Labrador Rescue

Hi there,

Well I thought I would put a little up date on here as today Andrew and I collected our lovely new dog Sam, a three year old golden lab who seems to love everyone! He has been so friendly with everyone we have met so far including children and other dogs. He's not barked once at anyone and has loved splashing around in muddy puddles, not so much the bath after though!! He does like to jump up a lot though so that is something we will have to try and stop as Andrew has already been covered in mud a couple of times!

The battle of wills has begun come dinner time as we have rapidly discovered he was obviously only ever been fed human food. He is overweight and will need lots of excercise and healthy eating to get him back on track. We were surprised when he turned his nose up at doggy treats as our last lab ate anything he could! But when Andrew's mum opened up the cakes and Sam managed to jump up and knock one out her hand we realised what he had obviously been used to!

So...when dinner time came and the bakers complete did not get touched and our dinners were stared at longingly we realised there is going to be some work needed. He still has yet to touch his dinner and is constantly hassling us in the hope we will give in and feed him some human food.

Hopefully he will soon realise dog food is a better option to going hungry!!

Other than that he is perfect and we are very happy with him! He is very boistress and has ruled the roost for the first few years of his life but he is so cute and cuddly you soon forgive him when he nudges you out the way!

Will try and update again soon!

Thanks Lab Rescue!

Liz and Andrew

I would doubt he had only had human food before as we have found out a little more about him now I would imagine he is just so excited about the new fuss he is having he got over excited as a child would he certainly didnt "rule the roost" in his old home maybe he is just excited like a giddy child.

Its quite common for a dog not to eat his meal on the first day in a new home everything is new to him.

You are right to want to work on his jumping up.

Also the increased excersise will help him lose weight but any change in feeding should be done gradually.
Dogs often take some days to adjust to a new home I hope he is ok and that you are happy with him.
Any problems we can help with let us know you are right he is a lovely boy and I hope he gets settled soon he needs a loving home.

Also try adding some meat or some sardines to the bakers may madke him more inclined to eat it.
Thank you for the update.

Well done for putting an update on Day 1!!

Sam sounds lovely.

I'm no expert on dog food, but a few years ago when I was buying my dog food, I remember the lady at the till telling me that Bakers made dogs hyper because it was full of colourings!! It stuck in my mind, and I thought maybe there was some truth in it, because it is brightly coloured. I don't know if any of the other folks on the forum have any thoughts on the subject.
Like Glenys says - try sardines - our Jess loves them, and they're very good for them as well.

Jess used to be a rascal for jumping up! She's improved tremendously, and it didn't take long - I got some tips from John, the forum training expert! I'm sure if you put a post on to catch his eye, he'll be of great help.

Have lots of fun getting to know your new boy!

Hi Liz and Andrew, Welcome to the forum.

Congratulations on the new addition to your family and for finding time to post an update so soon amongst the excitement!

I'm sure Sam will eat when he is ready, not all labs are greedy even if they are portly. He'll be a different dog once he gets some regular excercise. Keep us updated.

And don't forget we are hungry for pictures.

Sara, Dave, Bonnie and Bella

Hi Liz & Andrew Welcome to the site.

Once Sam gets a routinue I'm sure he will soon settle and eat his food, like Glenys said everything is still new to him.

I would recommend the sardines though our two love them .

Look forward to more updates and piccys.

Amanda Jim Milo & Zak x

Hi Liz and Andrew.

First of all welcome to the Lab Rescue Forum. We love to keep in touch with the dogs that have been adopted and love to know what they are upto.

Sam sounds like a typical Lab. If Balee could he would sit at the table with a knife and fork given the chance.

I would recommend the sardines though our two love them.

and they are so good for them. Fresh fish oil gives your dog a lovely coat as well. Let him have a smell and then let him see you add them to his biscuits. the food will be gone in a second.

Hi Liz and Andrew,

Welcome to the site.Congratulations in adopting Sam,hope you have a long and happy life together.Look forward to more updates .


Kay .xx

Hi and welcome from me and mine.

I would agree with Glenys, everything is new to Sam and it will take a while for him to settle properly so I wouldn't worry about him not eating his dinner. I have to say (and this is not meant as a criticism to you) but I don't like Bakers because its full of additives but then again lots of people feed it with no problems but be aware it can make dogs hyper, it also makes them very thirsty. I would also mix something with the food, dogs love sardines, or you could mix a small amount of tinned food (the jelly variety) to the biscuits, it makes the food less boring.

Sam sounds gorgeous so congratulations on adopting him, he will soon settle when he realises he is there to stay in his forever home.

Everyone on here is friendly and with all our different experiences can offer advice if you need it, don't be afraid to ask.

Enjoy him and your new life together and when you get the chance we also love pics

Love Michelle X

Hi and welcome from us too.

Thank you for giving Sam a forever home, I'm sure he'll settle soon. Thanks for the early update.

Hi Liz and Andrew
Thank you for joining the site and letting us know how its going with Sam. I am sure he will settle to your rules once he is in a routine. Good luck in getting some of that excess weight off him and encouraging him to eat the right food. Dont forget we are here if you need any advice
Oh and dont forget the pics

Hi Liz & Andrew welcome to the site so glad Sam has found a new home. I hope he soon starts to enjoy his food again I mix sardines in with Millie's a couple of times a week it's a real treat for her. Good luck with his diet too

Ann x

Thanks for all your comments and advice, will try sardines as they seem to be everyones favourite!!

He has calmed down a lot although he is still not eating much and does often urinate when excited or anxious, but I hope this will stop. A visit to the vet for his puppy vaccinations revealed he has been neutered when we thought he hadn't so that's good. He weighs 40kg though!!

Glenys if you do have any more info on him we would appreciate this as we don't have any idea what he is used to!

He loves cuddly toys and yoghurt pots and is gradually c learning not to jump up so much!

Photos to follow, thanks again!!

Liz, Andrew and sam!

Pictures to follow!

Lovely to hear he's settled and so happy. It does take a wee while for dogs to get used their new surroundings...and I'm sure he'll get over his little hiccoughs!!
Gemma xx