I'm very close to rehoming our puppy. :(

thorsoak

This may be too late for Murphy the Lab - but I post this with love to all of you

http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/iampuppy.html

gill5blue

Dollardog wrote: »

Just a thought, but what about offering him to the guide dogs for the blind? Perhaps with their exprienced trainers and a job of work to do to tame all that energy, he might end up doing some good.
First port of call though for me would be to contact his breeders again, if they are responsible breeders they would not want one of their dogs passing on to anyone. Ask if they could have him back, just for a week or two to see if they can see what he is like and help you to get him out of these bad habits.
If I was the breeder, I would sooner have the pup back than think of it ending up in some rescue or being passed from pillar to post getting worse with each home it gets like the rescue I took on did, he was only around two years old and had had five homes before me.

Apart from the guide dog part, 9#he is too old now-you know nothing)you agree with me, yet you disagreed with my post. This does not help them to come to decision.
Why did you disagree then state what I said?

thorsoak

Dollardog wrote: »

Just a thought, but what about offering him to the guide dogs for the blind? Perhaps with their exprienced trainers and a job of work to do to tame all that energy, he might end up doing some good.
First port of call though for me would be to contact his breeders again, if they are responsible breeders they would not want one of their dogs passing on to anyone. Ask if they could have him back, just for a week or two to see if they can see what he is like and help you to get him out of these bad habits.
If I was the breeder, I would sooner have the pup back than think of it ending up in some rescue or being passed from pillar to post getting worse with each home it gets like the rescue I took on did, he was only around two years old and had had five homes before me.

Guide dogs are bred specifically for their tasks ...and people "puppy walk" all their puppies for the first 9 months - and only 65% or thereabouts of Guide dog-bred puppies are acceptable for training as guide dogs. This puppy needs a GOOD experienced trainer who will work WITH THE WHOLE FAMILY - not just one person - in order to mature into a responsible family dog. Sadly Andrex puppies do not morph automatically into such dogs

Were I Murphy's breeder, I would take him back in a heartbeat - but then I've always said that in my contracts - but there again, were I Murphy's breeder, the OP might not have met my critereon for having one of my puppies But please - if the breeder will not take him back, please send me a PM as I have contact with Lab Rescue in most parts of the UK. x

Herongull

I haven't posted on this part of the forum before, but I happened to read this thread and was shocked by many of the responses to this post. Poppyfields was one of the few sensible responders.

If this dog is repeatedly attacking young children (aged 6 and 8) :eek:, it has to go! No ifs no buts.

I don't care if other people's dogs were a nightmare at this age, but after several years of intensive effort, they turned into nice dogs.

This dog is attacking your children, and they are probably terrified of it by now. Why should they have to share their home with an animal that behaves like that.

Put your children (and your sanity) first and get rid of that dog ASAP.

I'm sure lots of the people on this forum will say what a terrible, unfeeling person I am for saying that the welfare of young children come before that of badly behaved dogs, but so be it.

PS I don't hate dogs. I had a lovely border collie when I was a child....

~Chameleon~

Herongull wrote: »

I haven't posted on this part of the forum before, but I happened to read this thread and was shocked by many of the responses to this post. Poppyfields was one of the few sensible responders.

If this dog is repeatedly attacking young children (aged 6 and 8) :eek:, it has to go! No ifs no buts.

I don't care if other people's dogs were a nightmare at this age, but after several years of intensive effort, they turned into nice dogs.

This dog is attacking your children, and they are probably terrified of it by now. Why should they have to share their home with an animal that behaves like that.

Put your children (and your sanity) first and get rid of that dog ASAP.

I'm sure lots of the people on this forum will say what a terrible, unfeeling person I am for saying that the welfare of young children come before that of badly behaved dogs, but so be it.

PS I don't hate dogs. I had a lovely border collie when I was a child....

But the OP is responsible for creating a dog that behaves in this manner!

marlot

I think it is best for both the dog and the children that the dog is rehomed.

The whole family must be incredibly tense, and if they're not enjoying having a puppy around the puppy will not be bonding with them. And without that bond, I think the rest of the training is pointless.

krlyr

Herongull wrote: »

I haven't posted on this part of the forum before, but I happened to read this thread and was shocked by many of the responses to this post. Poppyfields was one of the few sensible responders.

If this dog is repeatedly attacking young children (aged 6 and 8) :eek:, it has to go! No ifs no buts.

I don't care if other people's dogs were a nightmare at this age, but after several years of intensive effort, they turned into nice dogs.

This dog is attacking your children, and they are probably terrified of it by now. Why should they have to share their home with an animal that behaves like that.

Put your children (and your sanity) first and get rid of that dog ASAP.

I'm sure lots of the people on this forum will say what a terrible, unfeeling person I am for saying that the welfare of young children come before that of badly behaved dogs, but so be it.

PS I don't hate dogs. I had a lovely border collie when I was a child....

It is not attacking the children though. It is a dog with excess energy that has not learnt that nipping is inappropriate, it is not one specifically setting out to bite them, and it is not with aggressive intent.
I do not think biting is a desired behaviour but puppies bite, it's what they do - it is the owners who have to train a more appropriate behaviour.

blossomhill_2

Hi OP

Sorry to hear about your problems with your dog - have you tried giving him longer walks? - you mention 2 x20mins and another short walk, which doesn't sound like enough to me, although I am not too experienced

The dog I look after gets at least 2.5 hours with me and a morning and evening run with its owners - and still has some "walk" in him at times, which would come out as getting overexcited if we tried to do something sedentary

zaksmum

thorsoak wrote: »

This may be too late for Murphy the Lab - but I post this with love to all of you

http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/iampuppy.html

Thorsoak...that's so lovely. And so very true.

Poor Murphy.

Pthree

What will you do with the kids when they hit that teenager rebelious stage????