We have two labs, male (4) and female (2.5). About a year ago, we traveled for about a week and put both dogs in a kennel that allowed the dogs to play with other dogs. After a few days, the female started attacking other dogs and our dogs were isolated for the remainder of the week. The female lab continues to be overly aggressive with our male lab. She also gets angry if we are gone for several hours and tries to destroy something in the house. I have also found it bizarre that she always sneaks around the house and tries to do things that she has been told not to do. If I catch her in the act or ask her not to do something you would think that I had beat her to death, she lays on the floor and trembles. I'm thinking something bad must have happened at the kennel. This week she bit my mother-in-law, and no I did not train her to. Any ideas of how to correct this behavior? She does not seem to like being around our kids, but has not been aggressive towards them or my wife.
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Something happened at the Kennel -
Dang crazy, backyard bred Labs.Comment
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You have to make her understand you are the pack leader, not her.Comment
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Originally posted by Terry View Post
This is what I would say too, but it may not have been a bad experience with another dog or a member of the kennel staff. At a year or less, a bad experience with another dog or a human can really screw a dog up socially, but it may have just been the separation anxiety of being away from you for a week. The fact that she tears stuff up when you leave her alone makes me think this might be it. The fact that she cowers when you catch her, at least to me sounds like you might be dealing with a very anxious animal that lacks confidence in how she fits in. The fact that she bit your MIL also points to this. What is her exercise schedule like? Does she run, walk, play with you and your family everyday? That kind of anxiety in a dog can be fixed with enough play/exercise/attention that she burns it off and solidifies that social bond with you and your family. Good luck to you and your pup.Comment
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sounds like separation anxiety, have a vet check her out, there medication and excercise should help alot.Comment
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Unfortunately, she has a heart condition as the result of an infection and can no longer exercise as much as she did before. Behavior is worse because of the lack of exercise, but the problems pre-existed. Thanks for the help.Originally posted by Porterhouse View PostComment
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Originally posted by Burntorange Bowhunter View Post
I know Bob is being somewhat facetious, but he's likely right. I'm a lab guy. I own them, hunt them and know them. Many labs have become a backyard commodity because so many breeders care more about the $$$ than the bloodline. I've already got my eye on a line, but it's very unlikely that I'd buy another lab from a US breeder.
You're lab might just be nuttier than squirrel ****.Comment
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So she didnt act this way for the first 2.5 years he had her but after she came back from a kennel....yet lets blame back yard breeding? Not sure how either of yall come up with that. I can see it coming from BoB the dog snobOriginally posted by curtintex View Post
but others not so much. Could be right but you would think she would show something before this.
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Originally posted by JES View PostYou're right. I was way too general. No guarantee that bad breeding was responsible and I should always know better than to agree with Bob.Originally posted by bloodtrailer28 View PostSo she didnt act this way for the first 2.5 years he had her but after she came back from a kennel....yet lets blame back yard breeding? Not sure how either of yall come up with that. I can see it coming from BoB the dog snob but others not so much. Could be right but you would think she would show something before this.
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Just curious as to why you would rule out a US bred lab? No doubt there are some bad breedings, but there are a ton of good litters out there if you are looking for a hunting/trial dog. I assume you are looking at English lines? I have hunted with 2 high bred English labs and both were solid dogs but had nowhere near the drive of an average American bred lab. I was looking into an English breeding several years ago and when doing research realized that they are bred more for confirmation to breed standards rather than hunting ability. To me that is the same problem with most backyard breeders in the US. They are breeding for looks instead of breeding for working ability (e.g., Silver labs, Dudley, Fox red, White, etc.).Originally posted by curtintex View PostComment
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Originally posted by EastTx View Post
I own the best dog I've ever hunted over. She's 11 now and has been an amazing hunter, an amazing friend and an great companion. I started trying to buy her replacement when she was 8 and I knew that I'd have a hard time replacing her. I've bought 3 dogs, from well respected kennels and all were very disappointing. I've got countless friends, have hunted over countless dogs that all miss the mark on what a disciplined, well-trained labrador should be. A lab shouldn't weigh 100#....hell, it shouldn't weigh 80#. A lab shouldn't be over hyper, but relaxed and obedient and very easy to train. People joke about a lab tearing up the backyard or chewing **** up, but that is opposite of a normal trait of the breed. American breeding has been responsible for most of that. I'm not saying that all backyard breeders are bad, but the fact is that it's just too hard to tell anymore. The labs popularity has been it's undoing.
The fact is that I hunt my dog, but I live with her much more than I share a blind with her. I expect a certain amount of civility that I've had a hard time finding in the vast majority of dogs. You're right, British labs are bred to confirmation, trainability and temperament.....but that's the breed's hallmarks and should be respected by anyone that decides to breed. The British-bred and British-trained labs that I've hunted over were obedient, well-trained, steady and a pleasure to hunt over. American breeds can offer the same, my Abby is an example, but in my experience those are dying traits. My research into the breed and Americanization of such leave some concerns of the sustainability as a hunting breed. Sure, they'll run a field trial, pick up a duck and bring it back, do all the stuff that a lab is "supposed to do", but the vast majority that I've seen do not offer the traits and characteristics or do it all as a well-trianed lab should.
You find me an American-bred lab that meets those standards and I'll buy that sucker faster than you can blink your eyes.....I hope it fares better than the last few.
I'll add that I know there are exceptions to every rule and I'm probably being way too general. I don't mean to offend all lab breeders, as I'm sure there are good ones, but if you look at the breed and the historical traits, you'll have to agree that we as Americans have strayed to dang far.Comment
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Now that last part I can agree wirhOriginally posted by curtintex View PostYou're right. I was way too general. No guarantee that bad breeding was responsible and I should always know better than to agree with Bob.
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