This is my 2nd labrador as an adult -- i did not experience the majority of training issues I have encountered now. He is a healthy lab puppy from a reputable breeder. We picked him up at 7 weeks, much earlier than I would have liked (breeder request). He had 13 siblings. He is extremely intelligent (part of the problem). He is crate trained (and house trained in about 3 weeks). He has severe anxiety about leaving our front yard. I cannot get him to walk, and he will stop and cower, with occasional cries. Positive reinforcement doesn't work. There are about 5 houses (some with dogs) we must pass before we make it to a woodlot. He settles a bit once there but keeps turning around wanting to go home. If I drive to a local park and walk him there, it does go a bit better. However, he still has anxiety and occasionally jumps up to be held (he is 26 lbs). He can walk reasonably well on a lead, knows "heel" and "here", when not anxious. He is afraid of other dogs. He is comfortable exploring our back yard without fear though loud noises (planes) or dogs barking in the neighbourhood will send him in sometimes. We have had a complicated time with dominance/aggression. For the most part he is a loving and obedient puppy. He will sit, stay, lay down, roll over on command. He had some more vigorous puppy biting 3 weeks ago and unfortunately bit my hand hard enough causing a nerve injury (which should recover) in my thumb. The breeder recommended a lead during the day and to correct him with a loud NO and lead pull. This worked, I think, to extinguish hard biting. However he soon learned that when I say NO, to grab the lead and run quickly away. The lead pull only makes his aggression worse so we don' use it. A can full of coins scared him twice, and now he thinks it is a toy. He doesn't bite, but rarely grabs my hand with his mouth when acting up. Given my injury, I am cautious. He still has his puppy canines. Lately he has been jumping up on me to give a toy to play tug. I am trying to teach "DOWN". When I said DOWN and pushed him away this am, he snapped at me and barked, then jumped back up on my lap. I held his head between my hands, so he could not move, made eye contact, and said NO very loudly again. He struggled two more times then on the third "NO" he cried and licked me. He has replied to the DOWN command and had played normal today. To what extend is this normal puppy behaviour vs. ingrained personality? He is starting puppy classes soon and will socialize more but I am not at all sure I will keep him. We are meeting with a behaviourist in a week.
Hello and welcome. I'm sorry I don't have any advice for you but I'll refer you to two experienced dog trainers on here . @Michael A Brooks @Jo Laurens
@Canuck2019 You are doing the right thing in getting in a behaviourist. Make sure the expert is a positive reinforcement trainer. Most of the things you have been told and know are wrong. Dominance is debunked nonsense. Please stop saying no. No more lead jerks. Do not under any circumstance hold him down. Get a house line and harness. Use the line to take him to a quiet area for time out. Buy a tug toy to redirect his mouth away from your hand. The tug toy is not left out for the dog. You carry it with you. Get the behaviourist to show you how to use it. Why do you say positive reinforcement does not work? Perhaps you will feel differently about him when you are given better advice, and you possess the correct information.
Appreciate the comments. I don't say NO too often....besides, he learns what will get our attention from "NO" and will go back to activity/object that if bored. He may have turned a corner on the weekend. When I walked him with my partner he obviously felt more relaxed. We have had a few good walks with much less anxiety. He has met a few other dogs and is curious. More puppy behaviour than anything. Will see how he does with just me. He has had a few episodes of trying to bite me when overexcited during play especially, If I take something away from him, a towel for example. Holding him down doesn't really do much. I lift him up and carry him to the crate for a time out. However he is 26 lbs and I have a spinal cord injury so I hope there is an easier way. Will follow up with comments from behaviourist.
