Are you a fan of my training style, but can’t travel to Kentucky to see me in person? No worries! I offer an awesome online dog training course, which includes access to an array of exclusive videos and content, personalized coaching, journaling, and in-depth mentoring and evaluation by yours truly! Just need some an advice or have a couple questions you need answered? I also offer professional consulting by the hour. Both of these great services can be found here: kentuckycanine.com/services Thank you all for your remarkable support over the years! I cannot express enough how grateful I am for your appreciation and patronage of this channel, my training style, and my kennel. Always remember, it’s a great day for a puppy-sized adventure! -Stonnie Dennis, Dog Trainer
Stonnie, love your channel! You mentioned that you may not have a Lab that is perfect or energetic across the spectrum. So, by way of tribute to my old Jesse... When I was a young man (69 now), I was blessed with the perfect Lab. He was a 6 mo. old when I got him, yellow English Lab. Short, broad and smart as a whip. The best upland bird dog I ever hunted with. Taught me more about hunting birds than I had learned in my previous 22yrs in life. At the time, working 24 hour shifts, freinds would compete to keep him while I was working. NEVER messed indoors, fantastic guard dog (early warning), a friend to all, especially kids and an excellent listener. He was the picture of loyalty and love. Good looks and athleticism were strong suits as well. This video brought alternating tears and chuckles. Now, 39 years after I lost him, I still think of him every day. I was so blessed to have the exception to the rule. When asked by his son if dogs went to heaven, his father replied "Son, it wouldn't be heaven without them!" Can't wait to see you again Buddy!
This made me openly weep. I made a video of my mixed yellow lab shoshana (rose) I wrote"God reunites those who love" from the Edith Piaf song . If there is a heaven we will meet and she will bring me a ball again 😢😢crossed the rainbow bridge in January 2022 when my Maremma mix shiva,waa born ...
I had a black lab named Scout. He lived 13 years. I consider him to be a once in a lifetime dog. He was an amazing hunter in the water and field. He was also the best family dog. We got him at 8 weeks when my son was 8 months old. They were inseparable. I now have a black female who’s wonderful but I still miss my Scout ❤️
I hold a similar loss, Abby NormL, Abby Dabby Do, and a dozen other pet names. I think we mourn that special period of our lives that the dog encompassed as well. Perhaps like me, those were the years you had the most/best time to bond with your Scout.
We had a black lab named Huck. He was 14, and the once in a lifetime dog. We loved him so much! We are fortunate to have another black lab puppy from his breeder with the same DNA. I had to reply to your comment because we named him Scout. As of May 26, 2022, he’s 20 weeks old. 💕
I know how you feel. I lost my best friend and best dog ever two months ago. Some of these amazing dogs feel like one in a lifetime. But what I see people write is they all have this one in a lifetime labrador! So there must be millions of a one in a lifetime labs. Try not to compare your dogs. Your one and only will be in your heart forever. Try to enjoy the one you have now. Maybe it's just too soon for you! You seem to be still griefing. Never try to get a new pet if your heart is still hurt. It never will fit the hole in your heart.
My 13 year old field bred lab is snoozing right here beside me. This stage of dog life is sad for me, but she has been outstanding and brought so much joy.
totally agree, I always thought labs were insanely dull dogs but since getting one she is awesome and I love that she's so tolerant but like the book said, not soft. she'll defend herself if she needs to, but she generally if a dog tries to attack her but she'll just try to get out of the way and not even so much as bark
We have 5 dogs we sadly lost two just before Christmas so we had 7 ...I love love love my dogs more than I like most people ...one of the dogs we lost to cancer in Nov was my black lab poppy I took her off the street, she was amazing just amazing.. when She die it ripped my heart out of my chest ....she was the most amazing watch dog ! ..
Right! My husband complained about me wanting another dog after mine passed and now we have a lab mix. Although he still complains he’s been watching me train our boy and now he is all excited to get a black lab puppy just for himself. 🤦🏼♀️ my husband is a very difficult man. LOL
I had a wiggle dog, black lab. I got him at 8 weeks old because he was fearful. His parents were guide dogs. He was brilliant and I miss him. He was wonderful for 14 years.
I've grown to trust my lab. I've learned that she is obedient, but when she refuses to do something I want (a rare occurrence) there is a very good reason.
