.....Or certainly not the word 'discipline'. I've been scouring the site for a way of interacting with Bella when she's been 'naughty' or 'untrained' as seems to be mentioned. At the moment a stern word seems to be enough as she knows she's been naughty at this stage as she crouches down, head bowed, slunks off etc. I've read that 'crate time' as a form of punishment is wrong as this needs to be a safe haven for them. I've read the Labrador behaviour part of the site, but there seems to be nothing on how to interact with your dog in situations where the dog has done something that you don't want them to do it. Obviously I don't know how Bella's previous owners have dealt with her, but I feel at 8 months I need to get this right sooner rather than later.
Re: Not really wanting to put this post up.... I think that depends completely on what she has done. Poor thing, she must be very confused... Luckily as you say at present a gruff word seems to be enough to correct her. What does she do that you dont like? For instance, jumping up can be treated by a firm no and turning away - ignoring her for a few moments will probably be punishment enough. Pulling on the lead - just stop and refuse to take a step forward until she is focused on you again. The great thing about labradors is that they are - mostly - very sensitive to their owners. So quite often much telling off is not necessary, as really they just want to make you happy! The problems are mostly caused because they dont understand what it is we want them to do. So you need to be very clear in what it is you want, and how you get that across to her. I really liked John Bradshaw's book 'In Defense of Dogs' - it's not a training manual (and he isnt particularly keen on breeders or pedigrees!), but he really does a great job in describing how dogs tick, in my opinion. And Pippa's book is very good on teaching the main components of obedience, as well as having a super first section on general dog behaviour. I am sure others on the forum will give you lots of advice as well, but as far as I am concerned, you need to get to know this little dog, gain her trust, and be very clear in what you want. Obedience classes might help you both - I have started going with Poppy, who is the same age as your pup, and although she is a very good little dog, and is my fourth labrador and I have never been to an obedience class before - I am finding it brilliant, it is really helping us to bond together. Enjoy your Bella, and keep us posted.
Re: Not really wanting to put this post up.... Just re-read my own post - and forgot to say the most obvious thing - telling her off will be MUCH less effective than praising her to the skies and using treats to reinforce good behaviour!!
Re: Not really wanting to put this post up.... Karen has given you an excellent answer, this article may also help. I don't think there is a blanket solution for when a dog is naughty. Most often, disobedience is down to holes in the training process and that means you need to go back and rethink that aspect of your training. Sometimes disobedience arises when we expect too much of a dog (wanting him to not empty the kitchen bin whilst we are out for example). The best thing is to identify any problem areas and tackle each one independently. One at a time.
Re: Not really wanting to put this post up.... We've already attended several dog training classes, and appear to be making progress with those (when she's not trying to pull my arm off to get to the other dogs to play) walking on the lead has improved no end after 5 weeks from full on pulling to now responding to commands such as heel and back (sit at road crossings etc). The main issue seems to be chewing or taking things we don't want her to have. I was told by the previous owners that she didn't do this, but clearly she did / does. I have caught her several times with either the kids toy's, shoes, photo frame (?) and other items in her mouth. We had issues with climbing into the pond / pulling at the plants, but I have now drained the pond below the child safety grill and trimmed the plants right back out of her reach and this appears to have worked thus far I've now taken to putting her in her crate when she's not been observed (i took this step with the photoframe incident), but feel I need to establish that she's not to chew things that don't belong to her. I've now puppy proofed the kitchen / dining room area where she resides (after reading Pippas article) and feel this should help matters. I understand the principles of rewarding good behaviour, but how can I reward her when I'm having to crate her when she's not being watched. And is it really a good idea to pen them up in a crate when they are not being watched. Confused ! ? !
Re: Not really wanting to put this post up.... Yes, I think the crate is absolutely the answer to stop her chewing and being destructive when you are not watching her. That's what it is for, but you must make it into a safe haven for her, and not have her view it as a punishment. Remember, she is NOT being naughty when she chews things. Almost all labradors do it - and it is very often due to anxiety. When you are not there, she doesnt really know that you will come back! I use the crate much more now, after several 'cushion killing' episodes when we were out - and knowing that I will come back to a house with all the soft furnishings in their rightful places and with my shoes still intact makes for a much happier household! ;D
Re: Not really wanting to put this post up.... My dog, Lady, was an absolute nightmare with chewing stuff at that age. She has "done" several place mats, coasters, newpapers, cushions, telephone systems, the corners of the hall carpets, the doors, the skirting boards, the boot jacks (plastic), removed plants from pots, flattened 2 silver napkin rings, chewed coffee table legs, dining table legs, kitchen table legs ...... The list goes on really. What joy we had with her. : We didn't crate her as a pup because we inherited her at about 6 months old and she had got past that stage really. We scolded her if caught in the act, but it's pretty much a waste of time if the damage was done even a couple of minutes before we spotted it. They don't seem to be able to connect what went before with now, so any stern words need to be very much of the moment. We just kept on top of the situation as far as was practicable by keeping everything of value out of reach and keeping a close eye on her when vulnerable stuff was around. I think they catch on pretty quickly about what's required, but it takes a bit of time before they know not to do when you are around and know not to do it when you are not around. She's pretty much trust worthy now but I still wouldn't leave her alone with books (ah yes forgot to put them on the list), my napking ring or place mats. At least it's a shorter list now. She's 3 by the way. On the up side she doesn't crush my napkin ring any more. She just takes the napkin out of the ring and then stands with the ring in her mouth wanting to play chase. I have to admit to indulging her on that one (my wife thinks I'm nuts) and I chase her around the dining table with it. She loves it and hands the ring back to me undamaged. ;D I found praising her for not doing stuff was difficult to get right because like NOT rolling in fox pooh, she does the right thing most of the time, but a firm no and when she backed off folloed by a praising does work well if you can get the timing spot on. Never give in and crack on. I'm certain you will get there sooner than you think.
