Labrador Retriever (short coat) : : Female (spayed) : : Young : : Medium Learn more about the Labrador Retriever.
Ready for adoption! ~ Ladybug is from the Stop the Madness group ~ Operation Peanuts Promise ~ Ladybug (AKA Lady) is approx 1 year old 2/24/15 Ladybug should have been named Lovebug, because that really is what she is. We have discovered in the last 2 weeks though, that she becomes nervous when meeting new people. Because of that, she is going to need to go to a home that will understand that she will initially be nervous, until she learns to trust her new family and become comfortable with them. Knowing that when we first brought her home that Sunday in January, she was paralyzed with fear, and how far she has come, warms my heart. I have no doubt that she will come to love and trust her new family the same way she has us. I have also made an appointment with a Trainer, so that I can gain some insight, and learn how to help her with her shyness. She has so much love to give, and just wants to be loved in return. I hope she finds her furever home soon so that she can begin her new, fun loving, life ! ~~~~~~~~ 2/9/15 Ladybug has been spayed, she is free of all parasites, is UTD on all her shots and is ready to find her forever home. She has settled in nicely and really become a fun loving pup. She is a sweet, fairly mellow dog. She loves to play with her toys, and play fetch. She has even begun to figure out that if she wants you to throw it again, she has to drop it. She also loves to curl up next to you for snuggles. I've also noticed in the last few days that I can get excited with her when she goes potty outside, and it doesn't frighten her. The potty training has been good now for a week, because I believe I have finally figured out her "tell". It's subtle, but it's a step in the right direction.
This sweetheart does have 2 small behavioral issues we are working on:
1.) She tends to want to "jump" on you for attention. But she is not obnoxious about it, she just puts her front paws on you. and...
2.) When you are petting her, if you have long sleeves on, she nips at the sleeves. Not sure if that was a security thing from her past life or what.
We are working on both issues and have seen improvement.
Now she just needs to find the forever home, that will love and snuggle her and continue to work with her on her training.
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1/24/15 Ladybug is settling in nicely. You can really see her personality starting to shine through. I swear she smiles at you when she's happy. She loves to play with toys, and fetch them. Bringing them back and dropping them are a little different story, though. :) With time, I'm sure she will realize that if she wants you to throw it again, she's going to have to bring it back and let it go...
She still frightens at sudden noises but relaxes quickly after. The other day, I brought the vacuum cleaner out, turned it on, and she didn't run away. She just watched it cautiously. As I was vacuuming, she actually came into the room and laid down. I was actually pleasantly surprised. I also make smoothies every night, and the first time I used the blender she booked downstairs. The next night, she just sat at the top of the stairs away from it. The third day, she didn't even react, other than to watch where the noise came from. It will take time, but I have no doubt she will conquer her fear of loud noises. Potty training seemed to be going well, hadn't had any accidents in the house, but this morning, we had two. Not sure what that was about. I'm going to work on getting her more excited when we go out to potty, so that she starts to figure out a way to let me know. She is fine in her crate at night and during the day, so I know she can hold it. I believe we just need to figure out a way for her to let me know she's got to go. She will continue to need training, especially on not jumping on people. Although her jump is not an obnoxious "Labrador" jump, it's more of a "can I crawl up in your lap for love and hugs?" kind of jump. I have been making her sit (a command she's picked up rather quickly) and then rewarding her with the love and attention she so wants. Seems to be helping. She has also picked up the "down" (for lay down) command, and will do it, but not stay down for long. Any undesirable behaviors correct easily with a firm "no," and it doesn't seem to frighten her so much anymore. She no longer hovers in a corner at meal time but does still eat very fast. I tried a racquet ball in her bowl, but that just seemed to make her more frantic. Lately I've been sitting next to her with my hand partially in the bowl, stroking her cheek, and soothing her, and that actually seems to work a "little" better. She will be retested for worms, just to make sure she doesn't have any, even with the negative result last time, and, if all is well, she will be getting spayed on Feb. 3rd. I don't see any reason she won't be ready for adoption after her recovery. It will need to be the right person, who is willing to continue working with her overcoming her fears, training, and giving her a ton of love. Some people have asked me if I think Ladybug and Ruger should be adopted together. They certainly could be, but I honestly don't think they need to be. I think they are just so connected because my two are older and don't pay much attention to them. They are both so young and playful; they just entertain each other. Ladybug will do fine with other dogs or as an only dog. I actually think she would eat up the individual attention. And Ruger will be ok either way also. If he gets too wild, he takes correction well from my older two and know when to back off. ~~~~~~~~
1/16/15 She did really well at the Vet yesterday, and ate up all the attention. She is about 33.5 lbs. Doc thinks she is just about a year old, which is what we thought. Other than being on the small side, she is actually healthy overall. She tested NEGATIVE for heart-worm and all tick borne diseases, we titered for distemper....and today I got her stool sample result back. NEGATIVE for parasites! Although, we are treating her with a course of Panacur as a precaution anyway because of the history of these labs and the fact that it is possible that there were no eggs shed in this particular stool sample. We will retest in a few weeks. Her spay surgery isn't scheduled yet because we assumed we would be dealing with ridding her of parasites, and wanted to get that cleared up first.
Now as to her personality...She does scare easily, but if she gets scared and starts to retreat, you can usually call her right back to you with a soothing voice, and the tail will wag again. The fear never seems to last long. She LOVES ALL humans. I don't think she will have any trouble adapting to anyone...If you are willing to pet her, she is more than willing to accept it. Doesn't matter who you are. More about Lady BugGood with Dogs, Good with Cats, Good with Kids, Good with Adults, Somewhat vocal, Requires a yard, Cratetrained, Plays fetch, Likes to play with toys, Playful, Timid, Affectionate, Gentle Other Pictures of Lady Bug (click to see larger version):
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