Stonnie, we took our lab pups out fishing yesterday. Both are swimmers and both have been in the boat 4-5 times. One of the dogs 'fell out of the boat' somehow. He immediately started swimming the wrong direction until we said his name, like , "Mitch, here, Mitch, here." He turned and swam back so we could pull him back into the boat. It was almost exactly like your earlier video about boat familiarization. It turned out to be a non-trauma for all of us. Thanks for the tips.
My two labs are my sons first time I had this breed and might be the only I’ll ever get. Max and terry are so smart and loving. Protector but also can just lay in the bed and have a lazy day. I dread the day they pass honestly cause I’ve never had such a good dog. ❤️❤️
I just got a choco lab- Gus. My 1st. I have & had yorkies, bichons, little ones. But Gus provides all day entertainment & love! We dont watch tv in my house anymore. He is so smart, crazy & HUNGRY.. all the time!
I have a 9 month old lab that has started barking out of fear when outside of my neighborhood. It’s good to hear that she will probably be fine! Great video.
My dad trained our first lab with a combination of Cesar Millan and puppy obedience school. He was the best dog; I loved him dearly. This is my first video of yours and I really enjoyed it. So much great information delivered through some adorable puppies. Now I gotta go pet my own.
discovered you with your training Henry series of videos. used you techniques with my Black Lab Fred with outstanding results! you should be proud of your work and even more so with your values and morals displayed daily. Thanks you.
We have both a yellow and black from Sundance Retrievers; they are 3.5 years old. Although they are bred for hunting, we got them to be semi-active family companions. They love to hike, fetch, and swim, but won't stay on the kayaks for anything. They have different parentage and act as different as night and day. Although we have had small issues, they are wonderful dogs. The 65 lb male black has English parentage, is a good watchdog and requires a ton more exercise than the yellow. Some would say his door barking is annoying. As a woman who is often alone, I encourage him to alert me to people at the door. He quiets when I investigate. In public, he doesn't bark that way but is ever alert to warn me about coyotes, dogs, and people on our walks. He's very cautious and afraid of boxes. The 50 lb female reddish-yellow has Irish parentage, both of whom are champions in field trials. She is a wiggly one, which makes us laugh. She still does what we ask, but is a goofball about it. She's more athletic than the larger male but much more content to hang out. She's afraid of garbage trucks and doesn't like golf carts going behind our fence. Neither looks like an English chubby although both are of British stock. They are sleek, athletic, fit, and have longer muzzles than the chubbies. Although we don't hunt we chose these hunting dogs because we didn't want big, blocky, heavy, lazy, 100 lb dogs. These two would have been awesome in the field but are perfect as companion dogs. Anyway...I love your videos and own every book by Wolters.
Thank you, I loved my lab Velvet she was the best dog I've ever had. She was my best friend and I miss her to this day. I love all my dogs but she was special!
We just adopted a 5 month lab puppy from a rescue. Obviously, we have some extra things to work through since he’s a rescue but so far he’s been a blast to train and he enjoys working (also, I’m one of those over achieving dog moms, just ask my Catahoula/Shepherd mix) Really enjoyed seeing all the different labs and their temperaments. You may not think of yourself as eloquent but you definitely have a lot of dog knowledge and passion so it’s really fun to watch your videos and hear how you explain dogs. Thanks so much!
I have a 5 month old Fox Red who looks exactly like Maggie! And she just started barking at random people passing us on hikes. It started out of nowhere just like Stonnie said. Thank you for this video. Now I'm not so worried about it. She is not an aggressive lab at all but she is a worker and has strong instincts.
Girl 66 yrs old from Cali .I am not antifa. Don't know anyone who is. Born and raised in so cal am liberal minded ..I find you so wonderful. And kind minded towards dogs and you make me laugh! Thanks for all of it!
just lost my 15-1/2 year lab. great dog!!. Great girl. last year we lost our 13 year old black lab/german shep mix. smart and gentle - best of both dogs. First time since I was young that we haven't had a lab or a german shorthair in our home. I miss that out door and water time. -----------------------??? I love having 2 dogs at a time. I am now 60 - I have been told that having 2 at a time is not a good idea. If anything happens to me or my husband .. both my daughters have agreed they will take any lab I have. My concern is that maybe it's not a good idea to have 2 pups at a time.????
Thank you from talking me off the cliff from getting a Great Dane pup. I love the breed, but it's just not healthy and has other challenges. Labs are so solid in personality and health. Thanks for the reminder.
