Our 6 year old black lab is increasingly wanting to be outside all the time, even when we are in the house. Even in the rain and sometimes after dark. She like to lie in the garden and watch passerbys and general activity with neighbours, barking occasionally. It's like she is becoming antisocial except when it's meal and walk time, of course! She portrayed no behaviour like this in the first 4 or 5 years of her life. Moreover, this summer she has become a diligent digger for the first time. If ground is cleared for planting then the new plants are excavated. We have noticed other large holes in far corners of the garden, under bushes and trees for example. As far as we know, she's fit and healthy and definitely not overweight. She's walked for around 90 mins every day, most of which is off the lead. She's working stock/pedigree but not trained to retrieve. Any help would be appreciated!
Just going off the information here... To me, it sounds like she is extremely bored with her routines and with her people. She isn't being social with you because you are not interesting and you are not giving her enough stimulation. She is also tired of being inside doing nothing. Field labs were bred to work, work, work. They have high energy with a quick recharge. Show her that not only is your family fun and interesting, but you are also willing to share your fun with her. That everyday is an adventure, and you are leading the way. -Start teaching her new tricks, and work on them every day. Get her CGC and TD titles. -Take her for a walk in the forest. (In the forest, not on some trails.) -Take her for walks more often, and not on the same paths. Engage with her on the walks. Incorporate training, tricks, and fun. Suddenly turn your walk into a run, change directions, pull out a toy you secretly brought along. -Play hide and seek inside with her. -Train her to retrieve. -Teach her to track down treats. Set up treats all over the yard for her to find. -Buy her a sandbox and bury treasure in it for her to dig up. Let her watch you bury them from a distance. -Teach her to swim. -Get down and wrestle with her. -Buy her some food puzzles. -Take her camping.
