Hello! I've not found myself on this forum for a few years now but come seeking guidance. Our lab is nearly 9. Over the last 8 weeks his behaviour has changed. Initially he had become antisocial at home preferring his bed in the old extension (which has rarely prior to this been used) to the warm sofa, and only engaging with us infrequently. He then wasn't eating his breakfast or dinner or would eat one not the other. He does however switch behaviours and could be really clingy for 12 hours... Dog dementia? Kidney failure? Or something else ..read more

Hello, I am wondering if someone could give me some advice. About two weeks ago, my one year old lab started losing small spots of hair from her face (see profile pic). This has continued and she has started to develop more patches. Also, she is losing hair above her nose. Has anyone experienced this ..read more

Hi, we have a 5month old Labrador puppy. The past few days when very tired, she has started growling and snapping at us. For example after a walk if we try move her in the car she with snarl and snap. Today my son tried to stroke her whilst she was sleeping and she snapped at his face. She is a very friendly pup, loves people and other dogs, she’s a dominant character very different to our last lab. I understand this behaviour is her way of communicating that she wants to be left alone... 5 month old Labrador puppy growling and snapping at us ..read more

Our newest Lab, Jenny, is very well behaved for the most part. At 20 months she is rambunctious but listens pretty well and has good recall. Unfortunately she is inclined to surf the table and counters when she is left on her own. She looks for food, or tissue or boxes. I don’t want to crate her when we go out for an evening, but I’m not sure how to discourage her since it is a self rewarding activity. We try to put everything away, but she finds things we didn’t think of We have a... Counter Surfing ..read more

Hello everyone, I am looking forward to connecting with other lab “parents” to talk through some challenges I am having. I have a 2 yo Yellow Lab, who is just wonderful - to a point. She struggles with over the top excitement when she sees or meets new people. She runs, jumps, licks and barks and just about knocks me and the person she wants to meet off our feet. She responds to her commands until she tops out with excitement and then doesn’t respond to anything, including treats, leash... Excited to be here ..read more

Last Saturday night we had to rush our 15 year-old chocolate lab to the emergency- the day before she was eating drinking I walked her playing perfectly fine for her age for the things that she would normally be doing- Saturday morning, she didn’t want her kong- the day before she was fine so she seemed I wound up making her chicken and rice and she did eat that and then went to her water bowl to drink some water and then she lay down and she seemed OK. We had been out for a little bit... Infection? - unable to find ..read more

Our black lab is now 9 months old… gentle soul and 95% obedient! We lost our 15 year old springer 2 months ago and he’s noticeably missing her even though she paid him no attention…! His best friend is a 10 month old Border Terrier girl..they love each other but only see each other once or twice a month. The lab is definitely my partners shadow and whines when he leaves the room or goes out for the day but settles down within a few minutes…. He’s quite a needy boy - none of our previous... Am I doing the right thing ..read more

Hi. Our 3 year old is a real sweetie, initially he's cautious meeting other dogs but as soon as he senses they are friendly he loves playing, especially chasing. He normally does the chasing and all is good. However recently we've notived that he does a sort of growl and bark when the other dog stops or turns towards him. They are still playing and chasing and he's probably doing it out of excitement but I'm not sure if we should stop him doing it as I don't want the other owners to think... Play growling ..read more

Just wondering if it's best only to give your dog 2 choices: either strictly walk at heel anytime the dog is on the lead or off the lead free to explore (within reason of course). Or is it also fine, maybe even good, to have a third choise: on the lead, but loose lead without being strictly 'at heel', in other words: on the lead, but free to move about so long as the dog isn't pulling. Or does that give mixed messages ..read more

Well, today’s the day we’re taking Luna for her first ever trip to the beach. In typical style, I’m completely overthinking the whole thing and expecting some sort of soggy doggy disaster. Wondered if anyone had any tips on how to introduce a teenage pup to the sea without freaking them out, losing them or getting dragged into the sea with their excitement. Alternatively I could just chill out and go with the flow of course, but if there is anything helpful I should know then I’d welcome... Pups first trip to the beach ..read more