To prevent jumping…when we got our rescue lab, we simply didn’t give her pets or attention till all 4 paws were on the ground and asked our few visitors to do the same. We stood like a statue until she was calm, then we gave her a ton of love, pets, and praise once all 4 paws were planted. She learned quick and does well not jumping on people to this day.
💯 Agreed. Basically ignore then reward the desired behavior with attn and affection. For me good behavior is calm, attentive and respecting you (and spouse or kids) as pack leader. It’s why I we don’t yell at or ‘punish’ a dog when they come back at our call after running off. We love them dearly but they are a dog not a human child. Reward them for coming back when called and leash them unless/ until better trained to keep them and others safe.
I have kids (toddler and a small 7yo) so besides all the above. I put my knee up and they ended up ramming into my knee. Broke all the dogs of it quick as puppies which needed to happen because a toppled over toddler isn’t on my list of things. Was fun watching my old dog correct the puppy when we got her. Old dog wouldn’t let her on the couch until she was calm. Also would snap at her if she knocked the kids over.
Thank you so much for that tip! My dog is Small and is only 15 lbs, but her bad habit of jumping on people is crazy. I've managed to get her to tone it down just a little when we are out, but when visitors come to our house, it's 100 times worse and nothing really works. I'll be definitely trying this, hopefully it works.
My lab did that too. I remember one day we took him to the dog park and if he didn't find the first mud puddle in the park and plop his butt right in the puddle. After he finished with that he went and laid in the community water fountain for the dogs and take a bath. I was so embarassed. Put him in the car and took him home. I spent 3 days cleaning my muddy went car. Damn I miss that boy
Oh they will - I was bit by a yellow lab - dislike them to this day. Only dog I have ever been attacked by. I would take a pitty over a lab any day - they’re riddled with health problems and are overhyped as a breed.
@@Kateanada What are you on about? If you were bitten, it was not the dog's fault, it was the dog's owner. People get dogs and do zero to socialize them, then they are surprised when the dog acts out. They are not 'riddled with health problems'. If you have a grudge against labrador retrievers, that says more about you than labs. Any dog has the predisposition to bite, it is responsible stewardship that creates well behaved, socialized, friendly dogs.
@@sanataniindian3133 Yes and they'll do it with or without you. In freezing weather. I've watched mine jump in the #3 wash tub in 26°F degrees weather. And sit in it for a while. He's crazy.
Labradors are gentle creatures that can cure our souls with their kind touch. They fill our lives with joy and cheer, and we can always count on them to be our beloved friends, forever near.
I had a chocolate lab who LOVED water (sea, lakes, waterbogged ditches, puddles, swamps etc) but he positively HATED having proper baths and showers. It wasn't hard to trick him getting into the shower, though. I'd just throw in a treat and he would go after it. I'd then close the doors and he'd be like: "Dang it! I fell for it again!" 😂
Same here. I had to tie my chocolate to a post to bath him. But put the sprinkler out and it was the end of the sprinkler. Bought a many a one during his life. I do miss him a lot.
Ha! My brother’s silver lab loves the water, and even bath time is all good. But! He hates the hose (too cold!) and acts like rain is a personal affront. The hose hate can be traced back to the time he had a run in with a skunk and sprayed in the ear/face and subsequent outside cleaning. However, the rain thing has been since he was a puppy. He seems to just prefer getting wet on his own terms and/or is irritated by the pitter patter of raindrops hitting him. He continuously tries to shake it off and/or heads to the nearest door or spot with overhead coverage.
@@LSGIEddi Does yours go directly to the couch and muddiest parts of the backyard and roll in it immediately? Our Choco did. Lots of personality there.
I have a black labrador (he's a rescue that I adopted when he was a year old) and I must be lucky, he does not bark, is lazy and a home body and loves to swim. He does however hate showers but silently 🤣 He really is the goodest of boys! My lab is also taller and skinnier than this boy.
Whatever their "negative" aspects, they are the most wonderful dogs in the World. Mad as hatters for their first 3 years but great fun and so affectionate and gentle.
:) Well, let me just say that perhaps it isn't exactly 3 years. However, it will happen, and someday you will forget all about the insanity and think, 'Boy, s/he really has always been a wonderful dog, right out of the box, you know?'@@HalsPals
Labs have a nickname: the walking stomach. They live up to it. My parents had a yellow Lab when I was in my 20s. At this time, I was working second shift at a doughnut shop and some nights, I ordered pizza. Said Lab slept in the living room and to keep her quiet, I would say, "If you stay quiet, you can have my crusts." Hannah didn't so much as breathe hard until I was done. A few weeks later, I was off and ordered pizza for everyone. As we were eating, Hannah kept watching me. My mother blinked and said, "Why is the dog watching you so closely?" I tried to shrug and Hannah whined softly. My dad said, "You've been feeding the dog, haven't you." Busted. 😂 I miss that yellow goofball.
I dont get the obsession with not feeding dogs human food… if it likes your food it will get it when your not looking even if it hasnt tried it even once before
@clydecraft5642 it’s not good for them. they can’t have chocolate or salt or garlic and other things. dogs should either get dog food or unprocessed whole “human” foods (like egg, carrots, blueberries, certain meats, etc.). it’s this “obsession” called what’s in the best interest of a dog, especially if you want it to live a long and healthy life.
