Agression in a 5 month old male labrador?

Question

5 month old male labrador is growling for no reason (so it seems) and gets aggressive (bear teeth) This behavior is getting worse with each passing day. When not agressive he is very sweet and used to be very loving. Is that an age thing or a sign for something more serious?

Answer 1

Do you have children or other pets. We have a hunting hound and he has been with us (he was a rescue at about 2 yrs old) about 3 years. Out of nowhere he started doing the same thing a couple months ago. We had rescued a male Great Dane. The hound for whatever reason does not tolerate male dogs, does great with the females though. Sit and think about what has changed, work habits; kids around; food; etc. The hound, until we separated him from the Dane, even would come at us once the "attitude" started, now that they are separated he is great.

Answer 2

This is something more serious that needs to be addressed. A puppy this age should not be acting aggressively and if he does, definitely can't get away with it. We don't know the circumstances under which he growls and bears his teeth. Can't offer too much in the way of help without knowing details. You should get some help from either your puppy's breeder, or a knowledgeable behaviourist before he gets any older. Your breeder should be a good source of info because if it's in the line, they'll have seen and dealt with the behaviour before.

Answer 3

More bad answers from above!

This is serious. I have labs and many other dogs. He is showing is perceived dominance. It will get worse unless you get a trainer. I adopted a 5yr old labrador that picked more fights than my shep/rott in the park until I got him under control. It took me about 2-3 months. But since you have a puippy it should go quickly.

Honestly your passive energy is only making it worse.

Good luck and get help. The ASPCS is a great place to start.

Answer 4

Is there a particular time when he growls?Is it when he's eating?Playing with a favorite toy?Some dogs turn into dominate dogs.They think they rule the roost.I had a black lab and he was sweet until one day he started not wanting to get in the car after being at park.i tried to push him in and he showed me his teeth.From then on he usually had the upper hand.To avoid the agressivness I just didnt put him in any situations where he felt he had to be aggressive.I read some training books that were rather good,but they always say if your dog growls at you to seek proffesional help.
Buy some books on training they really help.Your dog is young and theres still a chance he can learn youre the boss and not him.This book titled "DOG PERFECT"second edition by Sarah Hodgson helped me out with my new gal.
Good luck

Answer 5

It is possible the dog has "fits of rage" syndrom. I know Golden Cockers are known for it and it is a genetic/mental condition, but other breeds can have the same thing. Labs are FAMOUSLY loving and non-aggressive dogs, I own a lab pit mix myself.

However, I have a cousin that has a lab that started out ok but became rapidly more vicious over time. It bit the son he bought it for many times, but his daughter, and also bit my other cousin on the face! My family are all dog lovers and my cousin has raised several different breeds of dogs (including other labs and pure bred pitbulls) that were loving and loyal.

There is such a thing as a bad dog, just like there are bad people. The dog could be quite insane like my cousins dog. His is a lab that cannot be left loose at all and will ONLY respond to strong aggressive control, anything less and the dog attacks!

As much as I love dogs, I know that this is an animal that should be put down for the safety and security of all concerned. The dog now has a miserable life of being in a pen every day and growls, snaps, snarls like it is rabid whenever anyone visits.

I have visited enough times that a normal dog would recognize me as a welcome family member, or in the case of a normal lab it should have considered me the one human it has waited its whole life to meet and smother with affection (until ANY other person came along who I would naturally have to share the title with).

My lab/pit loves everyone and everything by default. She looks to my white german shep/Australian Shep mix for clues on friend or foe when he is around and to the family when we are around. I have watched dogs TRY to attack her (she is 90lbs of muscle) and all she did was swat them away and try to play with them. As long as my other dog and the rest of the family is happy, she's happy. If we get upset, then she gets upset and then whatever is upsetting us should be VERY afraid ;^)

I think you should bring your dog to a professional trainer if that is economically feesible. You might also talk to your vet about the behavior. You might also be able to alter his behavior by altering him if you haven't already. Unstable, aggressive dogs should not be bred anyway IMO. If your dog is mentally unstable it is not something you can train out of him. A dog can be a loyal, loving family member but it can also be a potentially lethal threat.

I can push, pull, pinch, and touch my dogs anywhere and anytime without a negative reaction from them. They know I love them and they trust me without question. I can take food out of their mouth. Even my lab/pit mix behaves this way and I didn't get her from the pound until she was around 2. She had been abused before I got her and we had to work with her to rebuild her trust :o(. Your dog should love and trust you without hesitation, and you should be able to do the same for your dog. I hope everything turns out for the best, good luck!

Answer 6

This is a funny question since my 9 month old lab does not bark either. We were concerned. We are not anymore. He still whines and things when he wants something. He is a great dog. We have heard him bark and normally it is at the dog park at other dogs. I am completely ok with this as barking dogs is sometimes VERY annoying!

Answer 7

Chek the Dog Whisperer website. His name is Cesar Millan and he is awesome. You will get some tips there. He also has a book and some DVDs. Don't believe that this is normal.
Good Luck.

Answer 8

if you do nothing then it will become serious. he is trying to test you ,he wants to be the alpha male . If you do not get some professional help or advice then neither of you will be able to fully appreciate the other. act now

Answer 9

I have a 6mo old lab -- and he's never growled; however, he does bite alot, but I think he's playing. Although, he does bite when I hold him down, or grab him -- but he doesn't growl.

Answer 10

Something more serious. I have had several labs and never where the aggressive at any point.