labrador - The Beyonder

Mellower moments on the long road to maturity

Posted on May 3, 2026May 3, 2026 by andrew in Beyonder Blog

NINE months on from Teddy’s second birthday, has our lively, inquisitive bundle of fun matured into a respectable mellow adult yet?

True, many labrador owners insist that labs tend to display puppylike behaviour much longer than other breeds, which means 2¾ is not exactly ancient.

But puppy training manuals and websites blithely state that by the time a labrador is two or three years’ old, their physical and emotional journey to adulthood is complete. So how is that journey going for Teddy?

Checking over that blog entry for his second birthday, have things changed at all? Weightwise, he’s checking in a 42kg and although he’s big and powerful, the vets think he could comfortably drop a couple of kilos to be fully healthy.

He’s still sleeping though the night, though he now has a bigger more supportive bed and has not been confined to his den for weeks. He’s never chewed things and can be trusted around the house even if we’re out, which is a big plus.

Chemically castrated since the autumn, he’s still as sweet-natured as ever, eager to meet strangers and eternally curious about anything and anyone within sight.

Great so far, but there are still times when that adolescent streak results in a selective deafness when other distractions are particularly tempting.

Recall has become a LOT better, but although successful outings far outweigh negative experiences, there are still those moments when it’s hard to believe that we are not witnessing a deliberate act of disobedience.

Dangle a tasty morsel in front of him in the kitchen and he’s got pin-sharp hearing and responds to instructions with alacrity. Out in the park or woods and it can be a different story.

But we’ve always believed in the Susan Garrett mantra that dogs “do the best they can with the education you’ve given them in the environment you’ve asked him to perform in” – or in other words, it’s our fault as trainers if Ted’s behaviour falls short.

Undoubtedly there’s a direct correlation between bad behaviour and energy not being dissipated earlier. Get out for a race around the woods with your best friend, and the degree of obedience later is on a whole different level.

All of which means that the more chances there are for healthy exercise, the more likely it is that his behaviour will be good.

Consistency pays off, as does persistence. And in recent months he has shown an increasing willingness to drag himself away from intriguing distractions at the sound of a shout or whistle, even if at times the response has been a shade reluctant.

The switch from harness to slip lead has continued to bring benefits. His loose-lead walking is usually excellent, though he may still lack the road sense and composure that allows completely stress-free off-lead walking.

Yes, we’re not there yet. But there are more of those small victories that show we’re getting there: those moments where there’s a clear and obvious distraction in the shape of a runner, family or other dog in the park and he will make the “right” decision to come back to our side rather than disappear across the field to say hello.

Or out in the woods in the evening with a couple of other family members where there’s been no jumping up at all, no running off to greet passers-by and no reluctance to get back on the lead when we’re read to leave.

We’re only too conscious of the fact that random strangers don’t want a huge black beast careering towards them at high speed determined to make their acquaintance. But owners of bigger and bouncier dog breeds know just how difficult it can be to provide risk-free environments where you can train an excited puppy to adapt to all the exciting distractions to be found in the outside world.

And yet our first visit to the coast since he was a very young puppy gives us a warm glow of satisfaction – and relief. Encountering a couple of other soaking labs down on the foreshore, Ted is entranced.

There are a LOT of other families around, including small children, picnics and other irresistible temptations. And yet Teddy does manage to resist racing off to explore. Instead, he’s content to chase a ball up and down one small section of beach – and show off to his new friend Primrose that he’s not scared of the waves at all.

Sandy, salty and suitably exhausted on our journey back from the Dorset coast, we hope it’s been as memorable a day out for him as it has been for us. Gradually, incrementally, our sweet-natured young labrador is learning the ropes, and becoming a more reliable canine companion by the day.

Picture that paints a thousand words

Posted on November 29, 2025November 30, 2025 by andrew in Beyonder Blog

IT’S not every day you get the offer of having your portrait painted – especially when you’re a dog.

But thanks to the kindness and generosity of talented artist friend Julian Renouf, Teddy the labrador now has an intimately observed hand-painted record of one of his disarming and very familiar expressions.

**HARD STARE:** Teddy the labrador *PORTRAIT: Julian Renouf*

This is not so much a look of love or affection, you understand, but more akin to Paddington Bear’s disapproving “hard stare”.

