Unsecure chicken perches

[Snoxy]

Hi

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just wondered if any of you own a Labrador?

 

We got Heidi, our yellow labrador puppy last week and she is totally adorable and settling in very well

 

I will upload photos as soon as I can find the little cable for my mobile phone which has gone missing since DH used it a couple of days ago

 

Thank you

 

Edited September 26, 2010 by Guest

[LisaP]

We do Ours is black and called Mille - 3 years old and completely adorable

 

We have had her since she was 10 weeks old, she is the first dog we have 'bought' as our previous 2 dogs were from rescues. Her parents were working gun dogs and it is obvious that a lot of the traits needed for that are instinctive - she loves retrieving and is totally obsessed with tennis balls, which is very useful for training as she is so focussed on it.

 

She was 6 months old when we got our original chickens and so we were able to teach her 'not to touch' and she is now very good with the chickens even when they are free ranging. She has such a lovely nature - is great with our 4 children and the 2 cats too. She is very active and certainly keeps me busy

 

I'm sure you're going to find having your new addition equally rewarding and fun

 

Lisa P

[ClaireG]

Yes, we've got a black lab called Benson He's 9 now and we've had him since he was 3. I also grew up with Labs, they are a lovely breed.

I'm glad Heidi is settling in well with you and look forward to seeing a pic or two

[Fran A]

Yes, 3 chocolate girls. Grandma - Maddie, almost 8. Daughter Ruby, 4yrs and Grandaughter - Libby, 5 months old

[Couperwife]

no dogs at all - just wanted to say that she is adorable

 

give her snuggles from me

 

cathy

x

[ClaireG]

Awwww she is beautiful

[Snoxy]

Thank you everyone for your replies

[coco]

She's lovely. We have a 13 year old Lab called Buzz[ Lightyear].He's a lovely dog if a tad stubborn, he's got worse as he has got older. We think he is on borrowed time as he is on super strong medication for his arthiritis but he's fat and happy at the moment.

[Fran A]

She's adorable!! Enjoy

[craftyhunnypie]

Awww gorgeous gorgeous. I'm very I'd have lots of dogs, but hubby isn't a doggy person. We've been through this discussion many times that I've just given up - it's not worth the hassle! I am determined that one day I will be the mad cat, dog, chicken, duck, goat & alpaca lady!

Labradors are just so lovely. Can be destructive & chewy when pups, but very soppy & faithful when older.

I used to child mind & iron for a family who had a gold lab. I'd be ironing away & this lump would flop on my feet & sit there giving me his paw. I dared not make eye contact with those sneaky sad eyes. I loved him to bits.

Give your lab a big belly rub from me.

 

Emma.x

[Chucky Mama]

Gorgeous Be careful not to over exercise her until she is fully grown. Labs are increasingly prone to joint issues. Avoid stairs and ball chasing

[lillybettybabs]

Lovely

 

I work labs, Watch excerise is the main one, Socializing is very important we take our around Pet shops

( in a game bag if they haven't had their jabs) to get used to smells and people, Dog freindly pubs are good

just make sure they are house trained first .

Feed is very important get the best puppy food you can afford to stand her in good stead (We use Nature Diet for puppys)

.

Teething: Frozen carrots are brillant for hot gums i keep a bag in the freezer, (it will save your belongings being chewed aswell)

 

Puppy pads are a real life saver also the solution that you spray on little accidents (the name will come to me in a mo ) got it below.

http://www.petsathome.com/shop/stain-and-odour-remover-trigger-spray-945ml-by-simple-solution-15448?cm_re=barilliance-_-up%20sell-_-product%20details

 

These are all the things i have learnt over time, oh and don't leave ANY food aaround it will be gone before you know it

[Snoxy]

Thank you so much for your lovely words and invaluable advice I have learnt things I definitely didn't know

 

Emma your big belly rub has been duly delivered and I wish you every success in your quest to be that mad 'animal' lady one day.

 

I grew up with lots of different animals but had cousins who never had one single pet...I think that is sad My children adore pets When I was growing up our first two dogs were poodles followed by two black labs

 

Mr Snox has been talking about getting a lab for his 50th Birthday next June. He came down stairs last Saturday and said 'this belly has just to go I think we should get a dog'...well that was it...he spent yonks searching the net and then a further 3 1/2 hours ringing every Kennel Club lab breeder in the area

 

Black labs were much easier to find but the chocolate and yellow more difficult. Luckily we didn't have to travel far for Heidi...just 10 mins away She and her black lab bro/sis were the last of a litter of 6 (5 girls and 1 boy). A lady was going to look at the black lab on the Saturday afternoon leaving just Heidi. We kept our fingers crossed overnight and when Mr Snox rang back on the Sunday morning fortunately Heidi was still available I think Heidi was the last of the litter because she has two, small symmetrical pale cream stripes on her sides. We are not in the least bothered by this of course

 

To think a friend calls me 'loopy Lou' because we have a rabbit and hens...heaven knows what she thinks now we have a kitten and puppy

 

Chucky Mama Thank you very much for the advice regarding exercise...I didn't know that Heidi is having her second vaccination next Tuesday and then we can take her out 10 days after that...how much exercise do you think is appropriate walking wise for example?

 

Lillybettybabs We have had a steady stream of visitors...I guess this is another way to socialise Heidi other than taking her out and about? I am fortunate to have a couple of dog-loving friends, one of which has said when I go round for a cuppa and chinway Heidi is very welcome I love that I can take her out and about with me as much as possible

 

I have been wondering about her food...and was going to do some research on the net...her breeder fed her on Beta Lamb & Rice Puppy which is what I am giving her too...but sure I read that although it is 'ok' there is better food available...I definitely want to feed her the best I can buy...is the Nature Diet for puppys widely available? I guess I will have to change her over gradually (over a 2 week period?) like I did our kitten, Rose?

