Lab puppies

[mom]

I have 6 of them - so fat they are as wide as they are long - think they will be 2 weeks old tomorrow. Do not have papers - anybody in the area want one - free to good homes in a few weeks. They are black - 4 males, 2 females

[MNMOM]

We have a black lab that was dumped at our place the 4th of July, I estimated her to be about 8-10 month's, the vet says she's probably a year old, still very much a puppy. She came loaded with ticks, she had fleas and was in heat. Well, we got her spayed and vaccinated, it took our son over an hour to pull all the ticks off of her.
We've always had golden retrievers, our last one died in May at the tender old age of 15 years and 3 months. I had always prided myself in training my dog's, but this one is just about giving me fits, she is stubborn and bullheaded. Is this a trait of black labs? I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and take her to obedience school.

[rAcErRicK]

MNMOM, I am definately not an expert on dog training, but I have had several Labs, and I'll bet this one will make you a very good friend. She is very confused right now, and as you said, full of puppy. If she were mine I would play with her as often as possible, making up games such as retrieving objects and just slowly gaining her confidence. You have about another year of puppy, but when she is sure that you are her home, and she learns what you want her to do, that bull headedness will be working for good rather than bad. All the ones I have had were quite headstrong but I see that as a good thing, once you establish a relationship with them. They love nothing more than making you happy and pleased with them. From what I've seen, they are much like your retreivers, maybe just a tad more headstrong. I love Labs, well, truth is I love all large dogs, but I'll bet you money that a year from now you wouldn't let her go. I wish you good luck and much patience.

[macgeoghagen]

I have a lab mix. fixed female. she's fairly smart for a dog, but has the lab habit of doing stupid stuff. the sits under the drip from the roof when it rains and begs to come in instead of staying under or in the shed. she is always eager to please somebody.

[crunchycon]

Congratulations on the new arrivals - wish I lived a bit closer.

I've had Labs my entire life (mom was a breeder/shower), and they are the BEST, but my saying goes "you get the Lab at eight weeks; the brain arrives a few years later." ;D

[EarthMama]

Is this a trait of black labs? I think I'm going to have to bite the bullet and take her to obedience school.

Yes, it is very much a trait of black labs. Unfortunately.

You don't necessarily have to take her to obedience school... although having been a big part of obedience clubs in the past, I think they're wonderful to be a part of not only for the dogs but for the people who are owned by the dogs too. ;D However, if you don't want to take part, you can get a book or two from the library about dog training and just do it yourself at home.

Consistency is the key. Make training her a priority in your day and pretty soon you'll have a wonderfully trained companion who will bring you much joy for years to come.

But hurry.... she's getting older and the older she gets, the more set in her ways she'll become.

Edited to say:

Btw, God bless you for your kindness in the rescue. The world needs more people like you folks. :-*