Let's See Your Garage Dog

[micromind]

This is Barney! 3-1/2 year old Lab. He knows it is time for his daily run. He has been staring at me for a half hour. It is 32 degrees and raining and spitting snow. I am resisting letting him guilt me into going. Right now, he has his paw on my knee and staring.


This is Barney after we got back! He's soaking wet from his swim in his favorite spot in the creek. He started crawling under that stove when he was a little guy. As he got full grown, I had to put 3" risers under the stove so he could get under it. My house is 1/2 mile from my farm, and we run through woods and creeks and fields to get to the farm. Then all the way around the perimeter of the farm (80 acres, 1/4 mile x 1/2 mile). Then backtrack home. My quad registers 3.1 miles on a normal day. We have been doing this since he was about 6 months old. I don't think we have missed 10 days in that time. With all his side trips he must run at least 5-6 miles a day. Barney is a 90 pound ball of muscle. But he is a *****. I have never once heard him growl in anger! 100% non-aggressive. Velcro dog. Maybe the best ever!

Top photo....the look in his eyes is just too much..........

 

[TuckerSailor]

Top photo....the look in his eyes is just too much..........

They know how to steal your heart for sure. Jake would rather ride than run.

 

[Zebedeewesty]

The amazing disappearing Arlo.

 

[Xti04]

My dog Jax is 3 today! Been a wild 3 years. First dog that could reach the countertop, and my sock collection is constantly thinned out by him. Happy Birthday buddy!

 

[Timpala]

Just came home two days ago. Much learning ahead.

 

[Bad Eye Bill]

Just came home two days ago. Much learning ahead.

He's gonna be a beauty.

Well, I mean, he already is.

 

[Wiz02]

Just came home two days ago. Much learning ahead.

How old is he or is it she?

 

[jaw22w]

Top photo....the look in his eyes is just too much..........

I know! It just kills me! He got his run.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Just came home two days ago. Much learning ahead.

This is a very sweet looking baby dog. Please socialize him very very well.

At our local dog park there is a VERY athletic Belgian Malinois name Astrid that I see often. She's only 3 and has been socialized so well she didn't even react when my little terrorist, Max nipped her. He did it then sprang away to avoid the growl he expected was coming. She didn't even rect. She leans on people like me who talk to her, rub her ears, scratch around her tail. It's nice that such an imposing specimen is so friendly.

Can't wait to watch your little pup (male/female & name?) grow up. Please post pictures about monthly.

 

[JEFFREYWisconsin]

Zuzu likes to hang around under the kitchen island at the lake cottage. She always thinks a scrap may fall.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

Zuzu likes to hang around under the kitchen island at the lake cottage. She always thinks a scrap may fall.

“Floor score!”

 

[Beemer]

This is our Beamer competing in FastCat. She averages about 24 mph over a hundred yards.

 

[Timpala]

Just came home two days ago. Much learning ahead.

Thanks all!
She’s about 8 weeks now, named Bridgette or Bridgey.
Her “mom”, my wife D, is an incredible trainer and is bringing her along a moment at a time.
We’ve had several German Shepherds over the years if you’d like to see their pictures too?
I was never much of a dog guy until my wife introduced me to the dark side, lol.

 

[FTWingRiders]

I was never much of a dog guy until my wife introduced me to the bark side, lol.

FIFY…

 

[Iluvbeer]

My silver lab I got back in September. He's 7 months old and has energy like an Olympic athlete....

 

[Zebedeewesty]

 

[rust in the eye]

About as far from a shop dog as I can get, our oh so pampered Whippet considering transportation and upon her throne.

 

[jaw22w]

Barney again!
It's time for his run. I swear this dang dog can tell time!
I can just hear him, Can we go? Dad. HUH? HUH? Can we go? I gotta go, Dad. Please can we go? It's not cold out, Dad. Can we go? HUH? Can we go?
How can you resist that?

 

[rust in the eye]

Gotta love Labs but I don't have the energy for one. A friend once stated "Labs? They're too F in happy for me"

 

[jaw22w]

Gotta love Labs but I don't have the energy for one. A friend once stated "Labs? They're too F in happy for me"

Yep! Big goofy Labs! Pink tongue all hangin' out!
I got Barney at 70. I had outlived all my dogs and was unhappy without a dog around to love on. So...Barney... at 6 weeks old. There were several times when he was a puppy that I wondered what in the hell I was thinking to get a new Lab puppy at 70. (He's not my first Lab.) When he was very young, we would take 1/2 mile walks back to the crick. By the time he was 6 months he was wearing me out. That's when the quad runs started. Me 3 miles, him 5 or 6 miles. I never thought when he was a puppy that he would turn out this well. He was a wild child! Now he is pretty laid back most of the time.
I'm sure the exercise is what makes Barney such a good manageable boy.
He lives for me and that run!
I love him, too!