Except that it Ted’s case it’s not a direct criticism as much as a plea for attention, a reminder that once again our priorities appear to be misplaced.

Instead of instantly responding to his unspoken request for a walk, meal or game, we are selfishly pursuing our own agenda: eating, reading or watching TV without reacting to that unspoken demand.

The subtle twitch of an eyebrow indicates an extra nuance of urgency. It’s time. Time for that walk in the woods or extra portion of kibble…

Since his second birthday, Ted has calmed down a lot. He’s still easily excited by new faces, but there’s been slow and steady progress towards becoming more trustworthy off the lead and around other dogs, walkers and joggers.

**CALMING DOWN:** Teddy at two years’ old

Just as the double-click harness and Halti were game changers in getting him to walk politely, being able to use a slip lead has helped make it quicker and easier to get out of the car and start enjoying a taste of freedom in the woods.

It would have been impossible to use when he was younger and more boisterous. At 40kg, he was too powerful to control on one, even aside from the danger of any damage to his neck.

**FREE SPIRIT:** off the beaten track in Bledlow

But of course it’s a process that’s not without its setbacks. There are still those occasional nightmare moments when he’ll subbornly refuse to obey any instructions or takes a muddy lunge at an unsuspecting stranger.

**AUTUMN COLOURS:** off the lead in the woods

Yet there are many more good days than bad days, with darker nights and worsening weather reducing the number of hazards on regular walking routes, allowing us to normalise and reinforce those good habits, like the willing return to peep of a whistle or the contented leap into the back of the van at the end of a wander.

Of the various trainers who have encounted Teddy in his short life, Leah, a very competent local obedience trainer and registered veterinary nurse, has been the most supportive and consistent in helping him mature, and we’ve been very grateful for her advice and practical help – even if it means he can’t help going absolutely beserk with delight when she comes to the door.

**GROWING UP FAST:** Teddy on his best behaviour

Leah’s training walks have been paying off in terms of recall, although of course there’s nothing as interesting as a new face and their alluring treats. Mum and Dad tend to appear a lot less interesting by comparison, and far easier to ignore.

Other owners are reassuring about these moments of selective hearing or apparent disobedience. Totally normal, we’re told. And of course later on, when someone’s back home, on their best behaviour and butter wouldn’t melt, it’s easy to forgive those temporary setbacks.

Without doubt, the best part of any day is the chance of a runaround with Ted’s favourite friend, the one-year-old springador who lives opposite. But how to make sure those playful romps are a reward for good behaviour, rather than encouraging the pair to learn bad habits?

It may be a delicate balancing act, but the sheer delight they take in each other’s presence is a joy to behold.

Amid the snuffling and grumbling, the high-speed chases and play-fights over sticks, this is a love affair on a whole different scale, and one that’s totally unique. There’s no other furry friend that generates this sort of reaction from Ted.

He has friends he’ll chase or nuzzle briefly, and even one amorous Jack Russell terrier whose advances he’ll suffer with good-humoured patience.

But Buddy the springador is in a leage of his own, with both dogs collapsing exhausted and contented after a high-speed chase around the park.

The added bonus is that they tend to be so preoccupied with each other that it’s easier to distract them from any passers-by or other hazards.

**TOP DISTRACTION:** playing with friends is a favourite pastime

Which brings us back to those wonderful brown eyes, and that winning stare.

At 28 months, Teddy is still far from being the model citizen. He’s slightly overweight, he’s very bouncy and he still gets so excited on occasion that he can hardly contain his excitement, which can be worrying if you have 40kg of black labrador heading towards you at high speed.

But we wouldn’t have it any other way. Thank you, Julian, for giving us a permanent and very personal memento of such a special time in a young labrador’s life. It’s very special!

**THE EYES HAVE IT:** Teddy tries to influence decisions

Is two-year-old Teddy finally coming of age?

Posted on August 26, 2025August 26, 2025 by andrew in Beyonder Blog

IT’S Teddy the labrador’s second birthday and it’s hard to conceive what the house would feel like without him.

Our inquisitive black bundle of fun has matured into a 40kg Tigger-like high-energy presence: infinitely curious, hugely well meaning and still demonstrating a perversely independent streak at the most inopportune moments.

On the plus side, he still sleeps contentedly through the night in his den, has the gentlest of mouths and is, we are reassured by all who know him, a “sweet boy” who doesn’t appear to have a nasty bone in his body.

