Stressmagnet

Me either. Back on topic....:D My sister who breeds Westies in Alberta and is known for having good dogs who do well showing - reckons she lost $3k on the last litter.

Same thing happened to me with Ernie at our local park. Women cyclist comes up behind us - no calling out, no bell. She had to swerve to miss Ernie and then had the nerve to call ME an 'inconsiderate decrepit c-word'. My jaw hung open. I was lost for words. Until her next lap when I heard her coming and then jumped out in front of her (Ernie safely off the path) and told her to use her damn bell or call out. Unfortunately she ended up on her ass in the bushes as I walked off with my nicely heeling dog. The other incident was at the same park where the cycling/walking path cuts through an OFF LEASH AREA (stupidity in planning much?). Ernie was off lead and we were practicing recalls and LAM when an old boy almost crashed into Ernie as he returned across the path. In this case, I felt bad as I thought it was my responsibility to keep Ernie off the path as much as possible but seriously, the cyclist was flying fast and I didn't see him in time. I helped the guy up, all the time getting a torrent of abuse. The guy was a regular so he should have known dogs were off lead and about. After being called a 'stupid bitch' a few times and him attempting to kick the guts out of Ernie, my patience wore thin and I stopped apologising and told him to get on his bike before I punched him. (I'm 5' 10" and a bit and a size 12 so I look mean most days). Funnily enough, there were incidents of dog baiting in the park the next week - just in the shared area.

So glad to hear the good news!

If Ernie retrieves he has prey drive - we've modified it in gundogs (and herding dogs) Well duh. I am stupid. :D

We have a horrible rabbit problem on my street. If Ernie is let out, he gives chase. I can call him off about 95% of the time with my emergency recall but that involves never leaving home without a hunk of 'lamb crumble' in my pocket. He's less reliable about 'leave it' as he's a lab so his main aim is to gobble as fast as he can before I can grab him. We are working on this tho. Given he IS a Labrador and I'm pretty sure he has NO prey drive, I cannot imagine how hard it is for those of you with sight hounds and other prey driven dogs. I wish you luck.

How wonderful. I love Jake. Ernie is a complete porkchop with every adult that interacts with him -- bouncy, waggy and licky. I was understandably nervous when my friend with a severely austitic boy came over - so much so I was prepared to crate my boy. Instead? Ernie lay at the boy's feet, let him squish his ears and patiently endured the not so gentle pats, all without moving a muscle. I fell even more in love with him that day. I think dogs are much more attuned to 'specialness' and small signs that we don't give them enough credit for. Jakey showed that for you. :D

Ernie gets the Grain free Salmon kibble and has done since around 8 months. He gets odd 'flavour treats' such as sardines, an egg or tuna or the (very occasional!) drippings from the roast pan. He gets two chicken necks on top. So his diet has been same same since pupoydom. Since he scoffs everything - I'm assuming he's happy. Mind you, he's a Labrador and a frat boy so I'm pretty sure he'd be happy as long as it's FOOD FOOD FOOD!

Hmmm...well yes...I guess. Pizzles are just that ....pizzles (boy bits) I will admit to wincing when I see Ernie enjoying them.

Puhleese. Ernie the frat boy will go walkers up to about 26 degrees but above that, forget it. He just wants to lounge in his paddling pool with umbrella drinks. Lazy sod.

Having owned a purebred Amstaff, I can tell you that as pretty as they are - a blue amstaff comes with a whole heap of Heath and temperament problems. Amstaffs are gorgeous dogs but please please don't get a) fleeced by someone charging you more for a recessive gene and b) have your heart broken by all the things that could go wrong. I had a gorgeous liver and white girl who was papered and STILL had issues (because of me, I admit). There are some great amstaff breeders here that can walk you through the whys and why nots.

Yikes Staffyluv. Ernie has morphed into a very handsome boy and of course he's chocolate which is flavour of the month. The thing is, he's neutered so he's of no use to anyone wanted to make bucks. He's not a big boofy boy either - if anything he's on the small and slim side for Labradors so I would have thought he wouldn't necessarily appeal to someone looking for a status symbol. I just don't get it, I really don't.

What? I'm so very sorry Kirty. So sorry.

So happy to read Mac is still his eccentric old self. Happy now.

