Negative behaviour???

[BauersMom]

You may also become more clumsy with a lab around, they tend to always be at your feet or following 1 step behind. You might trip over them, but you'll never be alone. Bauer is food motivated, but wouldn't dream of eating anything that wasn't given to him *knock on wood*. He was mouthy as a puppy, but it didn't last long. He has always loved to chew, but it was very easy to teach him what to chew. He was never a big humper, and has only growled once (we were out running and he sensed something that he didn't like about a man walking toward us). I am not a great trainer by any stretch of the imagination (I'm not consistent and I give in too easily), but he has still turned out to be an excellent, well-behaved dog.

[Baloo317]

I've said many times, if it weren't for the poop eating, Baloo would be the perfect dog, and I mean that. He is so even tempered, friendly, I can take him anywhere, he rarely barks. He gets along well with dogs, people of all ages, and he's always up for something fun.


The poop eating is not so fun. However, I suppose in the realm of "negative behaviour", it's really not all that bad, lol!

[Canula2000]

Its a dog first and breed second....all dogs will have some behavior issue if not trained and exercised properly.

[zoesmom]

Zoe's issue was jumping. Jumping on people, jumping up to the stove, on the counters. We fixed that right away.

[Tanya]

I have met nasty labs (temperment wise) so do look for a good breeder that looks for temperment in their litter.

While socialization is VERY important, you have to balance health as well. Until they have had all their shots they are VERY susceptible to getting very very sick. So yes socialize, but do so safely and wisely - pick your places and environment carefully.

exercise - labs need more than walks, walks are warm up. But yes, while they growing the rule of thumb is 5 minutes per month of age for FORCED exercise (anything on leash). but you want to encourage lots of free play (playing, fetching, running around of their own free will). By the time they are 1 they will need an hour or more of free play (running around)

ETA: even if a breed is more prone to temperament issues - that does' mean the breed is bad. I have met some awesome GSD's as the breeder put lots of care and time into ensuring they picked the right dogs to breed and the pups were properly raised. on the same token, even if labs are generally great in temperament, if you pick a breeder that doesn'T care for temperament then you get what you get and it may be a bad temperament.

[Sams Mom]

Labs like to eat, any and everything and that probably lends to them being 'chewers'. They also require a great deal of exercise, more than many other breeds, when they don't get adequate exercise is when issues like digging seem to crop up. Labs are also very social and when deprived of adequate social interaction they can develop a few undesirable habits like jumping on folks, whining, and some of the more destructive behaviors..

Bottom line, keep them socially connected, well exercised and on a well balanced diet of exceptional food (along with a long term chew like a deer antler) and you can avoid most if not all the 'undesirable' habits they can pick up...

Well put. A tired lab is a happy owner. They really do need a lot of exercise. Sam needed at least one off leash walk a day when she was younger (up to at least age 5). We have a dog park in range, but we also have conservation areas. Her recall allows us to walk her off leash in these types of places. If we encounter people, we call her back before she gets to them which ensures a positive experience for all. She still jumps on new people. A lab won't hurt you on purpose, but will knock you down and lick you to death (and inflict serious bruises and contusions with those rock solid heads of theirs).

A cute guy with a lab mix said "Off leash? Like in the city? He'd run away?". No. Not in the city, in the country or designated dog parks. Sam's recall is good, but not good enough for off leash on a city street.

[blackandyellow]

Not that I´m biased (I´ve had the opportunity to have several breeds and be in close relation with many), and honestly Labs are the best dogs and that´s the reason its the No. 1 breed used as assistance dogs, search and rescue and many other things (except for guard and protection)

Issues, yes they have, as all breeds do, but its mostly how you raise them and train them, and of course the breeder you get your dog from. Most issues in Labs are puppy related and they grow out of it. They are extremely mouthy as pups, can be hyper and destructive, rambunctious and clumsy, they are (must and should if they are a well bred Lab) very friendly with everybody.

Adult Labs and Senior Labs are WONDERFUL. They are extremely loyal, love to please their humas, awesome with kids, are able to morph from very playful to calm couch potatoes, love everyone and develop a "sixth sense" in knowing what their owners expect of them. Of all the breeds I´ve had, Labs have a desire to please their owners that makes them truly great companions.

[Samson]

I have met nasty labs (temperment wise) so do look for a good breeder that looks for temperment in their litter.

While socialization is VERY important, you have to balance health as well. Until they have had all their shots they are VERY susceptible to getting very very sick. So yes socialize, but do so safely and wisely - pick your places and environment carefully.

exercise - labs need more than walks, walks are warm up. But yes, while they growing the rule of thumb is 5 minutes per month of age for FORCED exercise (anything on leash). but you want to encourage lots of free play (playing, fetching, running around of their own free will). By the time they are 1 they will need an hour or more of free play (running around)

ETA: even if a breed is more prone to temperament issues - that does' mean the breed is bad. I have met some awesome GSD's as the breeder put lots of care and time into ensuring they picked the right dogs to breed and the pups were properly raised. on the same token, even if labs are generally great in temperament, if you pick a breeder that doesn'T care for temperament then you get what you get and it may be a bad temperament.

I had more of an insight into your opinions very recently ! My friend got a new puppy ( BTW her name is now Pippa ) and she has been a little angel so far !

She was born with her litter mates in a house with a retired lady who devoted every minute of her day to looking after the pups ! She also had a brood of her own including GSD's, beagles, a scottie and of course the bitch !

I compare this to Laura's pups who are loved and socialised with their peers and turn into well rounded dogs ( never mind the ancestors - that's a bonus ! )

Upbringing has a marked effect on a puppy is what I am trying to say !

[NoName]

Thanks again. I agree with the just because a dog is bad doesnt mean that breed is. I have had a wonderful GSD who was a dream to live with so our previous one was a bit of a shell shock as he had so many problems, I do however still adore the breed and always will

As for the walks I probably didnt make myself clear. When I said about walks what I actually meant was time free running/playing in the woods, fields and beaches that are local to my home. I did this everyday with my other dogs for a minimum of an hour a day so this is not a worry for me.

With regards to socialization I was going to keep the pup in a back pack on my front and not let him on the ground until all vaccinations have been had. I will allow him to mix with my parents dog but I know he has had all necessary vaccinations and this will only be at my home or my parents.

[rayluckgoo]

Ben is a notorious counter-surfer and big enough to do it well. His five month old sons ...we have one and I know where two others are...are also counter-surfers. Genetic? Beware!