He’s never snarled in anger and will patiently let puppies clamber over him, children pet him and more boisterous friends nibble, pester or bounce all over him.

Despite a couple of unpleasant bites from jealous assailants before he was chemically castrated earlier in the year, he’s shown neither fear nor resentment towards grumpy or barky dogs, although it’s taken him time to learn how to take a more cautious approach towards unfamiliar canines and learn that not all human strangers want a huge black beast careering towards them at high speed determined to make their acquaintance.

There are a dozen things we should be grateful for: he doesn’t howl or bark, for example, or nip ankles, bite fingers or hump visitors’ legs.

He’s even learned not to stare beseechingly at us when we eat a meal and from a young age he’s known how to ring a bell by the door when he needs to go out for a wee or a poo.

But recall is still a challenge – despite our persistent efforts to encourage him not to race off to explore the nearest fascinating distraction, be it human or canine. From Day One, he’s demonstrated that boundless bouncy enthusiasm that labrador owners recognise only too well.

And while smaller cockapoos and poodles with their tiny paws and winning grins can perhaps get away with an audacious leap at a passing stranger, 40kg labradors cannot count on the patience and understanding of random passers-by.

Apart from the embarrassment factor, there are genuine safety risks involved when a large dog bounces at someone young or infirm, never mind smaller, older dogs with health problems.

To celebrate his birthday, we have finally graduated from his harness to a slip lead, and it’s been a heartwarming transition.

He never really approved of his smart blue body harness, but it played a crucial role in preventing him from pulling like a train on walks, the two-clip attachments limiting his capacity to yank you off your feet.

Likewise, the Halti headcollar was no silver bullet to the lead-pulling problem, but an invaluable part of the training process, particularly important with a powerful dog like Ted, who joined our family too late for those crucial initial puppy obedience classes.

Using a slip lead wasn’t possible when he was younger and would bolt like a greyhound out of a trap at any intriguing passer-by – and the prospect of neck or whiplash injuries was a serious deterrent.

But now that his loose-lead walking is so much better, the slip lead is a lot more practical: and it’s almost as if he’s proud of being trusted more. He certainly looks more excited at the prospect of a walk, and slipping it on and off is infinitely easier and less stressful than getting him into the harness.

But recall still isn’t guaranteed – and as one trainer pointed out, if you haven’t got 100% recall you haven’t got recall at all.

He’s undoubtedly making progress, though – and the number of successful stress-free off-lead outings has dramatically increased since he’s been able to use the slip lead.

Reliable canine role models are hard to come by but spending time off lead with a favourite friend is a perfect way to expend all that excess energy.

But of course the whole process is a learning curve, and back when tiny Teddy first arrived we might not have realised quite how long it would take to get to this stage.

We’re making good progress and even strangers in the park comment on how much calmer he has become since they first saw him.

Yes, there’s a long way still to go. But despite all the hard work, Teddy’s firmly part of the family now and we wouldn’t have it any other way, however long it takes to turn him into a model canine citizen.

Take time to choose the perfect companion

Posted on July 25, 2024October 30, 2024 by andrew in Beyonder Blog

THAT little black bundle of mischief which bounced into our home eight months ago is almost one year old, and it’s hard to believe quite what an impact he’s had on our lives.

I’m not sure any of the puppy books spell out quite clearly enough to first-time dog owners exactly how big the change will be on every aspect of their daily routine.

Even after a couple of years of researching and planning, there’s nothing that can fully prepare you for the bombshell that’s about to explode in your household when that new puppy arrives.

**BOMBSHELL:** Teddy approaches his first birthday

And it’s not just a brief novelty, of course. This new arrival is going to be part of the family for 10-15 years or more…which perhaps helps to explain the tragic upsurge in the number of unwanted pets needing to be rehomed since the pandemic.

For a long time work and travel commitments made it impossible for us to even consider owning a dog.

That still allowed plenty of time to pore over The Complete Dog Breed Book, weighing up the potential merits of different breeds and narrowing down a top three, any of which might be perfect match.

**CAREFUL RESEARCH:** comparing different breeds

We looked at gun dogs and terriers, hounds and crossbreeds, weighing up their various merits in terms of factors like cost, how much grooming and exercise they need and how well they respond to training.

