My Lab has just hit 8 months - the equivalent to 13 years human I believe and boy am I feeling it today!  She went to bed last night our beautiful baby and woke up this morning a complete monster! First refused to come out of crate, then unexpectedly bolted out & jumped in my space in the bed & licked husband to death, refused to get out of bed for breakfast, ignored children until we were trying to get ready for school & then wouldn't leave them alone, refused all training previously taught, apart from "speak" which she has done for every command including sit! Has been trying to fish in the pond (don't worry - it is covered), dug up a shrub while I was trying to get my shoes on to supervise her as she had made a hole in the fence trying to speak to next doors dog! and has just come and squatted in front of me and pee'd all over the rug (I have not had a mess in doors since she was 14 weeks) - I'm sure she was grinning as she was doing it!
How long do the 'Teenage years' last?

Nope think its the terrible 5's!!!!!!!!!
As 1 dog = 7 human years So that makes you lab 5.6 years :)
Lea :)

The teenage stage lasts app 3 years if you are lucky, a lifetime if you are not :D :D,  welcome to the world of Labradors.

Actually, I have been quite lucky with my lot, apart from Bailey, who became very adept at p**s taking, every command was aknowledged with a 'playbow', came through the 'teens' quite quickly. Tia has just gone the opposite way, she is the sullen, sulky, moody 'goth' type teen.

Most Labrador owners I know have come through it by the time they a 2.5 years old, some earlier, but, as John will testify, some not at all :D

My Mandy was born a staid adult! No rebellious teenage period, just an insistence that we did as we were told, crossed roads by the shortest route and NEVER, under any circumstances were we to walk down the middle of the road! I have never had one like her, before or since! The culture shock came with Bethany who made it quite plain from day one that she was never going to comply! I spent the first six years of her life wishing she would grow up and the rest of it hoping she never would. And my second wish came true!

Regards, John

Lea - The yardstick that the age of a dog equals seven human years is a myth as the actual age of a dog in human years depends on the size of the dog.

Well!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!at 23 months my "puppy" has dug up the garden, and decided that we all needed to remided of our dirty linen ( strewn through the house), then decided that the phesents were fair game and ran riot though the fields sending all sorts of wildlife into panic. Then No 1 boy ( he is 5.5yrs) decided that he would dig an enormous hole in the garden - I mean huge - so I think, I am really sorry to say, that at 8 months you have a lot to live through.

Last time we were away and the dogs had to stay with friends, our youngest ended up in the Piggery, as she ate her kennel!!!!

But they are the most loveable, biddable, emotionally attached dogs you could own. They know when things are wrong, and when last year, I had a broken leg and spent 8 weeks in plaster, they were there for me. They slept with me, always making sure they went well ahead of me when I hobbled, they were always anxious about me, never got in my way when I tried to navigate my way around the house, waited patiently for food etc.

So welcome to the world of Labradors. I am sure with love and lots of reinforcement of training everything will be fine and you will have a faithful friend for life.

Patricia

Do you think I will be able to teach her to chew matching socks?  It would be much easier to throw away a pair than make my family wear odd ones!!!
I have had enough - and am going to bed - on a muddy pillow - ARRRGGGHHH!!

I can give you the answer to that in one word.

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

<<I am sure with love and lots of reinforcement of training everything will be fine and you will have a faithful friend for life.>>

I am sure with love and lots of reinforcement of training they will soon teach you to believe that what they do is right! :p

Matching socks, what would that be then?????  :D :D :D

LOL John - she's already getting there!  Well I was going to bed, but just found Meg in my place all snuggled watching tv with husband.  Maybe I'll try the crate!!!

Yep. You're learning your place in a household owned by a Labrador! :d

Last night my daughter slept on the sofa in her room whilst the Pooch in residence had a king size bed to itself !!!!!!!!!!!

You Know, its all about frame of mine, you believe that what you are doing is right, but accept that life is not perfect !!!

Had a awful day with Annie,2 plant pots brought in ,also a full bowl of water,she has been full of mischief,ate maggots,she spotted a fisherman from afar,rolled in somthing dead,she is fast asleep now on the bed snoring her head off.
Sheila.

Yep! Sounds a normal healthy Labrador! Just wait till my puppy arrives. She MAY have been conceived yesterday!

Regards, John

I bet you're excited John! :)

Lindsay
X

Only an hour and a half to go and I'll be seeing the possible mother of my puppy!!!

Best wishes, John

Ooh, I hope you like her! Let us know, won't you?

Just been to see the bitch, she's georgous! She was retrieving to my hand within two minutes of me arriving, and that without the confidence of her owner being there!

Best wishes, John 

You do like to keep us in suspense John, I have been waiting on that all morning :D Now we are going to have to suffer the suspense of waiting. Do you realise what you are putting us through? :D :D 

Glad you liked her, fingers crossed for you now.

