Hello everyone, I adopted my first ever lab almost a year ago. She was 4 months old when we were able to bring her home from a rescue group. She's my baby. I'm looking forward to meeting other lab lovers, learning, and sharing. We've had a rough first year because right after we brought her home, I developed some issues that led to 3 surgeries within 8 months and I was on heavy duty narcotics for almost a year. As such, the big plans I had for my lab pup and I fell through (different training classes and other fun activities). I just got off the pain meds and am able to get around better now. My pup is wonderful and I love her dearly, but she does have some issues, through no fault of her own, that I need to work on now that I am on my feet again. I am hoping to learn a lot on this forum.
Hi and welcome from me and 3 year old girl, Harley. She is my first dog too. I totally understand where you are coming from. Hopefully you will be able to resolve any issues over the coming months.
Hello Ternaya! Thanks so much. I am confident we can resolve the issues. My primary concern is her safety. I don't mind the goofy typical lab stuff at all, in fact that is why I specifically chose this breed lol. Education and dedication and we will be good. I am going to start by ordering a couple of Pippa's books. I have been unable to find a competent trainer in my area so I'm kind of on my own with this.
Hi there and welcome - you have come to the right place for support, advice and just general chat about all things Labrador.
Welcome to you from Mags, Tatze and Mollie Tatze is my pet dog, a black Lab and she's three years old. Tatze means 'paw' in German. Mollie is my fourth Guide Dog puppy, a black Lab and she's sixteen weeks old. ...
Hello Linda and Evie - is that you girl's name? Sorry to hear you had some heath issues. You can still have fun training your dog, even if it's not doing what you were aiming for initially.
Hello and welcome to the forum from my two, Fred (2), Annie (1) and me. Glad to hear you are on the mend.
Thank you, Sue. That's what I'm hoping. And yes, her name is Evie. She's good with a lot of the basics, I'm just very concerned because she's fiercely territorial of our yard (two of my neighbors hate her and have yelled at her. We never leave her out there alone and always supervise her) and now she's suddenly growling at strangers in public places. If they're dumb enough to continue to approach, despite mine and the dog's warnings, she will fake lunge at them to scare them off. She was not like that when we first got her. Despite me being laid up a lot of the time, we still socialized her. I'm wondering if her 4 months spent in a rescue kennel with little exposure to anything has something to do with it. Her mom died shortly after giving birth in a field, during winter, and I know her brothers were stealing her food at the rescue group. The volunteers there do not have time, I guess, to supervise all feedings. It's a large compound-type place. My son thinks she's protecting me due to all the injuries I've had, but I don't know... And thank you Em and Cath! All of you are so nice and welcoming After I spend some time outdoors with the pup today and she is good and tired, I'll have some time to read through the forums and try to figure some things out about her behavior.
Welcome to you and Evie from Hattie 9 years and our rescue Labrador x Pointer Charlie 6 years. I am sorry you have so poorly but glad to hear you are recovering. Poor Evie had an awful start to life so this will have had something to do with har growling and lunging at strangers as she wasn't socialised during this period. I don't think her behaviour is protecting you, she isn't fake lunging either, I think she is nervous or frightened. I'm no expert, but you could walk her for short periods of times exposing her to strangers and a distance to keep her calmer, take lots of really tasty treats like pieces of roast chicken, ham, sausages anything like that and treat her for walking past the stranger. Could you go to a park and walk the permiter calmly and over a lot of time you can gradually move her closer and closer. You could teach her to 'look at me' so that her focus is on you. You could also try clicker training, C&T for her walking past people. Also when you are in the yard treat her for good behaviour especially if the nasty neighbours come out, also just ask them not to yell at Evie as you are trying to train her so their help would be greatly appreciated. What's Evie like if you have visitors to your house? xx
Hi Helen. Thanks so much for the info. I do agree it is more fear when she lunges. Fake lunge is kind of an oxymoron lol. I meant that she acts like she's going for them, but then backs off quickly so I'm sure you are right. She definitely seems more afraid than aggressive. I love the idea of bringing treats on our walks and the "look at me" command. That's a great idea. Thank you!! I usually just try to soothe her and tell her it's okay. She was so friendly with strangers just a few months ago and then she changed. She did have a bad experience at an emergency vet after my elderly mother left a raisin muffin on the coffee table and walked away. Not too bright. The emergency vet gave her that medication that makes them vomit and then the charcoal. She had a ton of raisins in her stomach. I was not allowed with her in the room and she is so attached to me. She must have been petrified. Poor thing has had a number of experiences that all could have contributed. As for the neighbors, I have already spoken with one and he has gotten better. The other is a real piece of work and I'm actually considering buying a bunch of tall shrubs/trees and having them planted to block view of his house. He's diagonal from us, his house is elevated, and our fence is only 4 ft. Evie is great with visitors who are welcomed in our home. usually just family members or my son's friends and she's all over them, kissing them to death lol. Jumping up is a problem we are working on. I should probably also mention that right after we adopted her, she was about 5 months, we were sleeping in my room as usual and at 2:30am she jumped up, went to the bedroom window which faces the front of the home, and started barking and growling like crazy. I looked outside and some son of a you-know-what was breaking into my car!! I called police etc...but I also praised Evie up and down. She scared him off before police arrived. The guy could have gotten access to my garage. So clearly, Evie was taught that that was a good thing. Again, with all the surgeries I was so doped up for months, I did stupid things, and now that my head is finally clear I am trying to piece together everything that may have contributed to her current behavior. I love her more than words can say and I want her to be happy and comfortable. I also don't want a person hurt, of course, but I don't want her being labeled as "aggressive" either and god forbid having something bad happen some day. Please don't hesitate to tell me if I should be posting this stuff elsewhere. I will get the feel of the forum today. I don't want to be posting things in the wrong places.
One more piece of the puzzle...it is me, my son, and my elderly mother in the household. Evie loves my son and listens to him better than anyone. My mother, however, is a different story. Evie will not let my mother near me. If she tries to come into my room, such as when I was recovering from surgeries, Evie would go for her. She would actually grab her arm and almost bite hard. She will get in between us and block her if she gets too close to me. If there is food involved, forget.it. The dog freaks and will growl and snap at her. Only when it is my food, not Evie's food. She does not do this with my son. My mother can be kind of mean to me at times, particularly when I was out of work due to the surgeries. Now that I am back at work, I have told my mother that if I find out she's mean to the pup when I'm gone, she's off to a nursing home lol I'm kidding, but I would do something. Just don't know what yet. But she is a major animal lover so I can't imagine her ever being mean to an animal. And she says that when I go to work, Evie cuddles up with her on the sofa. Plus, my mother feeds her when I'm not home. I don't understand it at all. And this is something I need to address asap because my mother is old and fragile.
That's a shame about the emergency vet but I do think you should have been allowed to stay with her which would have helped. Good idea about the trees but at least they are a little more understanding now you have spoken to them. It does sound like a few things have happened to her that could have contributed to her behaviour and of course you being ill and not being able to do so much training/socialising. With everything you have described about Evie's behaviour I personally would advise you to contact a qualified Behaviourist to come into your home to see Evie and your family and how you all intereact with her. They will be able to advise the best approach with training her and point out things you may not even realise is happening. Keep posting. xx
