Visiting some puppies tonight. Will be our first dog together , what Questions should we be asking?

Vegastare

Sophie4120 said:

Make sure they are able to show you evidence of both parents hip/elbow scores - I understand this is pretty essential in labradors. If they don't have them, or have some excuse as to why they can't show you the certificates - walk away. 

And this is just what I was suggesting....labs need hips scores.....I would google what the hip score is for labs or ask on Dog forum.....sorry not having had labs can't help with any score details.     As Sophie says it is essential and otherwise walk away.  

squirrelchops2

When we chose our puppy I looked on line and found some advice on how to ascertain which puppy was for you based on how they interacted with you. As has been mentioned it really is like having a baby - our boy was slightly older at 16 weeks and I was scared we had missed the key socialisation phase but I spent a lot of time with him taking him out etc so this has never been an issue. Being older he was able to hold his bladder longer than an 8 week old however it was still 1130pm wees then up again at 530am for some time.

Jude57

First things first. Don't, however tempting, bring a puppy home tonight. By all means put a deposit down but take the time to do your research before you commit. A good breeder will be happy to answer all your questions and to question you, too, as potential owners.

If you're determined that a Labrador puppy is for you, I'd very strongly recommend you read extensively about the breed. Start with the breed standard page on the Kennel Club website, speak to local Veterinary practices, get as much information as possible before bringing the puppy home. Read about the specific characteristics of the breed and the health issues they are prone to. Research the cost of insurance. You can't afford not to have insurance unless you can set aside many thousands of pounds to cover medical costs.

You MUST read up on hip dysplasia/eye scores. These are vital indicators of the parents' overall health and the likelihood of the puppy being healthy or being destined for a lifelong, painful, very expensive disability. Ask about the parents, their ages, number of litters the Dam has had. Ask to see Dam and puppies together - ideally, you shouldn't have to ask, they should be shown together anyway. Ask the breeder about the best diet for the puppy. Ask if the breeder will agree, in writing, to take the puppy back if you find that you cannot provide a good home for some reason. A good breeder will happily do so. If anything feels 'off' during your visit, walk away and report the breeder to the local Council.

With the greatest respect, a puppy is a dog. It is not, and should never be treated as, a human being. Dogs have specific needs, some are similar to humans but dogs need to be allowed to be dogs and to exhibit natural dog behaviour. 

Read up on life with a puppy. They are babies and need gentle handling. They are not toys to be cuddled whenever you feel like it. Over handling can cause insecurity in puppies. They need to be allowed to rest and sleep often, just like human babies. Don't over-stimulate the puppy with loud shouting or rough play.

Find a local dog trainer who can help you become the owner your dog deserves. Untrained, inexperienced owners often have badly behaved dogs so it's up to you to learn how to avoid that by gentle, positive training. Not all puppies will be easy to train even to basic obedience but it's your responsibility to do it. Those lovely, sweet Labradors you see trotting obediently at their owner's heel haven't become that way without some hard work at the beginning. Puppy classes can be great fun and help to socialise your dog. 

I hope this helps.

Katiehound

Labradors or golden crosses are often the breed used for assistance dogs because when they are trained they are bright and dependable BUT  - they don't just happen that way. Pups for Guide Dogs, Canine Partners  etc are bred for certain characteristics and their training starts from almost day one- when to wee, where to poop etc. Puppy parents train them for at least 6 months- all the time, everyday encouraging them to meet new experiences until they are able to go on to more specific training to be a working dog.Even if you don't want a working dog you clearly want a trained dog.

Puppies are hard work 24 hours a day. Then they can become teenage ninja monsters!

I have never wanted a puppy- I'll forgo the furry cuteness. My rescues have been just under 2 yo when I have rehomed them & they haven't been house trained 'cos they lived in kennels but they are beautiful hounds. I have done loads of training with them and they need a lot of exercise- as does a labrador after all they are also a working breed as a gun dog.

Sorry I really don't think you have thought this through.
You only have to watch Victoria Stillwell & see some of the dogs she meets: on the whole it's not the dog that has caused the problem but how the dog has been treated from the outset.

One book to read is 'The Perfect Puppy' by Gwen Bailey

Silvertabby

A friend has a (now) 6 month old lab girl.  Beautiful dog, but needs a LOT of exercise.

Can't leave anything chewable/edible lying around, either.  This lass recently ate 12 sachets of cat food, plastic and all - it was a stressful time until the whole lot appeared naturally! 

sheramber

The OP has not logged on since the 6th and was visiting the puppies that night so I think it will be a fait accompli now.

Emmia

dorothydun said:

Anyway, the dog is a critical decision. A dog is almost like a child. She needs proper care. She needs a lot of time and attention. Dogs also get sick and have periods when they are sad. We, for example, got a Samoyed. As a mother of two children, it seems to me that he is even more trouble than the children. When we first got him, I was apprehensive that I would do something wrong because he was such a little lump. I scoured the entire internet looking for information about this dog breed https://cleverpuppies.com/golden-sammy-samoyed-retriever-mix-full-guide/. So you should think before you take this step.

Er, you're 3 months late to this.

accidentalglixch

To update you all.

thank you for the advice.
We ended up bringing one home that night and named him Remi.
We both fell in love and couldn't leave him - just was so content on my lap for th whole hour, gently raised paw to us to get our attention and waited patiently for us to smooth him but had a loveable cheeky side to him.
Health scores were tip-top  The owner was more than happy to show & give us info on the family history.

The first month was absolutely terrible and horrible - husband almost re-homed him twice but I fought the hardest days to keep Remi but he's now such a joy to be around and so loving and would never give him up ... just severe puppy blues of him being first time in his life puppy owner. 

Here's a picture of the little devil angel