Used to have a well bred black lab for a long time when I was a kid. Tahoe was the best dog a young boy and his sisters could have asked for. My father took her hunting. She was a great lounger. She had run of the large yard we had. She was able to keep the rodent pests under control. All in all, phenomenal dog
Some of my former neighbors moved and abandoned their elderly black lab. He started coming to our place, a little way down the road for handouts, then meals, then meals and belly rubs, until he finally quit waiting for the other people to return to the empty house, and moved in with us. He is our best behaved dog and gets along with all the others well. He is a joy to be around. I'm not happy that he was abandoned, but delighted that he chose us to be his new family. Love your channel! Thank you for all you do. You're very talented.❤️🐾
Obsessed with food - doesn’t cut it. My old roommate has a 13yo black lab - a sassy, gracious queen called Star. She was super well cared for and trained, but she had tough times with previous owners. She got on a bit so had some health issues too. Such a sweet girl. She hates cats, was above playing with dogs in the park, would glad eat anything on the street - including live squirrels, pigeons, rats, etc. For her age, she was lean, mean and athletic. She would rarely bark, was pretty smart and whenever we’d have upset her, she would silently slowly walk into my roommates room and aggressively hump his pillow. But the moment she thinks you’re watching - total denial. She was a graceful queen, didn’t air her laundry in public. What a sweet sweet lady. Her only weakness was food. She would be strategically lurking around the kitchen soft-pawed when we’d cook - the moment we’d look away to grab something from the fridge. Your whole ass fish, couple sticks of butter with the wrapper on, any kind of bread, ANYTHING - GONE. Straight up swallowed in a hot second. I miss you Star. And your cuddles. You sweet hot diva you.
Can confirm - Labs are arguably the most food oriented breed out there - my now long gone yellow lab could hear a Kraft single being unwrapped 2 floors away. 🤣👍🐕
I worked for 20 years in rehabilitation for the blind and visually impaired. Many of my coworkers had lab guide dogs. I've learned that these dogs are very highly trainable! They make excellent guide dogs, and in fact are the primary candidates for that task. And if they are trained early, any owner will find them trouble free.
They're very trainable, but unfortunately a lot of people get labs thinking they are "easy" dogs and don't bother giving them even basic obedience training. They *are* generally very friendly but they're also big clowns who don't know their own strength and can easily bowl over terrified toddlers and old grannies without meaning harm.
That’s the thing: people have to actually train them. They’re such an easy dog to own if the owners are responsible and work with them early on. It’s unfortunate that these great dogs get picked by owners who do not bring out their potential.
My dad had a coworker who trained guide dog puppies. Funniest thing is when he would tell the puppy to "shit" (not, he is not misspeaking), the puppy would attempt to shit, straining and all, lol Hoping the puppy became an excellent guide dog when he hit adulthood.
@@ladyhexton3773, One trainer I am acquainted with used to say "Labs will work for pocket lint". Most of them have an innate desire to have a job and if you can make the training process fun it'll go easily
Used to walk a lab a few years back. Most well behaved dog I have ever encountered. Never jumped, almost never barked, no lead pulling. But she had also been trained very well, and we took her on 1h+ walks every single day even when she was 13 years old, and short walks in the morning and evening.
@@onamattapeeya Train your dog properly, don't support backyard breeders and educate yourself about a particular dog before getting one. Be ready and willing to put in the work. Does that clear things up?
@@malloryg4251 no I didn't understand why they were making a relatively safe dog out to be so reckless, I did not need dog ownership tips LOL besides what constitutes a backyard breeder in your eyes? Because not everybody that breeds dogs at home is trying to run a puppy mill, and the shelters are a racket so if you know somebody breeding Pomeranians and they treat their dogs well, what's wrong with getting one?
When i got my chocolate lab, he was the best boy i ever had. Over 14 years of laughs, tears, slobber, and more. I held him the first day we got him, and held him on his last day. I miss him every day, just waking up and seeing him in the morning was a big change i never got use to.
Currently two weeks into life with an AKC lab pup. I whole-heartedly agree with the training, and he's signed up. I've never known an animal to be simultaneously intelligent and aware while also repeatedly ramming his head into every hard piece of furniture, wall, and door I own like they weren't even there. Poor thing is going to lack the braincells for training by the time we get there!
My 4month old black goldenlab is the same. He keeps hitting his head on things like tables and cabinets everytime he is playing with my other dog. He just doesn’t care and acts like a bulldozer.
We had an English Lab, Bailey, he wasn't like this at all. He did love to go for walks, and he pretty much wanted to do whatever we wanted to do. Funny, he didn't like to swim or get bathed. He was just happy being with us. We got him from an excellent breeder, we managed to keep his weight "just right" (high quality dog food and no table scrapes). Bailey was the sweetest dog I've ever been around.
We had a non-overweight 120lb Chocolate Lab. He was the offspring of our very normal looking American Lab girl who we bred with a national show winning Labrador. She only had two puppies, both of which were massive. Ended up living to be 14 years old too, best dog we ever had.
