Talked my neighbour out of getting a lab puppy

[Java]

Didn't mean to at first. Was returning from a walk and ran into my new neighbours - a quiet couple with a boy about six. They'd been admiring Boomer and how nicely he walked. Oh, look how nicely he sits at your side too. The husband mentioned they were going to get a lab puppy because of how great labs were with kids - such a family dog. Clearly they were mellow dogs based on mine (at this point, Boomer had decided to lie down). His wife said they'd already met their puppy. How cute it was! But already heavy.

As we talked, I realized they weren't an active family. They'd never had a dog before either.

I didn't actively try to dissuade them from getting a lab. All I did was describe what it was like to have Boomer, the twice daily walks no matter the weather, the regular play sessions, the hikes and water activities in summer, the training commitment, the labby enthusiasm. I threw in a brief summary of what I'd learned from this forum about raising lab puppies. I left it to them to draw their own conclusions.

Today they introduced me to their new dog - a lovely, quiet, tiny Chihuahua. They were thrilled with their new fur baby.

I can't help wonder which lab breeder they were talking to. The one time I got a purebred puppy (my first dog), I was quizzed very carefully to be sure it would be a good fit.

[ZEKESMAN]

I still hear of breeders telling prospective buyers that labs are great with young children. Which they can be but some warnings need to be voiced.

[smartrock]

Sounds like some good, thoughtful neighbors.

[labsnewfy]

I am so happy that your neighbors thought over what you said and adopted a puppy that was more suited for their family.

[IRISHWISTLER]

Java,

GOOD CALL!



These waterdogs concur.

Cheers,
Irishwhistler

[Abulafia]

They made the right decision. Well done.

[windycanyon]

I'm afraid I may try to talk more people out of Labs than into them at times! Esp if they have young children. Oh my, I've had families w/ 3-4 kids under the age of 6 contact me. Yikes!!!!

[Snowshoe]

Good for you. A dog at all is not for everyone and I hope I've just put my neighbour off Tollers. She's the lady whose mix I was supposed to look after some months ago while she attended a wedding, the dog who could not walk, had diabetes and probably her seizures were epilepsy. The poor dog was PTS after a violent seizure. The lady would be a GREAT owner for most any dog if only she didn't have to drive two hours one way to get to work. She's hardly ever home and when she's not her mother looked after the dog. But a dog who doesn't move around much is a far cry from a young Toller. She is also thinking of Golden rescue but even a young GR will need more activity than her last dog did. I don't think she should get a dog at all, it won't be hers, it will be her mother's.

[POPTOP]

Good for you for speaking up, in a gentle way. Glad the family got a dog probably more suited to them.

By the time a lot of us have our dogs out in public they have their basic manners and training and that's all people see.

[Rosy]

I'm so happy for you You're lucky to have a neighborhood like that.