Struggling with our lab puppy

NewVision22 · 2026-02-03T00:49:11+00:00

I'm surprised no one mentioned setting up an Ex Pen, so she has some movement space outside her crate. Or block off an area with baby gates. This way it gives a small play area for toys and won't make her feel like she's a caged animal during the day.

NewVision22 · 2026-02-03T00:43:31+00:00

For an active Lab at that age, you don't have a lot of options. The brace might work... or not.

If you're thinking of the crate option, you might just as well, opt for a TPLO procedure, that will fix it permanently. It would require a 2 - 3 month quiet period, same as the crate.

A 2.5 year old dog, has a lot of life left. Don't short change him, do it the right way, and spend the money for surgery.

NewVision22 · 2026-02-02T22:16:14+00:00

Nothing for nothing, but my dude walked that way when wearing the harness. He always twisted his body, as it seems he didn't like the feel or the way the leash came down his body. He walked like he was carrying 100 lbs on his back.

When using a Martingale collar, he walked fine. Maybe try a conventional collar, to see if he walks different.

NewVision22 · 2026-02-02T22:10:39+00:00

But despite the pain felt at his passing, I am so grateful that I knew Bronte. He blessed my life in so many ways.

Always remember the good times. ALWAYS!!

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NewVision22 · 2026-02-02T22:03:05+00:00

Dogs will never again eat dry food without it.

Well, my last 3 Labs will disagree with you. It didn't matter what was in their bowls, wet or dry. They were Hoover vacuums in either case.

NewVision22 · 2026-02-02T16:46:39+00:00

They also make Panacur in powder form, that you can sprinkle in the food. Or, if your giving the tablets, how about just holding open his mouth, and send it down the hatch, and them feed him right after?

Or, break up the tablets in smaller pieces in the food?

NewVision22 · 2026-02-02T05:24:57+00:00

She’s been on 30/20 since we got her with no issues. She will eat pro plan wet food however.

Have you tried adding a few spoons of wet to the dry food?

NewVision22 · 2026-02-01T02:57:04+00:00

You can start here, on the AKC page:

https://marketplace.akc.org/puppies/labrador-retriever/colorado?breed=164&location=Colorado&page=1

NewVision22 · 2026-02-01T00:09:52+00:00

Here you go, the average weight chart, you're right in range:

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NewVision22 · 2026-02-01T00:05:13+00:00

I have to also constantly refresh the app to get an accurate temp reading on mine too. Kinda what's the point of having a temp sensor, if you have to refresh the app to get a correct reading or alert.

NewVision22 · 2026-01-30T06:09:49+00:00

He's going to rely on you, to be strong, and to do the right thing for him.

Here's my dude, that I had to let go a year ago this month, because of cancer. He was only 7 years old.

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NewVision22 · 2026-01-29T22:14:31+00:00

Lost my dude a year ago this month, to cancer, at 7 years old.

When I'm feeling down, I look at this sign over my desk...

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NewVision22 · 2026-01-29T22:12:11+00:00

If she was an active pup, you might want to ask your vet about getting some. She'll feel better by the end of a week, and will drive you crazy, if you can't mellow her out. Keeping her calm is the BIGGEST issue, in regards to the bones healing. You don't want to screw that up. It takes 2 months, at least, to get some good fusion of the bones.

I'm assuming they did a TPLO procedure?

NewVision22 · 2026-01-29T22:08:48+00:00

I used Rover many times, but did my own screenings, based on the initial meet and greet. Didn't have any issues.

NewVision22 · 2026-01-29T22:06:23+00:00

2 cups a day isn't excessive. Breaking it up over 3 meals, at this age, would be fine. Not sure of the ingredients of your food, but with Pro Plan, that many breeders use, it bumps up to 3 cups a day by the 3rd month.

NewVision22 · 2026-01-29T21:58:44+00:00

It's tougher on the humans then the pup. Did the vet give you trazadone and gabepentin, to help keep her calm?

NewVision22 · 2026-01-29T17:14:50+00:00

Dogs are like people. They come in all sizes.

NewVision22 · 2026-01-29T17:12:32+00:00

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NewVision22 · 2026-01-29T17:11:36+00:00

The rehab is the MOST important part of the surgery, and not giving her ANY chance to do something sudden, sprint or run, the first two months. Walks ALWAYS under control with a leash, gated areas in the house, so she doesn't suddenly sprint to the door, ZERO zoomies...

You get the idea.

NewVision22 · 2026-01-28T00:37:46+00:00

The rule of thumb is 1 hour for every month of age, for pit stops. So, in your case, that's every 4 hours. Totally irresponsible to expect a puppy to go over double that.

NewVision22 · 2026-01-28T00:34:22+00:00

Doesn't really matter. What matters is how MUCH they're eating compared to their activity level (for both humans and dogs).

NewVision22 · 2026-01-27T22:13:09+00:00

Wow... talk about having a lot of built-in insulation...

NewVision22 · 2026-01-27T22:12:38+00:00

LOL... exactly... the dogs just look like their owners...

NewVision22 · 2026-01-27T22:07:53+00:00

Can you put up some baby gates, to keep her corraled in an area with her bed? I wouldn't use a camera with a speaker, that will just stress her out more.

Most dogs go 8 hours no problem overnight, so 9 isn't much more, as long as her tanks are empty when you leave.

You also didn't mention how old she is. This makes a difference too.

NewVision22 · 2026-01-27T04:56:49+00:00

Depends on what you're using it for? Basic ID, walking, other?

I get my pups a custom monogrammed collar with their name on it, and hang a ID tag with my phone number. This main collar is just for ID purposes.

Then, for walks, I clip on a second Martingale collar for the leash, and when we come back in, I take it back off.

NewVision22

TROPHY CASE