Hi all, We're new to the forum as we've only just adopted our 6-month old lab from a previous owner who could no longer look after him (relationship break-up). We think he may not have had much time socialising with other dogs and people because whenever he sees a person or especially another dog when we're out walking, he goes completely bananas! We try to stay very calm and stand still, just holding his lead firmly, but he nearly did a back-flip the other day because he jumped and pulled so hard and it's more than a little worrying that he might hurt himself! It is much worse when he sees another dog, but he's not great with people either. We're currently slowly changing his food to James Wellbeloved and seeing a 1:1 dog trainer tomorrow too and he's getting lots of walks on the lead and time playing with a ball, tug-rope, kong etc with us, but wanted to know if anyone else had experienced this extreme behaviour? I had a lab growing up, but she wasn't quite this wild. He is fab in the house and garden and a really lovely boy, but we want to be able to enjoy walking him and let him off the lead to play with other dogs as soon as possible, but he just gets so distracted at the moment, that we're worried he wouldn't come back or may really upset another person or dog by being his over-friendly, boisterous self! On a related note, we would like to get him neutered in the hope that it might help calm him somewhat but have read so many mixed messages about what age this can be done at. Any advice gratefully received! Many thanks. Francesca and Simon
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs Hello there! Welcome to the forum! Tell us a bit more about your boy - what's his name? Is your labrador super excited, rather than scared, when he meets other dogs and people? If so, this isn't really extreme behaviour, it's pretty normal for a young labrador (maybe you got lucky with your last lab!). Labradors are so friendly, some just can't contain themselves when they meet other people and dogs. It's good you are seeing a trainer, and I'm sure you'll get lots of good tips. Basically though, you have to reward the dog for being calm when he sees another person or dog. There are lots of different ways to do this, and your trainer will help. Try putting distance between you and other people/dogs, far enough away so he can stay calm and give him treats. Close the distance slowly, giving treats if he stays calm. Very gradually work up to being closer to people and dogs (this might mean that you have to cross the street or walk away). There are some good tips in this article here: http://www.clickertraining.com/node/3600 Getting your dog to come back to you, to recall, doesn't depend on how excited he is - it's about training a really strong recall. There is a special section on the site here: http://www.thelabradorsite.com/labrador-training/labrador-recall-training/ . All about training a recall. In terms of having your dog castrated, you are right that views differ on when this should be done and all you can do is read about this, talk to your vet, then make up your mind. There is no evidence, however, that castrating a dog calms him down or will stop the excitable behaviour you describe. I think that is certainly not going to be a result of having your dog castrated. Only training will change his behaviour. So it's wonderful that you have a 121 lesson tomorrow, I hope you enjoy it and it goes well.
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs Hello and welcome to the forum. Good for you taking on a rescue, it is not an easy road as many on this forum know. There'll be lots of people to help, so please do ask any questions at all.
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs Hi Julie, Thank you so much for your reply. Really helpful advice about how to reward the behaviour we want. He's called Dexter, and he's absolutely lovely. Our trainer is going to teach us how to use the clicker tomorrow, so hopefully with a bit of perseverance, he will get the idea in time! Thanks Francesca and Simon
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs Thank you for the welcome Karen - it's such a great forum, so many tips and useful information! Maybe one day we'll be able to repay the favour when Dexter is a bit older!
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs [quote author=LabinBath link=topic=5737.msg73202#msg73202 date=1399142471] Our trainer is going to teach us how to use the clicker tomorrow, so hopefully with a bit of perseverance, he will get the idea in time! [/quote] Clicker training is perfect for over excited young labradors, that's great. Make sure you tell us all about your lesson - we love training reports. [quote author=LabinBath link=topic=5737.msg73202#msg73202 date=1399142471] He's called Dexter, and he's absolutely lovely. [/quote] Dexter is a great name!
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs Hi and welcome It sounds very much like Dexter is getting over excited rather than scared. I'm sure with all the good advice from Julie and Karen you will get there Any photos ?
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs Hello and welcome from Molly and me. As Julie, says they are super friendly and tend to go over the top when meeting people or other dogs. A great thing about this forum is that we have all "been there" so lots of hints, and fellow feeling. The latter being essential when your dog has disgraced you yet again and you feel like you are the worst owner in the world.
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs Hi and welcome! This is a great forum, full of useful and really supportive members, especially when I have been pulling out my hair! ;D I notice you are in Bath? There are lots of us based quite close to you and meet up occasionally, I wonder if this may help in your socialisation?
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs Hi there Francesca and Simon! Welcome to the forum, glad to have you and Dexter on board. Let us know how you get on with your training session. Jacqui and Lilly (black girl, just turned 4!)
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs [quote author=Beanwood link=topic=5737.msg73238#msg73238 date=1399148291] Hi and welcome! This is a great forum, full of useful and really supportive members, especially when I have been pulling out my hair! ;D I notice you are in Bath? There are lots of us based quite close to you and meet up occasionally, I wonder if this may help in your socialisation? [/quote] re:socialisation I meant Dexter and not yourself! ;D
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs Hi and welcome from me and Obi (also a rehomed dog who was pretty bonkers when we got him at 9 months... ). I'm sure that, with your help, Dexter will become a wonderful member of your family. He sounds like a great dog, just very excited. Hope it goes really well with the trainer Looking forward to hearing about it.
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs [quote author=JulieT link=topic=5737.msg73208#msg73208 date=1399142762] Dexter is a great name! [/quote] It most certainly is ;D Hi Francesca,Simon and Dexter from me and my Dexter!he's a 20 month old yellow boy and our first dog... Hope your training session goes well,you are all probably still getting to know each other too. Welcome to the Forum,it's a great place to come for help and advice Angela x
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs Hi all! Thank you so much for the encouraging replies! It's great to know he's not as nutty as we thought. It definitely is excitement, not fear. The only thing he has been scared of so far was some yellow traffic cones! Other than that, he walks along happily, just wanting to make friends with everyone and anything! Beanwood - meeting up to help socialise Dex would be really great. Whenever you guys get together next, please let us know. It would be lovely to meet other lab owners and let him try out his training! Trying to work out how to share a photo at the moment, so will post one asap. Do most people put it on flickr and post a link?
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs Come and play! by Dexter The Lab, on Flickr Say hello to Dexter!
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs What a gorgeous boy how can anyone resist those eyes There are quite a few of us meeting in Bristol on bank holiday Monday (end of May). Lauren (Penny + me) has started a thread called Bristol walk for forum members in Off Topic section. Keep an eye of the thread as to details of where and when
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs Aw, he's beautiful!!!! What a handsome lad. Hope you can make it on the Bristol walk - it'll be great fun. Wish I could go too but there are a couple of oceans in the way.
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs Dexter is gorgeous! Those eyes look really mischievous don't they? ;D
Re: Bonkers behaviour when meeting other dogs Hi and Welcome! I live in South Bristol and used to work in Bath for several years so know it well I'd be interested to know which trainer you're seeing. I can't offer much more advice than what the others have already said. Let us know how you get on with your 1-1 session. As Naya mentioned we are planning a meet on May 26th in the Bristol area and you are more than welcome to join us if you can make it. The thread is in the off topic section.
