Hi there,
Me and Archie, my 7 month old Lab puppy, are new to this forum. I've been watching Victoria's shows and reading the book to get some tips for training Archie but we have quite mixed success.
He gets a 20 minute play session morning and afternooon and a 45-60 minute walk in the middle of the day which seems to tire him out for a while.
The problem areas we have are:
1. Lack of bite inhibition (yelping and ignoring doesn't seem to be working).
2. Flies at my husband when he's sitting on the sofa to bite at his hands and face
3. Jumping up and general over excitement when visitors come over and when we come down in the morning or get back from being out
4. Whenever we pass anyone (walkers, joggers, cyclists, cars) when we're out walking he lunges at them and tries to jump up to say hello (I'm worried that he'll knock a child over or will do it to someone who is scared of dogs)
5. Lunges towards other dogs in his eagerness to get to them. He's so bouncy with other dogs that I will only let him off the lead in the park if there aren't too many around as he won't come back when I call him if he's heading off to another dog to greet and/or play.
I was hoping that this was just normal puppy behaviour that he would grow out of it, but he hasn't and as he gets bigger it's harder to manage. I'd really appreciate some advice on how to calm him down in these situations. He hasn't been neutered yet and is eating James Wellbeloved junior food.
Thanks
Help with Labrador Puppy
Moderators: emmabeth, BoardHost
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Chocolate_Monty
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 4:05 pm
- Location: Scotland, UK
Re: Help with Labrador Puppy
Hi
I'm in exactly the same situation with my choc lab pup!! Have been watching this post waiting for any replies, or miracle cures, but see no responses...
How are things going?
Our pup Monty is now 10 months and is slightly improving but its 2 steps forwards, 1 back usually. He's VERY strong on the lead and am going to ditch the choker chain for either a halty head collar or just normal sturdy collar as he's immune to the chain. I'm just about getting there with lead manners but with other dogs/people its HOPELESS! He'll clock someone in the distance and hoof it after them, deaf to my shouts. His recall in other situations is great, but when another dog or person is on the horizon its just embarrassing!
I keep getting told this is an age thing and they grow out of it but jeez... getting stressful (and embarrassing!).
The jumping on visitors is improving. We've discovered if you put up with the first 5/10 mins of bouncing from hell and ignore him he eventually accepts its ok and calms down. Everyone is on strict instructions not to play with him or its a write off!
Hope your pup is getting better?! So much for the adorable cuddly lab puppy... this one is more like 'Marley'!
Katie & Monty
I'm in exactly the same situation with my choc lab pup!! Have been watching this post waiting for any replies, or miracle cures, but see no responses...
How are things going?
Our pup Monty is now 10 months and is slightly improving but its 2 steps forwards, 1 back usually. He's VERY strong on the lead and am going to ditch the choker chain for either a halty head collar or just normal sturdy collar as he's immune to the chain. I'm just about getting there with lead manners but with other dogs/people its HOPELESS! He'll clock someone in the distance and hoof it after them, deaf to my shouts. His recall in other situations is great, but when another dog or person is on the horizon its just embarrassing!
I keep getting told this is an age thing and they grow out of it but jeez... getting stressful (and embarrassing!).
The jumping on visitors is improving. We've discovered if you put up with the first 5/10 mins of bouncing from hell and ignore him he eventually accepts its ok and calms down. Everyone is on strict instructions not to play with him or its a write off!
Hope your pup is getting better?! So much for the adorable cuddly lab puppy... this one is more like 'Marley'!
Katie & Monty
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sahara_lab
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Mon Feb 22, 2010 6:44 am
Re: Help with Labrador Puppy
Hi,
I only just joined, after deciding that maybe I do need help with my lab.
I can completely agree with both of your posts! Even down to the 'Marley' comment!
Sahara is my 20 month old yellow lab, and to descibe her in just a few words...extremely excitable!