 

Brilliant tip regarding the frozen carrots When can I start giving her them? Now? or when she is older? Your other tips are invaluable too...if you have any more they will be gratefully received

 

Please excuse my total ignorance but how do I use the puppy pads exactly...I did pick up a pack when I went to Pets at Home last week but didn't buy any. Heidi has had a few accidents on the kitchen floor which is fortunately tiled If I take/put her outside promptly after sleeping, eating etc. all is ok but I have to be vigilant all the time at the moment if she isn't in her crate...which is as least as possible.

 

I have to put Rose's food up on the work top in the utility room before i let Heidi out of her crate otherwise...whoosh....it is gobbled up...they are renowned for being a greedy breed aren't they

 

Have to think in 'puppy' mode all the time...hanging out the washing has taken on a whole new meaning

 

Apologies for asking so many questions

 

Once again, thank you for all the good wishes and advice

[lillybettybabs]

Use the forzen carrots when she starts teething (she will be very chewy) also Nylor bones are good.

Pets at Home stock puppy pads, They have a scent that makes the puppy do their business on the mat (have a few

in place at a time).They also stock Nature Diet( in a white plastic container) but be careful as there is one call Natures diet(in a pouch) which isn't as natural.

[Snoxy]

Thank you lillybettybabs for your reply

 

I will take another trip to Pets at Home

[Chucky Mama]

Re exercise she really shouldn't do an awful lot when you first take her out. Socialisation is vitally important at this age so take her out for training and socialisation rather than exercise which she doesn't really need. You will see that she is floppy and sloppy with her gait and really just needs a gentle plod. It is a bit like trying to take a baby that has just learned to walk out on a mile hike. Their young bones and joints are really not well enough developed to cope. So really a 'trundle' rather than a walk

[lillybettybabs]

We have a rule of One minute per week of age, Seems a bit weird when the times up as you reach the driveway

but very important for Labbys joints.

[Snoxy]

Great advice THANKS

[coco]

On the subject of exercise we have a German Shepherd and were told by a breeder not to do too much off lead with her and not to get her to chase balls etc until she was a year old. She said that when a dog does a fast turn it opens up the hips which can lead to hip problems later in life. I presume this applies to all big dogs. labs included.

[Snoxy]

One a week to go and Heidi can go out on her first walk

[beach chick]

she's gorgeous! we have an almost 4 year old rescue lab, Ozzie - we got him at 10 months, and he is just fab. he's an unusual colour - fox red - which is stunning, but does cause a lot of people to ask "is he a lab?" we feed Royal Canin Labrador, it's specially developed for labs (weight control, joint support, cognitive functions etc) and he is great on that. another advantage of feeding a top quality dry food is that poo picking is sooooo much easier!!

[Snoxy]

Thank you for your reply beach chick...when we were looking for Heidi I came across the 'fox red' colour...is this a new colour born out of yellow and chocolate perhaps?

 

Thank you for the info regarding food...Heidi is on Beta Puppy Lamb and Rice because that's what her breeder fed her...vet says it is ok. Good solid poo from Heidi so far

 

I feed our kitten Royal Canin 36 at the moment and she loves it

 

Do you have any pics you can upload without too much bother of Ozzie...would love to see what he looks like Did you have to go on a waiting list to get him...I checked out rescue centres but no luck finding a labrador.

 

Lou

[grracee]

Aww, gorgeous!

I have a nearly 8 year old golden lab called Bouncer (name pretty much sums up his character!!)

Enjoy her, she will definately be so much fun!! Labs are great!

 

Edited to add photos,

 

This is Bouncer as a pup at 8 weeks

 

And this is him 7 years

Edited October 7, 2010 by Guest

[beach chick]

hi Snoxy - Ozzie is a rescue, he came from Kent Lab Rescue, and we were very lucky - home visit on a sat, and he came to us next day! he was 10 mths old and completely off his head because the previous owners had bought this cute puppy and not bothered to exercise him - instead, they taught him to jump from one piece of furniture to the next!!! I will say though that they did a good job with the housetraining, and although he still pulls massively on the lead, he is an absolute sweetie and very good and willing to please. I will try and upload a photo, if not I'll put it into picasa or something (not much good at techy stuff).

Fox red is actually just a very very deep shade of yellow, it tends to come out in the working strains more but its getting more fashionable now.

[MarkBevBen]

Awww hello Heidi and everyone else, what lovely doggies and pictures!

 

Yes we're another owner of a lovely black Lab. Our boy Ben is about two and a half/three, he's a rescue doggy and bless him didn't have the best start in life when he was found tied to a park gate (I shudder everytime I think of this how evil some people can be )

 

We've had him a year and a half now and he's never once been a minute's bother. He's such a good boy - we were all geared up for when he arrived thinking he'd chew and be disruptive, but he settled in so well with us and he's got his paws firmly under the table!

 

As others have said too, our Ben is totally obsessed with tennis balls and we have this rubber one with a thrower thing that he just adores! He's also the proud owner of a few things from Kong too - ranging from the ones that you stuff treats into, to the 'sea urchin' type things sort of a body with 'legs'

 

He's no problem at all with our chickens too and seems to love watching them as much as we do!

 

As I just love sharing pictures of our Ben, here you go....

 

On his spot on the sofa (we weren't going to allow him up, but reneged on that! )

 

Here he is totally mesmorised, watching Cottie doing her dustbath in the sun

 

And just one more, here he is after we'd been to a local doggy event and he came 2nd in the 'most handsome doggy' contest