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Advice For New Dog Owner

SoCal said:
Now that I'm retired I have plenty of time for training and other needs, my wife and I have started looking for a dog, it will be my first. We live in a small downtown apartment with an older cat, so I think it would be better for cat /dog relations to bring in puppy. Plus I'd like the whole puppy raising experience.

Given our 1200 sq foot apartment with no yard, we'll need a small dog. I've been reading a lot about different breeds, their characteristics, training methods (it seems they're many), how to care for a dog, etc. As far as the breed goes, I don't care is it's mixed or not, we'll probably end up with a mixed breed. I've seen some pure breeds being sold for 3k. I wouldn't care if it's a mix with one of those fufu dogs with the long flowing coat because I'd always keep it very short.

I've seen a lot of terriers and I know about their reputation for barking and hyper personality. If one is crossbreed, how much would that reduce these characteristics? I'd like to find a dog from a shelter, but I don't want an older dog or one with health issues (I have enough of my own).

I'm a life long cat owner and I know owning a dog and taking care of one is like night and day. But I do know tiny bit about training, I trained two cats to sit up and one to jump on my shoulder.

Any advice?
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Get a Heeler, you neighbors will love you when ever it hears a siren off in the distance.
 
Glitch said:
When one of my dogs reached the age of 6 or 7 I would get another puppy. Not only does the puppy keep the older dog in shape, it helps to have another dog in the house after coming home from having to put the older dog down. I can't own dogs any longer unfortunately. I live alone and after my last heat-attack I don't want to leave a dog behind.
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I completely understand. At 71 Dog is likely my last, tho I've had dogs in nearly almost all my life, and have trouble imagining life without at least one. Good thing tho, all the rest of the family has dogs and I can always borrow one. :) Plus we keep work dogs at my place in Rhinebeck, and they respond to me well cause I always carry treats. My paternal grandmother, despite raising 19 children, had a big heart and couldn't help but take in strays, dogs and cats. We'd go to visit and there were inevitably kittens and pups, and of course myself, my siblings had our pick of the litters. As we grew up, there were always 3 to 5 dogs for company and more cats. She set a family value. Only once did I own a breed, and he was a boxer rescue. Great dog for the kids.
 
SoCal said:
Now that I'm retired I have plenty of time for training and other needs, my wife and I have started looking for a dog, it will be my first. We live in a small downtown apartment with an older cat, so I think it would be better for cat /dog relations to bring in puppy. Plus I'd like the whole puppy raising experience.

Given our 1200 sq foot apartment with no yard, we'll need a small dog. I've been reading a lot about different breeds, their characteristics, training methods (it seems they're many), how to care for a dog, etc. As far as the breed goes, I don't care is it's mixed or not, we'll probably end up with a mixed breed. I've seen some pure breeds being sold for 3k. I wouldn't care if it's a mix with one of those fufu dogs with the long flowing coat because I'd always keep it very short.

I've seen a lot of terriers and I know about their reputation for barking and hyper personality. If one is crossbreed, how much would that reduce these characteristics? I'd like to find a dog from a shelter, but I don't want an older dog or one with health issues (I have enough of my own).

I'm a life long cat owner and I know owning a dog and taking care of one is like night and day. But I do know tiny bit about training, I trained two cats to sit up and one to jump on my shoulder.

Any advice?
Click to expand...

1) Just about any dog you buy is going to have health issues bred in unless you pick it up at the flea market.

2) Whatever you get, you should crate train from the get i.e. have it spend part of its day in a cage. It will make it more accustomed to going to the vet and if you drop dead, it will make it more accustomed to sitting in a shelter waiting for a new owner.

3) I have a dog and cats. The dog and any of the cats get along better than any two of the cats do on any given day. Just depends on the animals' personalities. My dog is a bit of a wuss. She hardly ever barks at anything and never at people. If a gang of robbers broke in, my dog would just say, "He's down at the other end of the hall on the left" roll over and go back to sleep.
 
