I have a 12 week old black lab he has dug up all my plants in my back garden, I dont know why he has done it as i'm at home all the time I just let him out to go to the toilet.I let him in when he wants to come in. He also pulls all my washing off the line . He has a kennel and a run in the garden so some times he sleeps in the in the day time, he has lots of toys in there so I leave the door open so he can come and go as he pleases is this the right thing to do?
Also when ever we go for a walk and walk past any one young or old he'll sit down and wont walk untill the people pass. Help please.

I hate to break it to you but your problem is that you have a very happy lab puppy. He is exploring everything in the world around him and it is all sooooo much fun. No matter how much attention you are paying him he will always be looking for stimulation and digging and exploring is just that. If you want to save your garden you could give him a sand pit of his own where you hide toys and treats for him to dig up. My garden is full of rocks because every time my lot find a space they love to dig I put rocks down, especially in plant pots to save my herbs etc, my dogs love to dig out a plant pot. My spaniels all dig under the hedge and I don't mind that, it is their special den that they can wreck to their hearts content.

Hi,
Pups and even adult dogs can be very destructive when they are left to decide for themselves what to do (so are children, come to that!) So rather than leave him outside, you will find it better to be outside with him, playing with him and doing a bit of training, and bringing him indoors to a safe place when he can't be supervised.

Out of interest, how long ago did he finish his course of injections?
:)

He had his last jab on the 16th of sep (almost 3 weeks) but why the question? I do not leave him out side as I said he stays in the house just to go out side to go to the toliet or in the hot weather I leave the back door open so he can come and go as he pleases. I don't mind him digging he just gets soooo muddy(he looks like a choclote lab lol). It's the washing thing that get to me as I then have to wash all the clothes again.

I was curious about his last jab because I am interested in the way vets in different parts of the country do the injections at different ages - in this area, for example, vets will vaccinate at 10 and 12 weeks, with another 10 days to a fortnight before the pup is allowed out on the pavements. So as yours was 'done' at a younger age, he was obviously out on the lead sooner. But he will still only have been going out for a little over a week, so don't expect perfect lead walking yet! I guess if I was out I'd stop still when giants approached me!
:)

Hi,
I have 2 staffies, when I'm home the back door is normally left open so they can come and please when they want, also it gives them more room to play chase. But they are restricted, I have gates across the top of my drive so they can't go anywhere I don't want them too, unless I'm with them. They are 3yrs old and 7 months old and can not be trusted to stay out of my flower beds, digging up the lawn and chewing my decking. Also I have 2 children who like to play and roll about the grass and patio and at least I know there is no chance the dogs have left an (unknown to me) parcel all ready to roll in. Dogs are happy, kids are happy and I'm definitely happy. :)
Michelle.

hi, i have a 12 week old choc lab, she has eaten all my plants, and plastic pots, dragged my washing out of the basket, her favorite thing is to get hold of the toilet brush, yuk. and to top it all, today when my hubby was suppose to be watching her she found a way in to the fish pond came out soaked, and ran through the house. dont think i will ask him to keep an eye on her again.

Hi Cafe, if your hubby is like most others, then you didn't give him the full instructions! I expect he did watch her - but you hadn't told him to stop her going in the fishpond! :rolleyes: Husbands can be infuriatingly like computers - they only do what you tell them!
:)

I think your dog is just loving his enviroment, my baby is 7 months old and still does the washing line trick. And because i always shouted "Give me that you" then chased it round the garden to retrieve my best blouse, she now thinks its a flipping game!!

Hi we also have a 12 week old lab who also digs for england and australia!! In the 5 weeks we have had her our garden has gone from a glorious floral display with a lawn to be proud of to a stripped bare flowerbed with a few sorry looking stalks sticking up, half of the lawn peeled back, the remaining primula regularly bought into the kitchen and the soil and worms shook around, oh and don`t forget the slugs she still keeps bringing in and doesn`t eat them now but pats them around the carpet and floor.

I`m such a newbie with this puppy lark its took me 5 weeks to suss out the washing line, I have to wrap the trouser legs around the top of washing line and hope the wind blows them dry or else I hear a `ping` and I see her race off to the top pond where she leaves them and sticks her head in the pond and blows a few bubbles and then comes racing back with some weed in her mouth.

Its her `first `outside walk tomorrow on the lead and the whole family reckon they`re all getting up early to take her to the woods.

I am reckoning on about 20 mins walk on the lead judging on previous posts for her first walk does this sound about right ?

Hilary

I am sitting here with the Patio doors open keeping a eye on my two chocolate monsters as they are as I speak walking around looking at which pot they are going to dig out ! :)

I keep having to walk out and tell them that I am watching them and there will be big trouble if they do it !

The other one who is 13 is on her sofa snoring as she has grown out of digging now ! :D

Just a tip on the washing line thing, get a tumble dryer. :D

Saying that though MB the youngest knows how to open the door and often snatches socks out of there :)

Lucy

My biggest problem with the washing line is making sure that nothing reaches below about 18" off the ground (towels, trousers etc) or the boys will "territorially mark" it and it then has to be re-washed! Boys, huh! :rolleyes:

Oh no!!!!! Jeangenie i`d completely forgotten about that until you`d mentioned it, having a little girl this time around !!!! :D

I HAVE A 7MNTH OLD BLACK LAB,
BEFORE WE BOUGHT HIM WE HAD A 18YR OLD RESCUE DOG WE HAD HER FOR 16YRS SHE WAS SO GOOD AND WE MISSED HER SO MUCH THAT I DIDNT LIKE BEING IN THE HOUSE, SO WE BOUGHT TOBY, BEFORE WE BOUGHT HIM HOME I DUG A NEW BORDER IN THE GARDEN AND PUT ALL NEW PLANTS IN, O DEAR DID I GO WRONG, TOBY JUST RAN UP AND DOWN THE NEW BORDER AND I HAVE ONLY 2 PLANTS THAT SURVIVED IT , I DECIDED 2 LEAVE THE GARDEN UNTIL TOBY GETS A BIT OLDER, LITTLE DEVIL :-)

Have 4 Spanish Water Dogs and they'll show you a thing or two on digging!!!! Dilita is nearly 12 and she still enjoys a good dig now and then. At the moment Carina is trying to dig a hole into the next door neighbours garden to get at the cats, good job the cement goes down deep. DON'T YOU JUST LOVE THEM?