We learned about breeds developed for their different skills and talents, from shepherding to guarding, hunting and retrieving.

We also thought long and hard about our own limitations: what size of pet could we cope with and afford, what habits would drive us mad? How much slobbering, yapping or moulting could we handle?

**WEIGHING UP OPTIONS:** what can you cope with?

With hindsight, none of that early research was wasted, and it seems incredible that people will make such a momentous decision on a whim, sometimes with tragic consequences for both dog and human.

We’ve spoken to otherwise sane people who have driven to another part of the country in response to an online advertisement, family in tow, and “fallen in love with” an adorable puppy on the spot, with zero preparation or planning.

But at the other extreme, we’ve heard of experienced dog owners finding it impossible to rehome a rescue dog because they own a cat or fail to meet one of the other required criteria of stringent home checks.

**SOUND ADVICE:** talk to breeders and other owners

Talking to breeders and existing owners helps, even if the advice can be contradictory at times. Round our way, almost everyone owns a dog, it seems: and seeing them all trotting neatly to heel may make you wonder just how hard it can be…

But then we also know from Graeme Hall’s Dogs Behaving Badly series just how nightmarish it can be to live with a dog that’s out of control, or whose barking, biting, jumping or pulling is causing major problems or posing a danger to others.

One Kennel Club study revealed that 10% of puppy owners said they bought their puppy on an impulse and 40% said they bought it because of the way it looked. Only one in 10 said they had actually checked that it actually suited their lifestyle.

**PERFECT MATCH:** which breed suits your lifestyle?

As the work schedule becomes more flexible, it’s time to take a trip to Discover Dogs, we decide, the Kennel Club’s get-together where it’s possible to get face to face with dozens of different dogs and their owners and find out more about the realities of owning a particular breed.

Very helpful it is too in narrowing down our favourites and eliminating the many impractical or less appealing options. We see pointers and wolfhounds, terriers and retrievers… We know we’re not looking for a lapdog and we don’t want a hulking brute that will be too challenging to train or aggressive with children.

During the days and weeks that follow the show, the final choice becomes a lot easier. Much as we love the glorious colours of the Great Swiss Mountain Dog and the elegance of flat-haired retrievers, the black lab is winning out.

**FINAL CHOICE:** labradors remain consistently popular

It’s not surprising that labrador retrievers have consistently been one of the most popular breeds in the country for decades: affectionate and lovable, they are lively and sociable, in many ways the perfect family pet.

But they can also be greedy and boisterous, destructive if left alone and very powerful. They are strong, active dogs that need daily exercise and obedience training, and can suffer from some scary hereditary diseases.

Is it really a viable choice in a household where one partner is suffering from long Covid and struggling to cope with many daily tasks?

**BOISTEROUS:** labradors are full of energy

Fully health-tested pedigree pups are also expensive, and older part-trained dogs even more so.

A much older pet could be a calmer option, but it’s hard to be sure about health problems in advance, and insurers won’t help if there’s a pre-existing condition you discover after you’ve made the commitment.

Despite all the qualms, when Dog Day finally arrives, the choice is simple, as I explained back in December.

**BUNDLE OF MISCHIEF:** Teddy at four months

But while Teddy is old enough to sleep through the night, the impact on our lives is immediate. Regular short walks, in all weathers, for a start. At dawn and dusk in the depths of winter, it’s not always a delight. And the house seems to be permanently covered in mud for what seems like an eternity, as the wet weather drags on into the New Year.

We were prepared for the walks, of course. But in much the same way that new parents ask incredulously why no one warned them about the lack of sleep and constant 121 attention they were about to encounter, we’re looking at all those well behaved dogs in the park wondering how on earth everyone has managed to effortlessly train such docile obedient souls.

The “cute puppy” period seems ridiculously short. Before we know it, Teddy’s twice the size and a truculent teenager. Still bouncy, curious and often adorable, but also stubborn, strong and keen to do things his way, with the accompanying boisterous bad habits we need to train him out of.

Of course like all proud dogparents we wouldn’t have it any other way. But as this hectic ball of energy approaches his first birthday, we’re not out of the woods yet when it comes to his training.

Give it time, it’s like a lightbulb being switched on, say some lab owners encouragingly. He’ll be calmer when he’s neutered, others advise sagely.