Like you Katie, she is improving over time, but she's nearly 2! I use a halter head collar on her and I swear by it, it makes a huge difference. I would never be able to walk her without it, she very near chokes herself. I have resorted to walking her on a local nature trail as she is impossible to walk along the sidewalk next to houses with other dogs. Before we even get near a house with a dog she starts pulling and lunging and whining to go and investigate. I don't know how to control this so we walk the trail where there is less distraction. We do come across other people with their dogs but it's easier to handle when she doesn't know its coming and its over pretty quick. Just yesterday we were going down a slight incline when a couple and their dog came around the corner, Sahara bolted forward with excitement, because of her strength it took everthing I had to hold on to her lead and not let myself fall flat on my face before we reached the other dog. It's very stressful and embarrassing! I have found that when we do come across someone, what works best is getting her to stop and sit and wait for them to pass me, it seems to keep her excitement in better control. Once they've passed she's forgotten all about them.
I am yet to let her off the lead as I have no idea at all if she would come back. I was thinking of getting a longer lead or rope so she can roam a bit but I can still reign her back in.
Sahara too with visitors is very excitable and jumpy (though it has toned down quite a bit), and after the initial excitement is over she really is a very good dog, and very smart! My 11 year old niece has alot of patience for her, and I think sahara senses that too and is very good with her. Though my younger niece is nervous and sahara seems to react in a different way.
Anyway, I have learnt that presistence pays off, and not losing my patients. It all goes back to the basics of sit, stay, come etc. At the moment we are learning to leave the hose alone when I water the lawn, as long as I've got treats and alot of patients she doesn't end up drenched!
And at the end of the day she's an adorable dog, and I love her to bits
I hope your dogs are well!
Serena & Sahara
I only just joined, after deciding that maybe I do need help with my lab.
I can completely agree with both of your posts! Even down to the 'Marley' comment!
Sahara is my 20 month old yellow lab, and to descibe her in just a few words...extremely excitable!
Like you Katie, she is improving over time, but she's nearly 2! I use a halter head collar on her and I swear by it, it makes a huge difference. I would never be able to walk her without it, she very near chokes herself. I have resorted to walking her on a local nature trail as she is impossible to walk along the sidewalk next to houses with other dogs. Before we even get near a house with a dog she starts pulling and lunging and whining to go and investigate. I don't know how to control this so we walk the trail where there is less distraction. We do come across other people with their dogs but it's easier to handle when she doesn't know its coming and its over pretty quick. Just yesterday we were going down a slight incline when a couple and their dog came around the corner, Sahara bolted forward with excitement, because of her strength it took everthing I had to hold on to her lead and not let myself fall flat on my face before we reached the other dog. It's very stressful and embarrassing! I have found that when we do come across someone, what works best is getting her to stop and sit and wait for them to pass me, it seems to keep her excitement in better control. Once they've passed she's forgotten all about them.
I am yet to let her off the lead as I have no idea at all if she would come back. I was thinking of getting a longer lead or rope so she can roam a bit but I can still reign her back in.
Sahara too with visitors is very excitable and jumpy (though it has toned down quite a bit), and after the initial excitement is over she really is a very good dog, and very smart! My 11 year old niece has alot of patience for her, and I think sahara senses that too and is very good with her. Though my younger niece is nervous and sahara seems to react in a different way.
Anyway, I have learnt that presistence pays off, and not losing my patients. It all goes back to the basics of sit, stay, come etc. At the moment we are learning to leave the hose alone when I water the lawn, as long as I've got treats and alot of patients she doesn't end up drenched!
And at the end of the day she's an adorable dog, and I love her to bits
I hope your dogs are well!
Serena & Sahara
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ithinkican
- Posts: 28
- Joined: Wed Oct 07, 2009 9:39 am
- Location: Oregon
Re: Help with Labrador Puppy
My 8 month old lab mix puppy has some similar issues, but we solved the nipping early- probably from advice from someone here 
Whenever Luka would lick me, I'd say "good gentle" or just "gentle". He learned to associated "gentle" with licking. Whenever he would nip, I'd give the "gentle" command and he would stop nipping and start licking. He rarely tries to nip anymore, and when he does he immediately stops when I say "gentle".
