Hi, Molly is 19 weeks old now and very lovely. Last week I had a trainer come out for a 1-1 session as I'm having trouble with her spending anytime with my 4 yr old without getting excited and jumping all over her. The trainer wouldn't do any actual training with Molly as she was very nervous of her but talked through some things which were useful. I also said about the other issue I have with Molly which is her reluctance to walk away from the house. She loves it when we get to our walk but the short distance from house to walk can be a nightmare and I usually leave a trail of treats to get her to come. The last couple of days I've walked her down the road off lead and it was much easier but possibly not that safe if she gets spooked (it's a very quiet road but still the odd car or van) She's very nervous of dog's and people who approach her (hides in the bushes) but will now approach calm dogs and attempt to play (they are not interested!). Last night I walked with my friend and her lab who Molly is completely happy with and for the first time she brought her puppy along and Molly and pup played for ages! The trainer was also concerned that Molly has spent her 6 weeks of puppy school sitting under the chair. Anyway the trainer contacted me to suggest we see a behaviourist. Personally I think she's getting better but hould I book the behaviourist anyway? Sorry this is a bit rambling....
Hmm. It sounds like a me she is quite uncertain and nervous, so it would probably be a good idea to have a behaviourist in. If a trainer can't do any training with a dog because it is too nervous then I would think you should try to find out what is going on and address it. Look for positive training behaviourists - maybe the trainer might have some suggestions?
I think like that all sounds like a set of things where some additional advice sounds sensible. She sounds pretty nervous when you consider at that age most Labradors would be crazy to meet and greet the world and everything in it. Left unaddressed, you might be heading for some trouble down the road so I'd nip it in the bud if possible.
You know, some of what you describe is common to some young children who turn out to have hearing loss. There is tremendous isolation for one who can't hear what is going on and worse for one who doesn't know why because they are too young to know. I'm sure you have Vetted, just a wild thought after talking to a friend about her now grown up child, and one who was lucky enough to just need tubes in her ears for a while.
A session with a behaviourist sounds a good idea. Your trainer or vet may be able to recommend someone but I would make sure that they are a member of the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors (APBC) who have a code of positive only reinforcement. A behaviourist should also ask you to complete quite a lengthy questionnaire regarding Molly prior to an appointment and may well ask you to have a check up with the vet to rule out any physical problems. Good luck
Hey @Cherry Juno is my third Lab, plus a few other breeds, and I don't know what's normal. Molly does sound quieter and perhaps more nervous than some dos, but dogs are like people - we're not all the same. For me it's not what's 'normal' it's an out your dog being happy and confident. If they lack some confidence in some situations it's down to us to recognise it and start developing the skills and techniques to help them, that's where a behaviourist can be so helpful.