But we’re not trying to wish those precious months away. At the other end of the life cycle my sister and brother-in-law are mourning the loss of their faithful loving spaniel Megan after almost 16 years.

And an uncle writes from Scotland recalling another lost friend: “We sometimes still think she is here, stepping over her non-existent water bowl in the dark corner of the kitchen or imagining a dark shadow is her lying in your path. They have a hold on you long after they are gone.”

Well, whatever the future holds, Teddy’s here to stay. We have a long way to go and we’re learning all the time, but he’s part of the family now and we just hope he understands how firmly he’s managed to worm his way into our hearts.

**PART OF THE FAMILY:** Teddy the teenager

Frustrating setbacks can hamper progress

Posted on April 26, 2024May 3, 2026 by andrew in Beyonder Blog

LIKE many teenagers, Teddy finds the world can be a pretty confusing place.

All that testosterone, for example, and other dramatic hormonal changes.

No more of that delicate squatting for a neat and orderly pee. Suddenly, there’s obsessive free-form leg-cocking on every bush and tree trunk in the park.

But just when you want to test the boundaries, get more independence and explore the world, everyone seems determined to cramp your style.

Mum and Dad seem determined to get you to walk to heel, older dogs are looking distinctly unimpressed at the idea of playing games and many of the male dogs you bump into appear suspicious, grumpy or actively aggressive.

For owners too this can be a confusing time, we’re told. After making it through all the toilet training and puppy biting, suddenly that cute little bundle of fluff has turned into a rebel.

The vets and dog trainers are great at warning what to expect, but it’s still a difficult time for owners when it seems as if their pride and joy has forgotten a lot of their training and developed an insolent streak.

Typically, it’s a time of increased independence, curiosity and social desires. Thankfully, Teddy is a super-sociable soul with no hint of aggression, even when those pesky other dogs start to bark and yap at him.

**LOST IN THOUGHT:** chewing a stick at Burnham Beeches

Sleek, glossy and big for his age, on a quiet day he’ll potter about in the undergrowth like a contented manatee, those sensitive scent receptors working overtime.

But he’s definitely keen to explore and a little too excited about meeting everyone. His recall can be great when he’s off the lead in remote places with few distractions. But he can’t be trusted in a busy park, especially with an interesting female around.

**TASTE OF FREEDOM:** off the lead in the woods

The experts say it’s all completely normal, a result of those dramatic hormonal changes and a reorganization of the brain, when all the early lessons seem to have been forgotten and the lead pulling, jumping and other anti-social acts seem to reflect a general lack of obedience and selective deafness when it comes to once-familiar commands.

**SELECTIVE HEARING:** recall can be unpredictable

Teddy knows how to sit, stay, settle down and search, but suddenly seems reluctant to do anything so compliant when required.

And as long as there’s a risk of him jumping up on a stranger, small child or vulnerable older dog, he needs to be under strict control whenever such hazards are around.

At 34kg, he’s just too big and boisterous: and these are situations he needs to become comfortable with, without using harsh training techniques or exposing him to bad experiences that could stay with him for life.

Gwen Bailey and other authors and trainers are reassuring: “Feelings of failure are normal, but remember that this phase will pass and you will both emerge on the other side older and wiser.”

Here’s hoping. In the meantime, using a long line has been one useful technique for practising recall, though using it without getting tangled in it is a feat in itself, and sometimes he’s more interested in chewing the line than focusing on the task in hand.

**USEFUL LESSONS:** on the training line

Like most owners we’ve had our fair share of embarrassing encounters and anxiety-inducing moments, when our pride and joy has wanted to jump all over a stranger or has suddenly chased off into the distance, distracted by a passing spaniel or friendly looking cockapoo.

**LEARNING THE ROPES:** practising recall

But if there are times we despair about him ever becoming that well-mannered model citizen who sticks to your side like glue whatever happens around them, there are plenty of small daily victories to remind us this is very much a journey, and that success doesn’t come overnight.

When things do go well, it can be easy to forget them, even on those occasion when they feel momentous, like the first perfect loose-lead saunter round the park or the times when Teddy makes the “right” choice to lie down and snuffle in the grass rather than jumping all over our neighbours.

**TEMPTING TREAT:** even teenagers need to eat

Just lately there have been more of those moments when we’ve had that warm glow that we might finally be making progress: like his first visit to an indoor cafe where he lay down contentedly despite the presence of other dogs at the table.