We are still working on the leash pulling- somewhere here is a great post detailing how to leash train.
Good luck with your labrador babies!
Whenever Luka would lick me, I'd say "good gentle" or just "gentle". He learned to associated "gentle" with licking. Whenever he would nip, I'd give the "gentle" command and he would stop nipping and start licking. He rarely tries to nip anymore, and when he does he immediately stops when I say "gentle".
We are still working on the leash pulling- somewhere here is a great post detailing how to leash train.
Good luck with your labrador babies!
Re: Help with Labrador Puppy
Hi guys!
For lunging, have you considered using an easywalk harness? The leash clips to the front so that when the dog pushes forward, he'll get turned around back toward you - and it takes less effort (eg force) on your part. My dog is very strong and when he lunges wearing the easywalk he'll get turned back toward me without my getting pulled down. It will give you more control and the dog won't choke himself trying to get to the other dogs (even flat collars can choke if the dog pushes into it hard enough).
Here's what it looks like: http://www.sitstay.com/dog/supplies/ser ... 5Qodd0ybfw
Chocolate_Monty I'm glad to see you're interested in getting rid of the choke chain and hope maybe this harness will help you out. It's worked for me (my dog still lunges at stray/outdoor cats but getting better with people and dogs) and I've been using it for a year. His reaction time on certain "triggers" is getting better so I have time to lead him away from any potential episodes and these days I can walk him on a flat collar successfully.
My dog is also really excitable with guests, so we have to put him behind a babygate for the first few minutes and once he gets over the initial excitement of having someone in the house, he'll lie down behind the gate and when we let him out he greets people fine.
For lunging, have you considered using an easywalk harness? The leash clips to the front so that when the dog pushes forward, he'll get turned around back toward you - and it takes less effort (eg force) on your part. My dog is very strong and when he lunges wearing the easywalk he'll get turned back toward me without my getting pulled down. It will give you more control and the dog won't choke himself trying to get to the other dogs (even flat collars can choke if the dog pushes into it hard enough).
Here's what it looks like: http://www.sitstay.com/dog/supplies/ser ... 5Qodd0ybfw
Chocolate_Monty I'm glad to see you're interested in getting rid of the choke chain and hope maybe this harness will help you out. It's worked for me (my dog still lunges at stray/outdoor cats but getting better with people and dogs) and I've been using it for a year. His reaction time on certain "triggers" is getting better so I have time to lead him away from any potential episodes and these days I can walk him on a flat collar successfully.
My dog is also really excitable with guests, so we have to put him behind a babygate for the first few minutes and once he gets over the initial excitement of having someone in the house, he'll lie down behind the gate and when we let him out he greets people fine.
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Sweetie0202
- Posts: 82
- Joined: Sun Jan 03, 2010 6:54 pm
Re: Help with Labrador Puppy
Hello,
The problem areas we have are:
1. Lack of bite inhibition (yelping and ignoring doesn't seem to be working).
Walk away and end all playing; if this doesn’t work send your dog to a timeout like his bed or a blanket. Never use a crate for timeouts or punishment.
2. Flies at my husband when he's sitting on the sofa to bite at his hands and face?
When you see your dog going towards your husband tell him to get up before the dog gets there, and walk away.
3. Jumping up and general over excitement when visitors come over and when we come down in the morning or get back from being out?
Put your dog on the leash when people come over, and place him into a sit stay. If he gets out of the command put him back into the sit, stay. When coming downstairs don’t pay no attention and turn and walk away; if he goes to jump onto you same with coming home.
