Growling Lab

[Sharon]

I take young pups to dog training classes . Not for me much - although as you said , there is always something to be learned - I go for part of the pup's socialization.

( I have 3 coffees and it's -16 out ... Can't take the dogs out. Will try not to post so much for the rest of the day.

[last5oh_302]

I take young pups to dog training classes . Not for me much - although as you said , there is always something to be learned - I go for part of the pup's socialization.

( I have 3 coffees and it's -16 out ... Can't take the dogs out. Will try not to post so much for the rest of the day.

Yep, it's great for socialization as well. I'm not sure how much further we will go after advanced puppy class but my wife is enjoying it so much we may just get her a title or two.

You have 3 coffee's going at once! You'll be posting from here to eternity then!

[terrym]

Try looking into a good positive reinforcement training club or ask for some advice from a real trainer. Some of advice being offered here is just downright scary to say the least.

Sorry my advice scares you but based on what had been described at that point , that 1 yr old Labrador was growling at his kids I stand by my post. Establishing a submissive position to the entire family is not something to take lightly with a dog the size of a Labrador and the children may not be physically threatening to this young dog. A tap on the collar evens things out. At that point the dog is disobeying and you are only reinforcing a known command/order. Do you actually own an ecollar and know how to use it?

[last5oh_302]

Sorry my advice scares you but based on what had been described at that point , that 1 yr old Labrador was growling at his kids I stand by my post. Establishing a submissive position to the entire family is not something to take lightly with a dog the size of a Labrador and the children may not be physically threatening to this young dog. A tap on the collar evens things out. At that point the dog is disobeying and you are only reinforcing a known command/order. Do you actually own an ecollar and know how to use it?

And I stand by my post. Giving advice on the net to zap and pin a dog down when you haven't even seen the dog is flat out wrong, and very scary advice to be giving someone.

No I don't own an e-collar and I have no intentions of ever getting one. It's not necessary for anything I've ever done with my dogs and I've always seemed to get the desired result I wanted without one.

[Bluebulldog]

And I stand by my post. Giving advice on the net to zap and pin a dog down when you haven't even seen the dog is flat out wrong, and very scary advice to be giving someone.

No I don't own an e-collar and I have no intentions of ever getting one. It's not necessary for anything I've ever done with my dogs and I've always seemed to get the desired result I wanted without one.

The biggest problem with e-collars is that owners fail to use them properly, and rely too heavily on them. Which of course is why I was reluctant to mention it at all in my 1st post on this thread. As mentioned before, I have used them, on rather hard headed breeds, but VERY sparingly, as the abuse of them can have quite negative effects on the dog.

The part about pinning the dog was quite simple. It was a rescue GSP who was doing marvelously in his training, but had a very difficult time accepting my wifes instructions, and would out-and-out disobey her. We went the route of positive re-inforcements, kennel time, her feeding him, and he seemed to simply disregard her when I was not around. He wasn't small ( 80-90 lbs). It eventually got to the point, where I advised her that when he disobeyed her, to repeat the command, and if he didn't follow, she was to grab him by the scruff, and use her weight to put him down to the ground and place her hand on his neck. Traumatize? Hardly, but she only had to do it twice in a week long period, and he suddenly became obedient to her commands ( well, with treats at first).

I've trained lots of dogs, some mine, some not. I have never been disappointed yet with a dog, but owners, yes.

[terrym]

And I stand by my post. Giving advice on the net to zap and pin a dog down when you haven't even seen the dog is flat out wrong, and very scary advice to be giving someone.

No I don't own an e-collar and I have no intentions of ever getting one. It's not necessary for anything I've ever done with my dogs and I've always seemed to get the desired result I wanted without one.

Then you don't know enough about them to make such blanket comments. They are very adjustable and don''t cause pain unless you deliberately do that. My dog comes running and jumps for joy whenever he see's it come off the hook. Not quite the medieval torture tool the uninformed think it is. And quite frankly not all breeds are equal in temperament. A Labrador is a sporting breed and a large one at that.

[last5oh_302]

Then you don't know enough about them to make such blanket comments. They are very adjustable and don''t cause pain unless you deliberately do that. My dog comes running and jumps for joy whenever he see's it come off the hook. Not quite the medieval torture tool the uninformed think it is. And quite frankly not all breeds are equal in temperament. A Labrador is a sporting breed and a large one at that.

Well that's fine Terry, if you need to use one then that's your choice. I wasn't knocking e-collars (just the advice given to use one for what appears to be a minor issue), although I've never needed one for either of my Rottweilers.

[terrym]

A labrador growling at my kids is what I consider to be more than a minor issue. Of all the people I know and hunt with I would say at least 75% of them use an e-collar. Wearing an e-collar doesn't mean you drop the dog to it's knees. We'll let this thread get back to it's original intent.

[last5oh_302]

A labrador growling at my kids is what I consider to be more than a minor issue.

And you saw and heard this growl and feel comfortable enough to offer advice to "ZAP it hard". OK?

Again, I think it's more than likely a minor issue considering this is a 1 year old pup, but I wasn't there to see it so maybe you're right. Perhaps it needs to be ZAPPED hard.

[Bluebulldog]

Well that's fine Terry, if you need to use one then that's your choice. I wasn't knocking e-collars (just the advice given to use one for what appears to be a minor issue), although I've never needed one for either of my Rottweilers.

Rottweilers!? Rottweilers!? Those ever lovin', drool spillin', 90-130lb cuddle muffins? Well no wonder you've never had a problem.....

Now the sporting breeds like labs, and Chessies........well, they can certainly have their challenges.......but last I checked, you'll not find too many rotties willing to jump into 0 Degree swamp to bring back a soggy, yet quite edible bird.