Kay

She sounds lovely, is the breeder going to let you have a pup then John? :) Hope so!

Lindsay
X

Great news John. What breeding is she? and has she done much? (working / trialling etc)

Tibilla Dusk Of Endacot is the sire. The dam is a Garrethall bitch. Dogs further back are Craighorn Bracken, some Conneywarren, Birdbrook, Palgrave, Manymills and of course Pocklea Remus. She is just over two years old and not been trialed yet but in her first Working Test season has 2 thirds, 2 seconds (Including an open Cold Game) and 3 firsts.

I phoned the breeder this evening and asked to go on her list for a yellow bitch. It would be such a shame if there's no yellow bitches! Dusk is black but carries yellow and Lyric's yellow so. . . . . . fingers crossed.

Yes, I have ideas for her name but I'll hold my council on that until I know whether it's going to happen.

Best wishes, John

Sounds like a smart little bitch. The 'usual suspects' are in the pedigree! Amazing that 45 thousand labs bred in a year, but the better working ones still tend to have similar breeding!

Even if you have to 'make do' with a black, at least you could be sure that she will carry a yellow gene.

I liked the way she behaved. Her owner was home in Suffolk, She had only met Ann a few time and never seen me before in her life and she was sat leaning against my leg. Also she retrieved to me, not Ann. The "Paper" looks good but it's the little things like that which swing it for me. We just clicked.

OK, I know, Not a very professional way to pick a working gundog but I need to feel at home around the dog and need that to feel at home with me. :)

Best wishes, John

I cant think of a better reason for choosing a pup (working or otherwise) than really liking the mother!

The mother of my young springer came and leaned against my leg, and this youngster is turning in to the most capable dog that I have ever owned.

I hope this pup works out for you John. Sods Law suggests that a litter of black dogs are imminent!

Best wishes

<<I hope this pup works out for you John. Sods Law suggests that a litter of black dogs are imminent!>>

My thoughts exactly Havoc! According to the "Rules" of genetics the litter will be 50/50 yellow and black, but there is no rule to say which 50 is which! :)

Best wishes, John

I currently have one 14 1/2 yr old who is still a puppy, one 3 1/2  yr old who is a very grown up Lab now or she pretends to be and lastly a 2 1/2 year old who doesn't know the meaning of growing up. :rolleyes: . If she was presented with a dictonary to show her the meaning of the word then would plan and execute the ripping it to shreds in the matter of seconds :D

Remind me why we love Labs :D :D

Lucy
xx

Our 11 month retriever is an angel usually.

This am though i put on a face pack and sure enuff he couldnt leave me alone.

Wee sod managed to get some on the side of his snout so he'll either get spots or have a baby soft face for the girlies!

It sounds as if you are smitten already John - do hope it all goes well.......so hopefully, by the beginning of June, you's be posting about your pup!!

Margot

I've even got a suggestion for a name for the pup, John - Camilla :D :D :D :D    (Ducks...)

Daisy

Daisy - I hadn't realised that you were such a Royalist - tell me - have you bought your hat yet - or are you "doing over" last year's model???

(Kazz has some nice squirrel tails, I believe :D )

Margot

LOL - I'm just waiting for my invite to arrive :D Can't decide about the hat tho' - thought that I'd ask Cilla for some advice :D

Daisy

Great news John,its so exciting getting a pup,any names yet.
Sheila.

I'm keeping quiet on that front Sheila until it happens. I might be unlucky, or the breeder might not like me when she sees me!

Best wishes, John

HOPE YOU DONT MIND ME JOINING IN ABOUT THE LABS
I HAVE TWO
BLACK MALE 4 AND A CHOCOLATE GIRL AGE 2
WHO HAVE THEIR OWN  ROOM
IN THE BACK OF THE HOUSE WHERE THEY COME AND GO ALL DAY WITHOUT RESTRICTION 
MY GIRL SHE IS VERY MATURE AND SENSIBLE CAN TAKE HER ANY WHERE EXEPT HER OWN GARDEN!!!!!!!!
WHERE SHE PULLS UP THE TURF AND RELAYS IT IN HER ROOM AND BEFORE I KNOW IT SHE HAS RETRIEVED HALF THE TREE BRANCHES AND THEY TOO ARE IN WITH THE TURF
ACTUALY COULD SHE BE CONFUSED AND THINKS SHE IS A BEAVER (LOL)

MY BLACK BOY OF 4 STILL THINKS HE IS 6 MONTHS OLD AND TOTAL RUNS ME RAGGED UNTIL HE GETS IN THE OBEDIENCE CLASS THEN YOU WOULD THINK BUTTER WOULDN'T MELT AND DOES EVERYTHING THAT IS ASKED UNTIL WE GET HOME!!!!!!!!!
MY HUSBAND SAYS!!!!HE IS A JUVANILE DELINQUENT
A JAMES DEAN (LOL)
BUT I WOULDN'T SWAP HIM FOR THE WORLD

I COULD NEVER OWN ANY OTHER TYPE OF DOG AS THEY ARE SO GIVING AND LOVING
ALSO THEY ARE BETTER THAN THE TV ANY DAY
MAZZA

<<HOPE YOU DONT MIND ME JOINING IN ABOUT THE LABS>>

Of course not Mazza! You are more than welcome.

