This is a new behavior tiger is exhibiting and he does not do this all the time,but he did this twice today so I hope it wont be a norm. He is leash protesting more now - and by this I mean jumping up on me, pulling the leash from side to side trying to tear my shirt to get me to take the leash off. This is not at the dog park obviously but in PUBLIC places. He did it at the pet store and the man suggested to shorten the leash, tell him NO and then go the other direction while distracting him...then loosen the leash up. It worked sure but in the evening, what I thought was a calm walk was not when my friend dropped by to say Hi. Tiger has seen him very often and got so excited, hyper and honestly it seemed like he was attacking me only I knew that it was simply hyperactivity - leash pulling, jumping, biting followed by heavy breathing. Any suggestions?? I am sure many of you lab owners are accustomed to this.
Re: Leash Protesting! You're right - it's over-excitement, and you're not the first one to have exactly this experience! These threads might have some useful advice. They describe very similar behaviours. http://www.thelabradorforum.com/index.php?topic=5097.0 http://www.thelabradorforum.com/index.php?topic=5333 http://www.thelabradorforum.com/index.php?topic=4654
Re: Leash Protesting! Is Tiger entering adolescence? Molly started exhibiting this behavior at seven or eight months. It was awful. I tried everything and I don't think there is much you can do about it. That sounds very weak I know, but I came to the conclusion that it was an explosion of energy in an adolescent which neither they or I could control. All you can do is hang on for dear life. When these 'eruptions' happen and they are on the lead it is most unpleasant. But, if they are off the lead and they run round like a mad thing we barely even notice. They grow out of it (and a hell of a lot quicker than human teenagers). I reckon it stopped when she was about 12 months. It is an appalling time. They are now quite big, look nearly adult and it is embarrassing that you appear to have no control. I can understand why many Labs go into Rescue at this time. But hang in there the storm passes and you have a good dog at the end.
Re: Leash Protesting! Yes he is, he is a year of age now but he did it last month as well. It isn't even a majority or all the time thing when he does this. What is the tree status method that I read mentioned in one of the links?
Re: Leash Protesting! I am hoping this is a passing phase that will hopefully, never return if properly exercised and all. He used to plant his feet down when he was about 5 or 6 months, would refuse to get into my car (this is after being very well accustomed to my car), but then stopped when he found out I was simply not going to put up with it. Let's see if this is one of those cases. I fear if I ignore the behavior, this will be a life long issue until he just gets too old to get that hyper.
Re: Leash Protesting! Definitely don't ignore it, but do: - make sure you remain as calm as possible so you don't ramp up the excitement levels. Don't shout or push. - make sure you recognise those times when he's likely to have a hyper episode and do something else calming instead, before it gets to the jumping and biting stage - train alternatives to jumping, like sitting and looking at you, touch your hand with his nose, spin in a circle...a bunch of things you can ask for and do instead of jumping and biting - use very desirable rewards. Food he really loves, or a toy he really loves - recognise that this is not naughty behaviour - just an exuberant young dog - make sure he has plenty of things to keep his mind busy, to reduce his need to let it out via jumping, biting etc - always take every opportunity to reward every instance of behaviour you do want (walking on a loose lead, walking calmly).
Re: Leash Protesting! [quote author=TigersMom link=topic=8848.msg125664#msg125664 date=1416577337] What is the tree status method that I read mentioned in one of the links? [/quote] Do you mean the "be a tree or statue" bit. That just means standing up, turning away, arms up and out the way (I would usually do a "hug position") and standing pretty still ignoring the dog. Does that help?
Re: Leash Protesting! Progress! ;D He has not leash protested in a very long time!! He is now, 1 year and 5 months. I can usually SENSE when he is about to..a few days ago, I took him to a dog park for about an hour thinking he had enough of a run and play! Well, after I decided to take him out for a walk around the rest of the park..two ladies were giving him loads of attention...he rolled for them , got all excited and a few jumps on me and just his overall initial behavior...I KNEW what he was about to do next...luckily I had a child's toy that was abandoned earlier...and I took him to a picnic table close by to distract him , let him cool off and also learn that this behavior will lead to him not being able to continue the walk. I think next time I wont show him the toy instantly or he will think every time he does this, he will get a reward. I think in a year he will no longer do this. They get calmer around 2 years, don't they?
Re: Leash Protesting! Well done on cutting that behaviour off at the pass!! My dog grew up quite a bit between 2 and 3....however, as they say on the Internet, your mileage may vary. Definitely the case that they get more sensible over time though.
Re: Leash Protesting! Maisie had a bit of madness on the leash the other day. It happens every so often but is quite embarrassing when it does happen - standing there with a wild labrador puppy doing a puppy rip in circles around you… this morning Maisie was interested in some kids (I think it's because they're so loud usually) and was just standing and looking at them, and the parent was like "oh the dog wants to say hi" but then they got closer and she ran off (like a puppy rip). She settled back down. But a few days ago, all I could do was stand there (couldn't even get to the leash to stand on it, and even then, I think that would've made it worst) holding this wild beast at the end of the leash very tightly, and wait for it to pass.. .it wasn't meant to get her leash off, it was just !!!!!!!!!!!! wild energy coming out. If she was in the house, she would do the bum run tearing around thing. If she was off leash, she could run in mad circles. On the leash… she ran in mad, four foot circles around me.