OldFatGuy said:
I completely understand. At 71 Dog is likely my last, tho I've had dogs in nearly almost all my life, and have trouble imagining life without at least one. Good thing tho, all the rest of the family has dogs and I can always borrow one. :) Plus we keep work dogs at my place in Rhinebeck, and they respond to me well cause I always carry treats. My paternal grandmother, despite raising 19 children, had a big heart and couldn't help but take in strays, dogs and cats. We'd go to visit and there were inevitably kittens and pups, and of course myself, my siblings had our pick of the litters. As we grew up, there were always 3 to 5 dogs for company and more cats. She set a family value. Only once did I own a breed, and he was a boxer rescue. Great dog for the kids.
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You have 5 years on me. I turned 66 this month. I too have always had dogs in my life. The only time I didn't have dogs in my life is when I served in the military. I hadn't realized how much dogs were part of my life until after I had to put my Boerboel down 18 months ago. I have put on weight because I no longer take my dogs for daily walks. With the Iditarod HQ just a couple miles down the road, this State is very "dog-centric."

Except for my Alaskan Husky and Boerboel, all my prior dogs were labs, retrievers, or a mix of the two. I have been an avid bird hunter since growing up in Nebraska during the 1960s. It was pheasant then, it is grouse and ptarmigan now. It is particularly difficult to find white ptarmigan after they fall into the snow. You need to good bird dog. Alaskan Huskies and Boerboels do not make for good bird dogs. I left my Husky at home when I went hunting. My Boerboel was big, and enjoyed being given the job of carrying things. So he carried my water and spare ammo. He was also very useful for spotting moose or bear. I learned to pay close attention to his behavior.
 
Checkerboard Strangler said:
Buster looks like a larger version of Betty Boop for sure.
Very nice picture...cute youngun.
Love the Ishfahan, by the way, looks to be about mid 19th century or so.
We do HAVE a set of ancient nesting tables but unfortunately my brother got them...oh well.

Boops absolutely adores our tuxedo female, and regards our calico as her "toy" even though the "toy" occasionally chases her instead, and then we hear them scamper into the next room followed by a sharp yelp and a very satisfied calico walking back out. :lamo

But she loves em both. Seems like our tuxedo (Fiona) loves her more, she gives Betty Boop kisses, cuteness overload.
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Yeah, cuteness overload, that's for sure.

Duncan the Chessie and Gizmo the fixed tom have their game.
First lap around the island the dog is chasing the cat.
Next lap, the cat is chasing the dog, and so it goes.
Looks like they are both having fun.

Life is good.
 
Acadia said:
I consistently find that folks with little to no dog experience focus on the breed and age of the dog. That's not meant to be critical, it's just that before you ever own a dog you have these notions about them that don't exactly align with reality. The whole "Oh, I want the puppy experience" doesn't either.
First, I can't imagine having to raise a puppy in an apartment. I know many do, but putting stairs or an elevator and a hefty walk to get to the potty place in the middle of the night is a lot harder than being able to take them out your front door onto the lawn.
So I say get a dog that is potty and crate trained, if at all possible. Fostered dogs are a known quantity, even though they will pretty much all need a little refresher in potty and manners when they come into a new home.
Choose to work with a good, reputable adoption or rescue, where you can discuss who YOU are, before you decide which dog is best for you and your home. Any good rescue will guide you to the best possible outcome.
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I can see how a yard would be a huge advantage, but I sure see a lot of dogs around town. Regarding potty training, it would be an elevator ride to the street. If needed, as long as it's picked up, dogs can do their business in the street. A park is 2.5 blocks for me. I was thinking of using a pad a pad in an emergency. What about pads?

I will certainly take your advice seriously. My first choice would be a shelter dog, but there're not enough dogs to choose , it's a take this one, or nothing...
 
SoCal said:
I can see how a yard would be a huge advantage, but I sure see a lot of dogs around town. Regarding potty training, it would be an elevator ride to the street. If needed, as long as it's picked up, dogs can do their business in the street. A park is 2.5 blocks for me. I was thinking of using a pad a pad in an emergency. What about pads?

I will certainly take your advice seriously. My first choice would be a shelter dog, but there're not enough dogs to choose , it's a take this one, or nothing...
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Not a fan of pee pads myself. I believe with puppies, it's best to keep them sequestered/under a watchful eye and take them out often. Every pee and poop gets massive praise and positive reinforcement. Again, just a whole lot easier if you can go out your door. But if you have the determination, it can be done in an apartment. It's just such a crucial part of training and you can't cut corners.
There are so many really good rescue organizations out there. You'll find the right dog or puppy.
 
