Growling Lab

[Sharon]

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.

.................................................. ....

That's a good post. There's a place for both corrections in the house. Not what should be tried first though in my opinion.

MY JRT loves to abuse my old 14 year old arthritic dog , who can't defend herself . I tried several things to put an end to this and eventually used the e collar.

I can also understand that people who have non hunting dogs may never need an e collar.

[last5oh_302]

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

N

lol..well neither of my Rotts drool/drooled but my most challenging dog was actually a Dalmatian.

[Sharon]

One bad incident can definitely make you wary of that breed. Unfortunate but reality. I had a bad incident with a dalmation too. I don't want to take this off topic but one of several GOOD things about dog parks is that you get to see 25+ different breeds at a visit. Has changed my opinion to the positive for many several breeds for me.

[Sharon]

My 1 year old lab has developed a bad habit that I am seeking advise on.

When I am home she is golden & behaves very well. Probably because I am the one who did all the obediance training with her. I have spent many hours with her training & I execise her for a min of 1hr a day off leash in fields or the bush & she behaves very well & take her rabbitt hunting. She is a champ of a dog in the field.

When I am not home she is a total bratt. She finds something to steal like a sock/pillows/eye glasses/laptops or basically anything she can carry & plays keep away with my wife & daughters. She knows these items are off limits & she clearly knows this gets a rise out of them.

I have taught her the "leave it" command & if I am home I give the command & she drops whatever she has.

When I am not home she will stand her ground & growls @ the girls. She eventually gives up & drops it but I am afraid she will bite one of these times when they go to grab the item.

She is a smart cookie & knows when I am not around.

Has any-one ever experianced this before & what did you do?

Getting back on topic.

[Sudsee]

I have the same problem with my wife and my dog. He had little to no respect for her or really any females as far as obedience. I know the issue has always been that I was the one that trained and corrected him for everything he did wrong. My wife tends to be a bit more lenient with regards to discipline and therefore he knew he could get away with it. At night we both take turns sitting on the floor with him. He has always used his mouth to explore (very light mouthing). With my wife he groans and growls but has never really turned into anything. A few times when he was real tired she sat on the floor and he came over but had little patience for her. With regards to most females the main issue is that he jumps up and grabs clothing or hands. I think it is that the female friends that visit have no authority when they come in the house with respect to putting the dog in his place. My male friends (we discussed this in advance) will walk in the house and at first jump will jab him quick in the chest with their knee and will have minimal problems with the rest of the visit. I have since had my wife training him nightly (sit, come, down, hide and seek) and he is doing much better with my wife anyway. She has even taken to teaching him her own tricks such as high five, shake paw and roll over and I find if she is consistent everybody is much happier. At first it was frustrating for my wife but now we understand what was going on it is much better.

[jaycee]

We have four Labs. in the house , all are quiet except for mine which I taught to bark /growl when someone comes down our drive, our daughters young dog is now starting to pick this up.
She is very possessive of "her "property , sometimes even barks when a strange vehicle come into the neighbors drive.
Sure comes in handy to have them let us know when something/someone strange is around at all other times they are quiet , no barking or growling.

[400bigbear]

By the time last50h and Sharon are done having you mother and smother with lovin and treats , THE DOG , it will be a total dud and only one thing left to do is shoot the growler .

[last5oh_302]

By the time last50h and Sharon are done having you mother and smother with lovin and treats , THE DOG , it will be a total dud and only one thing left to do is shoot the growler .

400 you're a prime example of old school stubborn headedness that will never change because you're so set in your ways and those are the only correct ways in your little mind. Typical but funny. Sad for the dogs though.
But hey thx for the tips on what the op should do. Great advise given right there. End/ thread.

[Waftrudnir]

thread derailed again... LOL
seriously I would have liked to know if the pup was just bored with the gals or not…

[400bigbear]

400 you're a prime example of old school stubborn headedness that will never change because you're so set in your ways and those are the only correct ways in your little mind. Typical but funny. Sad for the dogs though.
But hey thx for the advise on what the op should do.

The only thing sad is that you have yet to learn with all your new system that your dealing with an ANIMAL , A DOG . You put the dog on such a high pedestal and yourself beneath which is not the way of the hierarchy of the world .Dogs were domesticated for us to use .i worry that folks such as yourself and Sharon are not far removed from some that think we should not hunt or work our dogs .You have not stated this but that's how you come across . Run to the vets for every little thing , coddle them , put coats on them etc etc . Well a dog is just a dog no matter how high a pedestal you wish to put him on .I love mine but he and I both know who is at the top of the pecking order and if in the end I was starving I would eat him just as I would any other animal .