"Princess Amie Chocolate DuBois"A very typey linebred (field variety) chocolate Labrador Retriever bitch (pediatric spay) with a breathtaking headpiece, outstanding conformation, a lovely, complex temperament and a ton of ripped muscle and drive. I have been working Amie (and she has been working me!) since she was 9 weeks old; through housebreaking (a breeze) household manners, with emphasis on bite inhibition (and the protection of mommy's many cashmere sweater sleeves!) leash manners, basic obedience (again, a breeze!), swimming (like a fish!), retrieving (frequently on her own terms), intermediate obedience and some utility, scent work and ongoing conditioning and obedience brush-up work.At age 2, Amie is an outstanding family companion dog and close friend to many. Amie will occasionally 'select out' individuals she does not wish to be touched by or played with. She is an exceptionally capable, intuitive household guardian of several acres as well. Despite her lovely, compact build and obvious standout beauty - and the outrageous popularity of Labrador Retrievers in general - Amie's high working drive and daily exercise requirements would make her a grossly inappropriate pet for a city dwelling professional who worked away from the home. Working with Amie has opened my eyes to one of the reasons for Labrador Retriever Rescue. A well bred Labrador from active working lines like Amie, might grow into a surly, destructive, frustrated dog. Crated in 'brain freeze' all day, waiting for her 1 hour walk in the park when her master returned home from each day's work; even with a walk from a petsitter at lunchtime, the paucity of exercise, stimulation and REAL PURPOSEFUL WORK would come no where near meeting the dog's intrinsic exercise requirements. A destructive, unruly, rather out of control 'spastic' dog might well result.I hope that you will enjoy this page, where I share with you the growth, training and development of one of my favorite, most challenging and well bred canine clients, from puppyhood through her young working adulthood.
