Peanut Butter is adorable.  This Lab is all that you expect in a Lab and more!  He is playful (expected), sweet (expected) and walks well on a leash (and more!).  I think the leash part my be due to a touch of Border Collie ~ he just seems to have some of the breeds best instincts!  We just love him to pieces and I'm sure you will too!

Like many dogs in the South, Peanut Butter is heartworm positive.  Don't let this make your socks fall off!  You can read about the condition on our webpage "Heartworms In Dogs."  We are treating him with monthly heartworm preventive, our preferred method.  It is less harsh and doesn't require the pet be kept quiet for months.  In fact, my dog is heartworm positive and it is how I am treating him.  It isn't a big deal, especially in young dogs.  So meet Peanut Butter and fall in love!!!

 

07/20/09 Foster Update:

PB is a very sweet dog but with very little “life experiences”. I had to bribe him into the house with treats because he was very scared of the door and going inside. Once he had a chance to look around he seemed to settle down pretty quickly. But it took going in and out the back door & screen door several times before he would do it without crouching or trying to back away. I don’t think he’s ever been in a home before. Every sound made him jump and the tv really confused him. But it’s remarkable the way he is relaxing into it so quickly. He hasn’t had any accidents and goes to the back door if he needs to go out. I have been taking him out pretty frequently though because he’s very thirsty from the antibiotics and pain meds. He is very sweet and loves attention. He likes to sit or walk leaning up against you. He hasn’t figured out the toy thing yet and tried to chew on a nylabone but it made his mouth bleed. His front teeth are pretty much down to nubs- not sure if they were broken off or what. We tried a rope toy for him and he finally got the hang of it after acting like I was trying to gag him with it. He loves to be brushed and petted and is very patient with everyone. He’s a really nice dog that just needs some love and patience to help him become a good family member.

 

07/23/09 Foster Update:

We’ve been working on PB's sit and stay a little- he’s got a ways to go. He’s easily distracted (kinda like me!) but we’ll keep working at it. He’s a very sweet dog though. He does have a tendency to mouth- sort of with the side of his head so we’re letting him clearly know what’s not appropriate so that isn’t an issue- especially with younger children. He doesn’t really bite down – just turns his head to the side and catches you with his big canine teeth. He’s definitely more shepherd than lab but he has a great personality that blooms a little more each day.

 

07/27/07 Foster Update:

PB is learning to be a pet instead of just a dog. He makes me laugh a lot with his funny expressions and the way he moves his little ears around, up and down. He has learned his sit- I thought he wasn’t paying attention when we were working on it but now he just does it. He does get a little overexcited when I’m fixing his food though and can’t stop pacing and prancing around the house. He’s a really sweet boy. The other night he couldn’t seem to get to sleep so he came up, put his feet up on the bed, leaned his head over and laid his head on my chest. I just petted him for a few minutes and he must have felt better- he went and laid down and went to sleep. He likes to be near someone and will lay his head on your feet if you’re sitting down somewhere. We’re still working hard on the mouthing thing but all in all he’s a great dog.

 

*** According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the Labrador Retriever is a loving, affectionate, lovable, patient dog. Once known as the "St John's Dogs," the Labrador Retriever is one of the most popular breeds in the United States. Originally from Newfoundland, Canada the Labrador was trained to jump overboard into the icy waters to haul fisherman's nets to shore. Specimens were brought to England in the 1800's by English ships coming from Labrador, where the dog's fine retrieving instincts were honed and developed. One of the best family dogs and canine companions because of their gentle, loving disposition, the highly trainable Labrador also excels in drug detection, as a guide for the blind, and service dog for the disabled. The breed is also an outstanding obedience and field trial competitor. Highly intelligent, loyal, willing, and high-spirited. Lively and good-natured, they love to play, especially in water - for they love to swim. They have an excellent, reliable, temperament and are friendly, superb with children and equable with other dogs. They crave human attention and need to feel as though they are part of the family. Labs are easily trained. These dogs are watchdogs, not guard dogs, although some have been known to guard. They have a life expectancy of 10-12 years.