Puppy: pros and cons

[SuperRunt]

Exiting! Good luck with meetings and iterviews!

[kermit]

I think its a win win for your daughter and the other dog. Two is a great number and they will keep each other company while you work. The older guy will have a reason to get up and play and stay active and the little one will have a mentor. I had a golden retriever for 11 years and got him about the same age as your little guy. The BEST dog I've ever had. Your guy is well on the way and if he considers his crate home, even better. You have reservations but consider that your breed is smart, loyal, and very trainable. All my dogs started in the crate. It's a great training tool and a security blanket when they get older. Congrats. He's ssooooo cute!

[maillotpois]

Well Russo met the puppy, Piner today at Guide Dogs. The meeting went very well. There was a lot of wagging and wiggling and sniffing. I think the puppy is going to be a lot of fun for Russo, but we will have to discipline the puppy as he is quite persistent and bite-y at this stage. Russo did not correct him which ultimately he will need to do.

As I was driving up there I thought to myself I should take a picture with my camera phone but of course I forgot. Looks like we'll probably be able to take him home Saturday. I have to go out of town the rest of the week otherwise it could be sooner.

Our daughter still does not know. I didn't want to tell her unless it was a done deal. Now I am just waiting because I can.

[nic840]

Oh yeah the bite stuff. Its only been 6 months since we got Wally and I almost forgot about that. They are mouthy for the first few months. Just make sure you have something to give them thats "theirs" when they start in on the biting.
The hardest part was my girls. They are much younger (2 & 4) than your daughter and he thought they were littermates. He would literally start running at them full speed and launch onto them like they were pups...teeth and all. Most of my girls shirts from that period have nice little bite holes from those SHARP puppy teeth. The common phrase was "MOM - Wally's Got Me!!!"
He didn't want to hurt, just play. So when you made a sound like you were being hurt by the bites he would jump back and stop. Kind of like a loud squeak. It only lasted about 5-6 weeks before he passed through that phase. Being firm and consistant.
I am so glad your big guy got along okay with him...they will end up enjoying each other's company. My little guy is heading off to hunt camp on Thursday and I am going to miss him tremendously!!! Please let me know if you need any lab resourses in Nor Cal. I am located in Sacramento. Congrats and looking forward to hearing how surprised your daughter is!! Yeah!!!

[jesvetmed]

Oh yeah the bite stuff. Its only been 6 months since we got Wally and I almost forgot about that.

LOL: Our lab is almost 11 yrs old and DH STILL hasn't forgotten... of course the scars on his wrists and hands are a daily reminder of puppy "bite-y" fun!

CONGRATS on the big leap into puppy owning, Mal! You'll love every seconds of it, even if it isn't all that fun all the time. They are SO wonderful! Glad your current dog seems to like new dog! Can't wait to hear how it goes and get those fuzzy pictures!

Jes

[Wahine]

Ooooooo, I'm so excited for you and your family. How fun!!

[sundial]

I can't wait for puppy pics.