I’ve had two labs, my first one was a big ball of yellow that just loved life and wanted to watch rabbits in the yard from the time she was 2 years. My current lab, a fox red, …… she doesn’t know how to stop, she exhausts me and goes maniac mode around ducks and geese
Same. I currently have a yellow half American half British lab who’s a complete couch potato and a Fox red full British lab who just wants to be near a family member all the time or play fetch. I wouldn’t say either of them are a big ball of energy per say. I think the worst part about labs is all the shedding 😅 otherwise they’re perfect imo. I had no idea groomers didn’t like working with labs. 😅
My mother had a labrador mix. I met her when I was but a five year old. If I dare halted my petting, she would put her paw on my leg, as if to tell me "more please". Although, Gabby did have issues with her hip, which caused a lot of pain up until her death. I'm very glad that she was the first dog I have memories of. Hope you're having fun running around with your healed hips now. ❤
My father's labra turns around and looks at you like "you still have a hand and I'm still here. Where are my pets?". And if you don't pet her she starts acting comically sad, like turning her back to you and sighing while laying down.
I don't have a dog. I don't expect to get one in the near future. However, I enjoy watching your videos. I like learning about the differences between the breeds, their suitability to different owners/caregivers and living situations, and the trials pet groomers go through. Thank you for taking the time to both educate and entertain us.
Her take on breeds is LARGELY biased and she also tends to avoid touchy topics like brachycephaly in dogs. I'd caution putting all you trust in her and her so called 'expertise'
My tubby 13--year old female Lab Retriever hurt her foot yesterday, and, despite us bandaging it, she couldn't climb the stairs to spend the night in our bedroom as she always does. Her whines at the bottom of the stairs melted my heart and I had to carry all 20+ kg of her up the winding staircase. But her gratitude and knowing she'd be upstairs at night with us made it worth every ounce of effort. Her brother, athletic but completely blind, was already on the queen size bed, waiting. They are so important to us.
I had a beautiful black Lab and she was nothing like this. I only ever heard her bark once in her entire life, and she was protecting me. Her bark was deep and booming, not shrill and painful to the ears, and it was so impressive that my neighbor (a K9 cop) came over to see what was going on. She was definitely food-motivated and her ears did get infected occasionally, but I never had a floppy eared dog who didn't have the same problem. She was not obese, she was well-trained, and she was a joy to be around. I trained her early on to sit when she was really excited, so when I took the leash out or when someone came to visit, she'd plant her butt on the floor, tail wagging wildly, and scoot herself over to the leash or the friend, always following the instruction to keep her butt on the floor. It was one of the funniest and most adorable things we'd ever seen. She was my best dog, and I'd happily take another Lab (or ten!) any day of the week.
some labs have different barks. When they want to scare people they can pull a deep bark from somewhere, but even well into adulthood some of them still yip like a puppy.
My black lab is the same, no shrill yapping just a deep bark when people knock on the door. He's not overweight, likes most people but not always good with bigger male dogs. Always comes when i call and he's never had formal training, just a laid back dog.
All 3 of my Labs had/has the same loud, from the diaphragm "woof woof woof" kind of bark which is why they were such excellent watch dogs as long as the would be prowler never sees them because if they do then the JIG is up because all they see is this big goofy looking Lab that thinks it is about to get petted My 1rst one it was only if someone knocked on the door, the black Lab I have now she sits on the sofa and watches out the window and if anyone walks by on the road or pulls into the drive way she barks
The best dog I ever had was a big black lab we adopted from the Pennsylvania aspca. My mom always says he raised me and my brother cause he was so good with us, he used to wait in the front yard for me and my brother to get off the bus from school and make sure we made it home. He lived to be 12-14 not exactly sure how old his was when we got him, he died at home and he’s buried him with my grandfather.
I’d like to say that one of my favorite things about this channel is the educational aspect you incorporate into each video. Going into depth about the historical use of the breed, it’s pros and cons for owning one, etc. it’s all an amazing way to teach about dogs! Thank you! I love this channel.
Thank you for encouraging lab owners to train their dogs. My friends have owned a series of labs over the 30+ years I've known them, and each one lacked training and was not a joy tone around (and I love dogs). Constant jumping up on people, ramming their noses into private areas, barking, begging, etc. If you're going to own a dog, train it to behave!
Yeah. If you adopt them though it can be a challenge. Old habits die hard and all that. My families coonhound *knows* she shouldn’t jump, beg, etc., but she spent the first 1-2 years of her life doing just that, half feral, and defaults to these things whenever she is excited. She just forgets.
All labradors I have known never were barking a lot. My best friend lab has to be asked to speak before she barks... so cant relate to the barking thing. Then I have know breeds that barks constantly and labs are nothing like them. Begging is common trait tho since they are obsessed to food but just dont give into the begging and they walk away.
My sister's labs are the same. Totally untrained and destructive. I love dogs, but her dogs are so annoying and not fun to be around. One of them even knocked my 80 year old mom down to the floor. Thank God she landed on a dog bed or else she could have been severely injured. But my sister just plays it down or laughs it off. 🙄
@@susanna8612 Ours only barks if you rile her up (or if a cat has the audacity to jump into a tree instead of playing). Her mom however, did alert. It's fun when our lab barks, since she sounds like a giant guard dog :)
Our first dog was a female chocolate Lab, got her as a 8 week old pup. Went to the breeders house to pick one out. All these pups went running around like wild dingos, then the last one came out of the house yawning like she just woke up from a nap, “that’s the one we’ll take!” We said, best decision we ever made. Had her for 13 happy years.
