Michelle, this couldn't be more UNscientific if I tried but here goes. My GSD pup is almost 12 mos. Since I got him at 8 weeks, I would walk him everyday in the center of a surburban, somewhat busy town. Every person that stopped me to see the pup would tell me whether he or she had one (a dog). Every, and I mean every person that had a lab all said that their dog finally stopped going crazy at 4 years, 7 years, 9 years, etc. There were so many of these people I almost started keeping track because they were the only breed that repeatedly had owners with almost identical experiences. Not a single one said that their dog calmed down at 2. Both my sisters had labs - one calmed down at 7 1/2 years and the other at 4!

Definitely not trying to bash the breed, I just know what it's like to be an at-home mother! David had a good idea about giving the dog to your husband at the end of the day...I have a better idea...give the dog to your husband to take to work! When the pup is 4 years old, switch with him <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> ! Good luck in your search for a great dog, be it a lab or any other breed.

Ms. Warren,

I puppy sit my daughter's black lab a couple times a week. I have three GSDs. The lab is about a year old. I believe it to be the offspring of the energizer bunny. It goes, and goes, and goes...

If you don't have time for a dog with high energy...

Or maybe my daughter adopted the only truly active lab in the breed.

Anyway, it is a lovely, affectionate dog but constantly in motion, and very inquisitive, and a little inclined to be a bit destructive when left to its own devices.

It thinks it is a GSD, too, I think.

It is a really nice dog but more needy than all three GSDs combined.

Two unsolicited cents.

Mike A.

Thanks, Candi. Two of the dogs we had before were rescues and I specifically asked them about not having a fence, and they both allowed me to adopt. Encouraging me that these were adult low energy need dogs. It obvoiusly didn't work out. I just don't want to fail again and want to make sure I know as much as possible before emabarking on this challenging adventure again. I didn't have Ed's video with the last two dogs. I'm being patient, waiting for the best timing, but I'll have to give this a lot of thought.

Thanks Mike and Judy. I will take both of your experiences into consideration before finalizing my decision. If my husband is set on a Lab. then we maybe waiting even longer!Thank you so much! This really helps!