Of course there are those other times too, when Teddy flumps on the grass with a stick and refuses to move or where a moment’s inattention means you fail to realise he’s just taken off at 70mph in the direction of an unwary pigeon.

But at puppy class there are smiles all round when Teddy demonstrates he can be calm and contented rather than straining at the leash, even when fun small dogs are quite close by.

And when he’s snoozing at your feet or gazing at your with those wonderfully expressive gorilla-like brown eyes, there’s no hiding the fact of just how dramatically he’s wormed his way into our hearts in four short months.

Other labrador owners are perhaps the most reassuring, even if their messages are mixed. “Oh, he’s gorgeous,” they coo. “Such a handsome boy!”

And as Teddy leaps and jumps with excitement at the attention, that slight pause when they reflect back over the years. “And so lively too,” they add. “Don’t worry, he’ll be calmer when he’s two.”

Teenager Teddy loves life in the fast lane

Posted on March 27, 2024March 27, 2024 by andrew in Beyonder Blog

ADOLESCENCE. At seven months and 30kg, our little black shadow has doubled in size and become something of a force of nature.

**GROWING UP FAST:** Teddy at seven months

Big, boisterous and overly friendly, there’s nothing subtle about our Ted.

As curious as he is clumsy, his furry snoot is quick to nose into everyone’s business, intrigued to find out what’s happening.

A sweet-natured soul, like most puppies he’s very excited about life. But he’s also at the age where leaping up on an unfamiliar child or older person could do serious damage, so training has been a top priority for several weeks now.

The trouble is, now that he’s a fully fledged leg-cocking teenager, he’s too old and over-exuberant for basic puppy socialisation classes and hasn’t completed the foundation course fundamentals that would normally secure him a place on “bronze”-level courses.

There’s no shortage of training courses, it seems, but finding the right one in the right place at the right time has been harder.

Thankfully, Teddy’s been a quick learner and has been picking up a lot of the basic skills that would prepare him for a more formal training environment.

**SITTING PRETTY:** mastering the basics

The great news is that he’s sleeping through the night and seems to relish the comfort and peace of his crate.

Those early whimperings that were such a worry in the first few days have become a distant memory, and he seems properly settled in now, an intrinsic part of the family after the disruption of those early days before we found him.

**SETTLING IN:** Teddy feels more at home

He’s been out and about exploring the local woods too, though until we can be 100% sure of his immediate recall, it’s hard to find spots sufficiently remote to be confident about letting him off the lead.

**STANDING PROUD:** scaling the heights at Black Park

Being a labrador, he loves the water (the muckier the better, of course) and he’s predictably hungry, though perhaps not as singlemindedly food-motivated as some of his breed.

Which all means our sleek, shiny, bouncy boy is great company but needs to learn a few lessons about manners, over-excitement and how to cope with overwhelming distractions like squirrels, strangers and any other dogs he encounters.

He can sit, stay, lie down and walk to heel in short bursts when there are no such distractions: especially early in the day or later at night when other dogs are not around.

**OFF THE LEAD:** practising recall at Littleworth Common

But a favourite pastime when off the leash is to race at high speed past you while carrying leg-smashingly huge sticks, so he can’t be trusted if anyone vulnerable is around.

**BIG IS BEAUTIFUL:** stick carrying is a favourite pastime

A double-ended smart new training lead and harness has been partially effective in curbing the worst of the pulling, and scatter-feeding can be a helpful distraction on occasions too, but there’s no doubting that Ted can be high-octane company.

**MUDDY FUN:** getting messy at Penn Wood

There are times, too, when it’s easy to believe from the look in those expressive brown eyes that he’s quite deliberately setting out to wind you up. That insolent side-glance when he slips onto the sofa and stubbornly refuses to get off, for example.

But I rather like Susan Garrett’s belief in the mantra that our dogs are doing the best they can with the education we have given them, in the environment we’ve asked them to perform in.

**THE EYES HAVE IT:** testing boundaries

In other words, if they’re not doing what we want them to do, it’s probably not because they are being deliberately fickle but because we haven’t trained them properly, or are expecting too much of them in the situation we’ve put them in.

Time to get that training programme sorted, then. Watch this space. It’s a steep learning curve for us as much as him….