New puppy, fireworks and a show for the neighbours!

Kimberley

The middle pup sounded the best option but you have to give him a chance to develope his personality a bit more, give him time. It is true that you should pick a pup that is not the boisterous one or timid one, it seems you have picked the right one and we look forward to the pictures.

Errata

Get his name down for school ! Puppy training classes will help him and you to develop confidence, courtesy and they giveout the badge that says Boss - that's you, not him.
Looking forward to seeing a picture, thanks. What's his name?

Raksha

Autism type behavior is possible in dogs, a friend of mine had a German Shepherd who had very little idea of how to behaviour appropriatly around other dogs, despite being well socialised from an early age.

Becles

zebidee1 wrote: »

He seemed to 'pick' my youngest more than the other two did...

All my dogs have picked me, rather than me pick the puppy

DanceInThe_Dark

Not being a Lab breeder I don't know lots about that breed but I do breed dogs and know that personality is not set in stone at such a young age.
I think you should go with your gut instincts. To be honest I've kept lots of puppies back from my litters (I show) and some I dogs I find easier to get on with that others - just like people!

If I was choosing just a pet I'd pick the one I felt more in tune with, whether it would be the nutty pup or the quiet one in the corner (maybe that one is just being bullied and is desperate for a new home?)

Good luck with your new dog

kr15snw

When we picked our 2 Megan was chosen for us as she was the only girl left, and parents wanted a litter. As my brother was buying one from the same litter we left him to chose. He ended deciding to buy the one that was covered in mud as hed been in the duck pond playing with the ducks and in the field winding up the bull (Swinging off his tail, he did this sooooo often it was scary.....)

We dont follow any of the rules, just went for the one we liked!!

NotSoSmart_2

How old were the pups when you saw them? At 5 weeks old a pup has only had a couple of weeks viewing the world (sight and sound doesn't develop for dogs until they're about 3 weeks old) and has usually only ever seen his dog family and close human family. At that age they mostly eat and sleep, with a little play in between.

At 8 weeks old they are becoming more boisterous, starting to really determine their place in the pack, and their personalities will have changed somewhat.

At 12 weeks old, especially if now separated from the litter, more personality changes will be ocurring. A pup that was a little overawed by a more energetic one in the litter may find its feet in a quieter home, or a boisterous one taken into a home with an existing older dog may find that it's no longer 'king of the hill'...

As has been said, always go with your gut instinct, enrol in training classes (for you, the family and the dog) and enjoy!

zebidee1

The pups were 5 weeks old to the day. Tbh, psycho pup seemed older than the others although he was obviously exactly the same age. I think he may well just have been a quick developer generally.

I did get the impression that middle pup seemed that little bit younger and less sure of himself than psycho pup so maybe he was just more immature and that's why he was a bit quieter and seemed to not look at our faces as much. I'm sure he will flourish once he's had an opportunity to find his feet as you say. Actually that sounds very much like me, I'm always very quiet in a group of more outgoing people but put me in a quiet group.....and I'm the life and soul, lol. Sounds like the pup will fit right in.

I didn't know about the sight and sound thing (thank you - good education. lol) so the wee soul was probably a bit befuddled about what was going on. It was also his first time in the kitchen and I'm sure all the new smells would be clamouring for his attention too.

I'm sure I've made the right choice. We can't wait to get him home. The youngest has the 'number of sleeps left' written on a bit of paper and is more excited than when Santa comes!

@ Errata......sorry, only just spotted the name question, must have missed that the first time I read your post. We haven't got a definite yet but the favourites are: Murphy, Marley and Wilson. (Middle lad wants Wilson because of the Tom Hanks film Castaway where he has a loyal companion ( a ball with a face on it :rolleyes: ) called Wilson who kept him sane (ish) whilst he was stuck on the island. Son thought this a good name for the dog he expects to be his loyal companion. Whilst I like the connotation....I keep coming back to Murphy. So who knows? I think we'll wait until we get him and see what he looks like then. (11 more sleeps, lol.)

Definitely going to look into training classes btw. :beer:

DanceInThe_Dark

Wilson!
What a great name for a dog. Brilliant Name and one I now want to use in future.:beer:

re the pups only hearing and seeing from 3 weeks. I have just had my pups BAER tested (hearing test) and had to wait til 6 weeks as pups ears often don't fully open until 6 weeks of age. (this info is off the expert- we had to travel 70 miles to get it done as there are few centres that can BAER test in the UK.
My pups eyes open from about 14 days but they are unable to focus properly on objects more than a few feet away for another week or so.

Errata

Wilson is a terrific name. Not much chance of calling him and finding yourself mobbed by half a dozen dogs with the same name turning up !