My 11 month dog Rolo, has always been around other dogs but over the last few months he has started attacking other dogs (got turned down from day care) and has tried to bite someone. All other ways he has fine. He spent time with a trainer this week who worked with him (one of her labs came with him). But today he has pulled he rabbit cage open (never been bothered with buddy) and ripped the rabbit apart. I'm not sure what to do with him!! Anyone I speak to thinks I'm over dramatic or making it sound worse because labs are usually so good. He is good with most other things and other training but he is just so bad with this! I think maybe I'm not raising him in the best environment and should find someone else for him?! He goes on a walk when I'm at work. I've followed all the dog trainer advice on the past?! Anyone else have any ideas or had the same issues ?
The rabbit is tragic. I don't think it is helpful to dwell on it as I am sure you were devastated. The only thing I can offer is the fact that you have a teenage dog. We all think Labs have wonderful natures but when they are teenager they can be terrors. Molly, who is two now was awful. She would fling herself at me or the end of the lead and I was flung around trying to control her. I had to be careful where I walked her because I couldn't risk being knocked or dragged into a busy road. She jumped up and pawed at me, most uncomfortable as it was summer and I was wearing shorts and a vest and her claws really scratched me. She grabbed my arms with her mouth, though she never made any attempt to really bite me. Sometimes I just had to hang on to a fence post or a tree whilst she raged round me. I never thought of it as aggression (though that is what it looked like) just a burst of energy that she could not cope with. I longed for winter so I could wear long thick clothes so it wouldn't hurt as much and so I could walk her under the cover of darkness. I, too, wondered what I was doing wrong, I was following all the advice I had been given. I had a trainer out for some 1 to 1 sessions. I wondered how much longer I would be able to cope with her and wether I should admit defeat and put her into rescue. Then it stopped. She simply grew out of an awful stage. I hope that is the same for you. You genuinely have my sympathy, you are going through a very hard time with your dog and have just had the worst day.
Hello there, and a very warm welcome. It's a bit hard to comment on what might be going on with your dog. It's not really possible to say if the aggression towards other dogs, and a person you say, are related. It's possibly the case that the rabbit wasn't related to aggression towards other dogs. I'd say that it sounds like some professional help might be in order, particularly since a day care won't accept him, and you say he tried to bite a person. What is his routine in terms of training now? Where was he when he broke opened the rabbit cage? I presume he was unsupervised with the rabbit, perhaps in the garden?
I'm very sorry about your rabbit I'm sure the whole situation at the moment is very difficult and you have my sympathies. I agree that some advice from a qualified behaviourist would be the best way to go here. I think you're right to want to act on this. It's possible that the behaviour towards other dogs is just over the top excitement but it might also be fear. Usually, barking and lunging at other dogs is all about fear of the other dog or of interacting with the other dog. If that is it, or even if it's just crazy excitement, then a behaviourist will be able to help you to train for a different response, and to help your dog to become less worked up about these situations. What were the circumstances under which is tried to bite someone? What did they do and what did he do? Whereabouts do you live (what country and general area)? That might help people to recommend where you could look for a good behaviourist.
Thanks for all the comments, he tried to bite someone who went to pet him, he had no toy or food, just laying down. It was like he was in a mood. He is impossible at the moment and I know he is a terrible teen at the moment (what the trainer said.) I live in Hampshire. He is seeing a behaviouralist called Lisa wood. She is fab really I can't thank her enough. It seems he is never calm at the moment, he won't just sit in the front room or round the house with you, he constantly needs to be doing something. Yet he has the recommended exercise time for his age and I take in on short training everyday to make sure he is getting mental stimulation. He tries to get other dogs on their belly but even if they Yelp he doesn't stop, yet if he comes up against a more dominant dog he is the first to give in and then he behaves. I think with dogs it's like he has no manners but he doesn't learn. Last night he was like a dog possessed, he would stop barking....like he was shouting and throwing a temper tantrum. The trainer said he shouldn't be with me all the time in the house he should have time alone so he's not a bit like a spoil the brat as we are working on his recall and engagement on walks, he's terrible for not wanting to make eye contact and check in if he is off his lead and also the aggression/boisterous with other dogs issues. I just don't know I what else I can do, he is having 1 on 1 training, he is socialised on walks, he has seen the behaviour lady. It's a bit like having a naughty child that no matter what you do - it's not right ha. I know he will be like this whole growing but I'm terrified if he goes to far one day you know?
