Lyla

I'm so sorry for what has happened. At least puppy didn't suffer. And like everyone else has said, accidents can and do happen. RIP little Vadar, and hugs to Steve and the puppy's owner.

Hope you have a fantastic day. :D

We caught a cattle dog that had been roaming for weeks. It had growled at some kids so we were a bit concerned to leave it wandering. It had a collar, looked well cared for and knew some basics like sit etc. We called the ranger and he asked us to hold onto it as he had been trying to catch the dog for several weeks, and it had bitten 2 adults that they knew of. We tied it up, gave it a pat etc, and it was perfectly behaved. When the ranger arrived he got OH to put it in his car as he was too scared to pick it up!! I'm always wary of dogs I don't know, but how can you be a ranger and be scared of them???

WHA???? Gotta be a typo surely???

Alera is also such a gorgeous pup. What a scrumptious litter.

*sigh* Showed pics of Blondi to OH last night, he's still not budging :D (even been thinking up names for her!!! Lhanii she is in my mind!!) I'd also be interested to know if she is show or pet quality.

Totally disgusting. Beyond words. I hope they all recover well and live long and pampered lives.

I have bought chicken mince from Leonards on several occassions, and every time it was absolutely putrid. Never smelt anything like it. Never had a problem with the frames or necks though, but their prices are rather rediculous. The shop is located inside an IGA supermarket, so not sure who actually owns or runs it. They are also pretty unreliable for whats available. I usually get a 5kg bag of chicken mince from Petbarn for $7.99. It is great quality and minced very finely so it has been suitable for young puppies too. (Mind you Petbarn in the next suburb sells the same thing for $12.99 ) Recently noticed that the local produce place is doing a 5 kg bag for just over $5, but its a lot chunkier and has a bit more fat. Good winter feed.

Fingers crossed for you and your labby. ;) I have a 2 year old Lab who had severe intestinal bleeding when I got him a few months ago, and is very sensitive to certain kibble (pukes it up). He was also disgustingly boney. After reading some of the other threads I tried Uncle Albers which is higher in fat than most, and is very reasonably priced. He is thriving on it. Coat is shiny, stools good, and very good condition keeping the weight on. Any change in diet (even table scraps) and his body can't handle it, so I'll be keeping him on the UA plus his meat. I hope you get some good news. ;)

Ooooohh, a market niche yet to be explored! You'll have some minds ticking...

My boy chased and retrieved a tennis ball for the first time today. He is a 2 yr old lab. I got him in Feb, and he didn't play, chase things (except the cat), or even play with the other dogs. He has gradually learnt to play zoomies thanks to my 2 lab pups, and I saw him instigate the play himself for the first time yesterday. He was so uninterested in retrieving anything, but after seeing how so many dogs love their fluffy toys, I gave him a little pink rabbit which he merrily pranced around with ever so gently in his mouth!! (my other dogs will have stuffed toys shredded within 3 seconds of seeing it.) I kept taking bunny off him and dropping it, and he would grab it back up, until I managed to be able to throw it across the yard and he'd chase it. Still couldn't care less about a ball though until today. I was shocked that he picked it up. He wont chase it if I throw it more than a couple of metres, but I was so happy for him to see him prancing around slapping the ball with his paw. I think he is a much happier boy now that he has discovered these simple doggy pleasures. Excellent work Tao and pei puppy!!

All my dogs eat cat poo. Ugh!!

Here is my contribution to the black Lab brigade! Its the only one that I have resized ATM, will get a better one later.

Labs will use a clam shell in any weather. Mine have one permanently set up and it gets used every day. they seem to run through it every time they go past it! (It is permanantly muddy too, within 1 min of cleaning they are all in there ruining my efforts ) Yes Lab puppies are hard work, but well worth the end result if you are willing to put in the hard yards to start with. I don't know if its because i have little kids, but I haven't found the puppy stage as terrible as some. At least they outgrow the "baby" stage in a year or 2!!! My toddler has me at my wits end, I'll take the labby puppies over her! If you are too worried to leave him at home alone, maybe you could get a run or something to contain him while you are out. You will only end up resenting him if you can never take your eyes off him. A run may be better than something you build to divide the yard as it would probably be more heavy duty. We have been through different things like dog mesh etc, but they don't last long with the weight of a labrador on it. It will make him learn to occupy himself too. Have you read the book "Marley and Me?" It is waaaay better than the movie. Lots more detail.

Sticking up for the other colours!

I agree with the respect and submission. My 2 pups are 8 and 10 months and they constantly do it to the 2 adult dogs (which I think p##@es them off actually), especially if one has been away from the others. Its like "you still love me don't you?" I am not a fan of face kisses myself, and trained 1 of my dogs not to do it, but they all still get in with the sly slobberings to clean up my kids faces too!

I have pedigree Labs, and I have been asked by several people if my male is crossed with a mastiff because he has a broad masculine head, and is bigger than the girls. If people can't pick a Labrador, what hope is there accurately identifying other breeds? Agree! The most aggressive dogs I have personally come across are the small fluffies who were "too cute and fragile" to discipline as pups, and turned out to be aggressive and bitey. Is it the dogs fault? I would think most of the blame comes back to the owner, and the lack of boundaries and guidance given to the dog in its early days.

Loooove pic #4, but they are all gorgeous.

Haha! Smart move Mas! Wish there was somewhere to trade in kids for puppies.....

I have 4 labs, and as most people don't know them, I don't refer to them by name in general posts. Paints a better picture to say "my choccie lab did this" rather than say "Tazer did this". When people find out you have a Lab, the first question is usually What Colour anyway. And as I have 1 of each colour, I can't really be biased!!

;) Couldn't agree more!!!! I think it will be great for your bub. I have 4 Labs aged between 8 months to 3 1/2 yrs, and 3 kids, the youngest is 20 months. They all get on fine, and the dogs just generally get up and walk away when they've had enough. I have trained my kids to stand still if the dogs are running around and they don't get knocked over. I freaked out the other morning when I got up and realised that my youngen had got up and let herself outside with our big boy who weighs 42kg. I worry that with his size she will get knocked down the stairs. They were both sitting out the back on the mat side by side, my boy giving her the occassional face lick while she giggled at him. I think having a dog brings out a whole different side in kids too, nomatter what age they are.

It disgusts me that there are people like this.

;) ;)

Excellent! While I was writing that post this morning she went to her room, took off her nappy, poo-ed on the floor stepped in it then kicked it around. A new puppy wouldn't even be this gross. Maybe I should crate train her? I mean, Wizzle can!! She also bites when she's angry, so it really is like having a really naughty dog. at the dining chairs!!

Aawwww, love the puppy pic! Looks like he's a big boy now! Well if he's determined to chew, what if you got some nice thick heavy duty branches, and rubbed them with chicken mince or sardines or something really yum to get his attention. If you were going out you could leave them as a distraction from your furniture. Maybe even soaked in some broth or something so the taste stays on the branch. Haven't tried it, but might work. Or marrow bones. Don't think he could chew through one of those too easily.