Meet Lyla
She became part of the family at the weekend and seems to have settled in very well, and I seem to have acquired the role of chief poo picker upper!
I grew up with a dog in the family and now I have 3 young boys I really wanted them to grow up with a family pet
Any advice and tips from other dog owners would be much appreciated, it's been a while since I've had a puppy!
Lovely looking pup. Main advice we were given when we got a pup a year ago was to crate train him. He now loves his crate, often disappearing into it for a nap and it keeps him calm being able to travel in it. Ours is a hyperactive springer spaniel though, not so sure the need for a crate at night is as strong with a more docile lab.
How adorable! Congratulations.
We read about using a cage but have decided against it at the moment, she has got the little side entrance of the house all to herself that she can't escape from and there's nothing in there she can chew apart from her bed and a toy. She's in there now having a nap!Originally Posted by PipPip
I was always a cynic about 'crate training' - now a huge advocate.
OP - get a crate, seriously.
Jasper (Black Lab) joined the family in June last year at 8 weeks old. He has been crate trained and it's now routine for us all. It's his refuge, he takes naps in it when he pleases. I would recommend a crate, I was dead against it when Jasper first arrived, lucky I listened to my wife.
Lovely looking lab puppy, do not be fooled though, they're very intelligent and will he anything given half a chance.....
Yes we use crates for our dogs......we see it as a cage, they see it as a safe place to be...
We don't even shut the doors now, but each dog will happily go in and out, and sleep in their crate..
Have to agree with the crate training advice.
Just be patient and resolute for a few days but it will be worth it in the end and save you a few chewed surfaces.
Good luck, lovely looking pup.
Lovely pup,
I'm not sure about crate training, if its a part of the family let it have the run of the house.
You wound't put the kids in a cage, Hmm I don't know though........
Personally, I don't agree with crate training either. Boris has free run of the house as he's one of the family. He doesn't go on our beds or the sofa as he has his own bed in our kitchen/diner.
My advise with a pup is to let them sleep as much as possible - tough with kids who want to play all the time, but they need loads of rest. Your new buddy looks lovely!
She looks lovely.
Cheers,
Neil.
Gorgeous looking pup! My family back home have just got a new family member too :)
This is what I used to think. But it's not about sticking them in the crate ALL DAY. It's about limiting 'mess' when you're not around (and it helps toilet train), limit destruction when you're not there and it helps you start to deal with separation anxiety - which helps in future when you need to leave them alone.
It's not a form of punishment.
I know some people find the crate that useful, that they leave it up all through the dogs life.
I use until their toilet training is sorted and they are less destructive
Last edited by Tomw2000; 21st March 2016 at 16:55.
Good luck with that then!
Congratulations! Enjoy the next few weeks/months - they grow up super fast.
I agree our little dog had the run of the house and everything was fine as I am not a fan of crates/cages either.
Dogs don't see and feel things like we. A crate is not 'negative' for a dog when he (or she) can feel at home there. E.g. in a household with young children a crate for the dog can be addressed as his own private space. And the children are not allowed to disturb him when he's inside. With a few favorite toys and a soft pillow, a crate will become his own 'home'.
Menno
I agree, a puppy may feel anxious or tired and having a secluded space to go to will help him/her adjust to the big bad world. When ours was a puppy a crate was used for this reason with a small blanket over the top.
It wasn't used a place to be put into to limit mess etc. It is a time consuming process to read the signs of when they want to go out for a wee or mr Whippy, but that's what you take on with a pooch.
Derek
Had a crate for our lab when she was a puppy. Served two purposes: at night she went in there and also she saw it as a place she was safe. We didn't replace it once she outgrew it though, she just has her soft bed now.
There's nothing wrong with crating your dogs as long as its done correctly.
Our 2 drop in and out of theirs all day, when the wife's cooking in the evening they go in there on their own and come out once I'm home from work. At the night we let them out and they make their way and put themselves to bed.
If they're used as they're intended and not as punishment then they are fine.
I made ours from scratch and built in under the stairs.
Try to avoid a connection between 'crate' and 'punishment'. That way the dog will never be comfortable inside the crate - if that's what you're after.
(E.g.: In Dutch 'juvie' institutions there's an unwritten rule that pupils are never punished on (in) their sleepingroom. That way, there's always a quiet and safe haven for a kid).