Re: Not really wanting to put this post up.... And by the way - I have even won the pond battle with my pup now! It did involve actually catching her IN it once or twice, and giving her a right telling off... But that's the whole point. She's allowed to go in water when we go for walks, so it was very difficult for her to understand that the garden pond is off limits, especially when she saw me fiddling around with the pond plants, and she soooooooo much wanted to 'help' me... But now she understands, and - I hope - will resist temptation from now on. Dogs are not good at generalization. So just because you tell her off for chewing the photoframe, does not mean that she wont understand she's not allowed to chew shoes... or toys... or anything else she can find. It'll take time, but with patience you will get there.
Re: Not really wanting to put this post up.... Thanks Karen / David - At what point would you say that you 'trusted' your dog not to chew / be left out of the crate ? I was all set up mentally for puppy traits, and knew that there maybe a few incidents along the way, but I think Bella's mannerisms have caught me on the hop a bit, or perhaps I've forgotten what a puppy is really like, or perhaps not being prepared for having a Labrador ! (had a Dobermann before). So upshot is [li]to deal with issues at the time they arise[/li] [li]treat them one by one[/li] [li]a stern word is enough[/li] [li]Good use of the crate[/li] [li]reward good behaviour (once i've established in my mind what that is !) [/li]
Re: Not really wanting to put this post up.... Was going to add - due to Bella's extensive paperwork - I've managed to track down her original breeders, who actually live nearby to me and have arranged to meet with them this weekend. I should then get to meet Bella's mum and older sister and find out a bit more about her background / heritage
Re: Not really wanting to put this post up.... I no longer crate Pops at night (except right now, but that is only because she is on heat and I dont want spots all over the couch!). I'll leave her out for a while if for instance we have to go shopping and she's just been for a walk so is tired. It depends really on how I feel and what I think she is like on the day... but I am definitely phasing use of the crate out. But this will be different for you, I think, since Bella is still very new to you. Yes, a lab is very different to a doberman. Good idea to meet up with the breeder and find out what the mother / siblings are like!
Re: Not really wanting to put this post up.... She'll be nine months old on 11 December. I think the thing to aim for is to set your dog up for success, so when you come home you can praise her for being good and quiet, rather than having to scold her for having chewed up the rug (which she wont understand anyway, she'll just be made to feel insecure, because to her mind sometimes you come home and smile and are pleased to see her, and sometimes you tell her off...). The crate stops her getting into mischief when you arent able to be keeping an eye on her, obviously, but it also means you can have a much happier relationship with her. Of course, you cant keep her in there all day long, but it is fine for a couple of hours during the day. I know there have been some good articles on here about using the crate, have a look through the puppy section.
Re: Not really wanting to put this post up.... Oh similar age to Bella then. Sounds like you've got things under control I just feel like i'm playing catch up with her at the moment, and that I am failing miserably hence hunting down this website (book on order). I'm not sure how much the previous owners did with Bella beyond the obvious commands. I've taken her to dog training classes so we can bond a bit, get her social skills up etc, but I can see why she'd be confused with me, and I guess its a case of training the owner as well as the dog.
Re: Not really wanting to put this post up.... Yes, I'm very lucky with Poppy, she is a star . But I had her right from the beginning, and you truly are playing catch up with your Bella... Dont hesitate to ask for any advice or support - this is a very helpful forum, and we're all on your side! Right, must get on with some work now. Good luck, and let us know how you get on!
Re: Not really wanting to put this post up.... We use baby gates to keep Riley in the kitchen which is fairly safe. It's been a good transition from crate to total freedom. He still gets popped in there at night and when we want some dog free time which is rare but if he's particularly wet or we have guests that aren't keen or lots of babies and children and he needs protection from their friendliness
Re: Not really wanting to put this post up.... Yes baby gates work really well. We have them in the kitchen and at the bottom of the stairs.
Re: Not really wanting to put this post up.... Hi and welcome! My lab is ten, and there are still a few things she can't be trusted with. (Biro's, for example....! I think maybe they look like rawhide chews to her...?) I work in other families' houses and it is a normal part of my day for an adult labrador to hand me a client's shoe. I tend to work on the principle that if you don't want soggy shoes, you either have to put your shoes away, or put the dog away! We don't use a crate but we do have separate 'zones' of the house, and shut or open doors depending on what's happening. The utility room and kitchen are dog friendly - nothing she can reach, and she is allowed there all the time. The rest of downstairs is for supervised access only! So she is shut out of it when we are out. And we have a baby gate to upstairs, so she can't get there at all. (The gate is actually for the toddler, but upstairs is chaos at our house, so its probably just as well to keep it dog free!) It's generally best that you put anything at all delicate out of reach, in areas that your pup has free access to, until she's well over a year old! (Bit like having a toddler, I'm afraid!) But at least that way you don't have to keep falling out with her.... Good luck! Sam.
