Black Lab Woes

She is just soooo hyper!!! I love her to death, she sleeps in bed with me every night, but during the day she is a spaz mutt! Does anyone have experience with Labs? Will she ever calm down? She is only 9 months old (yes, still a puppy, I know). Thank God that I have a big, fenced in back yard for her to run around!

I too have a spaz mutt!! He's only 7 months old and is extremely hyper. I've heard they start to settle down after the first year. We had him nuetered last month. That helped for about a day, then back to hyper-city. Sometimes he'll just run through the house for no reason back and forth, back and forth, until he's out of breath. But he is cooped up all day....who knows. This is my first lab I've owned. Don't get me wrong, I love him to death, and wouldn't trade him for the world!!!

Mine is the same way! she runs throuhgh the house like a banshee! everyone keeps telling me she will eventually settle down...maybe when she's 80? LOL

Yes, I have experience with Labs, let me count the ways!!! I have 2 yellows, 6 yrs and 4 yrs. I assume you are on the loosing side, time to get out and walk that puppy! 2 reasons, make them heal, helps to let them know there is a time to freak/spaz out and a time to behave. She really needs to know you are the boss. Also, they just love to be with you and need exercise, dont we all? The more they are able to play with you the better. I use a thing called chuck-it. It throws a tennis ball very well and you dont have to pick up the slimey thing. My older one calmed down after a year, my younger one who is 4! still acts like a 2 yr old! You never can tell. Just be consistant with your commands, dont let them chew a shoe one time and say no the next. Good Luck!!!

I raised a lab, and I will probably never again. He calmed down at about two years old. It has been a long raod with him. I have 6 dogs now, all rescued and strays, inlcuding the lab. I did get him as a puppy though, about 6 weeks old. I love him more than I can express, he is my first born, after all. But, he is the worst dog I have! He tries to eat all the food so the other dogs can't have any. Has he been watching his mommy? ha ha Good luck. Be patient!

Heather, your dog will calm down. Just make sure she gets enough exercise and she has something to play with during the day (like a rawhide bone or a rubber chew-eez thing.) I have always had labs and they are truly the easiest animals to train. Labs tend to "calm" at 2 years, so have patience, it will be well worth the love they give you in return. Good luck! Bettyanne