I'd never go for the slowest dog in the litter, but it takes all sorts I suppose. I've lived with labs for over 50 years and am without one for the first time now as prices were simply MAD during Covid. But I regret not getting a lab, as the two we have now (mastiffs) are soooooo stupid and almost completely untrainable.
I’m a dog trainer, and you are spot on about owners needing to train their dogs to NOT jump on people! In group classes, we teach owners to get their dog to do something instead of jumping up - and the dog is rewarded for *not* jumping, rather than be corrected for jumping. Dogs repeat things that get them something they like - food, attention, sea scratches, and so on…. and will eventually extinguish the jumping up, because it no longer gets them what they were trying to get from the person. What owners don’t realize, is that they MUST do this absolutely EVERY TIME the dog tries to jump up - perhaps for several MONTHS, because extinguishing a behavior takes a very long time. The typical poet owner believes a single 6 week training beginner class is all, their dog will ever need, which is as preposterous as expecting a kindergartener to be capable of brain surgery after the first day of school.
I'm such a dog lover it makes me a horrible influence. A dog putting their front paws in my lap is my invitation for gentle words, a face cuddle, an ear scratch, and some doggy kisses. Yeah. I know. Booooo!!!
I have a bichon, and getting OTHER people to not reward jumping is almost impossible! I’ll say “don’t jump” as she’s preparing, and total strangers will say “oh it’s okay, she’s soooo cute “ as they pat their thighs in invitation. It’s incredibly frustrating! Obviously, I still try, but I’m constantly undermined. My only saving grace is that she instinctively doesn’t jump on small children. They are somehow exempt until maybe 8 or 9. But she obviously can’t tell if some adult might be disabled or just have poor balance, and that’s potentially dangerous, even at her small size.
@@webster695 I don't invite jumping up when I'm standing. It's when I'm seated that someone else's dog wants to either put their front paws on my knees or next to me on the cushion. I realize that rewarding jumping up on standing humans is a definite no since any size dog can potentially cause physical harm to someone with bad balance or a frail stance.
I taught one of my dogs to do 'sit pretty' in front of someone when he wants attention :) unfortunately my big dogs are still struggling with not jumping 😭
@@webster695same issue, but worse for me cuz my dog is an assistance dog 😭 she was taught to ignore people when working but so many people kept pushing and pushing that she'd respond to them then loads of people patting their thighs telling her to jump 😭😭😭
My 2 labs were both quiet and calm. They were also gentle, loving, caring, and 1 of them even saved my life once. I rescued them from separate bad homes and even though they had both been neglected and abused they were extremely well behaved and required almost no training, they were good listeners and cared deeply about making me happy. So that's my experience with labs. I'm not saying all labs are as lovely as mine were, but definitely don't be discouraged from rescuing a lab after seeing this video.
I fully agree on the jumping. We only got rescue dogs, and they all jumped when we first got them. The first thing, the highest priority thing, was stopping them jumping. Pulling the leash, barking, getting dirty, those were all side quests until they stopped jumping. It's bad behavior and for many it can be dangerous. I usually don't mind dogs jumping on me, even when dirty, but I still experience discomfort from it, so I can imagine people that are less used to dogs would find it terrifying and probably very annoying. Jumping is simply not allowed.
For having a black lab as a family pet growing up, I never knew how demanding and dramatic they are. The one we had had been pre-trained and was actually meant to be a service dog. She did get pretty chunky though as she retired lol. She was very sweet and never barked which was why she was a family pet and not a guard dog. Miss her dearly 🖤
My sister's lab was the bestest boy ever. He loved his bath time, but didn't like swimming. He was huge (not fat, just BIG), and a total snuggle bug. His paw was the size of the palm of my hand. He loved my late mom, who had mobility issues due to age, and he would stand by her and lean into her so she wouldn't fall. He crossed the bridge in Feb 2020.
But they need to be trained. They’re so easy to train, even just a moderate amount of training at home will completely change their behavior. They were bred to be good at complying.
I had a full blooded lab for 13 years. She was an absolute angel. When she was young she chewed on some things but that is to be expected. She never barked during a bath and just loved to be around people. She was also very mellow and calm
We have a half black lab half herding dog mix who was severely abused. We have raised many dogs from puppies, and we have been able to train them to understand grooming. We are lucky to have a groomer who understands abused dogs. When we bring him in for a nail trim, both groomers come together and praise him as he accepts having his nails trimmed. We are so grateful. We love our rescue boy but can't always give him everything he needs. We are so grateful to our groomer to help us as he heals.
I walked my lab 2-2.5 hours a day for the first 2-3 years and she would still have energy! She also hated water and hated her paws being touched. She was sooo smart and easy to train but then would choose what she wanted to do when she wanted to do it. I swear she rolled her eyes at me. Oh and the hair! Endless brushing. She lived 15 years and her personality was always large…never wavering. I sure miss her. Love your videos!