4. Whenever we pass anyone (walkers, joggers, cyclists, cars) when we're out walking he lunges at them and tries to jump up to say hello (I'm worried that he'll knock a child over or will do it to someone who is scared of dogs)
If your dog loves food you can use food to get his attention back onto you, or use a favourite toy. Get your dogs attention before you see the other dogs, bike, people etc; you can also make him sit and wait before meeting people if he goes to jump up again remove him and bring him back, and make him sit and wait again.
5. Lunges towards other dogs in his eagerness to get to them. He's so bouncy with other dogs that I will only let him off the lead in the park if there aren't too many around as he won't come back when I call him if he's heading off to another dog to greet and/or play.
With the recall command I would keep him on lead like a long lead and when his back is turned to you then call him when he comes to you reward him. Make him sit before going into a dog park wait until he is calm then walk him in then make him sit again tell him to wait once he is sitting in a calm manner and is waiting then reward him to go play.
Just a thought
I hope this made some sense and hope it helps. Good Luck.
The problem areas we have are:
1. Lack of bite inhibition (yelping and ignoring doesn't seem to be working).
Walk away and end all playing; if this doesn’t work send your dog to a timeout like his bed or a blanket. Never use a crate for timeouts or punishment.
2. Flies at my husband when he's sitting on the sofa to bite at his hands and face?
When you see your dog going towards your husband tell him to get up before the dog gets there, and walk away.
3. Jumping up and general over excitement when visitors come over and when we come down in the morning or get back from being out?
Put your dog on the leash when people come over, and place him into a sit stay. If he gets out of the command put him back into the sit, stay. When coming downstairs don’t pay no attention and turn and walk away; if he goes to jump onto you same with coming home.
4. Whenever we pass anyone (walkers, joggers, cyclists, cars) when we're out walking he lunges at them and tries to jump up to say hello (I'm worried that he'll knock a child over or will do it to someone who is scared of dogs)
If your dog loves food you can use food to get his attention back onto you, or use a favourite toy. Get your dogs attention before you see the other dogs, bike, people etc; you can also make him sit and wait before meeting people if he goes to jump up again remove him and bring him back, and make him sit and wait again.
5. Lunges towards other dogs in his eagerness to get to them. He's so bouncy with other dogs that I will only let him off the lead in the park if there aren't too many around as he won't come back when I call him if he's heading off to another dog to greet and/or play.
With the recall command I would keep him on lead like a long lead and when his back is turned to you then call him when he comes to you reward him. Make him sit before going into a dog park wait until he is calm then walk him in then make him sit again tell him to wait once he is sitting in a calm manner and is waiting then reward him to go play.
Just a thought
I hope this made some sense and hope it helps. Good Luck.
Re: Help with Labrador Puppy
Hi you guys!
Boy, it's nice to see a good group of us in the same situation. I have a 7 month old yellow lab named Zeke. He's over 70 lbs now and hard to handle. The no-pull harness (or easy walk) was a life saver for us. I was at the point where I could not physically hold on to him if he decided to take off. He still pulls, but can't get enough force to get overwhelming for me (we're still working on the pulling).
For lunging at dogs and people, I've been working with him using "leave it". It's made a huge difference!!! Victoria has done several shows on this. If he's still going crazy, I make him sit and body block him. Oh - I always take a "high value" treat (stinky, like a liver treat) with me so I can distract him with that if I need to. (hold it in front of his nose to get his attention)
Recall is still an issue with us as well. Working on it, though. I might have to resort to using warm hot dogs on that one. I like to let him run loose in a field in our n'hood, but if he hears a person, he's gone! Otherwise, he's great. I just saw a IMOTD show yesterday where they used a whistle. I'll work on that one with him this weekend for recall.
For going crazy and flying at us - "time out" has worked. I get up and walk away or just turn my back and "cover' if I'm in the back yard.
Can't remember the rest of the issues. Just happy to know we're in this together!
I swear, I wish there was a video library here on her shows so we could go back and reference them. There was a show in England with 2 labs in a small apartment and a baby. I need to see that one again.