Menno
... and never 'corrected' with its lead or by bare hand. Just thought, I'd mention it.
Lyla is absolutely adorable, looking forward to more pics!
I’m open minded about crate training and I can see that for some people and dogs it works well. But how does it improve on what we did before? At home, we grew up alongside several dogs, ranging from pups acquired elsewhere, pups (1 litter) produced by our own dogs, and rescue dogs. They all ended up as well behaved dogs that were toilet trained as normal. We just used beds in the house and they also had various kennels and an enclosed run outside that they used as they wanted or when we needed to go out. What spurred this trend for crate training?
- - - Updated - - -
She looks lovely!
Having been bought up with numerous dogs over many years growing up, I was really nervous over the crate advice for our first dog. My parents never used them...why should we? I sought, and was given, advice over training, safety and comfort. Crate/cage, call it what you will, was advised. We were lucky enough to be given a nice big crate/cage for our really rather cute and small male Lab. Put under the stairs, it became his natural refuge, a place of safety. He didn't stay small or cute for long but the crate worked wonders...he was safe, comfy, house trained and (very rarely) could have a few minutes solitary when he'd crossed the line.
A few months later, the crate went into the shed. It's still there, replaced by a dog mattress I could sleep on if need be. We will definately use a crate again...but hopefully, we have a good few years yet.
Our Springer is in his crate in the utility room right now. Wife and I are in the living room and his crate door is open. He just likes being in there when he is particularly tired (he had a lot of walking today and long mad play with his brother who lives down the road). We put old towels over the top and sides so it feels like a proper dog den, which in a dogs mind is what it becomes. If I light the fire he'll probably emerge.
Thank you all for your advice, still in 2 minds about crating though, at the moment for example she is in the small room at the side entrance of the house on her bed, I've left the kitchen door open but she hasn't ventured into us since she took herself to bed. Just before this she was making some noise at the back door so I let her out and she went out to do her business. This room is now very much her room, nothing in there apart from her food and drink bowl and her bed. She seems to know already that outside is where she needs to go for her business, we've only had one pee in the house since Saturday!
Will get some more pics up soon, thanks again
Worth noting: when you get a young puppy you've got an opportunity to take advantage of a short window (maybe 6 weeks) where they will follow you everywhere.
This is a great chance to start early
Work on Recall training.
When they're young it's a great time to reinforce the bond you have with them. Although not everyone will want pups sleeping in bed with them at night for fthe first 6 months..:.dont ask ;)
Recall - possibly the most important thing you can teach a dog. We occasionally dog-sit and walk some of our neighbours’ dogs, and all four of them have the same problem: they are good in every way except that they will not reliably come when called (even by their owners).
They are therefore condemned, for life, to never being off the lead (even in situations where it is safe to do so as regards other dogs, traffic, farm animals etc.).
I think that’s sad. They cannot ever be let off the lead outdoors.
Mrs did this when we picked up the successor to our previous Weimy, I wanted to do the crate but noooooooo, what do I know. He'll only be small for a few weeks, etc. Took bloody months to settle him into a routine and the crate thing was a right pain. They need their own private/safe place and if they see it as that then it's worth doing.
PS, lovely looking puppy
Yep.
We have got a bloody big cage in our kitchen which is Dot's home.
We've never had a crate or cage before but when we got her the previous owner had the cage and Dot really likes it.
It is open all day and contains her bed, food and water.
She often likes to retire there for a bit of peace although if we go out for a couple of hours (longest she is ever left) she is loose to do her guardian work.
Cheers,
Neil.
Enough already about b cages, any more Lyla pix? (Mrs is waiting for updatesahem)
Socialisation is the most important part of every dogs development and if your vets offers puppy socialisation make sure you do it. Once they are ready for the wider world (post jabs) be sure to expose them to as many people, noises, experiences etc and keep calm and don't react when they get scared.
Meet so many dogs on walks who are not socialised and their owners always make excuses for their behavior. Basic training is also a must (not pulling on lead essential together with recall) and having worked with dogs for many years (shooting and gundog training) remember to keep commands simple and don't repeat incessantly unless you want to train your dog to ignore you.
What a beauty!! Congratulations. : )
Also great advice :)
Great advice from all, hope it all goes well!
They don't stay little for long!