Your statements about training are so true-we have a 1 year old lab/Pyrenees mix and he’s sweet tempered but A LOT -we knew right away we’d need a professional trainer. She has taught us so much and he’s getting better behaved every week-and we’re better at reading his needs and body language. And I also see folks who don’t bother to train their large dogs, and wow is it a safety issue. Thanks for the education!
One of my favorite dog friends was a Pyr/lab mix. Such a wonderful, calm boy who was inseparable with his human little brother. You have years of great times ahead of you. 😊
I grew up with a lab mix; my family's current dog is a Pyrenees mix, and the Pyrenees is a very headstrong dog but very loyal and loving. They both require good exercise, my dad took our lab mix for about a half-mile walk every morning and does the same for the Pyrenees mix.
Thank you for communicating so well that labs need training! I think people get dogs like labs or even doodle mixes because they're seen as friendly and "easy" when that couldn't be further from the truth. ALL DOGS need training! All dogs should know what is expected of them, be socialized, and exposed to all sorts of situations. Especially dogs like labs that have a lot of energy and need that stimulation.
The video is so right about them being high strung. Our last golden was particularly high strung, and though she still had all the sweet traits you'd hope for in a golden (a derpy sweetheart), she was also pretty exhausting especially around visitors. We never quite fully got some of the tricky high strung traits trained out of her.
My 1at dog as an adult was a Lab; he had a lot of energy as a pup, but I knew nobody wanted an 85 lb. dog jumping on them. I worked really hard to train him to behave, and he became THE BEST dog I've ever had! I miss you Maximus!
I had a black lab growing up in the 90’s. She died at 2 years old with multiple cancers and organ failures. Her mother was a champion show dog and way over bred - Kawa was from her last litter. RIP Kawa ❤
Our sadly missed lab gave us 14 years of fun and exasperation mixed together. He was an escape artist that specialised in jumping walls but not people. He had good recall and was well behaved most of the time but apples were his weakness. Luckily he was excellent with his groomer who loved having him. He wasn't a tv watcher whereas our wee cross terrier watches all your videos. She missed him a lot as well.
@@wbae1340 He had arthritis and his eyes were going but it was a stroke that got him in the end. He got lots of exercise and there wasn't an ounce of fat on him. He was a very fit dog and we were expecting him to go to 15 or 16.
@@BrokenBackMountains that’s wonderful to hear what a happy and healthy life he had. I wonder if Dog TV would be a calming or distracting influence for some of the dogs at GWTD’s salon? As you said it doesn’t work on every dog but it’s something your terrier watches and might help other dogs.
omg thank god someone else is saying this. I work in the vet industry in an urgent care clinic and labs can be right up there with nervy shepherds in terms of compliance and restraint. I've been plenty of lovely labs who don't particularly care we we need to do, but i've also met (and been tackled, sat on, ran over, and snapped at) just as many that are not sensitized to what we need to do, which includes just getting a baseline set of vitals. I feel like labs get a free pass over shepherds and pitties because they have a reputation of being an "easy, first-time owner friendly dog." I don't buy this though because, though labs are smart, and if left to their own devices they will find a way to fill the time (and their stomachs lol). I've also worked with plenty of labs and other big dogs while, not being nervous or aggressive, simply don't know how big they are. And also some who know exactly how big they are and how to throw their weight and muscle around. tldr; just freaking train and desensitize your dogs!!
My bff and her family got their black lab from a breeder of show labs for free because she had what we called a scorpion tail (she carried it high and it had a curve to it so it made a half-moon over her back). Apparently that's disallowed so they wrote the poor girl off. Interestingly, she was an energetic puppy but a calm adult who just looked horribly depressed when we tried to give her a bath. She loved walks and play just as much as she did just chilling at home with her family. Unfortunately, she developed bad arthritis and cancer when she got older and was put to sleep when my bff and I were in high school. She was such a good, smart girl. 😌♥️
Teaching you pups not to jump up on people is soooo important! I would also add get your pups used to having their paws and ears touched/handled and their mouth. Not only will your groomer thank you but so will your vet! Love, love your channel!! ❤️🐶❤️
We had a Lab. He went through the 'puppy' (chewing) phase for 3 years, had separation anxiety, ate anything that looked remotely like food, (Weight wasn't an issue, because we controlled his portions.) much to our disapproval, he happily jumped up to greet everyone (friend or burglar) drooled like a Saint Bernard around food, snuck out the front door when he had the chance, but he was usually easy to fetch with a treat in hand. He took extra effort to own, but after 10 years since he passed, we still miss him something fierce! Were we bad owners? Some might think so, but we'd do it the same way, all over again, for the fun, laughs and joy a Lab brings to a family.
Once again, we are introduced to a breed that was built to swim, loves playing in water (usually), but being bathed is the equivalent of drowning in acid. 😆 Big ol' goobers! ♥
We had an amazing calm and sweet yellow lab. Tomorrow we are picking up our new Labrador puppy after years of not having a dog. I pray she's as sweet and mellow as our former dog.
