Lab showing aggression when you go towards him

I rescued a 5 month old lab a couple weeks ago, and things have been going pretty well apart from when you walk towards his direction he instantly starts to growl at us.. he will hit the floor so fast and begin to show this behaviour.... any suggestions to help him out of this will be really helpful thank you

 

Describe "Hit the Floor" Do you mean a play bow? or something else entirely.

 

Almost cowering I guess but with growling and backing away

 

Welcome to the forum from me Helen, Hattie 9 years and our rescue boy Charlie 6 years. Do you know anything about your pups background? What's his name and did you get him from a rescue centre?
Good for you rescuing him. xx

 

Thank you his name is Oscar. He was locked in a cage for 20 hours a day,only let out for food and the toilet. The lady said Oscar used to run away from her husband terrified of him... I got him off a woman who was desperate to get rid of him. Travelled 4 hours to collect him. He is a lovely dog so i want to do whatever I can to help him x

 

Poor little Oscar what a rotten start to life Sounds like the husband abused Oscar, to me. I'm no expert but if it were me I wouldn't walk towards him I would kneel down at his level, throw treats to him praising him all the time in a soft voice and let him approach you in his own time. I feel if you keep walking towards him you will be reminding him of what happened to him in his last home, he sounds terrified. I think very tiny steps are the way to go, he is still very young so hopefully things will improve with your love and training. Does he like toys? if he does use this to engage with him and show him that life is fun Do you still use a crate for Oscar? What's he like when you take him out for a walk, has he ever had a walk as he was locked in a crate for 20 hours a day? Can you tell us a little bit about his character, how he behaves in other ways, is he a typical puppy? xxx

 

He is obviously showing fear behaviour, I wouldn't walk towards him but let him come to you until he sees you as no threat and begins to trust you. There will be others on this forum who are more able to advise you.

Edit, Charlie posted same time as me and answered you more fully.

 

Aside from that he seems totally fine, he just learnt to give a paw and sit... he loves to play.. he is very giddy out on his walks so that's taking some working on. I use treats on everything and praise him constantly. He is more settled with women and shows more fear around men..for the first week it was like he didn't know how to play or how to react to the space he had here, but he is slowly adjusting now to it all x

 

Aw that sounds positive so you are doing really well with training and play , so men are the problem which is hardly surprising. Do you have any men, Dad, brother, friends, neighbours that you could invite to your home, get them to to tally ignore Oscar when they arrive, give them really tasty treats like little bits of cooked chicken, sausage, ham, cheese etc. to throw to Oscar, again at his own pace to show him not all men are nasty. I think over time he will learn good things come from men and he might eventually approach for a treat. Could you go for a walk with Oscar any male friends? Do take it slowly though, no rushing him as he has had a horrible encounter with one horrible man. He sounds adorable and we would love to see some photo's if you can. You are so kind to have rescued him from his rotten existence. xx

 

My husband works away so Oscar only sees him on a weekend, he growls when he hears my neighbour in his garden, but won't go near him if he sees him on the street when we are out on walks... we go to the park but he will retreat if men are near by he will back away and refuse to walk, no amount of treats help just yet. I'm sure with time love and patience he will learn to trust again xx

 

Poor little boy it's so sad With love and patience and only good encounters with men I really hope he does learn to trust, so setting up these encounters would really help Oscar, I think. Lots of members have rescued frightened pups so hopefully there will be some more ideas for you. I do wish you luck. Keep on posting for help. xx

 

Thank you. I really hope he does because he has the potential to be an amazing dog ( he is in my eyes anyway) I don't know how to upload pics of him xx

 

Aw Oscar is so handsome in your avatar I am the least technical person on the planet, but if you go to Technical & Help section there are some instructions on how to upload photo's. xx

 

I'll check it out in a little while once the husband has gone to bed, I have lots of pics of him ( he is a handsome chap isn't he ) he is my second baby... I never thought I'd have another dog after losing my lab to a brain tumour just a couple months ago xx

 

Did you Vet check him? And I think you should call in a behaviourist to observe. A 5 month old Lab displaying the behaviour you describe sounds very unusual and worrisome.

 

Vet checked him over this week and said all is good with him, saodnto just keep doing what we are doing.. I did think about behaviour but wasn't sure if it was something I could help him out of myself

 

It sounds as if you're already making progress with him. Just take it slowly and all your love and patience will help. He's had a traumatic start, so the most important thing is to build up his trust.

Looking foward to seeing some photos!

 

It may well be that one of the former owners was abusive. Another possibility, given the isolation that you have described, is that Oscar hasn't had any socialisation during his formative early months. It's amazing how many things our dogs can find scary if they are not well socialised - for example, people with walking sticks.

The good news is that dogs are incredibly adaptable creatures. Keep working with him in the way that you have been and he will gradually improve. Try to gradually introduce him to new experiences in a positive way to help him develop - oh look, somebody with a walking stick, have some lovely chicken treats.

Keep up the good work.

 

We have to restrict our walks at the moment because if he sees a car or bus he instantly freezes in fear, so for now lots of dirt tracks and fields so he has plenty of open space... he responds to his name, gives a paw and lots of hugs, which he never did even last week

 

Good on you for rescuing the poor boy. It will probably take him a few weeks to settle in properly. It sounds like you are already making progress which is fantastic.