Quick update - we went to meet Yeller, the golden lab my friend is trying to find a home for. He's a beautiful dog, very elegant, tall, and well-shaped. He's got a good nature. He has a gentle mouth, let me put my hand right inside his jaws to take a tennis ball from him. He can sit when he's told to - for five seconds.
But he's too big and powerful and rambunctious for us. He has absolutely no experience walking on a leash. We tried to take him on a walk around the block, and he dragged us back and forth across the sidewalk. He had a shoulder harness that was totally inadequate for controlling him, so we switched the leash to his band collar. A little better, but still a struggle.
We had brought a choke-chain collar and leash with us in the car, and tried switching him to that. The first snap of the collar got his attention - I could see him give me a look - but it was still a tough time. That look of attention was a good sign, but this boy needs some serious obedience training, and probably some work for a little while with a pinch collar.
We talked about it, and realized that he'd be way too much for us. He almost pulled me off my feet a couple times.
He's a perfect dog - for someone. Someone strong who can spend some time with him and take him to obedience training. I told my friend I'd think about it and tell him Monday, but I think he probably already knows the answer. I'm going to ask around and see if I can help him find a home for Yeller.
If you know anyone in Southern California who wants a nice but energetic Golden Lab, let me know.
10 comments:
There is NO perfect dog and walking a dog once on a leash and changing collars several times is not adequate to assess behavior. I am happy that you did not take that dog because you don't have the right attitude or experience to give him a home
I suggest you get a stuffed animal - a small one.
Labs are a lot of work at first, especially young ones. I've got two energetic pups who are now 5 years old. They weigh 75 and 90 lbs. and I walk them by myself every day. We bought special harnesses (google Sense ation harness) for them that clip onto their collars as well as the leash and redirect them easily when they pull.
They've been an awful lot of work, but definitely worth every bit of it!
Cheers,
Jane
I don't know you, Scout and Freyja, but if I understand your comment correctly, are you really advising me to take a dog I don't think I can handle, on the off-chance that maybe it will work out?
What is your suggestion - do you think I should assume responsibility for a dog that I might not be able to care for properly?
I have successfully trained three dogs. One was a puppy, the others weighed 65 pounds and 85 pounds each. They were all good dogs. But when I trained them I was physically stronger and I had more time on a daily basis to be with a dog than I do now.
When I met this dog today, it didn't take much time to realize that I don't have either the strength or the time required to fulfill his particular needs. He's a good, sweet dog, but I am not the right owner.
I think I have a pretty realistic attitude about owning a dog. Scout and Freya also seem to agree that I shouldn't own this dog, but oddly, they take the fact that I recognize this as something to criticize.
I don't get it, but I suppose in the long run we agree.
He didn't look so big in the picture.
Scout & Freyja are certainly serious & judgmental, aren't they?
I didn't mean to sound critical about your decision!
If every pet owner considered their decisions as carefully, I dare say we'd have fewer pets in need of new homes.
It sounds like you made the right call, g.
Poor ole yeller, I hope the right people find him.
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I would love a Lab but sadly a) we're gonna wait till babies are over and b) we're not in California!
G, he sounds exactly like our dog. Know anyone who wants a nice energetic black lab? (Thankfully, my husband does.)
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