Getting a lab pup. . . mods?

[JFS]

We put a deposit on a lab pup who was born on September 5. Still a few weeks from picking her up, but I'm wondering what sort of mods/gear you guys recommend for the truck. I have weathertechs and neoprene seat covers presently, and nothing in the rear (other than the carpet covering the 3d row.)
Any advice would be appreciated. . .

 

[eddiebx]

We put a deposit on a lab pup who was born on September 5. Still a few weeks from picking her up, but I'm wondering what sort of mods/gear you guys recommend for the truck. I have weathertechs and neoprene seat covers presently, and nothing in the rear (other than the carpet covering the 3d row.)
Any advice would be appreciated. . .

If they will be riding in the back and shed a lot (not sure how labs are in that department, lol) definitely look into canvas back liners like this: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/69626-canvasback-cargo-liner-3.html#post1027812

 

[Madiusmax]

If they will be riding in the back and shed a lot (not sure how labs are in that department, lol) definitely look into canvas back liners like this: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/69626-canvasback-cargo-liner-3.html#post1027812

+1 for the Canvasback liners. Got a 3.5 year old black lab and 2.5 year old pit mix who love the space back there with the 2nd row seats down. Throw one of those extra large beach towels over everything for added protection and easier hair cleanup. I've got a '13 TE and the pieces fit perfectly.

 

[DannyLlama]

Stock up on deer antlers if he/she's going to be mouthy.

 

[cacarbuff]

Stock up on deer antlers if he/she's going to be mouthy.

+1 the antlers are the only thing that takes our pup more than 5min to destroy. Also, ours had a bad carsickness problem, but always riding in his crate seemed to help a lot.

 

[JFS]

+1 the antlers are the only thing that takes our pup more than 5min to destroy. Also, ours had a bad carsickness problem, but always riding in his crate seemed to help a lot.

Good to know. We will get a crate for sure, probably follow the breeder's recommendation. My wife grew up with labs; me, little dogs (schnauzers). this will be an adventure.

 

[enduro]

love my lab

I've got a lab (65 lbs) and a Swiss Mountain Dog (100 lbs). Great dogs.

just socialize your pup with all different people and all different size dogs and you'll have a "take me everywhere" kind of dog.

Here's the dog gate/guard that I use. It mounts to the head rests.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-g...t-mounted-pet-barrier-5th-gen.html#post523105

Good luck!

 

[FERAL 4R]

Another +1 on the canvasback. I put a piece of memory foam underneath it for comfort.

I've had my English Lab since 7 weeks, he is now 5 yrs., almost 90 lbs...and sheds like a motherf...

For chewing...If you can stomach it... Raw beef knuckles are the shiznit. (Keyword: RAW)

 

[JFS]

Another +1 on the canvasback. I put a piece of memory foam underneath it for comfort.

I've had my English Lab since 7 weeks, he is now 5 yrs., almost 90 lbs...and sheds like a motherf...

For chewing...If you can stomach it... Raw beef knuckles are the shiznit. (Keyword: RAW)

Our pup is an English lab too.

 

[DannyLlama]

+1 the antlers are the only thing that takes our pup more than 5min to destroy. Also, ours had a bad carsickness problem, but always riding in his crate seemed to help a lot.

When Mr. Magoo was a pup, he would threw up in car rides more than 30 min long. He's ok now, most dogs outgrow it.

 

[JFS]

When Mr. Magoo was a pup, he would threw up in car rides more than 30 min long. He's ok now, most dogs outgrow it.

The first ride will be about 5 hours from NC to NoVa from breeder to home.

 

[kinnakeettom]

Have a couple of border collies the reason I went with leather seats...

 

[1engineer]

Take your dog to obedience school, tell them what you want (good riding dog) and you won't have to worry about anything except dog hair. My Aussie/Coon dog mix jumps up in the back seat on a blanket and will lay down and ride for hours. She's two years old.

 

[BigredTEX]

+3 or +4 (lost count) on Canvas Back and Wet Okole's. Labs shed worse than any breed I've ever had and their hair is fairly course, so it will embed into the seat material and carpet. Wet Okole's have a nylon covering that will still trap the hair, but it will come out with a vacuum rather than needing tape to pull it out.

I hunt my dogs (I also have a Boykin Spaniel) and routinely carry wet and muddy dogs. The canvas back cover is great for containing the mess, along with the neoprene seat covers and the Weathertech floor covers.

 

[JFS]

Take your dog to obedience school, tell them what you want (good riding dog) and you won't have to worry about anything except dog hair. My Aussie/Coon dog mix jumps up in the back seat on a blanket and will lay down and ride for hours. She's two years old.

Thanks. Obedience school is definitely on the list (tho I haven't dared look into the cost yet).

 

[1engineer]

Thanks. Obedience school is definitely on the list (tho I haven't dared look into the cost yet).

Cost is usually proportional to results. Want a obedient dog? $$$$$$.

 

[phillyd2]

Not cheap or all that close to me but this is where I sent my lab and it was well worth the time and money.

Retriever Training for Gun Dogs and Competition | with Pat Nolan and Ponderosa Kennels Check out his videos.

As said, get the Canvasback liners. For some reason dog hair is a real PIA to get up from the carpet.

 

[Bay33saw]

I have a 95 lb English Chocolate Lab, and her first journey was a flight from Klammath falls to Portland OR, then onto Las Vegas and she arrived full of piss and Vinegar.
As for traveling (and I know it's not good to have your dogs unsecured) I just put the rear seats down and put a soft bed in the back.....I also have a 120lbs Golden that travels in the back.
All in all good Canvas Backs and weathertech should do it

 

[harper7]

Good to know. We will get a crate for sure, probably follow the breeder's recommendation. My wife grew up with labs; me, little dogs (schnauzers). this will be an adventure.

I highly recommend a crate for big dogs. I've owned 5 Dobermans through the years and learned to give them a x-large crate when they are a pup to call their own.It's their safe spot where they are left alone if they want and vital part of any obedience training I've ever seen. I always say the next time I'm getting a Lab or a German Shepard the next time but always come back to a Dobie.

Mine actually prefer to be in the cage in the truck when it's moving and it's much safer for them and the passengers. Especially when my kids were babies and little, as I wouldn't be able to live with myself if I was in an accident and and they crippled or killed by a 100 lb dog flying around inside the truck when I knew better .Love my big dogs but love my kids much more!

A little dog wouldn't pose as much a danger but mines a solid as a rock 100lbs and would probably go right through the windshield, rip the seats off the mounts in a head on collision,or break my neck in a rollover.Saved by the airbag and then killed by the flying Dobie !

 

[Nervo19]

I've had three labs. The current one is turning 10 soon. I had good luck with crate training all three. For the trip to pick it up I would get one of the collapsible wire crates. My present lab used to throw herself forward in a vehicle (mosh pit!) with no warning. When she was very young she ATE a shoulder belt in my minivan. I used a more substantial crate in the house until she was bout two and gained some sense. We did basic obedience training at Pet Smart for a pretty low fee. She graduated magna cum laude (my opinion) at six months old. She will retrieve until she exhausted. Unless you plan to hunt your pup won't need much special outside training. There is a good book on it called "Gun Dog." Have fun and congratulations!