Hi all
I have never taken care of a lab before. I have been doing a lot of reading because I know puppy time is the most important in training any dog especially labs. Chloe is 4 months old but she is technically not mine. She is my roommates but responds and has bonded with me the most. She will be going back home to NC in may for the summer and I will be going home to MD. I'm afraid that she will feel like I've abandoned her but she isn't mine. Should I back off and let my roommate step in as the ultimate authority? I just have a lot more patience and time for Chloe and don't want her puppy stages to pass and not get her the right training and time she needs. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated
Puppy bonding
Started by Chloe101, Mar 10 2012 11:17 AM
2 replies to this topic
#1
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Senior Black Lab
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- Location:Melbourne, FL
Posted 10 March 2012 - 11:17 AM
#2
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Moderator
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Posted 10 March 2012 - 05:08 PM
What a caring and responsible person you are for making this observation.
Fortunately, labs are family dogs and usually bond with the entire family. Right now she see's you and your roommate as her "family". Sometimes they will bond closer to one family member than the other. This is usually based on the amount of activity that person does with the pup.
Do you play with Chloe more than her owner does? Do you give her more affection? Are you the one who feeds her most of the time? These are things a dog looks at when bonding with humans.
Don't worry too much about Chloe thinking you have abandoned her. Dogs do move on past these things. They are very adaptable to changes in their environment. She will have her owner with her so she'll have someone she knows with her.
I think it will be harder for you to not see Chloe as I suspect that you have bonded with her as well.
I appreciate your writing to us with your situation as I am sure that others have been in the same too.
How much interaction does Chloe's owner have with her?
Fortunately, labs are family dogs and usually bond with the entire family. Right now she see's you and your roommate as her "family". Sometimes they will bond closer to one family member than the other. This is usually based on the amount of activity that person does with the pup.
Do you play with Chloe more than her owner does? Do you give her more affection? Are you the one who feeds her most of the time? These are things a dog looks at when bonding with humans.
Don't worry too much about Chloe thinking you have abandoned her. Dogs do move on past these things. They are very adaptable to changes in their environment. She will have her owner with her so she'll have someone she knows with her.
I think it will be harder for you to not see Chloe as I suspect that you have bonded with her as well.
I appreciate your writing to us with your situation as I am sure that others have been in the same too.
How much interaction does Chloe's owner have with her?
#3
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Senior Black Lab
- Gender:Female
- Location:Melbourne, FL
Posted 11 March 2012 - 08:55 AM
That is very good to hear, and I think you are right it will probably be a lot harder for me than it is for her.
I am the one who feeds her, plays actually with her, and takes her on adventure walks. My roommate does interact with her but it's more watching her play with her toys or the occasional puppy training sessions with a dog biscuit or a walk, it's just more in comparison.
I feel a lot safer letting Chloe go home and glad she decided on a lab. She has a lot of energy, but feel she gets plenty of time to burn most of that off.
Thanks again Kurt for the fast reply and great advice. I really appreciate it.
I am the one who feeds her, plays actually with her, and takes her on adventure walks. My roommate does interact with her but it's more watching her play with her toys or the occasional puppy training sessions with a dog biscuit or a walk, it's just more in comparison.
I feel a lot safer letting Chloe go home and glad she decided on a lab. She has a lot of energy, but feel she gets plenty of time to burn most of that off.
Thanks again Kurt for the fast reply and great advice. I really appreciate it.
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