Misbehaving Labrador

[Al Bundy]

The past few weeks my lab has been acting up pretty good.  She is 10 months and has been somewhat of a wild child, but lately she is really bad. I let her out for her bathroom time and often now she does not return when I call her.  Last night she ran in circles around me barking and playing. It was freezing out and time for bed as it was late. I kept calling her to me and she would stop and bark. When I appraoched her , she would resume her circle running, ignoring my calls for heel, or come. This is pretty typical situation and went on for some time. She views this as play time, though I am telling her bad dog. She knows she is not supposed to do this but apparently does not care or something.

 

She is quickly talking herself into a shock collar. I dont want to get one, but this behavior is intolerable.   Ideas from Lab owners how to correct this? Shock collar the answer??? 

 

I should add here that generally speaking she is a pretty good dog. She does jump still and has a huge amount of energy. But really unless she is wound up, she pays attention pretty good.  

[Lawdwaz]

You have to show her who the boss is......tough love works every time...........judiciously of course.

 

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[Geno C]

shock collar

 

mine can get rather excited and anxious i so much as even show it to her and she sits and settles real quick. funny part is she only got hit with a voltage about 3 times and it was low. she remembered i always hit the sound beep before so she can understand after the beep comes the shock so now if she ever has it on, she hears that beep and it calms her down. only took a few days for her to get it... has a vibe button also. She only gets it put on maybe once a year if that. Some people are against it but ill tell ya, i had good experiences with it.

[halfnelson]

I am definitely not a dog trainer...but we've had labs for many years.  Don't know if it's the recommended way to do it or not.  But when our pups would want to jump up on people, I found the easiest way to break that in a hurry was to step on their rear foot when they jumped up.  That ended that in a day or two.  Can't stand it when they jump up on people.

 

Edited January 15, 2015 by halfnelson

[Doewhacker]

If you get an e collar learn how to use it first.

Beyond that what you have is an adolescent dog, they do that around that age. Just be consistent with her, command correct command.

[pistolp71]

Put her on a check cord and then make your command. If she doesn't immediately come, rope her in. She has to understand its not a game. Do not buy a ecollar. You can makes things much worse if you don't know what you are doing

[NFA-ADK]

She needs more exercise.  Try to wear her out.  Play ball, go on a hike or try to play with her in the house more.  I usually find a companion will help with more exercise.  (Usually another dog around the same age or with enough energy to keep her going.)  Find her a playmate.

 

Option 2 keep her on a leash, if she behaves you can let her loose.  If she does not listen then keep her on the leash the next time out.  Reward good behavior with a treat, food is an awesome tool!  

 

Good luck!

[Al Bundy]

I tried the stepping on back toes, tried the gentle knee, turned my back. None of this had any affect on her jumping.  When I lift my knee, she puts her paws/legs on either side and play bites my leg. When I turn my back, she jumps on my back. Toes did nothing. She thinks its a game and runs around.

 

As for the not listening, I am showing her tough love and who is boss.  Or attempting anyway. I yell at her pretty good and give somewhat gentle whacks on the ass and  gentle whack on the snout.  She hangs her head in sorrow and it looks obvious at that point who is boss and that something was wrong. She seems to forget this though rather quickly. Other than this, I dont have a good sense of how to show who is boss.

[Twax10]

^^^^ What doewhacker said! E collars are a great and very valuable tool but if used incorrectly can ruin a dog of the collar real quick. I've seen dogs that wont even move a muscle when the collar is put on because they're scared of doing something wrong, no good.

 

Your dogs just being a rebellious teenager right now and a mix of tough love,consistancy and time should do her good. A nice long lead when she's outside for a while is a great way to keep control of her too.

[Marion]

You have to show her who the boss is......tough love works every time...........judiciously of course.

.

Nooooo not Krocs!

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[Lawdwaz]

One thing that I can add that is very important in my very humble opinion is..........with a dog, you have a "window of opportunity" in which to teach that dog the rights and wrongs of about a year and a half.  After that, if that dogs is misbehaving and acting up it could be a lost dog that you won't want for a house pet/hunting dog.  Get it done NOW.

 

I can't stand jumping, barking, not obedient dogs.  Don't even mention dogs/cats that aren't house broken........I've seen it all in my past career, EVERYTHING!

 

I learned this as a kid with a golden retriever that was too wild and eventually my dad said it had to go....

 

 

 

 

[Lawdwaz]

Nooooo not Krocs!

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

Croc Yea!

[growalot]

I agree with NFA....right now even as cold as it is Angel has been testing me with the bathroom breaks and on walks...I know it's due to the time I was gone hunting then to the PT now PT and the gym ..adding to the shorter times out due to the knee injury. Now this cold has me not doing the tree work I am normally out doing...She goes with me..until she gets bored and actually goes home on her own to wait at the door or under deck.

