8 mth Lab growling

[Roe+]

Not from my experience!

Roe+

[last5oh_302]

Well, the only dog I've ever been bitten by is a lab. Every dog even if of the same breed has it's own personality. My Dalmatian was the most challenging dog I've had.

[Roe+]

Well, the only dog I've ever been bitten by is a lab. Every dog even if of the same breed has it's own personality. My Dalmatian was the most challenging dog I've had.

True enough. One of the meanest dogs I've ever seen was a Springer Spaniel owned by the father of an old girlfriend. It even bit her mother at which point I would have put it down had it been mine. The only thing that Springer was terrified of was my ferret!

Roe+

[jweese]

Well, the only dog I've ever been bitten by is a lab. Every dog even if of the same breed has it's own personality. My Dalmatian was the most challenging dog I've had.

Not that it matters, and this is more or less just a troll -- but, wow -- same here. The only dog I've ever been bitten by was a black lab, and the only dog I ever had trouble with aggression with was a dalmatian.

Somewhat back on topic; I recall posting something about this same issue with Misty when she was a bit younger, around 6mths old or something like that. She was growling at my wife, and the kids, and pushing her boundaries, etc. One forum member suggested privately that I may be the issue and was confusing her in the "pecking order", his suggestion was to show her no affection and ignore her for a few weeks. It worked, Misty still barks consistently at the mailman (go figure); but is never aggressive with anyone else, never growls, and never tries to assert dominance.

Don't know if that helps, but it worked for my situation. I also, don't believe in striking my animal physically, but she'll know by my attitude when I'm not happy with her, and she understands when she's done something wrong.

[Roe+]

Question for the OP;

Where did you get the dog from Rick? If from a breeder, did you see the parents? Certain issues can be genetic in nature, not torule out breeding practices including dogs being too tightly bred.

Roe+

[last5oh_302]

Not that it matters, and this is more or less just a troll -- but, wow -- same here. The only dog I've ever been bitten by was a black lab, and the only dog I ever had trouble with aggression with was a dalmatian.

The Dalmatian went up on the list really fast for dog bites right after the 101 Dalmatians movie came out.

I got my boy before the movie, luckily, and he never showed aggression towards me, but he didn't like my sister and my sister in law when they visited for some strange reason. He'd give them the look and the low rumbling growl. He also loved to get into a fight with other males if I gave him the chance. He was very much just "my" dog and he would only listen to me, so very much a one person dog, which I believe is very typical of the breed.

Oh, and it was a yellow lab that got me...lol

I absolutely believe you don't need to touch a dog to train it and gain "respect", and a strong bond.

[krakadawn]

Hey BB, sorry for delay, big water work for dogs yesterday meant for a late day.

People having been using the rope trick for a long time to stop a breaking dog in a blind. I have never used it. By the looks of some of our current outdoor shows they might consider using it before that poor chocolate gets shot by his own gunners. In any event your example is closer to direct pressure but not the way I would go considering dog safety etc. Tethering is one thing, tumbling another.

Many dogs break as you describe because the training does not mirror the hunting conditions and dogs know it. They will take the punishment to get the reward(bird). Better to up your training standards with live birds, use of blind etc to mimic the real day. Usually when you know what's going to happen, have your partner shoot and you be ready to correct.....better to forgo the first shot to get a correction. Even if prior to the first light you do some reminders. One of my hunting partners dog is similar and he's a little lazy so I remind him just prior to daylight to take the dog for a short walk. Purpose is to use indirect pressure on a known command....sit. So he walks the shore rehearsing sit a few times giving a nick at times. Dog comes back and remembers that she is indeed steady. Like all dog problems,, it's the handler. BB, I would suggest you start to look at Bill Hillman's stuff. He has several DVDs out now. Traffic COP is a great way to begin teaching basics to young dogs and teaching that has impact. My current 3 1/2 month lab is almost steady with daily drills, did the last guy ala Hillman as well and good thing a he's a fire breather.

Hey MG, you're right about the goldens, was a 22 min test for the labs but the 2 goldens took 28 minutes ,guess they have to have better memories!

This has been a better discussion .....now that I have internet back.

[last5oh_302]

1. The fact that an animal bites, or growls, or barks, or crowds you, does not mean it is trying to establish a position in a pecking order; it is simply doing something undesirable.

The OP also mentioned his pup sometimes growls while laying down with tail wagging, so it could be as innocent as a doggy purr. So again and as has been mentioned by many, it's impossible to tell without seeing it.
I know Rotties have this trait (to purr when being petted) which is absolutely normal and NOT aggression at all. My last Rottie girl didn't pur, but again, if my next Rottie does I know it's not uncommon, and NOT aggression, hopefully...lol

[Jakezilla]

Just wanted to touch on what Kraka said for the pointing dog guys.

When you go out hunting, how you start the hunt will set the tone for the hunt. If you arrive at your hunting spot and you let your dog out to run around and do this or that while you get ready you can't expect a polished performance from your dog in the field. When I am hunting and I arrive at my spot, I do whatever I need to into order to get ready. Once I am ready then I get my dog out and run through a few simple commands on a lead, heel, whoa etc. Then we move to the "line" and I have the dog stand still until I release the dog to hunt and I will probably turn the dog as well once it hits about 50 yds whether he needs to turn or not. After that we are hunting and that indirect pressure gets you inside the dogs head and if you have done the things right in the yard you will probably see a more responsive dog as well as crisper bird work in the field.

If it has been a particularly long trip and you feel you need to air your dog out as soon as you get there, let him out and then put the dog back in the truck until you are ready. Then take the dog out and run through a couple short drills before you start. Make this a habit and you will have a better time in the field. It doesn't have to be a long and drawn out process my routine only takes a couple minutes.

Set the tone of the hunt before you start and you will have a much more enjoyable hunt.

For those of you that plan to train on the woodcock when they come through, treat it like a hunt and go through the steps and get in the dogs head before you start. You will get much more accomplished that way.

[Deerslayer99]

Roe.....yes I did see the parents and they were as docile as can be.....just for the record, I am not training this dog to be in the field/ wish I could but not enough time to train him that vigorously so I have him doing your basic....sit/shake paw/waiting for my command to eat etc etc.....your basic house dog commands....he has it all down to a science for listening to me so I have no concerns there.....his growling has somewhat slowed down now but I can just about do anything to him while he is doing it but it is scary not knowing if he is going to strike me or not....I do know the difference between the playing growl and the out of the blue deep down growl.....it is even worse when u are around his food dish and crate so I scold him for doing it and take his food away until he comes up to me nicely...then he gets it back......a lot of good suggestions here but also a lot got side tracked with all the bickering amongst the ranks of you all...thanks for the responses people....appreciated greatly....hopefully I can get him to stop permanently soon....