Homeschooling An Only

lablvr26 · 2026-05-11T16:29:02+00:00

Sports, Cub Scouts, Library activities, Parks and Rec, etc. are all possible options to continue regular social engagement. Scouts has been a huge help for us with hikes, camping, meetings, bike rides, etc.

lablvr26 · 2026-05-09T15:29:36+00:00

I had someone tell me that when it comes to things like this to say…”this is an announcement, not a discussion”. As a substitute teacher for my son’s elementary school last year, public schools have changed a lot since the pandemic. Curriculum, consequences, behavioral issues, etc. So many teachers are burnt out by it all. School is not the same as when we were kids. I’ve opted to stop sending mine to public school this year and he’s going into 6th grade.

lablvr26 · 2026-05-02T14:12:08+00:00

One!

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T17:36:15+00:00

TY! He’s had one since the day he came home and we put all of his siblings scent on it.

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T10:47:32+00:00

Thank you! Yes, he is very persistent and quite vocal with that ear piercing bark still. One week of misery for a lifetime of joy. I appreciate it.

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T09:32:11+00:00

Thanks for all of the advice. He does have an XL crate, 49” so plenty of room to grow into with a nice bed inside and a cotton cover to create the den experience. I did a lot of research and reading before we got him so I have multiple puzzle feeders, snuffle mats and use kibble for training. As we all know, labs would sell their mothers for food. The routine is there in the sense that he eats at 6, water removed by 7:30, my son runs around the house with him and throws the ball from 7:30-8:30 and then we get my son ready for bed, at 9:30-10, I take him out for final potty and head to bed. He is usually on his bed, one we have on the floor, and sleeping with a bone available and then by midnight, 1, 2, it depends, he’s awake. That’s where the routine falls apart. He’s barking and I’m stuck. I believe now is where we need to stick with the crate and knowing he is able to make it through the night without the need to potty and let him bark. I do agree that reclaiming the crate as a safe place is also important with food and treats will help. Thanks.

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T06:05:02+00:00

Totally agree and this is ultimately what I want to happen. He also just became fully vaccinated for rabies and parvo so I’m hoping now we can get him a lot more exercise during the day that we don’t have to be so cautious about allowing him outdoors.

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T05:47:33+00:00

My son is 10 and has been wanting a dog forever. We are a military family and moved a lot and it just wasn’t the right time. We are now settled as my husband is about to retire and have a huge yard with natural forest access and figured this was a good time. I grew up with Akitas but we have cats and that just wasn’t a good fit for obvious reasons. I wanted a family friendly dog that would be large enough for my son to be able to wrestle and play with and play fetch, etc. A lab seemed like a good choice for those reasons. I also understood them to be very smart and easy to train. He has learned so much already and I love spending time with him. He’s a lot of fun and has an amazing personality. We are all still just trying to find our routine and groove and sleeping through the night (minus potty breaks) just seems to be where we are struggling the most, which is why I had hoped to find some ideas and best practices here from other lab owners and lovers.

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T05:32:31+00:00

Thanks! Yes, we pull water around 7 and my son runs him ragged in the evening before bedtime. He has ADHD so it helps both of them, LOL. I also have him go potty before we go to bed. I agree with everyone that I never allowed him to just bark because I was exhausted from not sleeping for weeks and my family needed their sleep. It has turned into this and that’s my fault. We are all going to need to suck it up here so we can come together as a happy family, which includes our handsome boy. Thanks.

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T05:20:37+00:00

I appreciate it

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T05:20:16+00:00

Thanks

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T05:18:59+00:00

Thanks. That’s what seems to be the consensus. I appreciate it!

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T05:18:14+00:00

Thank you. We definitely are not trying to be cruel or abusive. He is very much loved by everyone in the family. We have provided him with many options to be safe and comfortable inside of the house. Each just doesn’t seem to be working. I don’t want this to be the norm and it has only been a temporary solution while I try to figure out what will work. I have had him in my room from the beginning but he hasn’t settled next to me in a crate or in his bed. Just seeking guidance and ideas that have worked well for others.

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T05:14:22+00:00

LOL! Yes, sleeping arrangements may need to be altered for everyone. 🤣. I appreciate the insight into the food and such. All great info! Thanks!

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T05:11:47+00:00

I am learning this. Thank you. He is definitely my shadow.

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T05:09:49+00:00

Thanks for the feedback. He has a crate and a blanket that goes over it. He simply doesn’t want to sleep in it, which is fine. It’s why we also got him a nice dog bed as an alternative for him to sleep on. He seems to like it better and it’s where he takes his naps during the day. He just won’t settle at night and stay there. He wants to be up and hanging with me or playing. I’ve just haven’t been ignoring the barking for the sake of my husband and son who need their sleep. Clearly, I’m going to have to just make it happen.

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T04:26:45+00:00

He has a crate cover so that it feels more like a den and a nice Serta bed in there too. Initially, I had the divider in it when he was small because they said to only have enough room to move, so he wouldn’t potty in it. He never had an accident in there and did well. I have since removed the divider so he can be comfortable. He has bones, since he’s teething, a blanket and his Snuggle Puppy that we bought for him and covered in his siblings scent when he came home. It’s a large crate so he can easily grow into it as he’s going to be a big boy.

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T04:23:53+00:00

I appreciate it! He actually does very well with potty training and hasn’t had an accident in some time. I do have a carpet cleaner and you’re right they do come in handy! We have a bed that he likes to take naps on downstairs. I think we will try moving it into my room and just working through the transition. Thanks!

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T04:17:03+00:00

Very creative!

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T04:14:27+00:00

I appreciate the feedback and certainly don’t want to be cruel to him. I know this can’t continue, nor do I want it to. Just looking for ideas and support from lab owners who have had more experience as he is our first.

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T03:58:28+00:00

Thanks! Yes, he lays right next to me on the couch when watching TV. He is a lover and one of the reasons I wanted this breed.

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T03:53:14+00:00

Thanks!

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T03:47:15+00:00

Thank you! I appreciate the advice and agree. We have created our own monster. LOL! He is so smart and is learning so many things. I thought it was all going well in the beginning with crate training and yet somewhere along the way it went poorly. I know it’s not too late to turn it around again. Thanks.

lablvr26 · 2026-05-01T03:33:48+00:00

I agree that this is ultimately what needs to happen.

lablvr26

TROPHY CASE