I am a big believer in adopting and not shopping!
Check out your local area and I bet you can find a Labrador rescue society or group. I know you can find a yellow lab there that would be forever grateful to you for giving it a second chance. That is the only way to go!!
These are good comments.
For one year, I was a "Foster" parent to a Golden Retriever rescue dog who psychologically was in bad shape and also had some physical issues from abuse. He was one year old and basically a nice dog. What he required, in addition to some medical care, was a lot of patience. He was petrified to ride in a vehicle and would not go in my truck. So for three weeks, he would follow me to the garage, I would open up the passenger door and the extended cab door and go sit in the truck by myself for an hour listening to music. He would sit facing the open doors on the passenger side. After 3 weeks, he jumped into the back seat of the truck. For 2 more weeks, we would sit in the truck together listening to music for about a half hour. Then, one day, after he jumped into the truck, I closed both of the doors on the passenger side and got back into the truck. I pushed the button to raise the garage door, started the engine, and backed out of the garage. I drove the vehicle around the block and back into the garage. I opened the two doors on the passenger side and let him out. We did this for one week. Then we were off for a big adventure to the local park. All we had to do is open the doors and he would jump in and I drove him to the park. Then we began more training. So you can receive rewards from a rescue pup. By the way his name is Oliver and he lives in Connecticut with a gentleman who had recently lost his wife of many years and provides wonderful companionship.
I admit that it is much easier to train a puppy. We acquired Dixie from a breeder at 8 weeks. I had the opportunity to select her from the litter of six females. The males were already taken, but I wanted a female anyways. I sat in the middle of a fenced circle while all the puppies were around me. Only one puppy came to me and wanted to be with me while the others ran around and played. That's how I chose Dixie. That's how I chose all the pups that I brought home in the past. There is always one that stands out that is meant for you.
Labs are great dogs and good family members. Take your time and find a local breeder or contact the Labrador Rescue Society in your State for information. Sometimes, they have a website that shows the pictures of the dogs up for adoption with a little bio for each dog. You can also wait to see if a puppy comes along. Older dogs, are good adoption candidates as well. Sometimes, their owners pass away and they have no one to take care of them. Think about that as well. They are good dogs.
Best of luck,
Ed