The first dog breed I fell in love with was Labs; I grew up on a lake and a fair number of people had black Labs, with one chocolate Lab. They would run down their yards and jump right into the lake, they were sweet and happy, and just the best. But you're right: they are big and muscular, and they're smarter than people often expect. My yellow Lab understood the concept of lying and would regularly trick my German Shepherd out of their favoured spot on the couch. She was also huge and thought she was a lap dog.
Oh man did this bring back memories. My parent say the black lab we had when I was a toddler would regularly trick me off of the couch! She also loved to steal clothing like socks. Labs all have that One Thing that they can’t resist retrieving be it small articles of clothing, shoes, or balls.
My Mum's ex had a black lab called Jenny, she was hands down the best dog I've known, she had arthritis in her back leg so would limp everywhere but she was so friendly and gentle like a grandmother, she was a source of comfort for me in difficult times. RIP
I had the wonderful joy of having Hamish, a beautiful yellow lab, for 13 wonderful years. He was such a sweet and gentle soul and everyone who knew him loved him. He will always be a very missed member of my family
@@joc7996 Hamish died aged 13yrs. After much angst and tears we agreed with his vet that “it was time”. He was in respiratory distress and no cure for him. The Dr came to our home on a beautiful May evening and we lay with Hamish on a blanket on the lawn. We cuddled and told him how much we loved him and then his Dr gave him 2 injections. It was all so very gentle and quiet as we held his head and he fell asleep. He was buried, with “a memory box” in case our property was ever developed, in the garden he loved to lie in. That was 18yrs ago and I still get a lump in my throat thinking about him…….he was such a gentle and beautiful soul.
I love animals, especially dogs and cats. Often times, they are only bad when irresponsible owners fail to train them and give them their needs or when they decide that earning more money is better than the well being of the animal they are breeding. I appreciate how you educate viewers on how to care for different breeds and how to be responsible owners. I love your videos!
We had a well bred (jagersbow) black lab we bought as a 7week old puppy that was absolutely none of those things you said about this dog., she was sweet, gentle loyal and very well mannered, the worst thing she did in her entire life was as a puppy she chewed the steering wheel of our car while we were shopping for 15 minutes. That was completely our fault as we didn’t give her a chew toy. .
I grew up with labs all my life, and they are absolutely wonderful family pets. But they can be terrors if not trained properly. Honestly that goes for any dog, but labs will destroy your house, knock over everything in site with their heads or tails, and leave your body full of bruises if you don't harness that energy. However, you do your due diligence, you will have the best dang dog in the world!
Unlike others our Labrador never really had an appetite and people thought we weren’t feeding him. He is quite thin compared to other Labradors but the vets say that his weight is healthy so we don’t force him to eat more than he already does.
We had a lab mix who on a walk one night relatively early into adopting her pulled me (late teens/early 20s at the time) off my feet, which was a brand new experience for me and one I never wanted to repeat! Took her right back home and got a harness and better leash so I had more control. But she also became the best dog with training and boundaries. I miss her every day. Thank you for addressing behavior issues (especially the jumping) in this and all your videos. Also 100% agree with the "I survived" bandanas 🤣👍🏻
I just got a 6 month old black lab 2 days ago. She's already learnt that if the door handle is pushed down, the door opens. Somehow, my bed is now hers, apparently. ALL of her treats just magically disappeared while I was at work today _(and considering where they were, I believe telekinesis was at play)_ And I need to buy a new pair of slippers. We're off to a great start. 😁
It helps if you train your Labrador properly. They’re incredibly smart and listen and follow commands. I had a huge black lab 125 lbs and he wasn’t over weight. He was the strongest dog I ever had but he also was incredibly gentle and put up with 8 cats. Unfortunately he got cancer and had to put down at 13.5 years. Best dog I ever had and we miss him terribly. We love you Angus ❤
Thank you, Vanessa. We shouldn't forget about rescue dogs and how much work they may require. I've had six rescue dogs and have only been unlucky with one, a Great Dane mix named Baxter that had been ignored, not abused, and received no real training at five years of age. Now ten, he's come along well, but is still leash aggressive and plays too hard with little dogs. Thankfully, there are several large dogs at the local park that he plays with very well. The good side of his story is that Bax bonded with me immediately. I think he understood he was out of a bad situation and into a good one. The night I got him, I put him on his bed in the family room and went to bed. Woke up with his head on my shoulder, and he's been there ever since. What I think helped him the most was the four year old Border Collie mix, River, I brought home three days later. They fought at first, but became great companions once the Collie got him to behave. Dogs need love, discipline, and canine companionship.
