Hi, we have a Labrador puppy who has just turned 7 months and is 17kg. He can be very mischievous. He steals food from any sort of counter he can find. He's very obedient with tricks/training (sit, roll over, etc) but we are struggling with his general behaviour. We cannot take our eyes off him for a second without his stealing somebody's food from their plate or jumping up on the sides and pinching it from there. We have tried leaving the counters clear, but he somehow still finds something to steal if its not food. It's really difficult when some family members are sightly older and cannot be as persistent as we can with him. He is also very nervous around new people and just stands barking at them until he gets over it eventually. He normally perches himself on top of our sofa and huffs and barks at people walking past through the window. He will not let anybody stroke him unless he is familiar with them, so people petting/approaching him on walks is a no-go. He is also very vocal and makes sure everyone within range knows it. He cries when he is left in his crate for more than a few minutes and he will not stop unless we approach him. Any advice? Thanks,
Hi Saskia, I too have a Labrador puppy who is 8 months and has started being started being mischievous too! He has taken food off the work top always when I pop out of the room. He is not allowed to take food off our plates, we have had him sitting on the floor in the dining room, then he was moved to the kitchen as he was being a nuisance and put in his crate for 1-2 minutes and out again. Did this for few days, now he chooses to sleep in his crate whilst we eat as had a good walk couple of hours earlier. That is difficult but you will succeed and keep going you are doing really well. Has anyone done anything to make him bark at strangers or has he always done this? I would encourage people and maybe yourself to ignore him for a few seconds and when quiet maybe give him a treat could help. Maybe have a sticker on your outer wear no petting/stroking with a picture invade people are unable to read . Keep going with the crate business small steps treating and praising and maybe you spending more time in the room with the crate and he might just start to spend more time in there. No need to close the door
