Where Do They Come From And Why?
The Never Ending Story...
A primary number of Labs come from families with young children. Parents often purchase a Lab pup because the kids want a dog and they were told the breed is wonderful with kids. In reality, many Labs are great with kids, some are simply not interested in tiny humans, and some prefer to avoid the high activity of kids.
Parents acquire a pup feeling it and the children can grow up together. Reality is the pup often requires human attention and training at the same time as the kids and sometimes more often than the kids. Reality is the young dog naturally runs, romps, chases, knocks down, knocks over, steals toys and food. Reality is that some Labs retain the pup mentality and behavior for 4 years - or longer!
Reality is some Labs will not put up with their ears or tails pulled or chewed, eyes poked, jumped on, giving pony rides, being slapped or kicked, used as toy car race tracks, and objects pushed into their mouth, nose or ears.
Some people are inexperienced dog owners. Having had a dog while growing up is not the same as having full personal responsibility for a dog. People may know an affectionate easy going adult Lab then acquire a 12 week old pup. The novice is often unaware of the 365 days/year X 6 years of quality attention and training and care given that older Lab to develop into the well behaved and obedient adult.
Some people do not provide safe yard premises with fencing and their Labs are picked up by animal control. Owners must pay a fine to claim stray pets which can escalate to hundreds of dollars. Some owners will not pay to claim their Lab from the shelter and the pet is euthanized [killed] if not adopted.
Rescue Labs come from the single person or married couple who work or are consistently out of the home for ten or more hours every day. The reality of working and owning a Lab just doesn't work in every case. Some owners will have professional pet sitters come in; or a family member, friend or neighbor will take the dog out during the day. Others can lunch at home to visit and walk their dog. A few people work out of their homes or can take their dog to work [the lucky dogs!]
One owner bought a second Lab of a different color. Apparently the first Lab's coat color was too noticeable when shed - the less favored Lab came into rescue.
Some people do not clean or dry their dog after a walk in inclement weather but won't abide the resulting wet, dirty floors, walls and furniture. Labs have come to rescue simply because the owner found them too affectionate or because they can't be bothered anymore.
Labs come to rescue from the breeder faced with an older pup needing returned to the breeder at an impossibly inopportune time. Responsible breeders clearly state return policies in their sales contract. Some breeders offer buyers post-sale assistance and help their offspring find a new home; some breeder and pet store interest end with providing the sales slip.
Some Labs are taken to an animal shelter by owners, not adopted by visitors, and scheduled to be euthanized. Not even a Labrador Retriever looks or acts their best in such a stressful alien environment - some huddle shaking in a corner, given up on freedom or feeling safe again; some pace and anxiously bark, desperate to escape. Rescues save their lives whenever possible.
A puppy does not automatically assume good behavior and habits. Novice owners may become overwhelmed by the dog's actual needs and too exasperated to seek professional training. Labradors are mouthy by nature - Retrievers use their mouth like hands to grasp and carry almost anything - and, they take immense pleasure in that trait!
Problems can occur when the Lab is left alone or ignored for extensive hours. Separation anxiety and boredom results in accidents, escapes from home or yard, nuisance barking, destruction to the home or yard, serious injuries and even death for the lonely dog.
Some people don't think about the appropriateness of any particular breed for their home and current lifestyle or consider natural lifestyle changes. Some people got the Lab without understanding and knowledge of the breed. If they had done their homework and thought it through before getting the dog, many say they would not have gotten a Labrador Retriever.
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