18 month old Lab is driving me crazy...?

Question

My Lab is just uncontrollable right now. She jumps up on the tables and counters, she eats everything in site - and will even pull knives, forks, etc out of the sink. I have hurt my knee so I am having a hard time training her. I want to try to hire someone to come and train her or have her dropped off to train. Does anyone know of a reputable place in the chicagoland area where they do that? Also- even if your not in Chicago have you done that and did it work? Thank you

Wanted to add that she's given plenty of bones/toys to chew. She is crated at night and does have a large backyard to play/run in. I'm really looking for a trainer.

Answer 1

Sweet darlin you have a lab. The old saying for lab owners goes If you dont kill them before thier 2 then they make great dogs. I have two older labs and thought that my yellow was going to eat my house to the ground. Literally, I feel your pain. My solution was exercising exercising exercising, you own a dog that is bred to swim run and retreive all day long. Even a big yard is no substitute for a very long walk. Training is very important along with disapline, but exercising your dog will help alot. You said you hurt your knee you may need to look into a dog walking service. Labs love to please so in the end training will help but you sound like you have a high energy dog that is bord and that will always spell trouble.

Answer 2

A trainer is a good choice but you should be aware that it won't solve your problems. If you have someone else train your dog they will listen to the trainer but there is no promise they will listen to you. You are better to find a trainer who will work with you to find alternate ways to train your dog that work with your current disability.

This is possible I have trained dogs with people who have severe disabilities including but not limited to wheelchair bound individuals. It take creativity mostly. Good luck but don't stress you can train your dog.

I would recommend you get the first book in the series TEAMWORK: A DOG TRAINING MANUAL FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES by Stewart Nordensson & Lydia Kelley.

http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DTB568

Answer 3

It sounds like you have your hands full! But, rest assured, this is completely normal lab behavior. Most (not all) labs are very active, super excitable, full of energy balls of fur. It's kind of endearing when they are small, but as they grow they turn into a one dog destruction crew.

First let me stress the importance that YOU accompany your dog and take part in any training sessions. Dogs have a tendency to look to their pack leader, or Alpha. You have to assert yourself as the Alpha of your pack. If you just drop off your pooch for training chances are she'll learn to be obedient for her trainer, but as soon as it is just the two of you she'll revert to bad behavior.

As for tips on places to take for training. Petsmarts and Petcos nationwide have training courses that they offer. Contact your vet, pet supply store or even local animal shelter and they should have some information for you on places to seek obedience training.

Answer 4

You can easily hire a trainer to come to your home. Most trainers require owner participation.

Answer 5

Visit drsfoster&smith.com they have a lot of things that could help you with that. I got a petsafe ultrasonic bark control unit for my dog Skippy who barks nonstop and I swear its like hes part goat. Now he does'nt bark nonstop and he actually behaves better. When I first tried it out Skippy looked at me, walked right to me, and put his paw and head in my lap. It was the cutest thing, its like he knew he did somthing wrong! And it doesn't hurt him, it just annoys and surprises him.