Labrador Retrievers Love Water

Did a little fishing today. Could have done much more but i had a dark object keep getting tangled up in my line. Yes, the dark object was none other than Gunner. I figured when I took him I wouldn't have much luck fishing and I was right. Knowing how much he, as well as all Labradors, LOVE water I came close to leaving him at home. It's been so hot lately I just couldn't stand to leave him in the back yard when he could be splashing in the lake.

When we got to the lake all I seen was a chocolate streak heading towards water, splashing, swimming, biting anything floating and having a grand 'ol time. I was cat fishing today so that means the line stays out in the water. Well, my first throw went sailing and splashed the water and so did Gunner right behind it. He was halfway out by the time I holler for him to get back. When he turned to come back to the bank.....right into the line he swam! He had fishing line tangled up all over him.

I untangled him and attempted another throw. This time I distracted him with a tree limb. I threw the limb one way and off he went so attempt #2 cast was a success! Everything was fine after that except for a few hollers to keep him from swimming in the line. Then about 1 hour later it happened again. Now I must say Gunner is 2 yrs old and has always obeyed me but I think he's got the terrible 2's syndrome. I casted my line unknowing he was lurking behind me. He dove head first when he saw the splash and I yelled for him to get back but he completely ignored me. By the time I got him turned around it was to late, tangled up again. To make matters worse he swam back through a big patch of moss that was in the lake. So, I had to untangle Gunner and the moss (which was very thick) I was so mad I gave up and went home.

I told my girlfriend when I got home the mischief Gunner had caused and I was not taking him fishing again. She said I was full of it, if I went tomorrow Gunner would be right beside me. She knows me to well cause she's probably right.

Labrador Hip Problems (update)

Ended up having to take Gunner to the vet. I went outside Friday morning and he couldn't even get up. It was a site I hope I never see again but know I probably will eventually. I went inside and called the vet to see if they could see him. I had to drop him off (which I absolutely hated to do) and they would work him in sometime during the day. I waited by the phone all day until I finally got the call he was ready to come home. After x-rays, office visit and medicine what turned out to be a sprain or twist cost me $159. If I would have gave it another day or two he probably would have been fine but that morning he couldn't get up was enough for me to take action. It was money well spent just to make sure my buddy was ok. Gunner did kinda piss me off a little the next day when he was running, jumping and very energetic. I just glad everything turned out ok. As I left the vet that day one of the techs told me not to let him be to active. I said laughing I'll try but that's gonna be a tough job.

Labrador Hip Problems

I have read quite a bit about how Labradors are prone to hip problems. Well, I was out side today and noticed Gunner wasn't being himself (running, jumping, wanting to play) so I looked him over real good. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary until I noticed how he was walking. I quickly noticed something was wrong with his back end. I checked him over, running my hand over and lightly squeezing his back legs and hips, all the while thinking about how Labradors Retrievers are prone to hip problems. He showed no signs of pain but I know something isn't right. He can barley put weight on his right back leg, guess it's off to the vet in the morning if he doesn't show any improvement by morning. I'm hoping its nothing serious.

Dog days of Summer

Its that time of year to keep them dogs cool. For us Labrador owners its especially important. The hot summer days are harder on Labs than most other breeds of dogs. Their size is one reason, another is that layer of fat that was bred into them to perform in the cold, wet conditions. No thought was really given as to how they would handle the heat. Color is another downfall in the Chocolate and Black breeds.
If your dog is outside make sure it has shade throughout the day and fresh water. I have a water vat outside for Gunner to get in and he gets fresh water every day. Let them exercise in the morning and evening, try to avoid the heat of the day. And by all means don't lock them inside a car even if the windows are cracked. If you have to confine them during the day (garage, small room) make sure your aware of the temperature of this area throughout the day.
I know Gunner is much less active this time of year. When I take him to my shop he usually lays under the porch vs. roughhousing with the neighbor dog. Also, any chance he gets he's inside laying on the cool linoleum floor. I also brush him often, sheds quite a bit this time of year, don't know if this helps much but can't hurt to get all that loose hair off him.

Round two with the turkey heads

Well we were back at the shop today and Gunner got into some trouble. The turkey heads had been laying in the yard since yesterday and I decided to throw them back in the woods. Of course Gunner was right there watching. I threw them over the fence and told him NO in a very stern voice. I made him walk back to the porch with me and I went inside. I watched out the window and there he went into the woods. I waited until he had one in his mouth coming back out and walked outside. He had a very guilty look on his face knowing he was doing wrong. I met him at the fence and said "No... drop it" He did exactly that and came back under the fence cowering as I shook my finger and gave him a little talking to. Went back inside and a few minutes later caught him back over in the woods. I looked at him and said get back over here and he trotted back. After that he didn't attempt it again. It usually only takes two times for him to understand what he's suppose to do with commands, orders, etc. Very smart dog and always knows when he's up to no good!

At the shop with Gunner

We made it to the shop yesterday. The day before I threw out some old turkey heads I had in the freezer (Im a taxidermist) behind the shop in the woods. Well, I figured the woodland critters around there would have them cleaned up before we got there the next day. I was wrong. Gunner was outside running amuck while I was inside and thought about the heads. I walked out and sure enough turkey heads in the yard. I scolded him about them and threw them back into the woods which did no good. I went inside and looked out the window, there was Gunner rummaging around trying to find them and he did. I gave up and let him have them, just natural for a dog to want meat.

Are Labs the best dogs?

I have had beagle and cocker spainal dogs as pets. I have been around many other breeds, my girlfriend has a miniture shnauzer house dog. I believe Labs are the best. My current lab is a chocolate male named Gunner. At 6 months he would sit, stay, retrieve, heel and do all this with hand signals. I even had him high fiving me and he picked it up quick, I mean in 1 day. I can give him a ham bone, seconds later take it from his mouth without even a growl. Back to the shnauzer I mentioned, if you look at her funny while shes eating something she growls. Gunner is a 80lb muscular beast thats as gently as they come. The shnauzer(Sophie) has made him whine a couple of times and he out weighs her by 50lbs. Doesn't seem to faze him though cause he never breaks stride playing with her. My Lab is the best.

Dogs are special

My lab is my buddy. He always jumps up and runs to me if I go outside. There is excitement in his eyes every time like I am the greatest thing ever. Some say Labs always have a little puppy spirt in them no matter their age. I believe Gunner has ALOT of puppy in him. Were going to my shop tomorrow were he usually wrestles with the neighbor dog until she gets enogh of him and runs him off.