She,  even though now past 10 is bored and unfocused.....so I now like it or not ...-3  I need to stand out there letting her see I have a leash in my had before hitting the door...she knows the leash means straighten up...but she also knows on walks where she gets out of site and doesn't immediately come to the return command...I have a second one...which is a surprised huff I make..just 2 times and she appears head down and circling to step in behind me. For that huff sound means MOMs ticked! I have never used a shock collar...but our daughter had to train her lab mix with one...all they need to do is see the remote when the collar is on, to mind...

Edited January 15, 2015 by growalot

[Jeremy K]

I started training my coon hound Shepard mix at 11 weeks old. I snow blowed the whole driveway 2 days ago and he never left heel the whole time. It's all about consistency, all dogs can be trained.

[Jeremy K]

It does sound like she has some built up energy , which is normal for pups and need tons of play time. Next she starts trying to get you to play just walk away and come back in a minute. The hardest part about training a dog is actually getting their full attention, once you figure how to do that the rest is a cake walk.

[wildcat junkie]

If you get an e collar learn how to use it first.

Beyond that what you have is an adolescent dog, they do that around that age. Just be consistent with her, command correct command.

If the dog doesn't know what it is supposed to do, the e-collar can do more harm than good.

 

That being said, the PROPER use of the collar will instil in the dog the idea that the master can deal out an unpleasant experience (for the dog) no matter how far away.

 

Another thing: You MUST use the e-collar the instant the dog misbehaves. Once the dog is out of control, the shock can make behavior worse.

 

I got my Brittany Max when he was 15 months old. He was out of control. I had to use a combination of check cords, a whistle & the e-collar to get control.

 

I had a particularly hard time W/him breaking after a shot was fired @ birds. He would hold well @ the flush, but once a shot was fired he would break. I raised my own Pheasants & invited a couple of friends over to do the shooting for the 1st year. The instant that a shot was fired & Max started to break, I would hit him W/a strong shock & yell "WHOA"

 

2 commands that I insist on 100% instant obedience is "COME" & "WHOA". Either of those can make a life or death difference under certain conditions.

 

For a retriever you don't need an elaborate system W/long range. A basic e-collar will do.

 

Make sure it has adjustable level, stimulous/tone & tone only. 1/2 mile range is plenty.

 

Here is an EXAMPLE

 

With the e-collar I was able to turn Max into a well behaved, effective dog. When I would bring the collar out to the kennel, he would get excited because he knew he was going to get to "play W/the birdies".

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 15, 2015 by wildcat junkie

[Doewhacker]

The key word Wilcat mentioned is stimulation, ecollars shouldn't be used for punishment but rather corrections and stimulations.

There really is a whole lot more to this topic than can be explained in a thread. I recommend getting a lesson from a informed trainer. Are you near Albany or Saratoga?

[Al Bundy]

I visit Albany at times, but no I dont live there.  A lesson may be a good idea though. I can easily get my dogs attention. When I call her, she either looks or comes to me.  I also have tried walking away when she wants attention. She usually follows and tries to play with me.  I think I am quite consistent in her commands and training. I will keep trying and use some of the advice here.

[ants]

My Lab is usually pretty good. He's six. I call him "idiot" but he's really pretty smart. When I walked in the house tonight I wondered why he seemed skittish and wouldn't look at me. I knew he did something so I stared looking around and sure enough,,,I found an empty cookie box, under the dinning room table. Almost like it was stashed there so I wouldn't find it. As Im typing this he just peeked around the corner at me and backed out when I looked at him.. He's a Jerk!! LOL!!  

[reeltime]

as others have said an e collar can be a great tool when used correctly but it can also certainly ruin a dog.  puppy's require a lot of attention, both in playing and working on commands. they do require a lot of your time and like a lot of things you get out what you put in.

 

I have had labs almost my whole life, most of them were very well behaved and great work dogs  you have received some good advice from the folks here.  sometimes you have to show some really tough love but with out a doubt you need to instill in the dog that you are THE ONLY boss and when you speak she needs to listen. check cords, collar, stern voice have been all I have ever used, I don't ever strike a dog with my hand.

 

my current lab has been the easiest lab I have ever trained, she picked up things very quick and has an overwhelming desire to please her owner.  she is not without issues and knows better and she knows when she has been bad and when she is being punished,

 

when she has done something really naughty she has to set in the corner for time out. she will set there till I let her out.

 

 

 

generally my dog is with me 24/7 other than when I am on the charter boat she is with me, she would rather set in the truck all day while I am working on someones house than to stay home. most job sites she can be out and run around and then she goes and gets in the truck. 

