annaz747 Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 Hi there. This is my first time using this site....so hope this is going somewhere, I have a chocolate labby male who will turn 1 on the 27th of Jan. He's a beautiful , well socialised dog normally and very friendly and listens most of the time. The only problem is , when i give him a bone, he gets extremely agressive, his back hair goes up, growls at us, shows his fangs, and recently he has actually bit me. i was devastated and shocked that it came from a labrador....i didnt think that it was in their nature. Then on saturday he bit me again, after i tried to make him sit down for a chicken wing. I used to always make an effort to pat him and touch his face when he was eating...and now he has started to growl at me also when i do this. Nothing at all has happened out of the ordinary, nor has any day to day routine changed since ive had him. I am not sure what to do now......considering sending him to a behaviourial specialist??? I would really appreciate any help or advise anybody has on this matter. Thanks for your time Thanks for your time........Anna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blacklabrador Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 I am not qualified to give you advice - except to say that he isn't respecting you as his leader. Please don't stereotype labradors into being dogs that don't bite or show aggression. That is just not a realistic picture. They are DOGS! Best of luck with your solution Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 Leadership is a must. And I'd very strongly urge you to consult with a behaviourist. The behaviourist would be able to assess the situation and explain why it's occurring. Advice would be given and a program set, to get you back on track and in a more harmonious relationship. Please don't think it's about the breed of dog. To give a human analogy, think of this: A guy meets a girl. The relationship didn't work. Is it because of the nationality of either, or more likely because one doesn't understand the other? IMO, it's the latter. Where are you? What State/local? If you PM me, I might be able to give you a a few names of people who can help you. Please get onto this VERY quickly. Not only for your safety sake, but also because the quicker you do, the easier it will be to turn your dog's behaviour into something more desirable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 (edited) I agree with the advice about seeing a behavioural specialist. However, don't SEND him to a specialist - have one come to you. Only by assessing your dog in his home, wity you can a specialist see what is going on and prescribe a course of action to assist you. It will be up to you do undertake a course of training and management to deal wiht this issue. IMHO, a dog who is a resource guarder (which is what your dog is doing) can be managed but not cured. He is now a young adult dog and if you have not established clear leadership over him, he may have decided to take on the role of leader himself. You don't say whether you have taken your dog to formal training - this would be something to discuss with a specialist. You need to see someone with qualifications and experience. If you tell us where you live, we may be able to assist. There's nothing magical about Labradors - they are not all born happy, friendly obedient dogs. Like all breeds there's a range of temperaments in Labs. Edited January 16, 2006 by poodlefan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonElite Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 (edited) Read up on Traingle of Tempatation here is some info written by K9 Force http://forums.dogzonline.com.au/index.php?...emptation&st=15 and start using it from today if you tell us what part of Australia (or the world) you are from we might be able to direct you to a specific person for training. Edited January 16, 2006 by myszka Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 Ring your canine association and ask for the name of a behaviourist they have had results with, alternatively call your vets office and ask them. When you get the name make sure that you ask for and get references. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 (edited) IMHO, a dog who is a resource guarder (which is what your dog is doing) ...... Just my opinion, but I think it is more a dominance/leadership issue. The dog even bit the owner just on being told to sit, BEFORE it even actually obtained this obviously important resource (ie the food). Either way, I agree - it's serious and needs early attention. Only the consulting behaviourist would be able to properly determine the situation. I also agree that the behaviourist should consult with you AND your dog, rather than you SENDING the dog to the behaviourist. IMO, any behaviourist part way worth their salt would insist on this anyway. And the "Triangle of Temptation" program by K9 (refer Myszka's post and link) would be a good one to start on immediately. Edited January 16, 2006 by Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poodlefan Posted January 16, 2006 Share Posted January 16, 2006 Erny: Just my opinion, but I think it is more a dominance/leadership issue. The dog even bit the owner just on being told to sit, BEFORE it even actually obtained this obviously important resource (ie the food). I think there's both going on Erny. Annaz had the food in her hand (I think) when she asked the dog to sit. I've heard of dogs biting people as the food is being put down too. What ever is the cause of the behavioiur, Annaz remember that every time you give your dog an opportunity to bite you or to defend his food REINFORCES the behaviour because the dog is getting rewarded for it. Don't try any more remedial behavioural stuff yet. If you ignore your dog when he is growling then he may feel the need to escalate to biting to reinforce his message. Make the food a non-contentious issue until you get professional help. It goes without saying that if there are children in your home, your dog MUST be kept safely separate from them (and indeed any visitors etc) during meal time until this issue is addressed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 Don't try any more remedial behavioural stuff yet. If you ignore your dog when he is growling then he may feel the need to escalate to biting to reinforce his message. Make the food a non-contentious issue until you get professional help. exactly immediately now yesterday Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
annaz747 Posted January 17, 2006 Author Share Posted January 17, 2006 Thank you everybody for your advice. I am located in Sydney, NSW....int he city pretty much I would appreciate any recommendations of behavioural people anybody might have. Thanks so much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonElite Posted January 17, 2006 Share Posted January 17, 2006 annaz747 - www.K9Force.net book inmmiediatelly, there is a long waiting time for a consult. Worth waiting and worth the travel, you will not find anyone better than Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted January 18, 2006 Share Posted January 18, 2006 have you called your vet? I would appreciate any recommendations of behavioural people anybody might have. I am not located in Sydney which is why I suggested calling your vet or your canine association. You can't wait, you must deal with this immediately, this is really serious,ok I already said that I will shut it now. Good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted January 18, 2006 Share Posted January 18, 2006 The OP PM'd me earlier this morning and in my response I recommended urgent contact with K9 Force and/or Steve Austin @ Hanrob. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted January 18, 2006 Share Posted January 18, 2006 cheers Erny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erny Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 How are you going with this one, Annaz? Managed to contact a professional and organise a consult? Just keeping in touch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusky Posted January 20, 2006 Share Posted January 20, 2006 I too have been worried about this lady and lab all week, would love to hear how things are going. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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