Boy, it's nice to see a good group of us in the same situation. I have a 7 month old yellow lab named Zeke. He's over 70 lbs now and hard to handle. The no-pull harness (or easy walk) was a life saver for us. I was at the point where I could not physically hold on to him if he decided to take off. He still pulls, but can't get enough force to get overwhelming for me (we're still working on the pulling).
For lunging at dogs and people, I've been working with him using "leave it". It's made a huge difference!!! Victoria has done several shows on this. If he's still going crazy, I make him sit and body block him. Oh - I always take a "high value" treat (stinky, like a liver treat) with me so I can distract him with that if I need to. (hold it in front of his nose to get his attention)
Recall is still an issue with us as well. Working on it, though. I might have to resort to using warm hot dogs on that one. I like to let him run loose in a field in our n'hood, but if he hears a person, he's gone! Otherwise, he's great. I just saw a IMOTD show yesterday where they used a whistle. I'll work on that one with him this weekend for recall.
For going crazy and flying at us - "time out" has worked. I get up and walk away or just turn my back and "cover' if I'm in the back yard.
Can't remember the rest of the issues. Just happy to know we're in this together!
I swear, I wish there was a video library here on her shows so we could go back and reference them. There was a show in England with 2 labs in a small apartment and a baby. I need to see that one again.
surviving puppyhood
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Chocolate_Monty
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 4:05 pm
- Location: Scotland, UK
Re: Help with Labrador Puppy
Hello friends,
Update on Monty... he's just turned one and I'm having VAST improvements since moving him onto a headcollar (using the 'Gentle Leader'). It was an overnight success where the control moved to me and his neck muscles were useless! After a week he had a bit of rebellion to it and was trying to bounce away from me but I just stopped dead until he calmed down and realised he wasnt getting a result and walked forward again normally. They really are great, keeps them close to you just like Victoria demonstrates, rather than them pulling ahead being Mr Alpha, that's definitely me now!
His recall is pretty good and he gets a good run off the lead once we're in open spaces but is still a bit rubbish around other dogs. I do wonder is this stems back to him coming away from his litter-mates too early and not socialising enough...? I am lucky where I live, small rural village so I know every dog and their owners so I know who Monty can happily charge up to and when I should get him on the lead ASAP. We recently took him to a town park as a test, he was naturally very excited but with the headcollar I had good control and I even ventured him off the lead for a spell! Did fine and recall was good until a grumpy man went past on a bike and Monty was a bit inquisitive! No accidents and he didnt chase or anything but I was embarassed and put him back on the lead, oops!
As for visitors, I too tried putting him on the lead and asking him to sit until he was over the initial excitement or else put him in the hall (we have a door with glass panes so he can see through!) until he calms down. The key is definitely to ignore him as much as possible and he gets the message that it isnt exciting so might as well lie down. I agree with the 'time out' thing as well, he has a habit of jumping on my inlaws when they're sitting down (not great, they're in their 70's) so he gets put in the hall for a few mins and this seems to get through to him.
Monty really is the perfect family dog (boisterous public behaviour aside) as we have 2 young boys (18 mths & 3.5) and he'll let them literally crawl all over him without a peep. Down side from this is he probably thinks all kids are the same as mine and therefore can be as boisterous with them as with his own but I dont put him in this situation deliberately.
Chewing has stopped and when we go out he has free run of the house with nothing disturbed - result!!
Happy days, although the training continues... Its just a little less stressful these days!
Update on Monty... he's just turned one and I'm having VAST improvements since moving him onto a headcollar (using the 'Gentle Leader'). It was an overnight success where the control moved to me and his neck muscles were useless! After a week he had a bit of rebellion to it and was trying to bounce away from me but I just stopped dead until he calmed down and realised he wasnt getting a result and walked forward again normally. They really are great, keeps them close to you just like Victoria demonstrates, rather than them pulling ahead being Mr Alpha, that's definitely me now!
