Hi, we have a rescue male lab about 4 years old. He has a lot of problems the main one does not like men. I am male. When the wife is at home and I go through my routine of going to bed (get water, take tablets etc) he tries to chase me. So he follows me say into kitchen, barks, runs around living room, back into kitchen, another bark. Now he has taken to try and nip me. When I am at home alone he normally stays hidden away in house. We have used a professional trainer, who has helped on some of his other issues. Once I go to bed he jumps on couch. He will not jump on couch if I am near it. We crated him before I went to bed last night and he barked at me from crate and was pushing crate door trying to get out. Any ideas on what this is about. He does not look aggressive but unsure whether it could turn aggressive. This behaviour has appeared over the last 3 months
Hi Martin, what have you attempted so far to get your dog to approach you in a positive manner? Perhaps we can collectively think of something you haven't tried. The general idea is to make approaching you more valuable to the dog than avoiding you. The key is to work out what will swing the balance in your favour. Accordingly some idea of what you've tried so far might be valuable information.
You mentioned that when you were alone in the house, your dog 'stays hidden away in the house' so could he be frightened of you ? On the other hand the behaviour you describe of him chasing you, sounds as if he could be trying to elicit play with you?
Hi, Background on Max the lab: We were told he was on a property and ran free with his father. The property was converted from crop to sheep consequently dogs got tied up. From that somehow ended up with lab rescue and we were called to see whether we we take him (this is our third rescue dog, all different breeds). Meet and greet goes well. Long story short. Get him home and eventually (after allowing in a settling period) that he loves the wife (would sit on her lap all day) however with me very wary (but only when in the house). In the car though quite happy to rest head between front seats and make contact with me. As mentioned we have worked with a trainer (who is also used by the RSPCA) to work through some of his issues that have come up. Currently we are dropping his anxiety drugs down before getting the trainer back. Michaels question regarding positive manner: So basically I am the fun bloke with the lab and the wife takes the role of stern one. However what happens in that blonde head is another thing. A good example of whats happening in his head is that I sit on a chair with a bowl of chicken. Get the staghound to sit, feed chicken. Call Max the lab over, he approaches cautiously, feed chicken. Back to Staghound, back to Lab. then in the sequence get the lab to sit before getting chicken. When out walking I am dog treats central and I am the one that normally feeds him. Essentially I am food bloke and dog walk bloke. The comments from Stacia "could he be frightened of you" - Maybe or wary. Unsure, I think he is worried I might hit him. I cannot put the lead on him to walk him, when I get home and take the lead off he is in a semi cower and once off he skittles off at high speed. Around him I make sure never raise my voice and do everything slowly. This has had a positive effect an d slowly but surely he is getting better. "On the other hand the behaviour you describe of him chasing you, sounds as if he could be trying to elicit play with you?" is something that I wonder. However when I turnaround he runs off. One thing that we have noticed with rescue dogs is that we often go through a second puppyhood, once they get comfortable. Have also noticed when the lab plays with the staghound the lab does nip. What I am thinking is that maybe in my routine of going to bed and have treats with me so when he approaches the barking / nipping gets over ridden in his head by food ! Apologise a bit wordy, reflects that the process with the lab is taking time. Any advice gratefully received.
Hi Martin, thanks for the fulsome update. You are doing what I would have tried myself. The one thing I would be inclined to change is that I would throw the treat to the dog rather requiring him to take it from your hand. The idea is to get his stress level down when around you. As he becomes less wary/calmer, gradually cast the threat closer to you until he can take it from you while being completely calm. In doing so, you are reinforcing his calm behaviour around you. Above all, observe his demeanour. Does he display more calming signals? If not, ignore my suggestion here and continue with your current regime. I take it that he nips you only when you are waliking away from him in your home. He is okay with you on walks, and in the car, albeit he is wary of you when you are sitting down. Dogs who are fearful of somebody, sometimes muster the courage to see off the fear-eliciting person when he or she turns his or her back and walks away I don't know whether it is feasible in your home, but I would try walking backwards away from the dog. Talk to the dog in a calm soft voice, and if the dog shows any calming signals, cast a treat. Gradually increase turning your back to him, one step at a time, taking account of whether there is a threshold distance, where your posture does not elicit a response in the dog. Let us know whether that works for you and your dog. For what it is worth, I find your work in caring for rescue dogs to be estimable. Well done.
