Hi

I used to post on this board a while ago but lost my username details etc so have had to register again.

I need some help urgently please.

Someone I work with and his wife have their heart set on getting a labrador puppy. This would be fine apart from the fact that they both work full time. I've tried to dissuade them but they just come back to me saying that the labrador books they've read don't say anything about the dog not being able to be left for long periods of time or anything about it getting bored/destructive. They also don't believe labs need much exercise. They thought that taking it out every couple of days would be ok as the wife has dogs in Malaysia and that's what they do with theirs!

I would hope that a responsible breeder wouldn't let them have a puppy, but we all know there are some very unscrupulous people out there who'll let anyone have a puppy.

I'd like to avoid another poor puppy having to end up being rehomed or in rescue if possible so can anyone help me with any websites that show how to keep labradors or anything that may discourage them as I think they think I'm making it up!

Thanks

Alllie

Oh dear, sorry don't know any websites but our whole family are lab owners and in our experience Labs are people dogs, hate to be left, they can be destructive too, my sister left her two for 3 hours three times  a week when she got a part time job and hers ate the wall the lino the cupboard.................  and that was after walking them for a good hour and a half before work!  Mine need and love lots of exercise and company on a daily basis and are miserable if we have to go out without them!  Do hope they do not get one.

Hi Allie, here's a link to a Lab Rescue site, they will most likely have plenty of information about the requirements of a Lab, and what happens if you underestimate these lovely dogs.

Labrador Rescue

Good luck

liberty :)

Hi Allie,
here's some info  (esp. no.4 under major concerns..Separation anxiety).

http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/labradorretrievers.html

Kath.

Thanks everyone. I've printed all the info off and given it to them. Honestly I hope they take notice of it because I'm so concerned they'll get a dog and it'll end up living in the garden or going to a rescue centre and I know there are thousands of labs every year that are got rid of because their owners can no longer cope.

Andrex have a lot to answer for!!!!!!!

Hi i have a lab, he is 1 year old now so he has calmed down now, labs are very loving and love to please they do not like to be left alone they love company and lots of attention, where they got the idea that labs dont need much walking i dont know mine goes for walks 2/3 times a day and if im late taking him out he soon lets me know, if they leave a lab on its own all day long soon they will not have much of a house left, labs like chewing they are known for it my lab as a younger pup chewed a mobile phone, a kitchen cupboard door, scratched all the wallpaper off my kitchen wall and scratched the door frame in my kitchen, now i dont leave him for more than 4 hours so if a puppy is left alone all day i dread to think what damage it would do, its not fair to leave any dog alone for a whole day no matter what the breed, good luck :)

Heidi