Maturity when will it happen?

Discussion in 'Labrador Behavior' started by BB, Mar 14, 2014.

  1. BB

    BB Registered Users

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    Im new to the forum and new to owning a Lab,a beautiful Fox Red boy.Up to 7 mths he was the perfect puppy,training ,everything was a pleasure,then he turned into a hooligan.All he had learned went out of the window,so at 12mths we had him castrated and that seemed to help a bit.The retraining has been hard,two steps forward,three back kind of thing but he has been coming along until just lately.Now although he is good he seems very nervous.When any strangers talk to him he backs off.when anyone comes to the house he goes crazy,barking and jumping up and is very clingy with me. Is this because we have a new puppy?We have had the pup 4mths and his behaviour changed about a month ago.We have always had a dog but never two together. Is this just a reaction to the pup?
    Any suggestions gratefully accepted.
     
  2. Dexter

    Dexter Moderator Forum Supporter

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    Re: Maturity when will it happen?

    Hi there BB,welcome to the forum,I know you will get some helpful advice,but sadly not from me ;D I just wanted to say him,I am just learning as I go with my first dog Dexter ,he is a 17 month old yellow boy.
    Best wishes
    Angela
     
  3. kateincornwall

    kateincornwall Registered Users

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    Re: Maturity when will it happen?

    Hello and welcome from me too :)
    How old is your boy now ? The teenage period can be a pain, I think its a combination of a couple of things . Firstly hormonnes are raging , feet are being felt and independance on us isnt quite so attractive . Then there is also the fact that we tend to sit back on our laurels a little too much , trusting this well behaved puppy maybe a little too much when really, this is the time that training must be kept up, in fact it really has to be kept up for life . Young dogs forget , sometimes conveniently , sometimes just because they are young and lose concentration , so short sessions of fun training are the order of the day . I`m sure that the arrival of a new puppy will also have impacted on him , he is attention seeking just as children do when a new baby arrives in the household , and just as children , any attention is better than none, so if being a pain in the bum gets attention , he will do it .
    I would try to give them both some training on their own , especially your older boy , it really will help if he has your undivided attention , lots of praise and treats when he gets it right . You will find lots of helpful articles written by Pippa on this forum and the main website too , maybe her new book might also help, The Happy Puppy Handbook , will apply to both of them :)
     
  4. BB

    BB Registered Users

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    Re: Maturity when will it happen?

    Hi,thankyou for your welcome.
    Cooper is 20mths now.I do make an effort to make extra fuss of him and I walk ,play with him on his own.
    He is really good with the pup but she seems to be in charge.Sometimes he needs to put her in her place but doesn't.
    He is a big soft lad but I dont want him to feel pushed out.I suppose they will work it out between them.
     
  5. kateincornwall

    kateincornwall Registered Users

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    Re: Maturity when will it happen?

    They will do, and most likely be the very best of friends too . In most cases of mixed sex households, the bitch will almost always wear the trousers ;) ;)
     
  6. Naya

    Naya Registered Users

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    Re: Maturity when will it happen?

    I can't offer any advice, but just wanted to say welcome :)

    What are the dogs names? We all love photos on here ;)
     
  7. debsie

    debsie Registered Users

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    Re: Maturity when will it happen?

    novice here too just want to say welcome :). I have two labs as well, the lad is two the girl two and a half...the girl most certainly is Boss Dog, but he doesnt mind at all and they are best pals, currently snuggled up in same bed....
     
  8. Hollysdad

    Hollysdad Supporting Member Forum Supporter

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    Re: Maturity when will it happen?

    Our last two Labs settled down between two and three years old. Holly seems to be maturing early at 17 months. She still has the odd moment when she tries it on, but overall she's getting better.
     
  9. Karen

    Karen Registered Users

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    Re: Maturity when will it happen?

    Hi and welcome. My old dog and the puppy started getting on really well once the puppy got to around five months of age. Before that she was a terrible bully to him! As for maturity - that differs from dog to dog, but most seem to calm down between 2 and 3 years old.
     
  10. zigisla

    zigisla Registered Users

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    Re: Maturity when will it happen?

    Welcome from us too. Finlay the maddest choc boy and Ruby the ever so calm black lab x.

    Both dogs were rescued, Ruby first. She came to us at 8 months old, very calm if not a tad too timid. 8) She has bounds of energy and channels it well. She is nearly three and as i said very calm. Finlay on the other hand came to us at 20 months and was manic. :eek: He has calmed a bit, but a very small bit. ::) He is now just over two and I am sooo looking forward to the calm days; when ever they come, but he is a chocolate lab after all, so will he ever? ::) ;D
     
  11. charlie

    charlie Registered Users

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    Re: Maturity when will it happen?

    Welcome from me too :)

    Hattie is 6 years old and is a 'character' but so very lovely, Charlie is our rescue and came to us at 9 months, he is now 3 years old and is as mad as a box of frogs but we love him and doubt he will ever calm down, but we live in hope :eek: :eek: :eek:
     
  12. lablover

    lablover Registered Users

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    Re: Maturity when will it happen?

    Hi just wanted to welcome you to forum. I've got a yellow lab who's 14 next month and she still has her mad moments.
     
  13. Teena Ann

    Teena Ann Registered Users

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    Re: Maturity when will it happen?

    Hi welcome to the forum and im happy to knw that both our puppies share the same name my puppy Cooper is 11 months now.... :) :) :) :)
     
  14. BB

    BB Registered Users

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    Re: Maturity when will it happen?

    Hi and thankyou for all your welcomes.Cooper is getting a lot better.I have been making a real fuss of him and having lots of walks,just him and me and he seems to be reassured.The pup is also settling down and is not as bossy.
    I have enjoyed reading all your posts and its good to have somewhere to go for down to earth advice.
    The pup is a chocolate cockerpoo called Peanut.
    Will add photos when I work out how to!
     
  15. drjs@5

    drjs@5 Registered Users

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    Re: Maturity when will it happen?

    Hi BB - think I must have missed your post before.
    Welcome to the forum :)

    Jac and Lilly (black girl, almost 4)
     

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