[Cronos]

1. Yet to get our little one tired is an uphill task. Take today -- I took her for a run from 5:30 am to 6:15 am, then a 45 min walk. Then my wife took her for short "toilet break" walks during the day. Then, a long walk of 30 minutes when I came back and finally from 7 to 8:30 she was playing like mad with her friends. And she's still got energy! well, ok, she's a bit pooped, but not completely!

2. That's a good idea about the obedience exercises and the "jump over the basket command"

3. don't actually need to clicker to encourage her -- she's happy with a doggie treat and obeys just like that!

[BagCamAddict]

She looks at least part Lab... Which means she will have endless energy for at least the first 2 years, maybe 4 years. Sorry!

Look into getting something called a Buster Cube. Or something similar to it. You can put her normal dog kibble in it. It will keep her occupied and mentally stimulated for 5-20 minutes or so. I don't recommend it on hard floors if you're in the room though, because it makes a lot of noise.

Labs are inherently energizer bunnies. Born to fetch all day long. They may get tired, but they won't give up.

Be careful with the running until her bones are fully developed. I think that is about age 9 months. Ask your Vet. The long bones and growth plates need to be done, or you can do damage if you take her on runs. I mean human runs. It's one thing to let dogs play at their own pace — if you watch them, they play hard then rest, over and over again. A human “run” is a non-stop event, and the dog doesn't have a chance to rest, or drink water, or cool their body.

It's not hot now, but obviously when it gets hot again, be careful about running on asphalt. It can burn their feet. And as you know, dogs sweat by panting, and that isn't enough on hot days. A dog will never give up and quit on you — so if you ask a dog to run 8 miles, they will. But it may kill them. But a well-conditioned adult dog (of the right breed), with the right training, can run long distance like that.

On the teething thing, you can freeze a wet wash cloth, and let her chew on it (supervised!!) to sooth her teeth and gums. Freeze two, so you always have one to rotate out.

Labs are notorious for chewing and ingesting cloth items. Be very careful with that. Intestinal blockage = expensive and very risky surgery.

And as you've already found out, the best exercise for a puppy or a dog is another play buddy. If you have any friends who can bring their dog to your house during the day so the two dogs can play with each other to their hearts content, that would be ideal. :-)

Keep up the great work!!