Thanks again for all the advice, Lyla has settled in really well, much better than we expected.
We have been taking her to puppy training run by the local vets which has been very worthwhile.
She seems to have a shoe fetish though, quite often we find that she has managed to steal some of our shoes and taken them to her bed, she has never chewed any though, she just likes them nearby when she's sleeping!
Will post some more photos as time goes on for anyone interested.
Great looking wee lady Jimmy
My best advice is to socialise her to as many sights and sounds within the first 12-16 weeks even if it means taking her in the car to see and hear them.
Let her inquisitive nature come out and find out things for herself too. She will know what is good and what isn't for her. Their enquiring mind needs stimulated all the time - and I thoroughly encourage it!
Have many years of happiness with her and she will be your best friend. just remember - their sole purpose to their dying day will be to serve you. Your part is to give her warmth shelter and love. It aint much to ask if you're a wee mutt really, and the rewards for you will get are oft and plenty.
Good luck to you all JT. She is truly beautiful and looking great already. Well done!!
J
+1 wot he sed!! I really should read previous posts more to save my fingers. Good shout Chinnock
Thank you! We are taking her out and about as much as we can to get used to different sights and sounds, she already enjoys coming to work with me amongst all the noise and hussle and bustle of busy tyre/exhaust workshops!
She's good as gold when she meets other dogs too which I think the puppy training classes help with.
Thanks again
Jimmy
well done and congrats. your doing all the right things so be proud.
she'll be the best! Is she from farm (working) or show stock??
Keep us all posted J. there are few big softies like us in here
J
Just in case you are wondering what the difference is. our last black lab was 22kg when he left us and was of small (very small) show stock not that we ever did. Our current BIG F***** BIG mutt is 43 kgs, and is less that 2 years old and is from farm working stock - he is one heck of a big bugger!!
(Sorry Admin Police but my adjective notebook pages are all stuck with dog slobbers :-)
Last edited by Jimmcb; 18th April 2016 at 16:40.
She's from farm stock, although saying that her mum wasn't that big for a lab and the dad wasn't much bigger!
I think Lyla will be a big girl though, she put on over a kilo last week!
LOL.
Now just remember what the puppy classes will tell you - hold her to the left while keeping the lead secure in your right hand!! Yeah right!! Brace yourself Cap'n Mainwaring! Brace yourself!
have a great time with her J. Wish it was me all over again.
J
Great summary. For the socialising we took our pup to the pub, sat had a meal, by the time we were ready to leave he'd been passed around by 20 odd people! Any form of puppy class is good though, right way to start.
Currently sat on the sofa cuddling my best mate atm.
Pubs are very good places (not just for us of course.)
dogs will hear, see and smell all sorts and be approached by numerous people in all states of sobernes or not so. It's a great environment for any young dog.
Great shout and I'm sure mum and dad will enjoy the venture too!
Your number one priority is to train your dog. Take him to a class, where they will train you how to be the boss of your dog. You need the training more than the dog does. Do the exercises/homework every day. Seriously, a poorly trained dog is a waking nightmare.My advice
I'm having real trouble putting the words docile and lab together.
+1
People started to want to have nice things in their houses, and keep them nice. When I say 'things', I mean items such as wall coverings/decoration, floor coverings, furniture, remote controls, and pretty much anything else that can be included on buildings and contents insurance (but not necessarily covered for pet damage).
LMAO
Edit: cute dog though :-)
What are you feeding her?
I would guess she is on pedigree chum tins now, but when she is a bit bigger do her a favour and keep her away from grains and dog treats which are nothing more than grains & sugar.
Burns Chicken & Rice is a good food, I'm not affiliated .
natural treats like tripe sticks.
IMO grains are bad for dogs.
Last edited by studly; 19th April 2016 at 02:01.
I feed my 4 on this stuff:
http://www.naturalinstinct.com
Wouldn't have them on anything else now. Best avoid all processed rubbish. (Imo)
My only contribution to the thread is to say that IMO it is better to keep two or three dogs than one. Better still of course if their ages are staggered a few years apart.
I'd agree with this. I've a friend with 9 dogs which obviously is a lot more effort than 1. But 1 or 2 more - for the marginal extra effort, the benefits are much greater.
Especially in respect of them all being 'company' for each other etc.
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