Can I ask how yo u worked on jumping? I have an 8mo great dane/Mastiff and she's so big she doesn't care about correction aka a knee up for self protection 😂
@@ShonjiPowerOf2 Find a good obedience trainer. Wow, what a huge dog she must be, and what a challenge. I had an 80 pound female Rotty/Border Collie mix. Our obedience trainer took her on leash with her choke chain and told me to not be concerned. As he started to walk her, she pulled and started to move towards him. He immediately yanked on the leash and pulled her front feet slightly off the ground and released her. She repeated that move, so he repeated his action. I'm thinking this guy's abusive, but she settled down and accepted his dominance then and there. He never had to "pop" the leash aggressively with her again. From then on, she liked seeing him and her obedience training went extremely well, the only correction she needed was just a quick pull and release. She learned that day that it was time to behave whenever on leash. Whenever she misbehaved after that, it only took a quick and gentle "pop" of the leash. "Popping" the leash is a skill, it's not just pulling, it's giving just enough of a quick jerk to squeeze the dogs neck slightly, to startle her, then immediately releasing. It just lasts a split second and doesn't lift the dog. I learned to do it by wrapping the choke chain around by foot and practicing until I could squeeze my foot with the choke chain without it hurting. It does not hurt the dog in any way if done correctly, it's used to startle for control. It does require a choke chain, and doesn't work with a normal collar. Baxter's problem has always been leash aggression, but the choke chain and talking to him seem to moderate his behavior. He actually responds best to verbal correction, and hardly at all to physical control. I think he knows when I'm disappointed with him. Good luck with your big girl and enjoy working with her. 🙂
Thank You! Had an American lab and rottie mix. Her personality was 100% the lab. The added height and muscle she got from her Mom just made her even Harder to control for a young teen. She was athletic and loved to run. Highly trainable in retrospect, we just didn’t know what we were doing!
I had a black lab like him when I was a kid. His name was Midnight, but the neighbours all called him Nightmare. He'd jump the fence at night and all the neighbours free-standing belongings would end up in our yard. He even brought back a fish one time. :)
I had a black lab for 12.5 years. He was the best dog ever! Super smart, very affectionate, & never over weight. Being a pure bred & being properly trained makes all the difference. Anyone who' hates' labs in general is generally misrepresenting them or responding more to improperly trained dogs--which can be stated for any dog that is improperly trained--it has nothing to do with labs in general.
being pure bred actually is not that good. i´ve seen a lot of labradors mixed with other breeds that are much healthier than pure bred labradors. I myself had a pure bred lab that at about 10yo started with hip problems and died at 14. My mum has a labrador/belgian malinois mix thats 12yo and it´s healthier than any other pure bred dog i´ve seen.
Training dogs is so very important. I had a Rottie that started jumping on people. To break her of it, whenever she started to jump I would cross my arms and turn away from her, thus denying her the attention she wanted. Once she calmed down I would turn back and acknowledge her. I got my mother doing it too because I didn't want our Rottie knocking her over. After a couple weeks she figured out that jumping was not going to get her the affection she wanted and she stopped jumping.
I had the great honor and pleasure to have had two in my life,they were finest friends Ive ever had. Dogs are a reflection of their master,like children a reflection of their parents.
Grown up with and around Labs my whole life. Early training is everything and pick a good breeder. Spend time with them. They're a big dog so take it into account. My Dalmatian was 10X harder to train but a great dog still.
After having two wonderful Labs in my life, I don't think there is a better dog than a Lab. Wonderful with children, smart, very trainable, and very loyal. I would say this. If you go to a kennel with lots of puppies running around, I would chose the most laid back of all the Labs. The most hyper need room to run and can be a little too busy in a house all day long. Let the hunters get those dogs. Find a lab taking a nap...that's the one you want!!!! From: A LAB LOVER!!!
I grew up with a black lab that looked just like him. Best dog for a young boy growing up in the country to own. Everyday after school we'd go play in the woods/field and he always had enough energy/time for me. Best dog ever, and I still miss him.
I really don't get how people manage to dislike labs, few things can put a smile on my face as quickly as the friendliness and urge to play of a lab, they might be energetic bulldozers even when well trained, but that is, in my opinion, part of their charm (them being medium to large dogs definitely helps too)
Dogs (and labs) are wonderful precious creatures buuutt some of them are FAR too energetic for me. The jumping and barking and licking are just way too much for me personally. And yes, I know these are aspects of training but geez many people I know do not train their animals, let alone dogs. Some people, like me, prefer more low-key calm animals.
My whole life, until recently, has included a lab in the pack. They are the best dogs, hands down. But she’s right, they do require a TON of work, commitment, and patience. But there’s no love like the love of a lab.
my boy required very little. Not saying they're all like it. But he was easy peasy - clever and eager to please. Mind you, I did keep him with me and took him to work and did lots of training with him. But he had such a kind, gentle nature.
Well I have had lab for 12years from a pup. She is showing her age now but she is very well behaved for me. No fuss having a bath never barks only when fireworks are around. So best dog had dogs all my life and she is wonderful
A friend had a golden retriever and chow mix. He was a HUGE barrel on legs with a purple tongue. The most I remember about him was the amount of hair and his friendliness.
I grew up with a German shepherd/black lab mix. I was there when he was born. I made sure to desensitize him to all the things kids do and turn it into something he likes as attention. Did wonders. He was the tamest big boy when it came to people. Kids tried to ride him but he was chill about it. If he had enough he would just lay down. He was very protective over them. I'm so glad my family and I made damn sure to train him to be super chill. Rip Bernard. You chill, groany old man.
