Pickles #2 Chocolate Labrador Retriever Mix Male 6 Months Old ID #3507

July 7, 2025

Pickles a great 4th of July. He met the whole family and was the center of attention which he thoroughly enjoyed.  As his recovers we are seeing more and more of his personality. He just wants to be loved and get as much attention as he can. He loves to be with his people and will be vocal to get your attention. He is doing well with training but will need continued training in his new home.  His is a puppy with all the puppy attributes,  lots of playful energy, putting everything in his mouth, jumping up, nipping due to teething. He lost a baby tooth yesterday. And don’t forget barking to let you know what he wants. This puppy has had a tough start. But he is smart and sweet and despite him being left on the street then brought to a shelter and finally to the safety of the rescue. He is strong and resilient and will need lots of love and support and time to grow. He continues his no accident streak and is doing great on his walks. We are very proud of him. We know whoever is willing to give lots of love and patience to this amazing little pup will not be disappointed.

June 29, 2025

Pickles seems to be on the road to recovery. He has lots more energy and is eating well. No more stomach issues.  We are hoping to put a few pounds on him now. His no-accident streak continues.  He goes to the door to go out. He sleeps through the night, we learned with a little white noise (TV on), he sleeps all night in his crate, no whining or crying or barking. He has made strides with Mabel and Sadie. They both caught his cough and are taking meds now as well.  He’s doing really well on walks. We got him a harness, and it’s been great. He likes to put everything in his mouth. He loves to find a stick on every walk and carry it back home with him. He watches the birds, bunnies, and squirrels with great intent.  We are working on his puppy nipping. When he plays, he nips, so we are working on that with him. We took him, Mabel, and Sadie to see the fireworks last night. We all sat in the truck and watched.

He was fine; they did not bother him at all. The three just hung out, with no response to the loud booms. He is such a sweetheart, and we are enjoying our time with him. He just cracks us up.

June 26, 2025

Pickles went for his well visit and was given some meds for his belly issues, but the next day his fecal test came back positive for parasites, so along with the meds for his belly, he is taking meds for that and also an antibiotic for a cough he developed. This poor little guy. Despite all this, he is so resilient. He is still playing, wanting to eat, and as sweet as can be. I’m looking forward to getting him through this rough patch and to more fun things. We received our BarkBox box, WOW, it was awesome, filled with so much great stuff. Training continues each day, and more of his personality comes out. We found out he can climb. I went out of the room, came back in, and he got up on the counter and was walking around. So, we are teaching him not to do that. He climbs up on the stools and sits. He is very curious and quite the character.

The good thing is he listens with redirection, we just continue to reinforce and praise. He is developing a great routine with walks and play time. No accident streak continues. So proud of him.

June 24, 2025

Pickles’ belly is feeling better. Had a good wellness check at the vet, and he was treated for his belly issue. We are giving him some probiotics and some medicine to settle his stomach and keeping him on a bland diet. We will then start integrating puppy food. All this has not held him back; he is playful and curious. Also, he has had free roam in the house since he arrived.

He sleeps in the crate, no barking or whining. Goes right in and sleeps through the night. He is respectful of the house, but you must keep an eye on everything that goes in his mouth. Not an accident since day 1, we are so proud of him. He started to become more vocal with us, letting us know when he wants something or barking at our dogs to get their attention. We are training him with his walks and commands, he is doing great, but that training will need to continue in his furever home. He hangs out with us while we work, with play breaks and walks.   He is super sweet and smart. A wonderful little guy.

June 22, 2025

Pickles is doing better on walks alone and with our dogs. He started to make friends with Sadie. Mabel is still at a distance. He is having some belly issues. Vomiting yesterday. We are giving him a very bland diet and hope that settles his belly. He loves the water and playing in the yard. He is friendly to everyone he meets and their dogs. No more accidents in the house, just the first day. His regular walks and scheduled getting out have worked to stop any accidents. He is doing well learning commands and sleeping well in the crate. He loves to find a stick on his walk and bring it back in his mouth. Right now we are main focus is on his belly and getting him feeling better.

June 20, 2025

We have had our first full day with Pickles, all 32 pounds of him. I would say he is a chocolate lab.  In the sun, he is brown, but also has black hair and looks black as well. I guess that is the mix.  He is very sweet and has that adorable puppy energy.  He is also very confident; he came into the house, not nervous at all. Introduced himself to our two resident dogs, Mabel and Sadie, and they are setting boundaries with him and figuring him out.  He made his way through the house, checking everything out.  He played in the yard and took a few walks. He walks very well on his own, does not pull too much.  If he is with Mabel and Sadie walking, he is too excited and harder to walk.   He is friendly to people and other dogs.  He needs training for some things, jumping up and nipping a little, and he needs to learn some commands; all this is to be expected with a baby.  He loves to play with toys and can be redirected easily when needed.  By dinner, he was sacked out and took a nice nap.

He had a long day playing and getting settled in.  Due to the information from the shelter, it stated he had crate anxiety, we decided to put the crate in the living room but leave the door open to the crate and gate the room off so he would not feel anxious.  We put the crate up and he went right and layed down.  In the middle of the night, he escaped the living room and was running around.  Pat went and directed him to the crate. He went right in, we shut the door this time, and he went to sleep.  I was so impressed he did not whine or cry once last night, even after we closed the crate door.  Today he spent the day with me in my office while I worked, and my daughter in her room while she worked in the afternoon. She took him for several walks throughout the day and was well-behaved.  He found a big stick and was so proud of himself for carrying it.

He has had a few accidents, so we are trying to establish a solid routine for going in and out and walking.  A few puppy pads have helped.  But I think he has to get used to his new surroundings and will do really well.