimes get a little upset/frustrated by the hair but getting used to it and just living with it. We love him way too much and would definitely get another lab because we love the breed so much, hairy buggers as they are.

awww, too cute. I love watching our boy secretly through the window, but a webcam is an awesome idea. He does sleep alot - but sometimes he just stands there like Elbie, and I wonder if he's thinking anything :rolleyes:

I think this will be our best bet, just need to check it out in new car.

Oh my god you poor thing, how devastating for you. RIP Phoebe. I have been in your parent's position. We went on holidays overseas last year and our 14 week old pup went to stay with our breeder. I won't go into details, but our pup was in an accident and died in his care. Of course we were utterly heartbroken at the loss of our baby boy, but when we got home and went to see the breeder - a guy who lived and worked the land so had seen death many times in animals before - his face just crumpled. He had buried our boy (his boy too) and planted a tree above him. We told him we didn't blame him and talked and reminisced about this young pup so full of life. Share the good times you all had with Phoebe, and remember for reasons out of all our control, this can happen -- so do not for a second blame yourself.

Thanks everyone ! I guess my next question is if people have their dogs 'loose' behind cargo barriers -- does that mean no harness ? And does that in turn mean the harness really is to stop doggie jumping around in car, rather than stop doggie actually been injured in an accident ? I suppose by being in the very back, they're protected anyway. edited coz it didn't make sense

For those with station wagons or similar, does your dog ride right in the back ? If so, how do you secure him/her ? We are getting a new car, probably a wagon (not a big 4WD but maybe a small SUV) and our current harness clicks into the seatbelt so he sits on the backseat. But we are spending quite a bit of money on this new car so would like to keep it as 'new' as possible.

Put crate & pup in your room for a few days/week until she settles down, then gradually move the crate each night - just a metre or so each time - out to the place you want to be. By the time you get her there, she should be more settled. Keep going, it's very early days. You can find heaps of info on this topic if you do a search (top right), click on search and more search options. Then, type in crate training or crate or crate puppy, then under search where - click "search titles only", you'll find heaps of advice and previous threads on this topic.

omg how cute. It is strangely disconcerting when they stare at you for a long time.

I know what I'd rather be doing ! Trotting along gently at my own pace. *runs off to find the link of the lab and the whippet swimming and retrieving through minus cajillion degree water *