Bringing Home a retired Labrador from us and what you need to know (WYNTK)

We can’t keep them all 😩 is a phrase you will hear within the breeder world and it is absolutely true. The sad reality is that if we keep every single dog we have raised for life, then we can never make room for our future generations.  Some stay here forever and a few go on to live on someone else’s couch and to fulfill a need in their lives. These creatures are truly extra special!  If you are lucky enough to bring home an Ashland adult, you will be filled with many years of love & devotion, not to mention a buddy that will always be your best friend.

I cannot stress enough that our Labradors are truly “happy-go-lucky” dogs that never met a stranger “four legged or two”.  That said, for anyone considering bringing home one of our adults in the future, here is what you need to know.

Every single dog is unique & have their own personalities. None are cookie cutters, however one thing we do know is that they are PREDICTABLE. We can assure anyone that they are non-quarrelsome, never aggressive, no resource guarding or other “non typical” Labrador behaviors.

When deciding on an adult, here are a few pointers.

*An adult dog will need 2-3 weeks to decompress and slowly adjust to his or her new home and new routine. Every dog is different and some adjust quicker, others are little slower. Our dogs LOVE their crate. We encourage you to incorporate the crate into their new home so they can have a place to go and just chill and absorb all the new smells and watch everything going on from a place they feel most secure.  DON’T just send your new dog into the back yard with your 3 year old overly excited dog.  Take new introductions slow, both dogs on a leash. Watch the new dogs body language to determine if he/she is ready to engage in play right off the bat or just wants to investigate and take in all the new smells. Let the new dog soak it all in.  Each day the new dog will become more comfortable and gain confidence.

*DON’T start a running or exercise program on day one. Our dogs run and play all day, however for anyone that wants a running companion and think you can just have a running parter for your 5K right off the starting line. NO! Just don’t. This is not what I want for my dogs. They can run, swim, play and engage in excerise but no forced running for any amount of miles. 

*Our dogs are obedience and house trained. WYNTK is that our dogs will need time to understand your voice commands and your body language which will be very different from ours. Obviously they are keen on what we ask of them but do expect a transitional phrase for them to learn what you are asking and expect. We do provide you with their commands sheet and will spend time going over their routines.  Next is the big POTTY issue.  So bringing an older dog into your home. He doesn’t know where the “potty area” is yet.  It will be your job to set a schedule of taking them out to the selected area of the yard or leash walking them for potty breaks.  This will help them learn quickly a new potty routine for your home.  Our dogs are clean and don’t wish to soil their home or crates, so it is up to you to take the first week or so to really incorporate and establish a new routine for them.

*DON’T bring an older dog home and just let them loose to roam the entire house.  Keep them in the room with you or confine them to one room to start. They have no idea what is theirs or what is off-limits.  Don’t expect them to just figure it out.

*Males that have been used at Stud will need a bit longer time to settle their hormones down once neutered. They make excellent companions but will still hike their legs to urinate outdoors. That is just natural for male to do.  They are not markers inside unless you have previous urine smells impregnated from other dogs. That may entice them, however we generally have no issues with indoor marking as that is part of being housebroken.