His recall is pretty good and he gets a good run off the lead once we're in open spaces but is still a bit rubbish around other dogs. I do wonder is this stems back to him coming away from his litter-mates too early and not socialising enough...? I am lucky where I live, small rural village so I know every dog and their owners so I know who Monty can happily charge up to and when I should get him on the lead ASAP. We recently took him to a town park as a test, he was naturally very excited but with the headcollar I had good control and I even ventured him off the lead for a spell! Did fine and recall was good until a grumpy man went past on a bike and Monty was a bit inquisitive! No accidents and he didnt chase or anything but I was embarassed and put him back on the lead, oops!
As for visitors, I too tried putting him on the lead and asking him to sit until he was over the initial excitement or else put him in the hall (we have a door with glass panes so he can see through!) until he calms down. The key is definitely to ignore him as much as possible and he gets the message that it isnt exciting so might as well lie down. I agree with the 'time out' thing as well, he has a habit of jumping on my inlaws when they're sitting down (not great, they're in their 70's) so he gets put in the hall for a few mins and this seems to get through to him.
Monty really is the perfect family dog (boisterous public behaviour aside) as we have 2 young boys (18 mths & 3.5) and he'll let them literally crawl all over him without a peep. Down side from this is he probably thinks all kids are the same as mine and therefore can be as boisterous with them as with his own but I dont put him in this situation deliberately.
Chewing has stopped and when we go out he has free run of the house with nothing disturbed - result!!
Happy days, although the training continues... Its just a little less stressful these days!
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dodge-white boxer
- Posts: 222
- Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2010 11:03 am
Re: Help with Labrador Puppy
How about giving him a kong with peanutbutter or liverpaste,maybe put it down as you go to open the door and he may ignore the visitors-I know what dodge would choose 
-and then the visitors will only say hello as long as he s happy and calm? By the time he s finished having the yummie stuff they may have been there for long enough so its not worth making a fuss(not saying that your visitors are not worth it !!) .
Dani xx
-and then the visitors will only say hello as long as he s happy and calm? By the time he s finished having the yummie stuff they may have been there for long enough so its not worth making a fuss(not saying that your visitors are not worth it !!) .Dani xx
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Chocolate_Monty
- Posts: 12
- Joined: Sun Jan 10, 2010 4:05 pm
- Location: Scotland, UK
Re: Help with Labrador Puppy
Great idea! Thanks for that!
Sometimes its the most obvious things you need pointed out!! Will have something tasty and time consuming on standby...
Sometimes its the most obvious things you need pointed out!! Will have something tasty and time consuming on standby...
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dodge-white boxer
- Posts: 222
- Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2010 11:03 am
Re: Help with Labrador Puppy
Just another thought-I ve taken to putting kibble in a bowl and mixing it with peanut butter and then stuffing it in the kong(for the boring times at home when I ve got to do boring housework) he seems to finish it to quickly else--greedy !!!
!!!Re: Help with Labrador Puppy
I like to soak the kibble in watered-down chicken stock for 30-45 minutes and letting the kibble soften. Then put into Kong, put a little peanut butter on each opening to seal it off then freezing it. Takes longer to get out, and you're using less peanut butter.dodge-white boxer wrote:Just another thought-I ve taken to putting kibble in a bowl and mixing it with peanut butter and then stuffing it in the kong(for the boring times at home when I ve got to do boring housework) he seems to finish it to quickly else--greedy
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dodge-white boxer
- Posts: 222
- Joined: Fri Feb 26, 2010 11:03 am
Re: Help with Labrador Puppy
sounds lush,hm hmmmmmmmmm!! Do you let them have it indoors? Dodge takes anything in the lounge( where the carpet is,not in the kitchen with lino--nnoohooo 
) did try to get him to stay on a duvet which is specially for him to be smudgy,like fresh bones
) did try to get him to stay on a duvet which is specially for him to be smudgy,like fresh bones