Dog Training?

Question

I want to know how to train a labrador retriever to not bite me each time I tell him to be quiet and not to bite me when I try to pet him and to be quiet

Answer 1

Labs are a retrieving breed - we are talking very very oral. Their first response to stimulation is the mouth - pick something up, hold something, carry it, grab it, lick it, nip it......

There can be two reasons that he is doing it. One or the other or both can be the cause.

(1) unchecked play aggression

(2) dominance aggression

PLAY AGGRESSION


Puppies bite - that is how dogs and puppies play with each other.

If he wasn't taught very early on, that connecting with the teeth with humans is not acceptable, he will do it all his life. It is a means of play among dogs - wtach two dog buddies wrestling, slamming into each other AND grabbing at each othe with their teeth.

It has nothing to do with teething and everything to do with a dog's idea of play. When he gets excited (and needs to be told to quiet down), he will be wound up to play. Your hands moving around his head or body and - bingo, its play time

You have to DO something about it. Ignoring it just teaches him that it was okay to do that.

When he nips at you, roar NO in a deep voice, grab him by the collar or back of the neck, push him down and hold him on the ground and as you are doing that and snap your fingers on the end of his nose or slap his nose with your fingers. WHhle you pin him down and get his nose, lean over him and keep saying BAD BAD BAD - do NOT let your voice slide up, make it deep. Make him look at you and make eye contact with you as you socld - make your face stern and frown.

In a group of dogs, if he nipped the leader, they would knock him over, grab the skin on his neck or the side of his face and pinch it without breaking the skin, and growl.

You have to use a deep voice - no letting it slide upwards. The boss dog uses deep tones (growl, rumble in their chest) to convey displeasure. The one who submits (and loses the confrontation) yips or yelps in piercing high tones.

So do what they would do. That is something a dog understands instinctively - born preprogrammed to get that message. Lot of theories out there about yelping in pain ( thats what the dog who loses the mock playfight does so he just became the Alpha with repsect to you) and pushing him away or (really dumb) spraying him with water - but your puppy didn't read those books!

Get after him about EVERY SINGLE TIME - you must be 100% consistent.


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Now, you should also get to an obedience class. If the dog feels free to nip at you and ignore you, you need to learn to take control and he needs some serious lessons in etiquette.

If this keeps up, someone is going to get hurt if he gets in a serious snit over being told he can't have his way and he is doing it because of dominance aggression (Alpha bossing the less Alpha just because he can.) Could be you, could be a guest, cold be the neighbor's kid...... What is worrisome, is that it could be dominance aggression and a few scolding and taps on the nose are not going to relly solve the basic problem - you will need a lot more help. It would really help to know his age because that makes a difference in the assessment.

There is this assumption out there is the cosmic internet space that Labs are super easy to deal with, easy going, don't really get bad habits......

Actually Labs are a difficult breed to train in obedience work to a standard sufficient for competition. They really don't care that much about pleasing their handler so as to motivate them to really try - a "whatever - I sort of did it so buzz off" attitude; and they are relatively impervious to praise or correction - its water off a duck's back. They have a strong stubborn streak and are a passively resistant breed. (The sight of a Lab on the first day of one of my obedience classes mad me reach for some anti-inflammatories for me in anticipation of the point when the dog goes " Nope, don't feel like doing a 'down' so I'm just gonna keep on sitting here and watching the sky. Yawn")

In addition, due to the over-breeding to meet popular demand, we are now starting to see some aggression problems in the breed. The National breed club accredited by the AKC has now posted this on their breed rescue website: "Lab Rescue does not work with aggression. A dog that bites will not be brought into the program."

http://www.thelabradorclub.com/rescue/

This is interesting because I have never seen such a statement on the website of any other breed - including German Shepards, Rottweilers or Dobes.

I gave you something to do an emergency fix. You need to get to a professional trainer. If he is biting out of aggressionn as well as dog play, you have a serious problem and you need to have the situation assessed in person by a knowledgeable trainer. I would not recommed Petsmart - the "fast food" of dog training. You neeed someone who works with competition performance dogs and/or field dogs. Start here:

http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cfm?action=agil&display=on

http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cfm?action=conf&display=on (Search set on all-breed)

http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cfm?action=obed&display=on

http://www.akc.org/clubs/search/index.cfm?action=perf&display=on (set on field trial)

http://www.akc.org/events/trainingclubs.cfm


Find the ones closest to you. They will be able to help you find someone in your area.


Contact your breeder post haste. A responsible reliable breeder who cares what becomes of their puppies will want to know and can offer you help because they will know the temperments, behavior and attitudes of the entire bloodlines on both sides.

Answer 2

They usually do they when they are Baby puppies You should try calming it down and when it follows what you say you give it a Treat so you can teach it right from Wrong Also If that does not work When your Dog Bites you don't show no fear Just look mad and serious that might do the trick

Answer 3

A dog doesn't usually bite unless they're puppies, or the owner (hint hint)did something to upset him or her. But to stop the biting, what you have to do is make sure you're not scared. If your dog picks up any hesitation or any fear, you're wasting your time trying. When your dog tries to bite you, don't immediately pull back. Say no firmly. That's what I do when my dog bites, and she immediately stops. If I get scared though or show hesitation she keeps on growling. Be the boss and your dog'll stop biting you. Just don't hurt your dog in any way!

Answer 4

Try sit w/a treat, followed by a be quite command. If that doesn't work, lob a water balloon at him. I never thought that our dog would "no chew" but he's older. Just keep working on it.
He knows his own toys, but is still young enough to have to keep correcting him. When he bites, say no chew & shove one of his own toys in his mouth! Now when he barks & I open the door, he"ll lay down expecting that water baloon - funny! He shuts up then, ha!

Answer 5

sound like your dog is being sassy i think it is more of a friendly bite then a hurtful bight but you must establish dominince (dog are grouped in packs you must be the leader of the pack) i have a lab who does the same thing when we play shes really sassy but when she knows im mad at her for biting she will stop ( are you sure "be quiet" and "dont bite" are in his vocabulary) ( i thing that could lead to this is that your dog is really excited to see you )

Answer 6

ask your vet for a training program recommendation. petsmart has one too. the issue with labs is that they are very very high energy. most people keep them in the backyard all day long and they get bored out of their mind and go crazy, which causes behavoiral problems. i promise once your dog starts getting DAILY exercise the behavioral problems will subside. start walking and jogging for at least an hour EVERYDAY which is good for you too.use a very short leash and maybe a pinch/choke collar so your dog doesnt not walk in front of you but beside you, very important! if your dog walk in front of you he will think he is the boss. frisbee and fetch are good alternatives too. so many people buy this beautiul breed they are very popular but sadly most are nuerotic because of lack of stimulation, they are very smart, but they are bred to go to work everyday for hours straight. they need mental and physical stimulation. i know it is not easy but you took on the responsibility, and like most lab owners maybe you didnt research the breed or you ignored the part that said high energy. when he bites say very loud stop or no and pop him on the nose.