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Thread: Lab Mix Puppy

  1. #1
    Puppy
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    Lab Mix Puppy

    Hi, I'm new to this site! And my husband and I just got a Lab Mix puppy. My husband had dogs growing up and this is my first dog and just reeeeealllly want her to turn out perfect! My uncle has a Lab/Shepherd mix and he is just perfect. And I'm hoping my little Sophie will turn out the same. She is doing very well with the potty training, she listens to us when she is getting into the cat bowl and I snap my fingers and say "No" and she turns around and walks away. But she just seems so depressed today. (We got her yesterday afternoon) Any tips or advice on getting through the first week with our little one?


    Thank you in advance!

  2. #2
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    Hello and Welcome!

    May I suggest that you go a little different route than saying "no". How about training "leave it" and "drop it". I find this to be a more positive reinforcement. Sophie is brand new to your house and family and there is a lot for her to take in and learn. Give her some time, train with love and tons of patience.

    Love to see pictures.
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    Kissing Bandit

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    MrsNicklin501 (12-12-2015)

  4. #3
    Puppy
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    Thank you so much! She's my baby she has not left my side since this morning after breakfast.
    -sophie-jpg

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    Blackboy98 (12-14-2015), ckfalz (12-13-2015), hunter (12-12-2015), MikeLynn (12-13-2015), Piper'sMom (12-14-2015)

  6. #4
    Senior Dog Jollymolly's Avatar
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    Hi and welcome. Congrats on the new baby she is very cute

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    MrsNicklin501 (12-12-2015)

  8. #5
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    Hi and welcome!

    Sophie is adorable! Lots of patience and love, she will do just fine. All of the changes can be overwhelming to a puppy.
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    Maxx and Emma Jean

    Ozzy - 10/2002 - 06/2011 - Rest well my sweet boy. You are forever remembered, forever missed, forever in my heart.

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  10. #6
    Senior Dog
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    How cute.

    She probably misses her mama/siblings...she'll adjust...especially once she discovers how much fun kitties can be (hope yours is agreeable), On that note, it's a good idea to reinforce that she must respect the cat...the cat will call the shots later on and they just may become best buds.

  11. #7
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    Hi and welcome to you and Sophie!

    Don't you know, all of our dogs are just "perfect" because they are ours? I'm not sure others would agree that mine are always perfect, but they are perfect to us.

    How old is she? She's so cute! When you can, when she's had enough shots to make it safe, you should try to take her to puppy obedience classes. They are very helpful, especially for first time puppy owners, to help you learn how to train her and ask questions about her behavior. The classes are really to train the owners anyway, not the puppy. You will be the one to train the puppy, so having someone to help you learn how is super helpful!

    Puppies can be subdued the first couple of days while they adjust to their new surroundings. It's also important to take them to the vet within the first few days of getting them for a check up, to make sure they are healthy, that there are no worms, and to get the schedule for her vaccinations and ask any questions you have right at first.
    Sue

    Chase 9/29/2006- 6/30/2017 Always in our hearts
    Lark 12/25/2012- 2/2/22
    Henry 7/14/18
    Joey 5/14/2022

    “Because of the dog's joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift. It is not the least reason why we should honor as well as love the dog of our own life, and the dog down the street, and all the dogs not yet born. What would the world be like without music or rivers or the green and tender grass? What would this world be like without dogs?”

    Mary Oliver, Hidden Content

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  13. #8
    Best Friend Retriever hunter's Avatar
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    Good looking puppy there! give her a hug from me!

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    MrsNicklin501 (12-12-2015)

  15. #9
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    Update for you guys, she's doing very good today. She is doing GREAT with potty training, she actually likes to go out now. Yesterday I had to convince her to come outside. But anyways, she seems to be clinging to me more so today than yesterday. I am the primary trainer and I give all the food and treats, my husband is the "time to play" type. When I get down on the floor with her she comes right over next to me and starts to cuddle. She is going to be just perfect in our family. I have a laser pointer for our cats and she loves chasing it around...but the cats on the other hand still hates her. They both (Sophia and Poopy) went after a rolling tennis ball earlier and collided and my cat about had a fit. He got all puffed up and looked at her like "WOAH BACK UP". Sophia still barks at them and my oldest, Tabby I call her grandma she starts growling every time she's around. I'm just kinda riding it out and when the barking gets outta control I just say "C'mon Sophia that's enough.." and she quiets right down.

    Do you guys think I'm gonna do well as a new Lab mom? :/

    I just want to make sure my puppy will grow up to be absolutely great.


    P.S She has been responding to "Sophia" a lot better than "Sophie", I don't know why though. Any idea?

  16. #10
    Senior Dog Abulafia's Avatar
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    I would highly recommend getting her into puppy classes asap. Have you found good ones?

    The classes will be great for her, but also for you. One of the most important things is learning how to teach, train, and live with your Lab.

    Our dog doesn't really bark (one low "woof" if someone comes up to the door), and I wouldn't tolerate a barker well. What is cute now won't be cute when she's 6 months, a year, 2 years old.

    We all know our dogs are great! But think about what you want in a dog, what your dog's personality is (this may take a bit for you to discover) and then how to get your needs and her personality to meet. As much as they can.

    Our pup is pretty intelligent (not according to me: according to her trainers—obviously I think she's perfect in every way), hugely human-centered (likes dog friends, does not like the dog scrum or aggressive dogs), of moderate energy (she's not a Field Lab), very biddable (she wants to please), easily trainable (potty trained in about ten days, crate trained from day one), and not really that food motivated.

    Fairly early on, her trainer (we have a really excellent one) told me that she would make a good therapy dog. And so we are pursuing that. And Hoku really seems to love it, and has taken to the training. Although "therapy dog" may sound kind of cool, the fact is that a lot of training is involved, and it's a very serious thing we are getting into. But she seems to really love it—it's notable in classes, and she really excels—so that's why we are doing it.

    I guess if I have any suggestions, it's that if you want your puppy to grow up to be great, then, like with children: Educate her, and you, as much as you can; give her firm expectations and limits; find what she loves, and let her pursue this (as long as what she loves is not destructive!).

    ... In re her name. How and when are you using the two versions of it?
    Hidden Content Hokule'a ("Hoku") / b. 06.08.15

 



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