 

[jaw22w]

This is our Beamer competing in FastCat. She averages about 24 mph over a hundred yards.

Yeah. My lab, Barney, can do 23 mph flat out as measured by my quad's speedometer. Not all that fast. They are not really built for speed. It's too hard to smell everything when you're going fast! Whippets and greyhounds at 36-37 mph. But I will bet that Beamer and Barney would bury them in the long haul. I think Barney could do 12 mph all day.

 

[jaw22w]

sorry double post

 

[rust in the eye]

Our Whippet loves to run and is seriously FAST. NO way could we catch her unless she allows it.
During playtime she will run straight towards me and when I reach out to grab her she'll deke left or right and make a single effortless stride that puts her well out of reach. Watching her run is a joy, so athletic and graceful.
Sounds like Barney and ours, Flirt* would be fast friends.

*We didn't name her

 

[Beemer]

Yep! Big goofy Labs! Pink tongue all hangin' out!
I got Barney at 70. I had outlived all my dogs and was unhappy without a dog around to love on. So...Barney... at 6 weeks old. There were several times when he was a puppy that I wondered what in the hell I was thinking to get a new Lab puppy at 70. (He's not my first Lab.) When he was very young, we would take 1/2 mile walks back to the crick. By the time he was 6 months he was wearing me out. That's when the quad runs started. Me 3 miles, him 5 or 6 miles. I never thought when he was a puppy that he would turn out this well. He was a wild child! Now he is pretty laid back most of the time.
I'm sure the exercise is what makes Barney such a good manageable boy.
He lives for me and that run!
I love him, too!

Keep him moving. Our first Lab was insanely capable swimmer, able to go up the rapids in the river. Same in heavy surf on the open Atlantic. She used to go out with the surfers because she thought humans didn't belong in the water. We'd kid, when she would find a local dog to take out in the surf, saying she's going to try to drown him.
She lived to 16 1/2 with no medical interventions and the point being I chalk it up to constant exercise (and avoiding vets' recommendations).
And she was surely one to get in trouble. The first two years of her life were hell for us but I think she thought it was all fun. There was nothing that she did not consider edible from gyp board and a soda can to a 6 foot leather leash.
She survived despite herself.

 

[Bad Eye Bill]

Thanks all!
She’s about 8 weeks now, named Bridgette or Bridgey.
Her “mom”, my wife D, is an incredible trainer and is bringing her along a moment at a time.
We’ve had several German Shepherds over the years if you’d like to see their pictures too?
I was never much of a dog guy until my wife introduced me to the dark side, lol.

I would have bet money that she was a he.

 

[Beemer]

Yeah. My lab, Barney, can do 23 mph flat out as measured by my quad's speedometer. Not all that fast. They are not really built for speed. It's too hard to smell everything when you're going fast! Whippets and greyhounds at 36-37 mph. But I will bet that Beamer and Barney would bury them in the long haul. I think Barney could do 12 mph all day.

Beamer is maintaining 23 over the 100 yards. They are timing in the competition not using radar.
Last year was her first year at 6 years old so she did well ranking at around 150th in the country for Labs.
She gets all hyped up when we hit the end of the driveway to the events and she is a handful getting her to the start line. The lure resembles a bunny or squirrel and that flips her switch.

 

[Beemer]

Our Whippet loves to run and is seriously FAST. NO way could we catch her unless she allows it.
During playtime she will run straight towards me and when I reach out to grab her she'll deke left or right and make a single effortless stride that puts her well out of reach. Watching her run is a joy, so athletic and graceful.
Sounds like Barney and ours, Flirt* would be fast friends.

*We didn't name her

They ARE rockets.
I have enough trouble at my age keeping up with the Labs in the forest when their noses pick up something to follow.

 

[jaw22w]

During playtime she will run straight towards me and when I reach out to grab her she'll deke left or right and make a single effortless stride that puts her well out of reach.

