hello everyone I’ve started this thread oh the hope of some advice. My 10 month fox red Labrador appears to be extremely nervous in certain situations. He’s fine with other dogs, and with people most of the time. However there has been several occasions now whilst out walking him he has became very nervous when he sees other people coming towards him, this has resulted in what can appear as quite aggressive behaviour. He’ll bark and pull, he gets very close to the ground and walks towards them, and if they get closer it gets worse but he starts running around barking. He has also chased a few children I live near barking, it seems playful to me, but understandable terrifying to the children. It’s really becoming a concern as he did this to an elderly man whilst out walking in the woods ( he was off lead as I wasn’t aware anyone else was there, usually I put him on lead as soon as I spot someone but this took me off guard). The man became very scared and shouted at him and waved his stick around, which caused Chester to react with even more barking etc. He stopped barking and calmed down once I approached the man. How do I stop this behaviour? please help, I don’t want people to think my lovely boy is aggressive, he’s a big softy.
Hi @Harriett Nicholson Two suggestions. Teach your dog LAT for the first behaviour. There is an entire folder on such training on this site. The video therein is excellent. https://thelabradorforum.com/threads/look-at-that.22184/ Second, you need to teach your dog a rock solid recall. Until then, your dog should not be off lead. If your dog knocks a person over, then that could be disastrous. While perfecting your recall, keep your dog on a long line.
Thanks @Michael A Brooks I will have a look at the LAT, and give it ago. I have just began clicker training, and using a whistle with him, which he seems to be responding to very well! Since I started using the clicker he constantly keeps an eye on me whilst walking. I just find it very strange, because with other dogs he’s fine, he usually seems quite scared of other dogs and stick to me like glue. And with people most of the time he’s great, it’s like he takes a disliking to certain people or something. I’m terrified he scares someone or hurts someone out of nervousness. He’s a very big boy! Thanks again, much appreciated!
Quite a number of dogs bear anxiety when approached directly. It's read as a sign of approaching conflict. Watch dogs interacting. They generally don't approach each other directly. Observe whether this part of the trigger with your dog. The LAT training will help. But you will still need to work on your lead technique if approach approach conflict is part of the issue. Read Grisha Stewart's B.A.T 2 for an excellent account of lead technique, and many other issues.