Acadia said:
Not a fan of pee pads myself. I believe with puppies, it's best to keep them sequestered/under a watchful eye and take them out often. Every pee and poop gets massive praise and positive reinforcement. Again, just a whole lot easier if you can go out your door. But if you have the determination, it can be done in an apartment. It's just such a crucial part of training and you can't cut corners.
There are so many really good rescue organizations out there. You'll find the right dog or puppy.
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It is a nasty trick, but it works. In addition to frequent walks and praise for a pup when relieving itself, placing treats everywhere you don't want the pup to view as toilet, helps. Dogs, not even pups, want to spoil the places they use for dining. Bits of kibble everywhere lead to a better smelling home. :) It doesn't take long to figure out, outside is good, inside not so good. Got to love positive reinforcement.
 
OldFatGuy said:
It is a nasty trick, but it works. In addition to frequent walks and praise for a pup when relieving itself, placing treats everywhere you don't want the pup to view as toilet, helps. Dogs, not even pups, want to spoil the places they use for dining. Bits of kibble everywhere lead to a better smelling home. :) It doesn't take long to figure out, outside is good, inside not so good. Got to love positive reinforcement.
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Not a bad idea!
Why keeping puppies or even grown dogs sequestered/crated while training works, because they don't want to soil where they can't get away from it.
It's a really tough period of time when you train a dog to go outside, which is why I try to extol the virtues of getting an older dog who has shown to be house trained.
 
🐈🐩~ I would adopt an animal that is scheduled to be euthanized at a city shelter. You will have a best friend. They understand that you saved their life and took them into yours . 💕
 
Checkerboard Strangler said:
That is how we do our "disappointed" bit.
We make a "show" of it and act as a unified front.

Boops tries to go to me: NO SALE, then she tries "Mommy" and Mommy ain't buying it either ("Nope you ain't sucking up to me, you were bad.") and she turns her back, then Boops tries the kids and they do the same thing.

You can actually SEE the "gears turning in her head" as she tries to figure out that she did something wrong.
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It is far and away the most effective technique.

And the easiest.

Once you see the “gears turning” look, let then stew in it for a few minutes (emphasis on few minutes), and then let them off the hook and give them lots of love and forgiveness.

The next time, all you’ll need is the tone of your voice or a wagged finger.
 
Acadia said:
Not a bad idea!
Why keeping puppies or even grown dogs sequestered/crated while training works, because they don't want to soil where they can't get away from it.
It's a really tough period of time when you train a dog to go outside, which is why I try to extol the virtues of getting an older dog who has shown to be house trained.
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Time of the year, the season also helps. We all enjoy being out more when the weather is nice, temperatures not too cold or hot, and dry. Except for young children who take a special pleasure stomping through puddles. Bring a pup into the home makes more sense in the spring or early summer, than mid winter. Older dogs, already house trained, for winter holiday and birthday gifts.

I had a very crazy aunt (actually more than one), who bred lap dogs. Yorkies, Shiatsu, mini dachshunds, and others at her home in Carnarsie Brooklyn. Carnasie, originally a swamp, east of Coney Island and on the mainland before Coney Island was joined to the mainland by land fill, was named after the Carnarsie Indians, an all black baseball team from the early 20th century who practiced on a piece of dry land there, and put out a rumor they were named after an Indian tribe from the area, now extinct, called the Carnarsies, who never existed. She and her husband bought their place just before builders started filling in the wetlands to build tract houses and had a fairly large piece of land with the house, where she built kennels for the dogs. She never brought a pup into the house until it was 12 weeks old, leaving them to live their first weeks in the kennels and dog yards that were covered with chicken mesh to protect the pups from predatory birds. The pups basically house broke themselves during those weeks, as well as socialized with all the other pups. Then she would start giving them more advanced training, "manners" as she described, so she could pride herself on purveying fully trained dogs for the lead, and house. "The best possible pets." But as I said, she was nutz. She slept with her 14 personal dogs, and since her first child was a daughter, and she wanted a second daughter, she knocked out 18 boys until she got that second daughter. With all those dogs in her bed, I never did figure out how my uncle got her pregnant so many times. To this day, I still confuse the names of all those boys, with exception of my cousin Roy, with who I am extremely close. But as if that wasn't enough, she was also a member of the local Polar Bear club, swimming at Coney Island beach every New Year's day, a dead shot with a target rifle who won competition matches, and an avid horse rider along the Atlantic shorefront of eastern Brooklyn, almost every day of her adult life. Compared to the rest of the family, relatively harmless and big hearted, but that Polar Bear thing always kept me wondering. She also never missed participating in the annual Neptune parade of Coney Island, dressed in all her regalia as a mermaid queen on one of the floats, her personal lap dogs dressed as fish bodyguards. Most of them napped through the parade, ensconced around her "throne" on the float.
 
OldFatGuy said:
Time of the year, the season also helps. We all enjoy being out more when the weather is nice, temperatures not too cold or hot, and dry. Except for young children who take a special pleasure stomping through puddles. Bring a pup into the home makes more sense in the spring or early summer, than mid winter. Older dogs, already house trained, for winter holiday and birthday gifts.

I had a very crazy aunt (actually more than one), who bred lap dogs. Yorkies, Shiatsu, mini dachshunds, and others at her home in Carnarsie Brooklyn. Carnasie, originally a swamp, east of Coney Island and on the mainland before Coney Island was joined to the mainland by land fill, was named after the Carnarsie Indians, an all black baseball team from the early 20th century who practiced on a piece of dry land there, and put out a rumor they were named after an Indian tribe from the area, now extinct, called the Carnarsies, who never existed. She and her husband bought their place just before builders started filling in the wetlands to build tract houses and had a fairly large piece of land with the house, where she built kennels for the dogs. She never brought a pup into the house until it was 12 weeks old, leaving them to live their first weeks in the kennels and dog yards that were covered with chicken mesh to protect the pups from predatory birds. The pups basically house broke themselves during those weeks, as well as socialized with all the other pups. Then she would start giving them more advanced training, "manners" as she described, so she could pride herself on purveying fully trained dogs for the lead, and house. "The best possible pets." But as I said, she was nutz. She slept with her 14 personal dogs, and since her first child was a daughter, and she wanted a second daughter, she knocked out 18 boys until she got that second daughter. With all those dogs in her bed, I never did figure out how my uncle got her pregnant so many times. To this day, I still confuse the names of all those boys, with exception of my cousin Roy, with who I am extremely close. But as if that wasn't enough, she was also a member of the local Polar Bear club, swimming at Coney Island beach every New Year's day, a dead shot with a target rifle who won competition matches, and an avid horse rider along the Atlantic shorefront of eastern Brooklyn, almost every day of her adult life. Compared to the rest of the family, relatively harmless and big hearted, but that Polar Bear thing always kept me wondering. She also never missed participating in the annual Neptune parade of Coney Island, dressed in all her regalia as a mermaid queen on one of the floats, her personal lap dogs dressed as fish bodyguards. Most of them napped through the parade, ensconced around her "throne" on the float.
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I have to tell you how much I savored reading about your aunt, over my morning coffee. It was like Erma Bombeck was sitting across from me at my table.
Just pure Americana.
Thank you.
 
Acadia said:
I have to tell you how much I savored reading about your aunt, over my morning coffee. It was like Erma Bombeck was sitting across from me at my table.
Just pure Americana.
Thank you.
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You're welcome. She was a lot of fun. One of her sons brought home the first Velvet Underground album and she became an instant Lou Reed fan. Started attending his shows. Before she passed she introduced Lou to Laurie Anderson, convinced them to buy a place in the reviving Coney Island. They bought an old mansion by the sea, built his and her studios in it, became active in the local scene and had fun. Laurie is still living there, still doing performance art in the local venues when they are open. Another fascinating woman. Lou found peace there, before he passed. I find it interesting that both Lou Reed and Woody Guthrie, two great American poets, found homes and peace from their wanderings in Coney Island. Seeing it as a place for family life by the sea, not just an amusement park and extremely crowded beach come summers. In its own way, it is a Hamptons in the City. So many interesting people having fun since Annie Oakley won her first major competitions shooting glass balls thrown in the air on the beach. Doing what no man could do.
 
SoCal said:
Now that I'm retired I have plenty of time for training and other needs, my wife and I have started looking for a dog, it will be my first. We live in a small downtown apartment with an older cat, so I think it would be better for cat /dog relations to bring in puppy. Plus I'd like the whole puppy raising experience.

Given our 1200 sq foot apartment with no yard, we'll need a small dog.
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it may be that you and/or your wife just prefer a dog of smaller stature, but the size of your apartment/yard should actually have little bearing on your choice of a pup

I've been reading a lot about different breeds, their characteristics, training methods (it seems they're many), how to care for a dog, etc. As far as the breed goes, I don't care is it's mixed or not, we'll probably end up with a mixed breed. I've seen some pure breeds being sold for 3k. I wouldn't care if it's a mix with one of those fufu dogs with the long flowing coat because I'd always keep it very short.

I've seen a lot of terriers and I know about their reputation for barking and hyper personality. If one is crossbreed, how much would that reduce these characteristics? I'd like to find a dog from a shelter, but I don't want an older dog or one with health issues (I have enough of my own).
Click to expand...
there have been a number of excellent posts in this thread offering sound advice clearly learned from personal experience
the fellow who found our last two dogs asked me "do you want a dog that likes you or one that loves you?"
turned out to be an excellent question. the male will love you, as he has no maternal instinct
the children and relatives you have are by luck of the draw. for your dog, you get to choose. that is a major decision. one you want to get right. you may be eliminating a lot of excellent dog prospects that will suit your needs by ruling out pure breed animals. that <$2000 for a well bred animal with the characteristics you seek becomes nominal over the 10+ years of your ownership. avoid the puppy mills and find a good breeder and you will likely come away with a healthy, excellent animal, exhibiting the good - and bad - known characteristics of that breed. i am not knocking mixed breeds; my first dog was a great one. but there is nothing which assures that mutt did not inherit the negative genetic material of inbred dogs of differing breeds. all you know is the inbreeding did not happen in the present generation

I'm a life long cat owner and I know owning a dog and taking care of one is like night and day. But I do know tiny bit about training, I trained two cats to sit up and one to jump on my shoulder.

Any advice?
Click to expand...
my initial inclination was to suggest you adopt another cat. but i know how much being my dog's well trained pet makes me happy. don't want to dissuade you from that. plus, if you are able to train a cat, you will be excellent with a dog. hope you find the perfect four-legged friend. here's the latest pic of my VERY spoiled 15 month old work in progress, asleep in the fountain
Stryker in Jims pool.jpg
 
OldFatGuy said:
Time of the year, the season also helps. We all enjoy being out more when the weather is nice, temperatures not too cold or hot, and dry. Except for young children who take a special pleasure stomping through puddles. Bring a pup into the home makes more sense in the spring or early summer, than mid winter. Older dogs, already house trained, for winter holiday and birthday gifts.

I had a very crazy aunt...

...Polar Bear thing always kept me wondering. She also never missed participating in the annual Neptune parade of Coney Island, dressed in all her regalia as a mermaid queen on one of the floats, her personal lap dogs dressed as fish bodyguards. Most of them napped through the parade, ensconced around her "throne" on the float.
Click to expand...

Wow, awesome family history...
 
Acadia said:
...So I say get a dog that is potty and crate trained, if at all possible. Fostered dogs are a known quantity, even though they will pretty much all need a little refresher in potty and manners when they come into a new home.
Choose to work with a good, reputable adoption or rescue, where you can discuss who YOU are, before you decide which dog is best for you and your home. Any good rescue will guide you to the best possible outcome.
Click to expand...

LosAngelesAngel said:
🐈🐩~ I would adopt an animal that is scheduled to be euthanized at a city shelter. You will have a best friend. They understand that you saved their life and took them into yours . 💕
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Well after a long discussion with my wife, we're open to the idea of adopting a dog one year old or less, from a shelter or foster home, purdbred or not. I found a shelter that picks up stray dogs from Tijuana for adoption, but 99.8 are chihuahuas. If there's one dog I'll never own, it's a chihuahua.

Looking at what's available now, it, might be a very long time before we find a good match...
 
one of my neighboring priests recently acquired a therapy dog in training that washed out of the program
excellent animal; basic training was well begun
just not boring enough to qualify as a therapy dog
would encourage you to seek out the organizations in your area that train such dogs and see what might be available from the rejection pool
 
SoCal said:
Wow, awesome family history...
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She was one of the more sane, relatively dull siblings of my father that I got to know. A few predeceased my birth in combat during WWII. My father's oldest brother died while on death row, a member of Murder Inc. I remember him as they guy who taught me how to shoot a gun when I was 4, and who always had fruit to share with a smile. Two years later I saw his photo on tabloid front pages, with inside stories of his heroism during the war, and how he was forced out of the army for hunting Germans during the occupation, and a few American officers who he labeled cowards. He didn't kill those officers, just wounded them using knives and scared them silly. Two of his comrades in arms from the war were caught planning to break him out of Sing Sing, when he was reported to have died from pneumonia. All of my father's brothers who came back from the war were hard men, and hard before the war, growing up on the streets of Brooklyn during the depression. Some of them joined the NYPD when they returned. My father's youngest brother ran a Hostess delivery route and truck, delivering bread and cupcakes, a front as he made his real living collecting for loan sharks and bookies, taking bets and selling numbers. He was too young to serve in the war, but did a stint in the Coast Guard before racing cars professionally and getting married. He's the last still alive of 19 siblings, 92 living in Florida getting driven crazy by his wife and still driving her crazy.
 
OldFatGuy said:
She was one of the more sane, relatively dull siblings of my father that I got to know. A few predeceased my birth in combat during WWII. My father's oldest brother died while on death row, a member of Murder Inc. I remember him as they guy who taught me how to shoot a gun when I was 4, and who always had fruit to share with a smile. Two years later I saw his photo on tabloid front pages, with inside stories of his heroism during the war, and how he was forced out of the army for hunting Germans during the occupation, and a few American officers who he labeled cowards. He didn't kill those officers, just wounded them using knives and scared them silly. Two of his comrades in arms from the war were caught planning to break him out of Sing Sing, when he was reported to have died from pneumonia. All of my father's brothers who came back from the war were hard men, and hard before the war, growing up on the streets of Brooklyn during the depression. Some of them joined the NYPD when they returned. My father's youngest brother ran a Hostess delivery route and truck, delivering bread and cupcakes, a front as he made his real living collecting for loan sharks and bookies, taking bets and selling numbers. He was too young to serve in the war, but did a stint in the Coast Guard before racing cars professionally and getting married. He's the last still alive of 19 siblings, 92 living in Florida getting driven crazy by his wife and still driving her crazy.
Click to expand...

Jeez...
 
SoCal said:
Now that I'm retired I have plenty of time for training and other needs, my wife and I have started looking for a dog, it will be my first. We live in a small downtown apartment with an older cat, so I think it would be better for cat /dog relations to bring in puppy. Plus I'd like the whole puppy raising experience.

Given our 1200 sq foot apartment with no yard, we'll need a small dog. I've been reading a lot about different breeds, their characteristics, training methods (it seems they're many), how to care for a dog, etc. As far as the breed goes, I don't care is it's mixed or not, we'll probably end up with a mixed breed. I've seen some pure breeds being sold for 3k. I wouldn't care if it's a mix with one of those fufu dogs with the long flowing coat because I'd always keep it very short.

I've seen a lot of terriers and I know about their reputation for barking and hyper personality. If one is crossbreed, how much would that reduce these characteristics? I'd like to find a dog from a shelter, but I don't want an older dog or one with health issues (I have enough of my own).

I'm a life long cat owner and I know owning a dog and taking care of one is like night and day. But I do know tiny bit about training, I trained two cats to sit up and one to jump on my shoulder.

Any advice?
Click to expand...

Pomeranians have personalities that won't quit. They are scary smart (I always said that if mine had opposing thumbs it would have taken over the world) but if you can get them to obey they are not hard to communicate with. They also make great watchdogs. I have seen a couple of different sizes of them, one being the teacup Pom, the ones you see girls like Paris Hilton carrying around in their shoulder bags, but the garden variety Pom is about 6-8 lbs. The ones I have had (my wife's choice) have always traveled well, also.
 
dogs bark...i have a mixed terrier from the humane...he only barks at me...outta love...at 3 am....when ever i go outside...and with a puppy be ready for destruction...lots of it...they like to chew....having a puppy is not an 'experience' it is a life time commitment .. the pups life not yours...and it is expensive...to own any animal
 
The three stages of puppy development...

Puppy.jpg

We have a 7 month old Labrador and the meme above is spot on, except the 2nd stage starts at about 8 weeks. Be prepared to provide care as though you had a human toddler except this toddler has 4 legs and can easily outrun you, eats everything, chews everything (including you) so has to be watched whenever out of its pen.
 
Allan said:
The three stages of puppy development...

View attachment 67328472

We have a 7 month old Labrador and the meme above is spot on, except the 2nd stage starts at about 8 weeks. Be prepared to provide care as though you had a human toddler except this toddler has 4 legs and can easily outrun you, eats everything, chews everything (including you) so has to be watched whenever out of its pen.
Click to expand...

We have had 4 Lab's over the years. They can be a real really fun, and a real PITA at the same time when they are young because they seem to never fear anything, and their never ending curiosity gets them into constant hijinks.

And, just when you think you know everything there is to know about your lab, they will still surprise you.
 
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