Living with a Land Shark

 Lessons Learned from Living with a Land Shark

After more then two weeks of life with Mocha Teal, we feel qualified to offer a few words of wisdom to anyone considering an energetic female chocolate Labrador puppy.

Rule #1 — Never pick up a very energetic puppy.

What may appear to be a sweet little furball is, in reality, a four-legged tornado powered by enthusiasm, curiosity, and questionable life decisions. Attempting to pick up a fully energized puppy often turns into an Olympic wrestling event complete with teeth.

Rule #2 — Never play with a very energetic puppy.

At least not in the traditional sense. What begins as “playtime” can quickly escalate into what experts probably call overstimulation, but what we call Velociraptor Mode. Suddenly, everything becomes fair game—hands, sleeves, shoelaces, and occasionally your dignity.

Rule #3 — Never play with, pick up, or cuddle a very tired puppy.

Now this one surprised us. You would think an exhausted puppy would welcome cuddles and quiet time. Nope. An overtired puppy is much like an overtired toddler—minus the words and plus razor-sharp teeth. Poor decisions get made by everyone involved.

What we are learning is that navigating the Land Shark phase takes strategy.

Managing the High-Energy “Velociraptor” State

When Mocha enters full-speed mode, physical interaction often just adds fuel to the fire. 

Now, because Mocha Teal is a chocolate Labrador, she comes equipped with what can only be described as an endless zest for life—and an equally strong belief that if something exists, it should probably be retrieved.

Socks, shoes, leaves, sticks, paper towels, toys, water bowls, and occasionally items we did not even realize were missing somehow find their way into her mouth. If it is within reach, it is apparently fair game.

After all, retrieving is in a Lab’s DNA. The challenge becomes teaching the difference between “good retrieve” and “why on earth do you have that in your mouth?”

Of course, around DaGirls RV, this has become less of a problem and more of a daily scavenger hunt led by one enthusiastic 14-pound Land Shark with absolutely no shortage of enthusiasm for life.

Redirect with Toys:
Instead of sacrificing fingers to the puppy gods, we quickly slide a tug toy or chew toy into the action.

Scatter Feeding:
A little kibble tossed around engages her nose and gives that puppy brain something productive to focus on. Apparently sniffing things out is exhausting.

Brain Games:
Puzzle toys or treat games burn mental energy, which sometimes works even better than physical exercise.

Managing the Over-Tired State

This one has been a game changer for us.

Puppies need 18–20 hours of sleep a day, and when they miss that sleep, they become tiny, bitey, unreasonable creatures.

Mandatory Nap Time:
Sometimes the best answer is simply a quiet space and an enforced rest period. Not punishment—just helping a puppy reset.

Reduce the Chaos:
Lower the stimulation. Lights down. TV quieter. Humans stop entertaining the circus.

Chew Therapy:
A safe chew toy can work wonders while helping them settle down.

The Sweet Spot

We have discovered there is a magical window in puppy ownership—the middle state.

Not too wild.
Not too tired.
Just calm enough to listen, learn, cuddle, and train.

That is when the real magic happens. Those short 10–15 minute training sessions seem to click best during this time, reminding us that any time is good for training—if you catch the right moment.

And for those keeping score at home, Mocha Teal is now around 14 pounds and pushing 13 weeks old, which means our tiny Land Shark is growing fast… and getting stronger.

Sometimes Susan and I still look at each other and quietly ask:

“What were we thinking?”

Then Mocha curls up for a nap, puts her little head on our lap, and somehow the answer becomes:

“Exactly this.”

Various States of a Land Shark / Velociraptor

Or on there way to Petsmart or Bostons for Treats or Shots

Susan, Tilly, Me, Mocha Teal and Dakota guiding us