So sorry to hear you are having these problems. I don't think I can help - I really don't have much experience - just wanted to offer my support. I think in these circumstances your best bet is to stick with a behaviour specialist who can see exactly what Rollo is doing, how he is behaving, and give you specific advice on how to take things forward. I certainly sounds like you have had a day from hell. Hope tomorrow is better. jac
It sounds a bit to me like he has a lot of nervous energy that isn't being let out. An 11-month old dog is FULL of energy, and (if he hasn't been neutered) full of testosterone too. Think 15 year old from hell. I think I would try to do some gun dog training with him, or agility, or cani cross. But particularly something where he has to use a lot of energy AND his brains, which will tire him out. It won't be easy starting in a group training with him, because of his aggression towards other dogs. But if he really likes retrieving, or searching, then you can get him started on that and once he is hooked it would be easier to introduce him to a group of other dogs in a training situation. It's a great way for him to learn better social skills.
Hi and welcome to the forum. Can I ask, is it all dogs he has trouble with, or just boys? My Shadow went through a phase around that age where he was being picked on by unknown male dogs, and after a while, he started being the instigator. He was an absolute delight with girls, though. Does he have any doggy pals that he can play nicely with? Again, Shadow only had these issues with unknown males and I think that it helped interacting with dogs that he did know. When you say he tried to bite someone, it sounds like he might have snapped at them? That is different to a dog who is determined to bite, even though it's obviously not ideal. A snap is a warning sign to back off. Could he have been startled, as you say he way lying down. Was he nodding off, or could the approach from above be seen as threatening? Some dogs are very threatened by anyone approaching their head. It's very hard to guess what could be going on, and even if you have explanations, these are things you need to address, obviously, for everyone's safety. Has your behaviourist seen these behaviours in action? She will be the one best placed to offer you constructive advice, I agree with Karen that doing some focussed training that works both his mind and his body would be great for tiring him out. Maybe try some one-to-ones first before bringing him into a class situation with other dogs, which might be stressful for him at this stage. My two love their gun dog training, even though we only really play at it. It teaches them self control, which is a very useful thing to have, especially through the teenage months. Good luck and let us know how you get on.
I think it is worth saying that in his furry brain Rollo was probably only playing with the rabbit and did not distinguish it as a living thing. Until she was about 18 months old Molly's mission in life was to tear apart every soft toy I bought her. I seem to recall Pippa writing that she did not geel the need to give her Labs soft toys. Obviously, you have some issues with him, but it doesn't mean that he is necessarily a 'bad lad". Hoping that today is better for you. Tina
So sorry to hear about the issues you are having with Rolo but all is not lost. You have done the right thing contacting a behaviourist and good luck with it. Maybe you could start of with some clicker training to work on Rolo's concentration on you strengthening your bond, you can train all kinds of things to get that brain going. I have done quite a lot with my rescue Charlie and it really does make him pretty tired using those brain cells. I don't always think it's about stressful training classes which certainly didn't suit Charlie and don't necessarity suit all dogs. I really hope things improve for you and Rolo and please pop back and let us know. Take care xx
Thanks everyone for your advice, well wishes and even stories of your own labs. I know I have to continue with his 1 on 1 training with the behaviourist who is hoping one day we can introduce him to her different groups for training. I just have a pup no one else likes or thinks he is worth standing by and trying continue forward! I just pray with the training etc one day he will be a good big boy! Until then I will continue to go more grey haha. If anyone hears or knows of anyone good round Hampshire with labs please let me know
Well we all admire you for doing your best for your dog. They all have their challenges, but some more than others, and I'm sure that the situation seems very hard at times. Just thinking....has a vet ruled out any pain issues?
Yes I took home the vet for a check over, cause he was randomly holding his back left leg up just for a second so he checked his legs and spine-nothing! I was recommended a doggie chiropractor to check him over though. He is booked in.
It sounds like you are having a hard time at the moment and not much fun. I know you are already seeing a behaviourist which you sound happy with but I thought I'd post you this link. You might find it interesting and if you felt like getting a second opinion I can recommend Caroline Spencer. http://www.puredoglisteners.com
I live in Hampshire and a friend of mine used Caroline Spencer with her very human nervous Labrador x Collie and she was very impressed with her. Thanks for that Jen, I had forgotten xx