Ernie gets an hour and a half walk/run every morning. He then gets ½ hour of ball games when the girls get home. He digs. My god how he digs. My backyard looks like the last days of the Battle of the Somne. Katie my Kelpie was a digger too - until she hit about 5. I tried all the tricks - putting her poo in her digging spot, a sandbox, and even upside down mousetraps - nothing worked. I don't care anymore. While I'm sure my lemon arsed retired neighbours don't like the look of my backyard - tough. Ernie will either outgrow it or he won't. It's one of his few faults and there's no real way to stop him. In my opinion, he digs because a) he likes it and b) he really likes it. No amount of enrichment toys or trying to tire him out works so it's just like learning to get along with a flat mate who has an annoying habit. Digging, to Ernie, is like drinking out of the milk carton in his boxer shorts - unpleasant and unsightly but liveable.

Oh crap. I've forgotten it. And his birthday. No wonder I'm divorced.

I had some woman try and call Ernie from across the park the other day. Lucky his recall word isn't 'come'. I leashed him and began to walk over to her and she got in her car and took off. Scared me badly. I may have to uglify him a bit.

Ernie goes to town on his knob anytime there's important dialogue on the tv or an important sad and moving plot twist. Then we all get a lovely view of Mr. Happy waving hello. I think in his previous life he used to smash beer cans on his forehead and fart the alphabet. My usual response is a "oh for f***s sake, LEAVE IT'. Which he does, but then makes me feel rotten by giving me the 'tilted noble Labrador head' until I say sorry.

I got Ernie at 6 months after he'd failed to learn the finer points of being shown. He'd been a kennel dog and although he was shown kindness by the breeder, he was not being raised as a family pet. I'd always had littlies as pups, he was the first semi old pup I've ever owned. Luckily, he's a Labrador and predisposed to trust and like people. But I did work really really hard on bonding with him - for both him and me. It was hard for me because while he's handsome now, he was fairly ugly and not that that roly poly tissue commercial - he was all head and elbows and honking great tail. I promised myself I'd teach him a new trick or command as soon as he got the previous one. So I spent lots of time, playing and sitting with him to figure out what to teach him. I think spending time training your dog builds a level of bonding between you and them. I really do. So we did that. He learned a lot, poor boy, in that first couple of months. I'd also spend a lot of time just talking to him - I know the neighbours thought I was crazy asking Ernie whether I should have tea or chai; what the girls were up to and commenting on the telly. Used his name in every conversation. Every time I passed him, I'd give him a stroke - even when he was just following me room to room. It's hard, and it so depends on your dog's nature and your own. Some days he was a complete moron - still is, come to think of it - and I cannot say it was instant love. More like, 'why the hell did I get this goofy Ill mannered beast? But he did bond with me and anyone will tell you now that I adore the hell out of him now.

My fave sis has two Westies, and never had kids. She's now attempting to support my parenting two teen girls. God help her, they are both vile lately. And we also have Ernie, the goofball Labrador who's hit HIS teen years. Yesterday we had: 1 meltdown over who was hogging the hair straightener 2 tantrums over why there was never any 'healthy' good food in the house (wtf?) 1 'I hate you' because no midweek riding in cars with boys 1 sulkfest because bedtime is earlier for one 1 grossly over fed dog who's learned how the pedal bin on his kibble works 1 gas mask night (see above) In my next life, I'm collecting stamps.

Thank you for this thread. Can't add anything to it - All my gripes covered.

Checking in to see how my fave oldie is doing today!

It's sad that I was all excited until I realised this was for dogs. I take the people stuff when I can afford it.

YES!! It's not that stupid submissive schmeck - he's hoping someone ate rostbif with their hands!!

Will NOT BE ENABLED. Ernie's collar is black with my phone number embroidered on it. It's boring but I can wash it when he rolls in dead things. I'd love a Ruthless collar but my kids will leave home if I buy him anything else for a long long while.

Yes to all the great suggestions, especially to seeing a kind professional. She's going to be a big dog, it's good to get on top of it now. One thing - have you tried spraying your hands with that Bitter Apple stuff? When Ernie went through the puppy bitey stage, we all sprayed our hands and then deftly switched out our yucky hands with a soft toy that he COULD bite. It's all in the timing tho, you need to be quick. We paired it with 'UH-UH' and he got the message. Good luck.