Lilly said to tell you her and Ann's experience with Axon, the black lab. For TWO YEARS Axon loved to CHEW and destroyed many many things! She said they HAVE to chew. They got Axon many chewie thingies or it would be purses, slippers, etc. They had to keep out of reach many of those things like shoes, etc., when they could. Axon turned into the best most gentle and undestructive dog eventually. Faithful and so sweet. Lilly wishes she could babysit for Andy for a couple of weeks for you!
This made me laugh. I once had a black lab that I raised from birth. Turned out, he raised me. He chose me. I named him The Chief. He was the happiest dog, always wanting to play, and he pulled me out of some very dark times just though his pure joy in being alive. Labs love water...they are water dogs (Labrador Retrievers), so if you can bring him to water, he will be happy. We got The Chief a kiddie pool. He loved that. Andy will calm down after he grows up, but banning him to a cage will hurt his feelings. I have never had a more loyal dog than The Chief. Good luck! (BTW, if it was your child, and they were hyper, or had ADD, would you put them in a cage?) Oh, and Labs have big problems with their hips when they grow older. Please look out for that. Love Andy for who he is, my dear. He's not going to change. He will love you forever.
Our last dog was a little Lhaso Apso. Looking back I think his personality and mine matched up very well. Andy is going to be a totally new style of dog experience for me.
I don't think putting Andy in his crate to give me short breaks will harm him, especially if I do it in a calm and loving manner. It will probably help our relationship in the end.
I think he's fine. The crate is in our kitchen. Just now I was wondering where he went to and found he had gone to his crate all by himself to take a nap. He has a nice bed in it. I don't think he feels like it is a punishment to be there.
I have to watch that movie. The husband of a friend of mine worked on it (some sort of assistant director job). I quite enjoy living vicariously through her (and him) when one of his movies gets noticed.
If I had only heard what the subject matter of it was I might not of watched it but I read a glowing review that talked of how it was sensitive and uplifting so gave it a try. Your friend is to be commended for being a part of it.
I think you have it exactly right. Working breeds need to be working. Andy just wants attention & you need to direct his energies in a positive direction. Retrieving is good, and so is hiding his toys and making him search for them.
From personal experience, I know it is so hard to ignore undesired behaviour... particularly when your dog has stolen your last pair of uneaten socks.
I think it was having the 20th shoe brought out of the closet that put me over the top. ( Maybe I just have two many shoes? ) It's like having a toddler in the house that needs watching every second. I am looking forward to having the puppy stage over. How to weather it through till then is what I need to figure out.
If it was me, I would have lost my patience long ago. So, don't be hard on yourself. It sounds like putting him in his crate gives you a break from all his nonsense. But giving him your undivided attention eg stroking his face or patting his tummy etc will give you some good times with him. Your other friends on here have given you some good activity ideas to do with him, too. And I guess, seeing as it was Dave's idea to get a dog at this particular time, he should be spending time with him (as I'm sure he does with walks etc). #1 SIL has taken to taking their dog on 'midnight walks' (which are really at about 2 am usually). #1 SIL usually has an afternoon sleep and falls asleep by about 8 pm, so he is awake in the middle of the night, and this will give them both some exercise as well as it being a good time when other dogs are not out as much.
Dave is doing a lot with him, thank goodness. But I think the day before this we both wondered if we had made a mistake getting him. We both needed a fresh way of seeing the situation. Yesterday was a turning point I am glad.
It must be hard for older people to have an active youngster like Andy. But you and Dave have persevered and have given him a loving home and the patience to get the right behaviour in the end.
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I don't think putting Andy in his crate to give me short breaks will harm him, especially if I do it in a calm and loving manner. It will probably help our relationship in the end.
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From personal experience, I know it is so hard to ignore undesired behaviour... particularly when your dog has stolen your last pair of uneaten socks.
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Will keep an eye out for that movie!
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