Had 2 labs. We did teach them not to jump on people. Though they just turned that into just... jumping lol. They would just be in front of you, jumping in place, all 4 paws off the ground, to get their excitement out. And they would jump to almost to head height! They were English labs, so smaller than American field labs, which made it even more impressive. Man I miss those guys
My last lab did the same thing!! When we rescued her and she felt safe around us she started to jump in circles and throw herself into the air when she was excited, I miss that girl every day🩷
We 'rescued' a 9 month old Black Lab... the last of a litter that never got sold. We took him off the hands of the breeder. He came to us with minimal training, but he was soooo ready for human interaction, since he had spent those months in a sleeping kennel. He had a decent sized yard to run around to his heart's content. He got fed twice a day, but a restricted amount of food. He got extensive hunting training, since that was the reason we rescued him. He never barked like that. He was never that heavy, and he was very well mannered. But we did what you suggested: he got lots of interaction with his pack [hoomins], he did get training for retrieving and good manners, he had a limited diet, and he got to run around in a yard. When this lab was about two years old, he was out in the hunting field... caught wind of a rabbit and when after it. If you train hunting dogs, I'm sure you just winced. He went between the wires of a barbed wire fence, and sliced the outer skin of his 'genitalia.' My spouse took him to vet around the corner from us, and the vet said, "I can help you get him up on the table where I can see it easier." Spouse said, 'Up!' and pointed to the table and the dog jumped up there. Like a cat, he jumped straight up onto the table. The vet was quite impressed. The Dog was patient and quiet as the vet looked his 'owie' over and then discussed the necesssery surgery to repair the damage. He was an amazing dog. I'm only sharing this story to validate the advice: give them lots of love and attention; give them lots of training, BECAUSE THEY CRAVE THE TRAINING, AND THEY LOVE PERFORMING, restrict their food intake; give them lots of retrieving. They CAN be amazing pets, but they do require a lot of attention.
We had 2 black labs, a neutered male, then a spade female. They were both well-behaved. The female would not accept a leash, but her compliance to verbal instructions (commands) was phenominal. The only dog that loved us more was our Golden.
MY LAB is my favorite breed ever. I’d describe her not as high strung, but yes, she has no concept of how strong she is and what personal space means. 70 lbs SOLID, and always at my side on the couch or at my feet if I’m in a chair.
Thanks for the reminder about jumping up on people. Our “pups” are going on 4 and still get excited and jump up when meeting or greeting. Very frustrating as owners, and guests, but we are still working on it.
My theory on Labs and food is that they were bred originally to work IN the North Atlantic pulling nets for fishermen. They needed a good layer of subcutaneous fat to do that successfully. If you’ve ever put your toes in the North Atlantic even in high summer, you will know how important that insulation would be. 💕🇨🇦
Most of them actually just lack a specific gene in control of appetite suppression. If you don't over feed them, and give them proper excercise (a 20 minute walk around the block is not excercise) they will generally look as athletic as any other dog
The overweight lab problem is one I've never seen in Europe. I was shocked when I moved to germany and met a skinny lab, I genuinely thought it was a different, smaller breed. I think the problem comes from dogs often being backyard pets in the US and barely being taken on walks. Whereas in germany dogs are taken on a minimum of 3 walks a day and there are even laws about how many hours of movement dogs require (not enforcement but they exist).
I couldn't agree more. Nothing the lady states here is true about English labradors (as a general population). Edited to add English Labs are generally smaller.
My chocolate lab was bred of hunting stock. I don’t hunt , but it really is instinct. My girl brings me fledglings .. soft mouth… some we can save , some not , but she is very gentle. Right on about the jumping. House breaking and no jumping are first order of business. Love your work. 💕
personally i’d rather my dog not kill fledglings and other animals for sport than not jump. oh well. good luck with all that training! i totally get what you mean about the drive/instinct though.
@@00zarzu00 my dog doesn’t kill the fledglings, sometimes they are just too young or have been out of the nest too long. My training skills aren’t perfect, but my dog is exemplary. Labradors are retrievers. Fetch the ball is her favorite game.
I think there must be a big difference having a field lab. Like yours, mine is very sweet and gentle by nature. So obedient and attentive to my facial expressions. I could hardly believe how cooperative she was. The ones bred mostly for show must be a different animal.
Our chocolate lab was the best. So well behaved but also stubborn. She was polite, needy, and pretty independent. Very protective and a very smart dog. I miss my Hershey 😢
I've had labs my whole life. This dog is nothing like my 2 English labs who are docile, calm, and a joy to be around. I agree with your comment about breeding- makes all the difference in the world.
I have two labs - yellow and black - and both of them love baths. I think it was because of how much attention they were getting for it. We also give them treats for behaving during baths. They are incredibly food-motivated and gain weight easily so proper diet is a must.
… I’d take Benji any day … labs are like 2-year-old kids - you have to keep after them, constant correction and redirection, and lots of training and exercise … - nothing mean or severe - just persistent, patient, and assertive handling … they’ll eventually chill-out, but thru it all, they’ll capture your hearts … I just love ‘em so much ❤️
My lab was EXTREMELY laid back and chill, though she was on the heavier side (though she was built short and broad anyways). Very obedient. An Angel. Adopted one recently, almost a year old, a very lean lil guy, extremely smart and sweet/snuggly. Training begins when I’m home for the summer. He was a little scared of stairs, so I have to walk right next to him step by step with a hand on his back for stability so he feels safe enough to go down them. He learns REALLY fast. The moment he realized a handshake meant a treat, he would immediately shake the hand of everyone he meets and sniff for snacks.
