'How do I make this the best month of his life?': Person dog sitting 11-year-old black lab seeks sincerely sweet advice from internet to make lab happiest

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Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Jun 15, 2026 9:00 AM EDT

We all want our pets to be happy, but what are we willing to do for them?

11-years-old is pretty up there for a lab. The saddest thing about dogs is their lifespan, but since there's nothing we can do right now to change that, all we want sometimes if to make them the happiest they've ever been. In Reddit's r/dogs, this guy is dog sitting his family dog for a month and wants to know how to make it the best month of his life. He goes on to explain the dog's unique situation. He was rehomed at 2 from a home that didn't want to train him, and he still struggles with commands because of his upbringing. He loves fetch, but the guy can't take him off leash because he's afraid of losing him. He's been known to run off at other animals and want to explore. He likes treats but in his old age he can't digest them the same. He really wants to be able to let the lab run around more, but doesn't know how to make that feasible. He has a long leash, but it's not the same, and he ends up straining the leash. He doesn't want to take him to an open field, so that's where the happy people of the internet come in. They tell him some recommendations for temporary fences he can rent, and other suggestions. It's so sweet to see how much he cares about his family's dog, and how people everywhere come together online to give advice. 

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  • 01
    Hey! I am dog sitting for my family dog, an 11 year old black lab. He was rehomed when he
    via u/Ineedassistancemaybe
  • 02
    was 2 from a home that wasn't too keen on training him, and all these years later he still struggles
    via u/Ineedassistancemaybe
  • 03
    with commands. He knows not to pull on the leash or bark at other dogs but the temptation gets to
    via u/Ineedassistancemaybe
  • 04
    him from time to time. Regardless, I want to give him the best month of his life. Our walk
    via u/Ineedassistancemaybe
  • 05
    schedule is 6 am potty break, 7 am long walk, 6 pm potty break, 7 pm long walk, 9 pm potty break
    via u/Ineedassistancemaybe
  • 06
    and multiple potty breaks scattered throughout the day as needed.
    via u/Ineedassistancemaybe
  • 07
    He loves fetch but I can't trust him off leash, he has and will run off at other animals or in awe of
    via u/Ineedassistancemaybe
  • 08
    exploration. He likes treats but his old man stomach is sensitive and even a nibble dehydrated chicken
    via u/Ineedassistancemaybe
  • 09
    will cause IBS. We have a porch where we can play small distance catch but it's obvious he wants to
    via u/Ineedassistancemaybe
  • 10
    run around more. On the porch he always returns the ball and we did a few days of treat rewarding for fetch.
    via u/Ineedassistancemaybe
  • 11
    He has a long leash but when he gets too happy and wants to run off he full sprints and strains the
    via u/Ineedassistancemaybe
  • 12
    leash. He did this once with me and I was so scared he hurt himself we haven't done it again.
    via u/Ineedassistancemaybe
  • 13
    He has a collar, I wish he had a vest but I can't afford that right now; and I love him but he is only my dog for the next month.
    via u/Ineedassistancemaybe
  • 14
    I wanna take him to an open field to play but I am worried if there's other dogs he will bark and be a
    via u/Ineedassistancemaybe
  • 15
    lot. He has never attacked another dog, he just barks and runs up to other dogs in
    via u/Ineedassistancemaybe
  • 16
    excitement, it's not his fault his bark sounds like a war tank.
    via u/Ineedassistancemaybe
  • 17
    He is an earnest good boy, he just wants to have fun and be happy. He is a little stinky too so any
    via u/Ineedassistancemaybe
  • 18
    advice on washing a dog with a garden hose is appreciated.
    via u/Ineedassistancemaybe
  • 19
    Please list any ideas or recommendations for my old man.
    via u/Ineedassistancemaybe
  • 20
    realstoned Most dogs actually love to be trained, especially of you reward with treats. If you
    via u/realstoned

  • It can be tragic to think about a dog's lifespan. It seems so unfair that dog's are man's best friend, but their lives are cut decades before ours. I used to have an adorable golden retriever named Brody. Brody wasn't just a dog, he was really my soulmate. He would follow me around the house, we'd snuggle all the time, and he was always there for me no matter what. He loved hiking and running around outside. He really deserves the world, and now he's getting really old. He's about 12 years old, and it's just not fair. 

  • 21
    keep a very regular schedule with plenty of walks and exercise, and a daily training
    via u/realstoned
  • 22
    session, he will have a wonderful time and will bond with you so much as well.
    via u/realstoned

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