I cannot stand our gentle labrador retriever

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have never seen a shaved Labrador...wth. You do not know the breed. Labrador rescue asap.

I suggested a trim, not shave.
I just saw one at the vet, very cute look and silky to the touch. The owner told me a lot of people trim their retrievers in spring. It helps to keep ticks at bay and reduces hair problem. By fall coat length is restored and dog is ready for winter. It you did not see trimmed retriever it does not make it a bad or unheard of thing.

Labrador retrievers don't even have 2 inch long due to begin with. You're thinking of golden retrievers that get summer trims.

OP see if you can find a groomer that does the FURminator treatment. My lab gets it every few months and it helps a lot. They use special brushes, shampoo, and actually vacuum loose fur off of your dog.

NP. I have a 10 year old golden and I would love to do this FURminator treatment but honestly I think she would freak out being vacuumed like that. Did it take your dog time to get used to it? Where do you get it done?

[Anonymous]

Her DH will hate her if he finds out she has so little love for an innocent sweet dog

[Anonymous]

I'd look for a new home.

[Anonymous]

OP, I haven't read the whole thread, so maybe this has been mentioned, but food makes a HUGE difference in shedding. It's a little more expensive to feed the good stuff from a small pet retailer vs petco or target, but omg so worth it in the less shedding! I switched from Costco brand to taste of the wild, and their coats got way softer and I found less hair on my clothes and carpets.

[Anonymous]

Another idea - could you afford weekly or biweekly cleaners with extra focus on vacuuming every bit of dog hair. It hides in corners, on chair legs and under coffee tables and then floats around - I know all about it with my dogs. I love my dogs, but get down sometimes about all the dog hair on everything. Even with cleaners, get a roomba for sure!! Use the roomba every day. Just make sure your dog can move away from it, or it might stress her out because she isn't used to it. My dogs just go lay away from it. The Swiffer duster is great at getting the dog hair off surfaces too. Your daughter could use the swiffer.

[Anonymous]

Oh man. Can I have your dog? I already have two and I like them a lot. My husband works/travels a lot and I like having the dogs with us at night. They will fight off any intruder by licking them to death. My kids also really like dogs.

[Anonymous]

Rehome. The dog will not be traumatized. For the love of Pete. Labs are sweet and dumb and will be thrilled to be in a house with more outdoor time and someone to love it. This relationship sounds like torture for all of you. Small condo/husband traveling/sweet dog, the thing will be snatched up in seconds by people who will adore it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just found out our sweet lab has cancer and will probably have to put her down soon. Would love her to shed all over my floor for years to come, and I think the dog hair is gross too. I feel so bad for your dog who sounds like a great animal. I know some people are not dog people and those people should ever get a dog in the first place. Very sad situation for the animal to not be wanted

I'm so sorry, PP. I know it is heartbreaking. Hugs.

I'm so sorry, too. I feel the same way about my pets - I want them to be here tearing up our furniture and shedding all over, forever.

[Anonymous]

Wait a second. You work at home and your husband works out of state. Why are you living in a condo in DC?? Move to where your husband is, get a place with a yard and have your husband take care of the dog. After all, it is HIS dog isn't it?? I'm not a dog person either, op. And if I were in your situation, I would absolutely make the dog my husband's problem.

[Anonymous]

Ok, guys.Person who wants a dog badly wants this dog. OP is in a living situation that is not conducive to a dog. Stop debating. This is a win win for all. Pick a safe venue.OP will bring dog and medical records. Person who wants dog so badly will be lucky.DO IT...and report back so we can all be happy.

[Anonymous]

PP who talked about food and shedding I think you r right. We have a corgi major shed dog but she does not shed much. Hmmm maybe the no grain food ???

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Wait a second. You work at home and your husband works out of state. Why are you living in a condo in DC?? Move to where your husband is, get a place with a yard and have your husband take care of the dog. After all, it is HIS dog isn't it?? I'm not a dog person either, op. And if I were in your situation, I would absolutely make the dog my husband's problem.

And she moved from a huge 2 acre yard to a cramped condo. And, for some reason, her 4 yr old doesn't like the dog....what kid doesn't love a mellow retriever especially one she's grown up with?

I'm betting the 3x walk up/down the codo stairs will be the death of that dear dog. Those poor hips.

Cmon Op, where is your heart?? All this bc of dog hair? And 6 pages of suggestions - try something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Eight years ago my husband insisted on getting two rescue dogs: a Labrador retriever and a German shepherd. We lived on five acres then and I didn't imagine that I would ever have to take care of them beyond vacuuming the floors.

Then we had a child, the German shepherd died and we moved to DC.

Now we live in a condo and it is a pain in the neck to walk the dog three times a day, plus to clean the rugs. I absolutely hate it that my clothes are full of dog hair. It is so humiliating. Whenever I work out on a yoga mat and get close to the rug, I find the hair so disgusting I almost throw up.

Am I unreasonable to resent having to take care of the dog? I often have a bad conscience about this, because otherwise she is the perfect dog: gentle, calm, child-friendly, unassuming and undemanding. But I have zero bond with her and neither does our daughter. My husband cares for her, but he works out-of-state and is hardly at home. My daughter and I fly a lot to him, so then we have to arrange for dog care, sometimes for weeks on end.

I secretly count the years until the dog dies. Then I feel bad about it because she is a truly wonderful dog and it is not her fault that she sheds hair.

Sorry, I just wanted to vent. I realize that this forum is for dog-lovers, not dog-haters...

We had the same experience, but with a cat. A long haired breed who would not take to brushing/combing (would scratch and bite) so he had to have his mats shaved frequently. He was pretty mean and ruined the carpet in every place we lived. He lived for sixteen years, I think just to spite us. When my kids ask if we're ever getting another cat, I tell them "Never", and I mean it.

Right now, it's trendy for millennials to hate children but love dogs. Don't feel any guilt, OP. Dogs weren't meant for city living.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rehome. The dog will not be traumatized. For the love of Pete. Labs are sweet and dumb and will be thrilled to be in a house with more outdoor time and someone to love it. This relationship sounds like torture for all of you. Small condo/husband traveling/sweet dog, the thing will be snatched up in seconds by people who will adore it.

My golden will only eat for her special sitter. If I were to drop her off someplace strange she would be a nervous wreck. The last time we tried that she wouldn't eat or go to the bathroom.

On the positive side, she is exceptionally gentle and sweet. And she is unquestionably loyal and would no doubt lay down her life for us if push ever came to shove.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP who talked about food and shedding I think you r right. We have a corgi major shed dog but she does not shed much. Hmmm maybe the no grain food ???

What kind of flooring do you have in your house? It is natural and healthy for a dog to shed. Is it possible that you are just not noticing the fur?