Hey guys , new here . I've had labs for the past 16 or so years . Our new boy Jax is 7 months old . I have a 2 year old and Jax and my daughter have this bond . It's unlike anything I've ever seen. They are always together he watches here etc . Here's the thing though . Jax is friendly to everyone as long as we are all together . I have fences on my property and Jax is never out of the fence unless he's on a lead. Anyhow if or when my neighbors come to the fence to talk to us if my daughter is close Jax turns very aggressive. Teeth showing snarling and he gets between my daughter and the stranger . My wife and I can call him and he comea to us ,however if someone tries to get closer he starts this aggressive behavior . If my daughter is not in sight Jax just barks at anyone that may come up but not this aggressive behavior . The neighbor that Jax always tries to eat is a veterinarian and he's always praising Jaxs behavior with my daughter to us saying how he wished he had a dog to do that when his daughter was younger ,but I'm not so sure . I'm scared if I try to correct this behavior that something may go wrong , we kind of live in the country and the thought of an extra pair of eyes on my daughter out here with whatever could happen is a plus in my mind . He only does this when my daughter is around and something or someone he doesn't know I guess he thinks our daughter is in danger ? I don't know advice ?
I have absolutely no experience in this but I wouldn't want my dog to act in that way. A special friend, yes, but not her guard. In my mind it has the potential to be dangerous and could have bad conciquences for your puppy. How you go about changing his behaviour, I have no idea but hope a more experienced member can advise.
That is a bit of a worry. I wonder what would happen if an older child (or adult) approached but ignored or didn't see Jax's signals? Would you consider seeing a behaviourist? That might help with giving you insight into how to approach this problem. You are obviously worried, and I think right not to be reassured by your neighbour.
I agree that it would be good to consult an experienced behaviourist who has dealt a lot with guarding behaviours but who uses positive methods. I think it's risky to have your dog showing this behaviour round your daughter for the reasons drjs@5 has mentioned.
Thanks I've got a friend that trains dogs , I'll give him a shout . As far as what happens if you approaching Jax . We had an issue yesterday actually neighbors cat had got ahold of a chipmunk and it was hurt I called him over to the yard . He had on bite resistant gloves and he approached Jax and his snarling . Jax acted like he was going to bite him but he just kind of butted him with his nose. If Jax is around there is a ball or stick close by . Neighbor picked up a ball and after about 3rd fetch they were friends lol. As far as aggressiveness toward my daughter there is absolutely none of that . It's like he sees her as his child or protector . Never any aggressiveness towards my wife or myself either . I don't mind the fact he is protective, certain aspects of my life I don't feel comfortable with sharing on a public forum make be be grateful for a dog that alerts to anything or anyone . This obsession with my daughter is strange though.
My friend's rescue dog was like that with my friend's two young daughters. The dog was a Keeshond and she bit a couple of people, more like a nip. A dog taking on protection like that, on it's own, can get you into a lot of heart breaking trouble. I think you should consult with a behaviourist too.
I think it can be a good thing if your dog barks to alert you to people coming to your property. My dog does, and I like that. I agree that the guarding he is doing of your daughter is a bit more full-on though. I'm sure he shows no problem behaviours towards your daughter herself. The potential worry is what he might do to another kid or person who was not dog savvy and who ignored his warning to keep away. It might always be fine, but I'd feel a bit nervous if other kids or non-doggy adults were around. I would be pretty careful in such situations. It is good that he made friends with your neighbour once he showed Jax that he was not a threat and was a source of fun instead.
Yea I live away from people. There are 4 of us families out in the country our properties are pretty big so close up interaction all the time is not going to happen. Closest neighbor is about 200 yards away , so the threat of kids coming up on him is almost non existence like i said we have a pool and a wooden fence Jax is in if he's outside unless he's on a leash. I'm by no means a dog trainer but I have trained Jax to stop or comeback forgive my terms ,but he does listen and no matter the situation I have a word and if I say the word he does stop,I'm grateful for that . Some people may think that as strange as my dogs commands aren't in English lol. I just want it so my wife myself and my daughter when she gets older to know the commands. I swear I'm not a paranoid nut job folks , my old line of work was just well I take security seriously if the need arises I don't want just anybody able to call my dog off . I've listed my boys faults now I feel like I need to brag on him a bit . He stops and returns on command ,he knows sit, down , stay, shake ,shake other paw . Get your tail ,get your ball, get your rope,drop it ,put it in my hand , cuddle (yes Im a softy, cuddle with my boy you get 62 lbs of dog snuggling his snout buried under your chin, neck. He also can let himself in and out of doors (video evidence lol friends didn't believe me ). He's house broken as well as fetches . I'm working with him now on following my hands . I'll throw his ball in tall weeds or grass and when he can't find it I'll lead him to it with hand signals on what direction to go . He also will bark and growl on command ,maybe that wasn't the smartest thing to teach him but with a command I have him barking and growling (not an aggressive bark or growl more of alerting )
I am wondering how much socialisation Jax has had. As in, does he meet people out walking, or go to the store with you, or park/dog park, or school or kindergarten, that kind of thing? We often spend time with people-socialisation as a puppy - either on a leash or carried in a small bag, and that puts a dog at an advantage when older. Obviously given what you have said about being protective of your daughter, going where there are loads of kids might not be the brightest idea to start with - a few adults perhaps, maybe priming them that Jax may be a bit growly might be the first step. Just a thought
I take Jax pretty much everywhere I go . When it's just me and him he doesn't really focus on other people if someone comes up to him I tell him to sit and stay . Funny story lol. Neighbors put an above ground pool in yesterday . In another thread they were talking about labs embarrassing owner. Well the neighbor that is usually the object of Jax rage is the one that put this pool in . I had Jax on a leash yesterday and there was my neighbors and there 2 grandkids in there new pool. Jax knows if he jerks a certain way backward and does a little twist he can slip his harness. He sees these kids splashing in that pool...Off the harness he went over their fence ,up the ladder and into their pool no aggression what so ever ...
