Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 19

Thread: Hello All!

  1. #1
    Puppy
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    AR
    Posts
    7
    Thanked: 0

    Hello All!

    I really want a Labrador Retriever, but I am a little hesitant. I saw some stories about a Lab's behavior as a pup and their chewing habits. Do they really chew table legs, sofas, etc? If I provide the toys necessary and use corrective behavior, will this deter the pup from chewing on things he/she shouldn't? Will you please tell me your experiences with labbies from puppyhood to adulthood? I think the dogs are great, but I do not want to get in over my head. I want to make a sound decision and if the lab is not the pup for me, I will consider another breed. I do understand that puppies teethe, so I am not totally oblivious. Thanks!

  2. #2
    Senior Dog SamsonsMom's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2016
    Location
    NE Ohio
    Posts
    1,605
    Thanked: 1334
    Welcome!

    I have two labs. Samson will be 5 soon and my Asher is in is 9th month. Chewers? Oh yes! My baseboard has evidence of that from when Samson was a puppy and I wasn't fast enough to stop him. Asher will try bite on the corner of my TV stand or my end table. Positive reinforcement helps. Staying consistent and right on top of the pup is essential. I use Kong toys. Asher seems to love those. I stopped giving Samson Nylabones after Asher sheared his puppy canine playing tug with Samson. I know it was not related to Nylabones but I always had my hesitations giving them to Samson. Anyways, I'm not a pro like many others so all of this is new to me too. I will say you need to be energetic and ready to care for a lab pup/dog just like you would a child. The reward is priceless!

    Good luck in your decision and please make sure you are ready for a lab pup if you choose one! :-) Asking questions here is a great start!

  3. The Following User Says Thank You to SamsonsMom For This Useful Post:

    Justice4all (08-07-2017)

  4. #3
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Ontario, Canada
    Posts
    8,136
    Thanked: 5108
    Welcome to the board. Good for you for doing your research. Any puppy can chew, regardless of breed. My sister's puppy, an English Shepherd, emasculated Sis's kitchen table. It used to have canon ball legs. Neither of my Lab pups was a hard core chewer but Oban did go through 7 (seven) pairs of the OH's reading glasses. The number 7 is key, the owner has to be capable of learning not to leave his reading glasses where a puppy can get them. Yes, toys and guiding lessons from you will help deter chewing but it takes time. Some need more time than others, puppies and owner.

    Chewing isn't the only thing they do. Some really nip. Labs are bred to use their mouths to retrieve and they do tend to try out their mouths a bit more than non-retrievers, sometimes.

    A big area of your research should be into health tests for your future puppy's parents and what the breeder does to ensure you get a healthy puppy, again regardless of breed. There is a puppy section here on some of the things you should know about that.

    I hope we see you here lots more. You sound like you are going to be a great owner, thus you will have a great puppy.
    Hidden Content

    Castilleja's Dubhgall Oban, the Black Stranger of The Little Bay
    Oct. 15, 2007 - June 13, 2021
    Oxtongue Rapids Park. Oct. 2019 Hidden Content

  5. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Snowshoe For This Useful Post:

    Justice4all (08-07-2017), Tanya (08-07-2017)

  6. #4
    Best Friend Retriever annkie's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Pennsylvania
    Posts
    565
    Thanked: 274

    Hello All!

    I agree with the above. Any dog can chew. I knew someone with 2 Pomeranians and they destroyed her baseboards. My last chocolate lab never chewed furniture. He might have taste tested the coffee table but then he saw my face [emoji23] either way, any dog may have destructive behavior. They are dogs after all.


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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

    Justice4all (08-07-2017)

  8. #5
    Senior Dog Meeps83's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Wisconsin
    Posts
    1,917
    Thanked: 1052
    I have 2. A 3 year old and a 1 year old. Maverick wasn't a chewer. Bear chewed on Maverick. We have a corner wall edge with teeth marks. We used a bitter apple spray, gave lots of toys and cheeses, and corrected naughty behavior.

    Good for you for checking this out first! That's the best way to go into making a decision!


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

  9. The Following User Says Thank You to Meeps83 For This Useful Post:

    Justice4all (08-07-2017)

  10. #6
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Eastern Ontario Canada
    Posts
    3,336
    Thanked: 2070
    welcome.

    i can only echo the above - MOST puppies chew. it's your job as the owner to supevise, manage, train and set them up for success (containement when not supevised to keep them safe).

    labs are very busy mouthy puppies. so be ready to provide lots od mental and pbysical exercise and spend tons of time training.

  11. #7
    Best Friend Retriever ronmcq's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2014
    Location
    Campo CA
    Posts
    455
    Thanked: 293
    Welcome to the board. I was lucky with my 3yo Buddy. He's never chewed anything other than his toys. He gets an occasional Kong filled with treats. Helps to keep them engaged and active. Other pups in the past... not quite so lucky. Good advice in the posts above. I've had labs for over 20 years and love the breed.
    Good luck on your search.

  12. The Following User Says Thank You to ronmcq For This Useful Post:

    Justice4all (08-07-2017)

  13. #8
    Puppy
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    AR
    Posts
    7
    Thanked: 0
    Thank you so much for your reply! I have heard of Bitter Apple. Did you try it?

  14. #9
    Puppy
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    AR
    Posts
    7
    Thanked: 0
    Thank you very much for your reply! I am familiar with Kong toys and they look pretty durable. I fell in love with a lab last week, she was so SWEET!!! I love big dogs and most of the do not have to prove anything like some of the smaller dogs. Buddy is so cute!

  15. #10
    Puppy
    Join Date
    Aug 2017
    Location
    AR
    Posts
    7
    Thanked: 0
    Quote Originally Posted by SamsonsMom View Post
    Welcome!

    I have two labs. Samson will be 5 soon and my Asher is in is 9th month. Chewers? Oh yes! My baseboard has evidence of that from when Samson was a puppy and I wasn't fast enough to stop him. Asher will try bite on the corner of my TV stand or my end table. Positive reinforcement helps. Staying consistent and right on top of the pup is essential. I use Kong toys. Asher seems to love those. I stopped giving Samson Nylabones after Asher sheared his puppy canine playing tug with Samson. I know it was not related to Nylabones but I always had my hesitations giving them to Samson. Anyways, I'm not a pro like many others so all of this is new to me too. I will say you need to be energetic and ready to care for a lab pup/dog just like you would a child. The reward is priceless!

    Good luck in your decision and please make sure you are ready for a lab pup if you choose one! :-) Asking questions here is a great start!
    I love your baby!

 



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
  •