My 13 month old lab can't see well, and is very agressive to strangers, what can I do? He is sweet otherwise.

Answer 1

Your dog is probably being aggressive because he feels threatened or surprised. If you are walking your dog down the street and see someone coming, have him sit or down and pet him reassuringly so that he knows he's safe. If you haven't already, taking him to a pet obedience class may be helpful in giving him more social interaction in a strange enivronment. The trainer can also give you specific pointers on what may be causing his aggressive behavior and how you can remedy it. I would strongly recommend the investment of time and money. There are usually basic obedience classes at pet stores like Petco or PetSmart.

Answer 2

As dogs loose their vision they can use "aggressive" posturing as a way to protect themselves. When faced with someone they don't know and cannot see well, for example, the dog may growl or bare its teeth as a warning to the stranger to stay away from it. It's sometimes called a fear-threat response; the dog is afraid but rather than running away (because it can't if it can't see very well) it stands its ground and tries to make itself look threatening.

The dog's anxiety over strangers can be decreased if you act as an effective "buffer" for your dog.

We suggest that you not take your dog into areas where it will be faced with a lot of strangers (like a park or other gathering area) over whom you have little or no control; and if strangers come into your home, tell them to stay out of the dog's space. That is, don't allow people to approach the dog trying to pet it; instead, let the dog approach them when it's feeling more comfortable.

Answer 3

Its called BAD BREEDING. Talk to you vet about the eyes. As for the aggression, IT IS ACTUALLY NOT UNCOMMON FOR LABS TO BE AGGRESSIVE. It isn't in the breed standard, however, Backyard Breeders see all the money that can be made because they are SO popular. They breed ANY intact lab they can find without thought to health, conformation, working ability,and NO thought to TEMPERMENT.

Did you socialize him? This can play a HUGE role in his aggressivnes. If not, its not too late. It wont work as well, but may help some. just be sure he is muzzeled.

Is he/she NUTERED OR SPAYED? If not, it needs to be, this may help with the aggression and even if it doesn't your dog does NOT need to be bred because of its physical traits and its aggresion tendancies

Answer 4

this is always a hard situation because its not his nature. First you can do whatever possible to alert him that someone is their. have them talk walk putting their feet down hard. Then to get him to like them have them give him treats. make sure the treats are long and narrow so that the people aren't putting themselves at risk, give him the idea that yummies go with people which = nice people. I hope it works.
P.S. never have people approach him from behind.

Answer 5

explain and let him siff the new people and then he will be happy and tell him to go lay down , we do that with ours,,,

our friends laugh about our dog needing a seeing eye dog..lol