Over the years, we have had the pleasure of being parents of many fur babies. The Pekingese was the breed we loved most. They are small and lazy. Just a good lap dog with a spunky personality and a cute flat nose that snored. We have raised and trained at least three over the last 39 years. Sadly, they all passed away as dogs do. I think that is the sad part of owning a good dog. We often outlast them. Pekingese dogs are prone to a few health issues and can be high maintenance.
When my son was young, we got our first Labrador mix. Midknight was a pound puppy, and almost a year old when we got him. The previous owners got more than they bargained for with him. They tried to train him while living in an apartment, without the use of a kennel. From what I was told, he ate the couch, so they turned him over to the pound. We brought him home, and set him up in a kennel, outdoors, with plenty of shade, and cedar shavings. While he was allowed to visit inside the house, he wasn’t allowed to stay in, unless the weather was bad. He had a habit of chewing the furniture and rails off the porch. He had to be always monitored. This chewing and puppy stage lasted until he was around two. Then he became calmer and was able to lie around the house, underfoot and take walks with his humans. He learned how to behave and slept in the house, and we got rid of the big kennel. He turned into the best dog I think I have ever lived with. His temperament was so loving, and he understood and would obey commands, unlike our Pekingese. Unfortunately, he died a couple of years ago, while we still had Pepper, the Pekingese, and had adopted my mother In Laws Pekingese when she passed away, Simba- both elderly dogs. Taking care of elderly dogs can require as much patience as training a puppy. Walks can take longer, as they are slower than before. Also, Simba needed lots of medication for his hip dysplasia. Pepper passed away in 2024 and Simba in the winter of 2025. We lost Midknight first, then Pepper, and then Simba. We went from a full house to an empty nest.
After Simba died, I realized that I didn’t like the idea of a totally empty house with no fur babies. I began to think about getting a new puppy in the fall of 2024. I started looking in the shelters but had difficulty finding the right pet for us. Then I located an accidental litter of Labrador and Golden Mix. I had researched the breed and Midknight was mostly lab, so I felt confident that I knew what I was getting myself into. We chose Lola, she was the runt of the litter, and solid black.
We set up an indoor kennel in the laundry room and began the process of training her right away. This meant spending lots of time outside with her, and rewards when she did her business. Lola is extremely smart and caught on fast to her duties. We were good at keeping her in a routine and stuck to the same schedule each day. She is now fully potty trained, and kennel trained at eight months old. She still has a way to go regarding leash, and car rides, but hopefully we will get there one day.
I don’t want to make it sound too easy though. Labrador puppies are a lot of work. They are intelligent, and learn fast, but you must do the work of teaching them. There were days at about 4 or 5 months old that I would sometimes get overwhelmed with trying to control Lola on a leash. She does not like the leash. We have tried the spikey pinscher collars, and found that the remote collar with the bell, and buzzer works best. Since we have plenty of yard, I allow her to roam some, and this lets her explore the pasture which is what her instincts tell her to do. Labs are bred for hunting and retrieving. Lola loves to play fetch, and we often play ball outdoors.
Labrador’s also love the water. We take her to the nearby river to swim a few times a week.
Recently, while she was out for her morning roam, she wandered out of the yard and found where some wild pigs had done their business. She came back to the porch smelling to the high heavens, so she got a shower at the hose before she could return to the house. When she is out roaming, I usually keep a good eye on her from the porch. We don’t have close neighbors, so that works for us. This would not work with this breed in a densely populated area. And we use an electronic collar to train her when to return. One thing I have noticed, if I give her an inch she will take a mile. We still have work to do when it comes to minding commands.
There are many reasons people get dogs. Some just enjoy the companionship, others love the puppy stage, but then when the going gets tough, they turn them over to someone else to train. There are plenty of dog trainers out there to help you through the tough spots. Also, there are plenty of videos on YouTube to help with ideas on training a dog. I found when training Lola, that she does best if I give her treats for desired behaviors. She doesn’t respond well to punishments. Being consistent is the key.
If you have never owned a dog before, do your research on the breed before committing. Also, look for your veterinarian and check rates beforehand as well. A dog is a big commitment. The vet bills are not cheap. A good veterinarian will talk you through all the necessary shots and options for care. There are also pet insurances some people buy into. This might be something to consider.
Life with Lola is settling in. I have never seen a dog so full of love and affection for her owners. She will lay her head in my lap and look at me with big eyes, wanting her ears to be rubbed in the right way. She wants attention all the time, because she loves us. It is that simple. Taking care of her gets me moving and has improved my health as well. Lola has proved to be the worthy companion that we both needed.
For more information about any breed of dog, I recommend the AKC website:
For help with training, Anderson Magazine suggests contacting a local reputable dog trainer.