Hi, we have a 12 week old lab called Dexter. We have had his since 8 weeks old, we bought Dexter to train as a assistance dog for our disabled son. Things are going downhill Dexter can be very aggressive, and will lunge and bite (Is this normal). He will poo and wee outside in the garden but will also do it around my home Our back door is always open and we encourage him to go out when he wakes, after playing, after eating & drinking but it feels like he is doing it on purpose because he cant really need to wee that much?? He will go out for a big wee and then come in and do it on my floor Dexter has also developed "Dandruff", does anyone have any tips on what we can use to get rid of this? Can anyone help me please???
Yes that is all normal, and no he isn't being aggressive or doing anything on purpose. Lab pups are very bitey but it's all in play, and a way to learn how to behave appropriately (developing a soft mouth). It sounds like you're giving him too much freedom too soon, hence the accidents around the house. Regarding dandruff, that's very normal for puppies. You could give him a bit of salmon oil on his food, a bit of tinned sardine, etc. Lots of very knowledgable people here who can give you more specific advice, but hang in there and know he isn't being malicious, he's just being the baby that he is
He definitely isn’t going to the toilet inside the house on purpose. He needs to be taken out every 15mins and after play, food, sleep etc. Just having the door open won’t help, he needs to be shown. When he goes outside praise him lots, if he goes inside don’t punish him as he hasn’t been taught properly by you. You need to be consistent and these things take time. He isn’t aggressive either, he’s a puppy who can get excited and wants attention. Until you show him the behaviours you want, he doesn’t know. They are like babies - they are not born knowing how to do things, it is our job to teach them. It takes time, training consistently every day to help reinforce toilet training and behaviours. Puppies explore by using their mouth. Biting and nipping is very normal behaviour. It takes a long time and a lot of training to train guide dogs before they go to their person.
Thank you for your reply and this all makes sense. We have registered for puppy training classes and I am linked closely to a lady who trains assistance dogs and I am due to meet up with her in 2 weeks. We have a 14 year old Jack Russel whom we had from a pup but maybe I've forgotten how hard it was with him. X
Lab pups are often exceptionally hard pups . Nothing can prepare you and it takes a lot of time and patience at first. They become the nicest dogs as they get older. The puppy days can take a bit of getting used too.
Hang in there Russell, it really is hard work with a young puppy, but definitely worth it in the long run. When he nips and bites he is not being aggressive, just playing as a puppy does. When he does nip you, remove your attention from him for a couple of seconds (stand up and turn away), then return to petting him when he is calm. It will take a while, but he will catch on. With the potty training, he is not being naughty and certainly not doing it on purpose - you need to be super-vigilant and take him out every 15 minutes or so. With regard to the dandruff, what are you feeding him? It could be that the food doesnt quite agree with him and you may need to slowly change to another brand of food. As mentioned above, you can also add a spoon of oil to his food, or coconut oil if you prefer.
Yes, it's all perfectly normal and just the way most lab puppies behave! They can be hard work but so well worth it in the end. One of the most difficult things is making sure that you don't overstimulate your puppy because that, as well as boredom, can make him bitey and (seemingly) aggressive. Puppies need rest as well as play and exercise - and maybe not as much freedom as you appear to be giving him at the moment. The puppy classes should help you to focus on what and how much to do with your puppy. Do let us know how you get on.
I'm glad you've gotten such good reassurance that all this is normal. I've not yet had a Lab (came here to learn about them and have been exceptionally slow on getting my own pup), so I defer to the experts on puppy behavior and they've already weighed in. Having trained an assistance dog from a puppy (that's him in my avatar), remember that it takes a very long time to get a dog really up to a working level. Not that he won't be beneficial to your son way before he's fully certified, simply to remember to have expectations of him that correspond to his age. Just as a human couldn't get his Master's degree at five years old no matter how super-intelligent he is, Dexter has to get there step by step. I'm sure your assistance dog trainer will help you get a feel for this as well. I've given this a lot (too much ) thought lately in regards to Labs. My guess is that with a lot of consistent, positive training, you could expect a dog to be at about 75% of assistance dog tasks (basing on mobility dog tasks as that's what I trained) by 1-1.5 years and have a dog that's 95% there at 2 years. The great thing is that they do just keep getting better with age. I thought Brogan (my dog) was aces when he passed his ADI exam, but looking back, we were both wet behind the ears. He was at the top of his game with about 3 years full on working experience (so about 5 years old). Those timelines are just a guess, though, so I'd be curious to hear what your trainer says and try to take it day to day. It will get better!
Thank you for your reply. We are feeding him on Alpha Sporting Pup food as that is what the breeder was feeding him before we got him (at 8 weeks) I was thinking of changing his food as we spoke to the vet and she said that because we are not planning on working him he doesn't need that type of food. (Both his parents are working dogs)
Thank you for your reply. My son is 5 and has a dual diagnosis of Downs Syndrome and Autism and will really benefit from Dexter. Just now he is terrified of him as he keeps biting him but hopefully in time it will get better
He is still just a puppy yet, have patience. In regards to going to the bathroom indoors, I would recommend leaving the doors closed and taking him out on a leash fairly often. Start from the beginning. By leaving the door open, he can't differentiate indoors from outdoors at this point. Praise him when he goes outside. If he goes inside bring him outside right after so he knows he is supposed to go outside. Back to basics.
It will be quite some time, training and a lot of hard work before your pup become the perfect buddy for your son, but hang in there it will be so worth it. I got Meg when my twins were 6, a year of classes, some tears and some time later they are now best of friends. Its the perfect relationship I dreamed of, but it came with effort. Dexter will be have a wonderful attachment to your son , just give them both time and space
