Page 2 of 5 FirstFirst 1234 ... LastLast
Results 11 to 20 of 47
  1. #11
    Chief Pooper Scooper JenC's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    2,598
    Thanked: 2588
    Walks and the dog park at your pups age aren't really ideal. But he's not too young for puppy kindergarten.

  2. The Following User Says Thank You to JenC For This Useful Post:

    windycanyon (08-07-2015)

  3. #12
    Puppy Kelly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    47
    Thanked: 4
    Why are walks not ideal? He does fine on the leash. He's also got all of his shots so the dog park (it's a small park) is safe in that respect. The vet also verified that. If it gets too rowdy I'm always prepared to step in and/or leave. I'm taking him to training classes soon. The next round starts in 2 weeks.

  4. #13
    Senior Dog zd262's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2015
    Location
    Raleigh, NC
    Posts
    1,280
    Thanked: 760
    When large breed dogs are rapidly growing, you don't want to put too much strain on their joints through repetitive motion (ex. walking & running), particularly not on cement. Off leash play in a safe area is usually the best thing for pups. I mostly just run around playing fetch with my guy.

    If he's verified by the vet as being safe then parks should be okay, but you still want to be really careful because puppies have weak immune systems so they can easily pick up all sort of yucky worms, parasites, digestive issues, etc that aren't protected against by the standard shots. Also watch out for him eating stuff off the ground. If you have any friends with dogs who are a good match and can set up play dates that is the best!

    That's awesome that he's good on the leash! Have fun in your training classes! He is such a cutie.

  5. The Following User Says Thank You to zd262 For This Useful Post:

    Kelly (07-31-2015)

  6. #14
    Senior Dog voodoo's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    NM
    Posts
    1,162
    Thanked: 689
    get an elk antler

    ps, when I get another pup I will be much more restrictive on certain activities to avoid injury until they are more developed. surgeries are expensive.
    Amateur pet owner
    Hidden Content
    Chili born 7/21/2013

  7. The Following User Says Thank You to voodoo For This Useful Post:

    Kelly (07-31-2015)

  8. #15
    House Broken AlexS's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    United States
    Posts
    105
    Thanked: 54
    I recommend anything by west paw, but also a good tip is to not have all toys available all the time. Keep some of their favorites away. They will love getting them more and have more interest in them.

  9. The Following User Says Thank You to AlexS For This Useful Post:

    Kelly (07-31-2015)

  10. #16
    Puppy Kelly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    47
    Thanked: 4
    Holy cow I've never heard that about large breeds and walking! I'm glad you guys said something. I will be more restrictive. He does walk on the grass most of the time but now that I know about this, I will be more careful! Thanks, everyone!

  11. #17
    Real Retriever Moby and Barley's Mom's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2014
    Location
    Napa, California
    Posts
    433
    Thanked: 214
    Oh my gosh. Hang in there. I have BEEN there. And I made A LOT of mistakes. (And I am sure I am still making them with my now 14 month old puppy.) I would start the crate training process right away. I did not do so because the man who is now my ex-husband refused to do so (thinking it was cruel) and would let him out of the crate once I put him in - so this obviously did not work. However, you have an opportunity now to do so - and despite the whining and crying, etc. I would start training the dog. Feed him in the crate, give treats - frozen Kongs, etc. into the crate and leave it open at first - and then start slowing leaving it closed for short periods. Eventually - I think - it will help you to corral his energy. Barley also hated getting in the crate in the car and whined and cried FOREVER. He could outlast most anyone. However, as it was a safety issue - I insisted upon to the detriment of my ears - and then he was fine - after quite a while, of course. He is too big to crate in my car now - but he jumps in the back, lays down - and is great. He is also is very smart - and needed a LOT of mental activity. I would work on training almost every night - and then would play hide and seek with him with treats - I bought some weird treat-hiding contraption that I brought out at odd intervals - walked him twice a day - and then paid for day care on long days - and left him there ALL DAY - so I could work and go to to the gym and have some peace! I hired a trainer once and took him to puppy kindergarten (twice.) He knew all the commands almost immediately - but needed reinforcement of tasks with other dogs around - and honestly - I need to take him to another class because he still does not leave things when I ask, etc. He is still a handful now - but he is turning into an amazing dog.

    Whew - good luck. I am so glad I have gotten through the worst of the puppyhood!!
    Forever in my heart - Sweet gentle Moby - lover of belly rubs, bacon, and Barbara 9-10-2001 to 11-2-2015

  12. The Following User Says Thank You to Moby and Barley's Mom For This Useful Post:

    Kelly (07-31-2015)

  13. #18
    Puppy Kelly's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2015
    Location
    Austin, TX
    Posts
    47
    Thanked: 4
    Glad to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel!! I do alot of those things now...I guess I just need to keep doing them. Definitely going to start puppy school and also day care once a week so I can get a break. I may sleep all day that day. LOL

  14. #19
    Senior Dog BaconsMom's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    MN
    Posts
    2,636
    Thanked: 1369
    Quote Originally Posted by Kelly View Post
    Glad to know there is a light at the end of the tunnel!! I do alot of those things now...I guess I just need to keep doing them. Definitely going to start puppy school and also day care once a week so I can get a break. I may sleep all day that day. LOL
    Puppy Kindergarten was a godsend for us. Bacon was a crazy pup, and he loved to run! Training class tired him out mentally more than anything, so he was always pooped on the way home. Some things I would recommend:

    1. Daily training sessions (10 mins max) for mental stimulation. This will help with training and get them pooped!

    2. if you have a friend with a fully vaccinated pup--puppy play dates!!! They tire them both out!

    3. Off leash play is a must! If you have a fenced in yard, do that! We are fortunate enough to have a fenced yard, and it was wonderful when he was a pup!

    To comment on the leashed walks. I was told 5 minutes of leashed walking per month old they are. Also, we were careful with Bacon when he was less than a year old, we would pick him up and put him into the truck, and take him out, etc. Having extra stress on joints is something you want to avoid for a while!
    Julie & Jake, Bacon's Humans

    Instagram: @mrbaconthelab


    Born: 9/02/13

    Gotcha: 11/08/13

    Hidden Content

    In memory of Lily 1/1995 - 2/2/2012

    Hidden Content


  15. The Following User Says Thank You to BaconsMom For This Useful Post:

    Kelly (08-03-2015)

  16. #20
    Real Retriever
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    Wake Forest, NC
    Posts
    294
    Thanked: 179
    Brain games. Try tying two favorite toys together. I found a piece of 1/2" hard yellow nylon rope at the beach. a loose half hitch around Mr. Bunny and a foot or so away another on the stupid squeaky toy with the long tail, leaving rope at either end. OMG, you would think Christmas morning came again!!!! She would run around like a crackhead swinging the whole mess while bouncing off walk and furniture!!! When the pup settled down and starts working on destroying the rope, step in, get on the ground and help them concentrate on the knot, to get it undone. With a little help, Mr. Bunny is FREE! and is now being tossed around the room!! Tie another toy in his place and it is a whole new game.

    A plastic yogurt container with a tennis ball stuffed inside it. A tin can with treats in the bottom, with a ball or container jammed into it... After he solves each one, have him bring the individual components to you, and do it again.

    Give each game a name and name the components. In short order you can call him, ask if he wants to play 'the stupid rope game'? Then have him go and bring you each part needed as asked for.

 



Not a Member of the Labrador Retriever Chat Forums Yet?
Register for Free and Share Your Labrador Retriever Photos

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •