Choosing a dog

[Shady Pioneer]

DO NOT GET A BLOODY LAB!!!

Ours is 20 weeks old. Although he's sort of housetrained now, he still pisses everywhere when he gets overexcited, which is about 23 1/2 hours a day! He has literally destroyed the house and garden with his chewing! Clothes, shoes, skirting board, curtains, dining chairs and table legs, the lot! He's walked at least twice a day for 30 mins in the morning, and much longer in the evening to try and keep him occupied, but its not really working. Its really bad in that we've now had to either leave him in the garden most of the day, or keep him in a crate. When he's allowed around the house, we have to keep him in the same room as us as he's mental and just charges around looking for the next thing to pick up and chew.
He can sit, give paw, and doesn't run off when on walks which is probably the only plus. 

Sounds more like you're the issue. You can't blame the pup, he doesn't know what you want from him, which is why you need to train him so he knows. It's not easy but labs are an intelligent breed who aim to please.

[Steve_PD]

DO NOT GET A BLOODY LAB!!!

Ours is 20 weeks old. Although he's sort of housetrained now, he still pisses everywhere when he gets overexcited, which is about 23 1/2 hours a day! He has literally destroyed the house and garden with his chewing! Clothes, shoes, skirting board, curtains, dining chairs and table legs, the lot! He's walked at least twice a day for 30 mins in the morning, and much longer in the evening to try and keep him occupied, but its not really working. Its really bad in that we've now had to either leave him in the garden most of the day, or keep him in a crate. When he's allowed around the house, we have to keep him in the same room as us as he's mental and just charges around looking for the next thing to pick up and chew.
He can sit, give paw, and doesn't run off when on walks which is probably the only plus. 

Never had a puppy before? Mine was 18 months before we could leave him alone for a while and not come back to a trashed house. Now he's great 2 walks a day and he knackered for the other 22 hours.

[Shady Pioneer]

DO NOT GET A BLOODY LAB!!!

Ours is 20 weeks old. Although he's sort of housetrained now, he still pisses everywhere when he gets overexcited, which is about 23 1/2 hours a day! He has literally destroyed the house and garden with his chewing! Clothes, shoes, skirting board, curtains, dining chairs and table legs, the lot! He's walked at least twice a day for 30 mins in the morning, and much longer in the evening to try and keep him occupied, but its not really working. Its really bad in that we've now had to either leave him in the garden most of the day, or keep him in a crate. When he's allowed around the house, we have to keep him in the same room as us as he's mental and just charges around looking for the next thing to pick up and chew.
He can sit, give paw, and doesn't run off when on walks which is probably the only plus. 

Never had a puppy before? Mine was 18 months before we could leave him alone for a while and not come back to a trashed house. Now he's great 2 walks a day and he knackered for the other 22 hours.

It's all about training, patience and persistence. I've had Springer Spaniels from 8 weeks old before and a Jack Russel. The right training will go a long way. You'd probably be surprised what you're doing wrong if you took them to a training class or read up online about them.

[Rhyso]

If you watch programs like the Dog Whisperer etc and pay attention, who gets the most training because it isn't the dog......

[Seanl]

Steve, yes. I've had dogs all my life, including a Black Lab from a pup until he passed at 8 years old.  Its difficult in the fact that I work full time, and the missus works 3 days a week. We also have two young children. I agree he isn't really to blame, I know he still requires a lot of training and attention. The breed is known for its very lively nature, especially up until around 3 years old. And as I'd already mentioned, he gets two good walks a day. Labs are also known for having anxiety and separation issues too. Which obviously doesn't help. I'm not claiming to know everything about raising a dog because I've had one in the past, I've also read a lot of articles and subscribed to a few lab/retriever specific websites for guidance on what the best ways to train, and deter this behaviour is. This is what I'd recommend for anyone thinking about getting a dog.
That said, its still a massive undertaking and as you can imagine, at times you get very frustrated.

Peace out.

[kittie]

I think Sean's situation demonstrates the importance of picking the right breed of dog to fit your lifestyle - if you're out at work or can't devote your full attention to the dog all the time for other reasons, a highly intelligent and active breed isn't a good idea.

Something like a greyhound or grey based lurcher would probably have suited you better! It'd be happy to go for a couple of nice walks and play with you when you feel like it, but the rest of the time just sleep and not cause any bother! I know I keep pushing lurchers but they really do make absolutely excellent pets.

I'm a keen walker and fairly active but I wouldn't consider anything like springers, labs, huskies etc - IMO if your dog of choice is lazier than you are that's the ideal situation