Who is this BEAST?!

[Henry'sMom]

Thank you all so much for the responses! I'm definitely going to put him in puppy kindergarten, but he's had health issues that stemmed from before we got him. He came to us with coccidia, then he had ear mites which caused bleeding, then an eye infection, extremely loose stools and yummy upset, fleas and flea bite allergy, and now, the vet says he likely has an allergy to grass. We live in a safe, residential area and are very tidy and well kept, so these issues are all very weird being that I've got my eye on him 24/7. He doesn't have a clean 30-day bill of health, so no kindergarten will take him.

Also, with a semi-weakened immune system, I'm super weary to take him out before he finishes his vaccinations. That being said, I KNOW he needs to socialize. I can't imagine him wanting to stay on my lap if we went to a coffee shop, etc.

Knowing my situation, what do you guys advise me to do?

[KenZ71]

I roll a ball down the hall for Max. A great way to bond and work out energy.

[Meeps83]

Ah poor boy. I don't have much advice as my pup is 12 weeks as well and he's my first lab. I have noticed a lot of sharky behavior and when he gets super wound up he lunges at my face. I don't have a real suggestion, but I start working on commands when he's that way. It's frustrating for me and easier to tell him he's good and pet him when he does something good. It also distracts him from whatever he is doing that is naughty. I don't know about puppy class. Mine only asked for a clear fecal and shot records, not a 30 day bill of health. I'd start with walking him on the pavement around your block and challenge him more with learning commands, but make it a game instead of formal sessions. Good luck with him!

[Henry'sMom]

Meeps, what a sweet response. Thank you for your encouragement. I also start having him practice commands when he gets feisty, and it typically works unless he's totally wound up. I'm gonna try and see what my vet thinks about helping me get into a puppy class.

[BaconsMom]

I would like you to take solace in the fact that all of us went through this stage. I would not call it aggression, but Bacon went through a time where he bit me to the point that I cried uncontrollably. Bacon is now 10 months and quite a gentleman. He still has all his puppy energy, but no longer bites. Continue to train no biting. You can do this!!!

[Jeff]

Lab puppies can test the patients of the pope. They really can. My boy at that age sometimes would make me go back in my bedroom and question the sanity of ever getting him. I would sit there on the bed about in tears thinking wait I own this house why am I in the bedroom. I was worn out and haggard and scarred from teeth, once he even bit me right on the nose and drew blood. However deep inside I loved the little guy. It does get better, much better, about 5-6 months they start changing. They start to respect you a little I guess to put it so. They mature and they learn and they listen, sometimes. By one year old you will not be able to imagine life without them. That horrific puppy known as Hemi has changed my life in so many ways. He is a Canine Good Citizen, a Dog Scout of America, he is train in wilderness search and rescue, we do agility together, camping together, swimming together. He is my workout partner, he does Pilates with me. He paints pictures, yes really. We go out and see new things and experience life together. He really is my best friend. But the first few months were some of the roughest months in my life.

Anyway, I would work on training. Training starts now. You need to be patient, and gentle. Not everything is going to click right away but it will help greatly in life. Your training the puppy now what you want the dog to be like. Things like walking on leash, which he is just a pup so walking on leash shouldn't be more than 10 minutes. So maybe to a neighbors house and back. However it is much easier to teach a puppy to walk properly on a leash than a 90lb dog. Being outside even in the front lawn he sees and experiences a lot. Introduce him to the mail man. Have him watch the garbage men pick up the garbage in their big clanging trucks. I took my boy to the fire department so he could meet the nice firemen and see firetrucks, just call first and ask. When fall starts, not too far away, there will be high school football games. You can go and walk around there. Get him used to noises of the crowds. There is a ton you can do for socialization. Honestly your pretty safe no being fully vaccinated just stay away from places where dogs congregate like dog parks or anything like that. Lowe's and Home Depot also usually allow dogs, call and see. He can ride in the shopping cart while you shop. Hemi and I went to Lowe's once a week. I must have spent a few hundred at Lowe's just taking him in there walking the aisles. Then the fun of actually trying to work on something in the house after you bought something at lowe's and the lab pup wants to help. They are great helpers.

[Wrigley'smama]

I keep coming back to this thread for reassurance but now I'm back to being shaken up. I'll post my own thread, but just wanted to chime in and thank you for starting this and thanks for all the replies!

[Lauranj]

Did he come from a breeder? Because the only pups that I know of that would come with cocci, ear mites, eye infections, etc would be a puppy mill or outside puppy. Those are a lot of issues and the ear mites, fleas- a pup would have to be living outside to get them.

If you got him from an actual breeder I hope you have called them and let them know all the issues. I feel sad for your pup having to deal with the issues when he should be a carefree pup.

My advice is usually that safe socialization is more important than waiting for immunizations to be complete, but not in your case.

I would find out if you are allowed to carry him in at your bank, at your local lowes or home depot, at your post office. When you go, make sure to carry him. Bring a towel and put him in the cart at the box stores. I wouldn't take the chance of exposing him to things with a weak immune system and recovering from all the issues.

I would actively seek out friends with adult, healthy, vaccinated dogs that are good with pups for a play date. They could come to your house or you to their house. If you have kids in your neighborhood, be in your front yard with his puppy food in a bag and ask kids walking by if they would help socialize your pup by coming over and giving him a treat. T

alk to your neighbors, ask them if they'd come over for a few minutes to pet your pup so he learns how to greet people. Kids usually love puppies so it should be easy. Be clear with the kids to calmly approach the pup. I make pups sit and kneel down so I have control. With little kids, you want to cup their hand so it is flat so the pups doesn't accidentally scrape puppy teeth on their hand.

I would also really be working on basic commands- sit, down, come, heel, etc along with some fun tricks like shake, roll over, beg, etc.

Wishing you luck and hoping you report back soon to say your puppy has a clean bill of health and the vet is encouraging you to go out with him.

[JenC]

You can take the dog out....bring him to dog safe areas, see if you can take him to Lowes. Put him in the cart and take him to Petsmart. You should have 2 vaccinations done by now, you can take the dog for short walks. You absolutely have to socialize them between 8-12 weeks, and if you haven't gotten that started, you need to.

[Jeff]

Definitely get them out and about, you need to. They need socialization and bad. Take them all over to dog safe spots. Meet lots of people.

4-7 months is really a wonderful time. Things start going better, you start developing a bond. They start to get a little more independent and want to learn about things. You have Halloween coming up, you must do a costume. First Christmas is coming up. You will now start really developing a bond. For me this was a great time. I would do 4-7 months over again. Your not out of the water but your getting there.

You can take the dog out....bring him to dog safe areas, see if you can take him to Lowes. Put him in the cart and take him to Petsmart. You should have 2 vaccinations done by now, you can take the dog for short walks. You absolutely have to socialize them between 8-12 weeks, and if you haven't gotten that started, you need to.

ROFL, this brings back great memories.

Hemi goes to the Doggy Toy Store in the cart. Holy cow dad, look at all the dog toys, I want that one, and that one and that one over there.