My Labrador Retriever was not a particularly good retriever in the beginning

by Sally
(UK)

I had no idea when I brought my little Labrador retriever puppy home from the breeder that she would soon become my best friend.

It was a tough first couple of days. In fact, as soon as we got home, she peed on my bathmat and then sat and stared at me. I had no idea what to do. But, as with all new "parents", you learn what your dog needs, what they like to do, and how to get up at 2 in the morning for a potty break.

It was a lot of trial and error those first couple weeks, but eventually we found ourselves in a nice rhythm. Of course, obedience classes definitely helped that.

I have always known that labs like water, but untrue to her breed, my dog is not a particularly good retriever. That is why I was apprehensive the first time I took her to the lake.

My friends brought their lab, which jumped off the dock and swam out to get his ball. My dog, on the other hand, stared at the water longingly, afraid to jump in. Finally, the other dog came barreling down the dock and knocked my dog into the water. She splashed around like she was drowning!

After making it back safely to shore we tried again. This time, my dog jumped in on her own and retrieved the ball we had thrown into the water. Her swimming improved over the summer months and now our trips to the beach are almost a daily occurrence!

Once fall arrived, my dog took to sitting out on the deck, watching the leaves fall and pouncing on the acorns that had fallen from the trees. Winter wasn’t far behind and I couldn’t wait to see how my dog, with her light white coat, would assimilate to the snow!