Edited January 15, 2015 by reeltime

[Al Bundy]

I think I am going to use the shock collar. Last night again she did the same behavior. I could not get the dog in the house after her nightly bathroom time outside.  I dont have a long rope, but will be leashing her from now on until I can get one.  She is really best described as an "attention lover". She cannot stand not being paid attetnion to. Many times she grabs a shoe or slipper and parades it around in front of me/wife as if to say.. "I have this.. what are you going to do about it?".  Its difficult for me to figure how to deal with this. On the one hand she shouldnt be grabbing slippers, but she is not chewing or trying to ruin them.  If I tell her drop or bad dog, then it reinforces her desire for attetnion. If I dont say anything, she keeps grabbing. Ill actually like to hear advice on this one. Its not a HUGE deal as mostly I ignore her and she usually lays down with the slipper in her mouth.

 

Now.. one example of the shock collar was posted. Any other ones anyone used and liked, or used and dislike? Thanks..!!

[Paula]

When she is running in circles around you, taunting you do you react? Maybe she is trying to get you to react, have you tried walking away like you are going to do something without her? 

Always keep your leash with you no matter what your plans are. I have a beagle and they are the most pigheaded dogs. I have walked my dog around his perimeter when he was younger. I thought if i showed him his line that would help, well it hasn't. I try to get him excited about doing something i want him to do.

All i can say is what others have is your dog is young and full of energy, you have to be consistent with the good girl bad girl bit.  You need to get her to spend her energy maybe earlier than the last time you take her out. 

I have a cousin who trains dogs for shows, she always says to get a dog to do a command 3x in a row. She uses a clicker to get dogs attention, and gives home made liver treats when they do good.

It does get better as they age, just have fun and enjoy her.

Edited January 16, 2015 by Paula

[Twax10]

That could be just the way youre percieving her behavior Dan. Think about it the other way. Retrivers are just that, they love to pick things up and show them off. Maybe its not her taunting you about what she has and you don't, but her saying look what i can do. Either way you should try and channel that urge into a training situation and swing it to your benefit (obviously not with slippers). If shes going to be a bird dog start with some basic retriver drills. If not then simple games of fetch are great too. And one last thing... when she does pick something up give tons of praise for giving it to you. It'll encourage her to finish the last step of retreiving.

 

And I use a sportdog sd-425. Little expensive but a great collar.

[wildcat junkie]

I think I am going to use the shock collar. Last night again she did the same behavior. I could not get the dog in the house after her nightly bathroom time outside.  I dont have a long rope, but will be leashing her from now on until I can get one.  She is really best described as an "attention lover". She cannot stand not being paid attetnion to. Many times she grabs a shoe or slipper and parades it around in front of me/wife as if to say.. "I have this.. what are you going to do about it?".  Its difficult for me to figure how to deal with this. On the one hand she shouldnt be grabbing slippers, but she is not chewing or trying to ruin them.  If I tell her drop or bad dog, then it reinforces her desire for attetnion. If I dont say anything, she keeps grabbing. Ill actually like to hear advice on this one. Its not a HUGE deal as mostly I ignore her and she usually lays down with the slipper in her mouth.

 

Now.. one example of the shock collar was posted. Any other ones anyone used and liked, or used and dislike? Thanks..!!

I used a Tri-Tronics Sport 65-BPR.

 

It has a beeper that indicates a point or other stationary behavior of the dog as well as a "paging" feature which is handy to locate the dog in heavy cover. The pager feature ia a 4-tone melody that can be heard for about 100yds in cover.

 

Tri-Tromics is no longer marketed. "Sport Dog" collars seem to have the same features & some components look just like the Tri-Tronics models.

 

The Sport Dog SD1875 model has similar features to what my Tri-Tronics Sport 65-BPR has albeit W/a 1 mile range compared to 1/2 mile for my collar.

 

I really don't think that you need all of those features W/a retriever. Just a basic e-collar would W/stimulous/tone, tone only, stimulous only, "nick" & variable stimulous level probably suit your needs. The yard trainers only have 100yd range & it doesn't say of they are waterproof. That might or might not suit your purposes.

 

If you want to use the collar in the field, a few things to look for is that the receiver is waterproof, & @ least 1/2 mile range.. You can step up to a nigher end collar W/O the beeper features if you feel the need. As I said, I don't think the beeper/pager feature is needed for a retriever.

Edited January 16, 2015 by wildcat junkie

[wildcat junkie]

If you are near a Gander Mountain, THIS MODEL might serve your needs.

 

500yd range should be plenty for a retriever & it has all if the features you would likely need.

Edited January 16, 2015 by wildcat junkie