Haha. Birdie needed a swim! I love it. Happy Father’s Day Stonnie! I trained my first two labs with Game Dog. I learned so much from Richard Wolters. Incorporating marker training and learning from Stonnie into my training I think is going to dramatically increase the precision on the Lab I am training now.
We had a black lab growing up at my dad's house and she was the best. Loved her so much. She was goofy and smart and motherly and gentle and just soooooo amazing. I loved wrestling with her and when my Dad had to put her to sleep I drove all the way out there just to see her one last time. She was still just so sweet and happy she just had really bad health issues was very old. Sure do miss that sweet sweet girl ❤️ rip Shadow. Makes me want another black lab ❤️
Good production, nice work! Right on, with my 40 years of experience with Labs. Like your points, I've always called it a "negotiated partnership" I live on a boat, traveling virtually all the time, so there are a lot of life and death things to learn for a dog. Not only learning quickly my imposed 'rules' but even making up some of their own. One of them could determine Sea-State, and go get her life jacket before going ashore if it was rough!
Hello Stonnie from. South Africa. We love your videos & all the dogs. If we are ferling down we switch on you chat & are guaranteed a list in spirit !! We love Labrador Retrievers & have always had two black ones... AWESOME DOGS. Thank you for your training methods. We will definitely use your ideas when we get our next two dogs. Many thanks best wishes.
I keep coming back to this video and relish it more and more. I will always be grateful to you for sharing your knowledge. and I managed to find a second hand copy of the book, awesome !!
I am 71 young and have grandchildren one autistic we just loss our black lab such a sweetheart loved children go on school bus and say hi to all the kids everyone loved her from ups fed x mail person everyone played with her I really miss her and want to know if we are getting too old to get another one so lost without her
I grew up in the “Bay Area” CA. Idk what’s so special. There are places to hike and beaches dogs can enjoy but I personally did not like living there. I’ve lived in Colorado and now Tennessee and I’ve always been drawn AWAY from “city life”. Although having Alaskan Malamutes in the “Bay Area” was not easy and my mom made a mistake getting that breed but I made it work. 🙂 Now I have a Lab/heeler and it’s so fun going outdoors here in the south. Also I agree with Uncle Stonnie about Labs being so great. They are a joy to work with and we love our new Lab very much!
Wow I'm so glad I saw this video. I have a fox red and he is just like you describe. He's just over a year old and he's happy in my face but lately when I ask him to sit he is acting nervous or almost shaking. I have been changing my mind about continuing with the having him sit and wait for my next command. I've just been taking him out of the sit position and just not doing the routines. He also has ferociously barked at a fallen tree branch and a man riding a bike 😕 i thought maybe he was poorly socialized even in a house with 10 ppl. But he's awesome with guests. Im glad its just a phase.
Labs are great dogs. I have 1 now. She showed up at our house digging in the trash can. I thought she was a raccoon messing with the chickens but no it was an emaciated black lab with a horribly infected neck from an imbedded collar. She’s a field lab. High energy but she’s a wonderful dog. Highly food driven but also aggressive about it. She wants all the food. I have a lot of dogs most are heeler mixes. Labs are really good dogs. Years ago I had another lab while my kids were young and he was fantastic as well.
In the early 90's I got my first copy of Richard Walters and read it inside and out...I love the Labrador Breed and have always had one since I was a kid :-) Thanks Stonnie !
Another excellent presentation!!! Thank you Stonnie for showing the work side and the wide personality range of the Labrador Retriever! I hope you have a fantastic Father's Day with your Beautiful family!! Is Eli no longer the cameraman? Just curious with all this corona virus and shut down of the economy! I'm glad you are able to work the plan of your style of training!! Have a great week!! Dennis
Oh! It was over too soon...! That opening paragraph was so evocative. Thank you for these videos. I get a better appreciation of my guide dog's needs every time. for a dog who's adored wherever he goes, he's always eager to work, and he plays hard too. Think I got a good one..!!
I love my lab; it doesn't matter if it's a pheasant, a nice green head, a tiny teal, or a 13lb honker, he'll bring them back and will do it through all terrain and conditions until there aren't anymore to bring back. At home, he's great with kids, puppies, everyone. edit: selfish plug: i've got some vids of him on my channel.
Another great video! I grew up with many Labs and agree they are the best! Currently have a field yellow 4 months old and loves chasing the water from the hose as you showed in another video. Keep up the great work. I'm a true fan!
