English Lab Puppy

[andersonsh]

Vet appointment is tomorrow so I will give update. I am trying to post more current pic but for some reason it isn't working. Will keep trying.

[andersonsh]

[andersonsh]

The vet checked Beau over and says he is in good health. He advised we should feed him a little more while he is still growing. He agreed is was not like a "usual" puppy regarding his behaviour and he suggested taking him to a dog park to be around more dogs and that may bring him out of his shell. Beau does love other dogs. We have now taken him three times over the weekend and he seems to love playing with the other dogs and racing around. When he gets home he is the same but perhaps just needs to be socialized more.

The breeder got back to me and basically said his parents are calm, but some of the other labs they breed are more energetic. She then suggested that he probably needs a sibling and that in her next litter she can hold a more energetic pup for us. We do not have the space or plan to get another large dog so I wasn't very happy that this was the only suggestion given. I had asked some questions but none of them were answered.

[smartrock]

I'm glad to hear Beau is in good health. He looks quite handsome.

I'm probably not the best to advise about having more than one dog. We usually have 2 dogs and depending upon how old the first one is when a puppy comes along, they may or may not be happy about that situation. The usual recommendation on here is that you get a second dog only if YOU want one, not because you think your dog would like another dog to pal around with. Even living in the same household will not guarantee that they will be the best of friends. Plus, you probably owe it to Beau and any puppy you might want to get to have time for Beau to mature and learn good manners before you have 2 unmannered pups on your hands. Beau could be a role model, so to speak, for a puppy. The breeder from whom we got our first lab suggested not getting a puppy friend until he was at least 2 years old. And that's only if YOU want a second dog.

If Beau likes the dog park and is having fun, lucky for you. Around here in many of the dog parks there are too many untrained dogs and untrained OWNERS not paying attention to their dogs. I'm happy to let dogs I know come in to our yard to play with Henry and he has a few friends in the neighborhood who will stop by to play. Henry is 4 years old and we now have a 10 week old lab puppy who he's already hoping will be a good playmate once the puppy gets some size on him. But Henry was also very happy during the 5 months he was an "only child" because he got lots of attention and fetch time and walks and play time with neighborhood dogs.

Thanks for the update! We hope to see more of you and Beau!

[Jollymolly]

It sounds like Beau has the right temperament to be a therapy dog. My greatest suggestion is that you get involved in training him. It will work his brain and help your bond grow even further.

[zd262]

Happy to hear that Beau got a clean bill of health! Honestly I would probably just enjoy what sounds like a calm and well-behaved pup Many people have to wait 3+ years to get to that point with their dogs. And it sounds like he may be calm at home, but be a little more energized up if you go out and do activities that you can enjoy together. Definitely ditto jollymolly's advice that he may be a great therapy dog.

I wouldn't get another dog unless you specifically want to have multiple dogs, and definitely not when you still have a young pup yourself. You just never know if the dogs will get along, and even if they do they may not be best buds. Our dogs like each other, but we still have to separate them a lot because the younger one is a pest to the older one and the older one doesn't set boundaries.

Anyway, welcome to the board! Beau is a cutie.

[andersonsh]

This is just a follow up from 3 months ago about my Beau.

My pup is 10 months on Nov 4th. He is a while English Lab and from the time we got him he has been not like a "typical lab" that loves to retrieve and swim etc. Beau does not get overly excited when he sees us. He has somewhat come out of his shell and wags his tail a bit more and is a bit happy to see us when we get home. Because of this we feel like we have not bonded with Beau as much as we have with our last two labs that were just overcome with joy when they would see us. My husband has wondered if we should rehome him to another family that maybe has another dog because Beau is happiest when he is around other dogs. The thought of this makes me sick as I cannot imagine selling him. Does anyone have any advice or has anyone given away a pup before because they felt he maybe didn't fit in. I am just not sure if he will grow out of this calm behavior or if this is just his personality. I do love him but he definitely does not act at all like our other two labs.

[Black Labbies]

Up your treats to the best treats ever and then do the happy dance when you see each other, and then praise Beau with his special treats.
Loving bonds don't always happen overnight. Give Beau time to be the best Lab ever!

[andersonsh]

Thanks, I definitely will try that : ) He is a sweet boy, just super chill!