|
Author
|
Topic: My Lab embarrassed me!!
|
ccm
Junior Member
Member # 427
Rate Member
|
posted December 11, 2003 05:38 AM
Last night my Wife and I were walking our 15 month old Chocolate Labrador Retriever. We met another couple (who we had met before) with thier 2 yr. old Golden and a new lab pup about 12 weeks old.
Our dog gets very excited to see other dogs, he loves to play. Anyway, they sniffed one another and everythng was cool. We met them on the other side of the block about 10 minutes later and my Lab got excited again - pulling and whinning to go see them. He somehow got out of his gentle leader and goes over to the pup. He just sniffed him and was calm. Then the other owner picks up the pup and my dogs lunges for him (not growling) acouple of times while I am tryint to get a hold of him and the pup starts yelping and such. So I have to physically tackle my dog to stop him from jumping up at this pup.
I scolded him with my finger across his nose in a very angry stern voice. Needless to say My wife was mortified with his behavior as was I.
Now our Lab has been thru level 1 - 4 obedience training and has play dates at least once a week with different dogs and goes to dog daycare (15 dogs/one big room) and gets along splindidly.
We don't think he was trying to attack the pup just get at him for some reason maybe...? Playing?? Badly!
Any comments or suggestions to curb this barking pulling and whinning when he meets other dogs on our walks....he heels fairly well till he sees another dogs and thats it.
Posts: 14 | Registered: Dec 2003
|
|
NicoleLJ
Member
Member # 291
Member Rated:
|
posted December 11, 2003 08:47 AM
Here is what I would do. I will warn you it takes a lot of patience. When You are out on a walk and you see another dog keep walking till he starts to whine, pull or bark. As soon as he does stop command him to sit. If he sits then reward him with a small treat that he rarely gets but totally adores. I do clicker training so what I would do is as soon as he would sit I would click the clicker and then give the reward. If he doesn't sit then put him in the sit and then reward. Now you can take a few steps forward. If he does the behaviours agian then do the whole thing over agian. Labs are very intelligent and he should quickly learn that the more he reacts badly the slower things go or basically stop. You can't give in to the behaviour at all. Once you are close to the other dogs keep this up still. Siting is a none threatening position. This will teach him to meet other dogs while in a sit which gives you a maximum of control along with aliviating any fears of others. Once you are in the area you want to reless him don't let him off until he is in the sit. I hope this helps.
--------------------
Lets teach the public to spay and neuter pets and leave breeding up to the experts, to help decrease the thousands of animals destroyed monthly in shelters and pounds around the world.
Posts: 82 | From: Raymond. Alberta | Registered: Oct 2003
|
|
ccm
Junior Member
Member # 427
Rate Member
|
posted December 12, 2003 07:26 AM
I had been trying this but its seems hopeless....even if the dog is 500 metres away, and he can barely see it, he freaks out.
Posts: 14 | Registered: Dec 2003
|
|
NicoleLJ
Member
Member # 291
Member Rated:
|
posted December 12, 2003 09:49 AM
Just don't move from the spot. Even if it takes 15 to 20 minutes. Keep trying to get him to sit. If he uses up his alloted play and walk time in ******** out then turn him around and start going home. Basically you are saying to him that I am in control and if you want to freak out them we go no where or we go home. He will learn. Persistance is the key but you have to be very diligent in not giving in no matter how badly you want to.
--------------------
Lets teach the public to spay and neuter pets and leave breeding up to the experts, to help decrease the thousands of animals destroyed monthly in shelters and pounds around the world.
Posts: 82 | From: Raymond. Alberta | Registered: Oct 2003
|
|
ccm
Junior Member
Member # 427
Rate Member
|
posted December 12, 2003 10:58 AM
Thanks will try this.
Posts: 14 | Registered: Dec 2003
|
|
Freckles
Member
Member # 281
Member Rated:
|
posted December 12, 2003 05:48 PM
Nicole... your comments are good for me to consider, as well. Freckles, too, has been through four 6-week training courses, and is sharp as a tac. BUT, she loves other dogs and comes unglued when she sees them - sometimes they are eager, too... others NOT SO eager, which can pose a real problem. She almost twists herself into the ground when I make her sit/stay and then I tell her to "leave it" and we walk on past. If we encounter the dog again she seems ready to do it on proper terms.
One question I have though for the "embarrased lab" episode. How on earth did he get out of his Gentle Leader!!!! There is no way that could happen if it is properly fitted. There is a tendency to have them too loose... which is not a good idea, even though to have the proper tension seems a bit tight. In the long run the responses are much more certain and immediate when you give the quick, sharp tug. I use one whenever we are out and about where I am not certain of the distractions that might occur. Works like a dream. Tried the chest halter and it was like wrestling a rearing horse! Can't say enough for that Gentle Leader on Freckles, because we take her into all kinds of situations and so much kinder than yanking on her throat... the heel is something she knows well.... flea markets and dog shows are the exception until she gets familiar.
But, I am going to be more persistent and consistent with what you have suggested, Nicole.
[ December 12, 2003, 05:51 PM: Message edited by: Freckles ]
--------------------
Lou in Texas
Posts: 122 | From: Southlake, TX | Registered: Oct 2003
|
|
ccm
Junior Member
Member # 427
Rate Member
|
posted December 15, 2003 06:20 AM
We don't know how he got out of it...first time it has happened....maybe it was loose???
It wasn't unhooked or broke....he slid out like a wet noodle.
Posts: 14 | Registered: Dec 2003
|
|
Freckles
Member
Member # 281
Member Rated:
|
posted December 15, 2003 06:04 PM
That tells me it had to be on way too loose. The directions that come with it give specific instructions regarding the tension necessary.
--------------------
Lou in Texas
Posts: 122 | From: Southlake, TX | Registered: Oct 2003
|
|
fullhouse9873
Member
Member # 222
Rate Member
|
posted December 16, 2003 12:17 AM
The first time we used a halti - our dog slide out of it.
I know how you feel - after my sister had just gotten her puppy - she brought him over. My dogs were so excited to see their Auntie Kim - they broke open the front door - ran out and saw this pile of fur. They tried to play with it - by jumping around, barking and play-growling at him. The poor little puppy rolled on his back and let out the worst scream I'd ever heard. Luckily they didn't hurt him - but I could have taken both of my dogs and hid in a hole.
If your lab is used to playing rough - he might come on too strong to a more timid dog that doesn't play as rough.
Posts: 247 | From: Jefferson, WI | Registered: Sep 2003
|
|
Printer-friendly view of this topic