Yes, they are a wonderful breed! My only regret is that so many people get one thinking that it is always going to be a sweet little Andrex dog. No training needed, no hassle. Unfortunately, like we all know, they get bigger, stronger, and without training damned hard work! That's the point where they give up and the rescues are left with another hooligan to try to find a home for.

To me they are special! I went to see a friend this morning as I said elsewhere on this thread. A morning spent looking at her dogs and talking over her collection of pedigrees dating back to the 1960's and I'm in paradise!

Best wishes, John

thanks john
so you are in heaven about it all
so are you getting a pup if so
when?

how many labs do you have john if you dont mind me asking
do you show ect
i use to show but hubby been ill
hoping to get back to it this year exspecially with my chocolate girl
my black male has got overly unruly at shows and stresses me really bad so i do obedience with him instead where he can use his excess energy
my girlie is very laid back
so i would like to show her but she is chunky so need to run some weight of her first

my dog lines are sh ch foulby nut cracker & sh ch  bobby shafto
mardas over the rainbow mardas bizzy lizzie emsal black comedy
mardas master mariner sh ch swinbrook twig

bitchies kc lines go back to sh ch davricard bobby shafto
loxdale rusty nail at balrion and mardas master mariner bracken and loxdale bolero and sh ch charway blackthorn of follytower

just thought you would be intrested as you sound so enthusiastic over bloodline
i am always excited over both of their lines!!
but to me he is my champion
keep us informed about your future pup wont you john

mazza

I only have one at the moment Mazza. I lost one about four years ago and the time has not been right until now to replace her. It was always my intention to have a litter from my Anna but domestic problems made that impossible until now, and of course Anna, now nearly seven is too old for a first litter! Part of the attraction of this litter is that it is sired by the dog I was going to use on Anna!

I love the working side so my lines are, in the main, different to yours. (Although Anna does have some show blood in her!) Swinbrook Twig features in many working pedigrees including my Anna and Puppy to be! Charway Blackthorn of Follytower's sire was Follytower Merrybrook Black Stormer who is in Anna's pedigree, although from there she branches out into the Bradking Black Charm. You have some lovely dogs in your lines! Working lines include Endacott, Birdbrook, Craighorn, Tibea, Manymills, Garrethall and the like.

As to when I'm getting the puppy, have a heart! She was only conceived Wednesday! ;) I've had a chat to the breeder this evening and put my name on the list so now its the 63 day wait!

Best wishes, John

SORRY JOHN!!!!!!!!1
did not realise she had only just been concevied wed

no doubt you will be marking the days off your calendar

hope all goe's well
all the best
mazza

Fingers crossed! It's a lovely pedigree, on paper. I'm hoping the flesh is as good! I've explained to Anna that I expect her to help with the training and she's agreed. ;)

Best wishes, John

DAISY! Wash your mouth out! ;)

John :p

Hope it all works out for you John.  Keep us informed won't you?

Oh yes I think there is something wrong with this part of your post John quote;

          "....normal healthy labrador"

My question since when have Labradors been "normal" :)

Karen

Arr, but we leave being normal to Staffies Karen ;) Labradors don't really do "Normal"!

Don't worry, I think you are all going to hear more than enough about this puppy before it's born!

Best wishes, John

Just to let you know that according the chart at the vets for a small to medium breed the first year is equal to 12 human years and for a large breed the first year is 18 human years So i would say your extimake of about 13 would be about right!

i so want a labrador they have always been my favourite breed, unfortunately our house isnt really big enough at the moment. OH's aunt as a labrador x retriever who failed her guide dog training shes gorgeous and definitely thinks shes still a pup, i think shes about 3 now but still comes to sit on your lap (which hurts lol) walking her is great for my new exercise regeime you feel like you have had a full body workout by the end. The last guide dog pup they had a was pure lab and she was sooo sweet and timid if you raised your voice she was convinced she had done something wrong, so just the opposite to their other dog really!

As for the digging in the garden though we have a sheltie that does that sometimes, when he was about 6 months he decided he wanted to stand on a small wall in our garden, there was a big bush in his way so he proceeded to dig the entire thing up and scatter it across the garden to make room for him

Could she be coming into season? Bitches often do strange thins when a season approaches. Don't know what age labs have thier first season.

Could she be coming into season? Bitches often do strange things when a season approaches. Don't know what age labs have thier first season.

Anything from 5 months or less to 13 months or more.

Regards, John