LOL! That brings back a 60-year-old memory. I was about 13. We had a border collie, Shadow, that would do the same thing. Run at you as fast as he could go, then turn aside at the last second. One day he pulled that stunt with my Dad. Only he didn't get turned. Dad was kinda crouched over to catch the dog and Shadow hit him square in the face. Sent them both sprawling and goofy. Broke Dad's glasses. Bleeding over the right eye. Got him in the house. He tried to blow his nose and his right eyelid puffed up! Straight to the hospital. Fractured skull! Dog was fine! Dad was too, but it took a little while. It's funny now, Not so much then.
Be careful! I'd hate to think about a Whippet at full speed running into you!
They are beautiful all stretched out at speed. Fluid motion

 

[ShiverMeTimbers]

Just lost my Tijuana street dog (cattle dog mix) last Thursday. She was awesome. I was her human, she never ran off, and gave us an amazing 13 years.

 

[jaw22w]

Just lost my Tijuana street dog (cattle dog mix) last Thursday. She was awesome. I was her human, she never ran off, and gave us an amazing 13 years.

Man, it's tough. I know.

 

[JEFFREYWisconsin]

Just lost my Tijuana street dog (cattle dog mix) last Thursday. She was awesome. I was her human, she never ran off, and gave us an amazing 13 years.

I am so sorry. It is always brutal to lose them. RIP

 

[Beemer]

I got Barney at 70. I had outlived all my dogs and was unhappy without a dog around to love on. So...Barney... at 6 weeks old. There were several times when he was a puppy that I wondered what in the hell I was thinking to get a new Lab puppy at 70.

When we got our current two, who are now 5 and 7, we had to convince ourselves that one of us would be around to see out their lives.
We bit the bullet but the memories of raising a puppy at a younger age were certainly different than the reality of doing it at retirement age. I know exactly what you mean "what in the hell was I thinking" but that passes and you'll miss it someday.

Lab puppies require a certain amount of sense of humor. Over 35 years of doing it it seems the humor comes in later after they get through the first two years.

Here we are wishing we could get another but we can't take on a responsibility thinking we might not be there to see it through.

 

[Zebedeewesty]

There must be more comfy places to lie.

 

[jaw22w]

When we got our current two, who are now 5 and 7, we had to convince ourselves that one of us would be around to see out their lives.
We bit the bullet but the memories of raising a puppy at a younger age were certainly different than the reality of doing it at retirement age. I know exactly what you mean "what in the hell was I thinking" but that passes, and you'll miss it someday.

Lab puppies require a certain amount of sense of humor. Over 35 years of doing it it seems the humor comes in later after they get through the first two years.

Here we are wishing we could get another but we can't take on a responsibility thinking we might not be there to see it through.

I had the exact same worry about out living a new pup. It ain't very likely. I still worry about it, but my son lives on the farm with his Golden. Fitz and Barney are great friends, and Barney will go there. It's all very familiar to him, so he should transition very easily.

 

[JEFFREYWisconsin]

If people are in the situation of having a dog and they feel there is a chance they won't outlive the dog, you can preemptively make plans with a reputable breed specific rescue. Family members may be the best place for a dog but those who don't have family willing to assist can rest assured the folks at the proper breed rescue will ensure your dog is re-homed to a great owner. i hate thinking about this aspect, but just better to be prepared for anything!

 

[Beemer]

If people are in the situation of having a dog and they feel there is a chance they won't outlive the dog, you can preemptively make plans with a reputable breed specific rescue. Family members may be the best place for a dog but those who don't have family willing to assist can rest assured the folks at the proper breed rescue will ensure your dog is re-homed to a great owner. i hate thinking about this aspect, but just better to be prepared for anything!

I thought of their breeder who has turned out to be an friendly acquaintance but our girls are used to a different lifestyle than kennel life.

 

[Zebedeewesty]

The girls just plodding along.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

The girls just plodding along.

Dogs are (I think & hope) blissfully unaware of anything but the present. Being together with each other, following their beloved human and waiting for the next yummy treat......or maybe s squirrel, rabbit or lizard to dash out in front of them. GOOD doggies!

 

[Zebedeewesty]

Dogs are (I think & hope) blissfully unaware of anything but the present. Being together with each other, following their beloved human and waiting for the next yummy treat......or maybe s squirrel, rabbit or lizard to dash out in front of them. GOOD doggies!

Lucy saw her first rabbit yesterday. It was a lot faster than she was though, so no stew for dinner.

 

[JEFFREYWisconsin]

Zuzu is like Gladys Kravitz from Bewitched. She loves to be at the lake where she can see neighbors and other people walk by and let them know she is in charge!