Good words by Wolters. I love Labs for their personality and sturdy makeup both physically and emotionally. I've had the chunky ones that belonged on magazine covers, and the athletes that were wound springs of athleticism. They all had a "Labness" to them. A generous, honest good nature.
We got a yellow lab recently that looks just like sailor. Very cute! Gets lots of attention. Huge paws, thick head, strong build. Is it a English lab when they look like that?
Got a chuckle out of the Bay Area jokes. Having lived there most of what that pup will encounter is navigating a lot of hills and hanging out on the beach!
As always I loved the video. I'm a bit partial since I am a fellow Lab lover. The Lab I had when I was younger was the energetic always wanting to swim, jump off the dock and hike with me in the woods forever type. Which was great because I was a kid who lived in the country. The Lab I have now is much more laid back. Enjoys just hanging out at home but will go hiking with me and swimming just not with the same drive as my past one. Which is also great because I now live in a city and work so I don't have the time to devote to him that I did the one when I was young. All in all I like the chunky English ones best because of their personality.
Most Service Dogs that are labs are English lines and they do a lot of hard work so.... And I've met tons of field labs and the only hard work they do is ripping their owners house apart even after being exercised. Not exactly true in all cases.
I’m the new proud owner of a female black lab puppy (8 weeks old). My loving son got her for me as a birthday present. He’s a great son, I think. I’m turning 69
Love labs,I had a lab,never needed a leash on.would cross a road when I said it was Saif,would walk to school nd wait to collect all the kids school books bd loved to carry them home.
Hey stonnie thank you for another great video! Just a idea I thought of while watching this video. Would it be possible to do update videos on some of the dogs which as puppies were used a lot in your videos?? It would be amazing to see a photo or short video Remy working at the dentists Or to see Gust working with the planes! Just a idea I'm sure you've come across plenty of Dogs which now have amazing jobs of some description. Just a idea which I think would make a good video or a good way to start/end videos.
I've owned several breeds of dogs in my lifetime among them many labs they are such awesome dogs loyal smart and kind hearted. Now I have four litter mates Great Pryness/ Pitbull mix. Smart dogs now 11 months old, your training methods have helped me so much they listen well and have great manners. They are lots of work and every day is training day I love my dogs no matter the breed. What whistle do you use? Thanks for you wisdom!
TBH I had a mixed labrador i adopted at the age 9 years..the rescue team lied about her age but ..i ADORED her. Never had a more loyal dog. I dont know how i didnt have a mental breakdown when the vet put her down at age 14 .5 beautiful years She could play ball for hours .i woke up with a ball on my pillow. Problems:overeating ..😮 And a lot of energy as puppies. I would get an older labrador abandoned by someone . They are perfect dogs if you are hyperactive .. My Maremma makes me lazy and keeps me on my toes. She also plays ball but not obsessive I would consider health issues..they have a lot of orthopedic issues. I was lucky with my labrador rescue I think i will focus on ONE dog.Maremma. for now. Adopt not shop
I absolutely love watching Stonnie’s videos both for his knowledge of dogs and for his personality. The Antifa comment was pure GOLD. Keep em coming Stonnie.
I am from Germany and urgently need a service dog that is rarely trained and well-known here and here Yellow Labradors are predominantly used for this task, is there a reason? I have loved this breed since my earliest childhood and I would like my future Labrador Retriever to be as white as possible or at least as light as possible and with a black nose (because of the tendency to cancer). His task, in addition to his naturally species-appropriate life, which I can really offer him very well, will then be that he will be an emergency warning dog especially for epeleptics with additional tasks during and after seizures, not just warning. Many types of Labrador Retrievers were featured in this video, which one would be best suited for this task? As a companion in my life, despite being a typical family dog, he should mainly listen and concentrate on me because of his task, be able/like to do agility, be flexible, like to play, apotate, like nature, water, people/children, animals, cope with stressful situations, being able to stay alone for a longer period of time, not eating anything off the ground or other people (because they like to eat a lot), be obedient. Are purebred Labrador Retrievers (from the regularly inspected club) more prone to breed-typical diseases, do the traits come through more intensely, or are there any other differences to "normal" Labis?
How do you pick a dog with the expectation you want I had a black lab who had a good amount of energy and calmness she was the best for our family we had her for 10 years always happy
You have a great way with labs - they are truly everything described in the book. Am thinking of getting a black field lab - do you have any good contacts for breeders in Germany ? Thanks
