I have a 3 year old Labrador retriever that has become a bit temperamental?

Question

He has been crate trained since he was 3 months old. We only put him in his crate at night. The remaining time he is allowed to move around most of the house and can ring a bell on the door to go outside any time he needs or wants to. WE have about 1/2 acre back yard for him to run and play. We play ball/fresbee with him regularly. The problem is after he goes into his crate (volentarily) & we shut it if we put our hand on the screen door he growls & becomes very aggressive. If we open the crate & let him out he becomes very submissive. He is not neudered & is becoming of breeding age. He is a beatiful yellow lab that we have considered breeding. However, we will not breed him & have him neudered if their is not a logical reason for this behavior. Any suggestions?

The breeder we bought him from is very reputable. He recommended possibly breeding him. I have personally trained other dogs. I have worked with this lab (Sonny) & he is very well trained & very well behaived & eager to please. His is very smart & took to the training quickly. Basic Commands, leash & crate trained travels well etc...

I'm well aware of dog over population. The breeder would already have very good homes for the pups. Some are used in law inforcement as drug sniffing dogs.Others are used for hunting & hunting trials. He has a lot of demand for his dogs & he does not overbreed & trust me he is very selective. I would not even consider breeding without is consent & guidance.

Answer 1

First I'd like to suggest you neuter him. Unless you're a licesned breeder I don't recommend ever breeding a dog, regardless of how wonderful and beautiful he may be.

Second - there's always a logical reason for things like this, it's just a matter of finding it. He may feel threatened as if you're invading his private space. That on his part is wrong. You are master of every inch of that house, in and out of that crate.

Is this the only thing he acts up about? Does he jump, nip, bite, hump, not listen on a regular basis?

Training is a usual cure all for situations like this. Even basic training because it establishes heirarchy within the pack.

Try different situations. The door open with him inside and your hand on the door. The door closed and unlatched w/ your hand on the door, etc.

When he starts growling or acting aggressive DO NOT BACK DOWN. Don't challenge him back either. Make him sit, and down and keep him there till YOU feel he should be back up, all the while keeping your hand on the door. There is no treat or pat. His reward will be when he is released from down.

Good Luck

Answer 2

It is a territorial issue. I wouldn't worry too much, I doubt he'll ever hurt you, but he is just very protective over his crate.

He may become less agressive if you spend some time with him whilst he is in the crate, (obviously not in it!) and when he is not growling, say he is a good boy, or whatever you say when he does somethinng good. and reward him for being good in the crate. I'm sure after a while he will come to accept that you are not a threat when you come near his territory and shouldn't growl.

My Lab used to growl if you touched him when he was eating. We took the food away from him for 10 minutes and gave it back. He stopped after about 3 days. Simple!

Answer 3

My dog is the same. When we gate him in the kitchen he gets very irritated. If you reach your hand over the gate to pet him, he will bite. If you dont keep him gated, he is very playful and well mannered. My suggestion would be to try and leash him at night instead of a cage or crate. Keep him in the kicten or in a bed room near people but on a leash if you prefer with a nice bed for him to lay on. I feel when dogs are confined to a crate or cage at the same time everyday or night, they become accustomed to doing it out of repetition. They know when, lets say 10pm comes, its time for the cage. That palce becomes parrt of their comfort zone and if you go to pet them, they will become aggitated because you are violating their "personal bubble'. Not everyone realizes that animals are not far from us when it comes to emotions. Warm blooded animals feel pain, happyness, relaxation, etc just as we do. When your sleeping in bed or whevever your personal sapce is, do you like when someone comes and bothers you when your trying to sleep or relax? Like I said, yellow labs are great dogs. One of my favorites. But get teratorial. Maybe taking that personal space away and keeping him closer to you at night but on a leash will keep him happy

Answer 4

Chances are she goes into his crate purely out of habit. Try leaving him in his crate without closing the door. I hope this helps.

Answer 5

He is territorial, and he needs to be nuetered, not only for the temperament issues, but for the overpopulation of dogs. Visit a shelter and see how many good dogs are put to sleep, and you might see how ignorant it is to breed a dog.

Answer 6

Territorial response.
Kind of hard to do but you need to tell your dog that it needs to SHARE it's den with you. The normal way to do this (works most of the time) is to have them share both food and toys, then move the food and toys into the den and do the same.

Answer 7

well it sounds a lot like a territorial issue to me. He knows that the crate is where he sleeps i.e. his home so i'm guessing he feels like he should protect it.

Answer 8

Sometimes male dogs, can sudden turn. and that why many people get there dogs neutered.
I would take him to the vet, or speak to a dog trainer again. maybe they can help.

Answer 9

Sounds like he is just guarding / protecting his territory. That's his private spot. He doesn't want anyone bothering him when he's in there.

Answer 10

Sounds like he needs to be neutered.