Hi wonderful people, I'm writing about my lab Scout who has just turned one. I have been super invested in Scout's training since I got her as a pup and she progressed really well and consistently with things like loose leash walking and general obedience until recently. People used to stop us on the street and say she was walking so beautifully etc. About six weeks ago, we moved house and she has seemingly forgotten everything she ever learnt. She is now jumping on people, pulling like crazy on the leash and not even looking at me on walks let alone responding to directions! Her dog distraction on walks is through the roof. She stops and fixates on other dogs and barks and goes crazy. Today I was so dismayed on our walk I was nearly in tears. My questions are: 1. Is this normal? Obviously moving has thrown out her routine and there are new smells and dogs on walks. How do I address this? 2. What should I tackle first? Should I stop walking her for a while? Go back to heel training in the garden? Something else? 3. Is this age-related? I know lots of people say their labs went crazy at age 1? Is there anything that can be done? Your advice would be really really appreciated. Thank you in advance!!!
I am interested to read any replies to your problem. We also have a 13 month old lab - also called Scout (such a coincidence!)- and just after her spaying operation at 12 months I was going to post a very similar question. She suddenly seemed to have forgotten the most basic commands such as “sit” !! At training classes she suddenly couldn’t do anything she had previously been able to. I wondered if the operation had been the cause or if it was just her age. We gave her a couple of weeks breathing space in case her hormones needed to settle or something (not based on any medical knowledge!) then went back to doing some easy training in the house and garden. A month on and she has got better - back to knowing basic commands and getting better at training classes- but still not as calm as she had been previously. So there is hope. A couple of weeks ago we took her away for the weekend to stay with friends and I was thoroughly embarrassed at how badly she was pulling when walking their streets compared to how she walks at home (not to mention the arm strain caused). She returned to normal walking as soon as we got home so I could only assume that the different streets had so many new smells she could not resist. So I think you are right that your new neighbourhood has thrown her previous good walking behaviour. Maybe she needs more time to get used to all the new experiences? sorry to not have answered your questions about exactly what you do now - hopefully someone with expert training skills can help. your question resonated with me so I felt the need to respond
Hello, I think at a year they are challenging, not crazy, but you now have a big dog who is not old enough to have proofed all the desirable behaviours. Go back to basics, stick with it and they will come good. At that age I found everything with Meg was so much easier after decent exercise, and training away from home easier when a bit hungry with awesome treats. Good luck, it will pass.
