I have an 8-month old black lab. I love him to death and would do anything to keep him. But I am a senior in high school and I work after school. He is pretty much alone in our backyard all day. He has had his shots, been neutered, been microchiped, and starts obedience school tomorrow. But his behavior is so bad I don't know if school will good enough. He continually jumps on us, no matter what we say or do. If he gets out front it takes us forever to get him to come back, the more we try the farther he runs. He consistently barks, which wouldn't be a problem, but our neighbors have already reported us to the state 3 times. As a last resort (we tried a spraybottle, newspaper/magazine, and bark collar) we got him a muzzle...he gets it off in about 10 seconds or less. Please help me, I am running out of options and if I can't control him we will have to get rid of him, especially because of our neighbors.
2007-09-15 14:41:23 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Dogs
I don't think it would be a bad idea to find him a new home. A home where someone can be home with him for most of the day and give him the attention and training he needs. I know you love your dog, and don't want to get rid of him, but it might the be best option for him. You don't have to take him to an animal shelter. You can talk to your family and friends and see if anyone is interested. But you want to make sure he doesn't end up in the same situation. You want to make sure he ends up in a home that has the time for him. As a last resort you can always talk to a no kill rescue organization who can find him a good home.
If you are not ready to give him away, you can at least try the obedience classes, and see if the obedience trainer can help you. Or you can talk to a professional animal behaviorist. Good luck with your dog!
2007-09-15 14:47:17 · answer #1 · answered by Stark 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
You are doing the right thing by getting your dogs into a training program! Now, everyone in the house has to follow the program as well. He's 8 months old and given the time and training will be a great family member. Being alone all day can be boring. Have you thought about getting him set up with doggie day care? He needs stimulation. School and work are time consuming and puppies are as well. I would see if you can find someone who wants a part-time dog. Not everyone has the time or money to keep a dog full time but may love to be a lab-sitter. You may also talk to your trainer about using him in classes. He may get a reduced rate on his training and a part-time job of his own! Good luck!
2007-09-15 21:51:51 · answer #2 · answered by A K K 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your dog is showing signs of boredom...the dog classes are going to help you tremulously.
You need to spend time with your dog, every chance you get, he is only 8months old and he is still a puppy so being in the back yard alone for a long period of time with out any interaction will make any dog start to bark at people, he wants to be seen and played with.
When you are done with work go home and take your dog for a walk or throw a ball, do something with him....
Once he knows he isn't going to be alone in the back yard he will calm down and be a more loving and obedient dog....
I am not tring to be mean with what I stated, but how would you feel if you were ignored by your peers?
2007-09-15 21:50:25 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your situation doesn't allow enough time and attention for the dog.
The dog is not trained.
The dog is left all alone during the day and of course the neighbors are mad, I would be too if my neighbors let their dog outside all day to bark.
You need to give the dog more attention and you need to work on training.
It is good you are going to obedience class but, it is a little late. He should have been in classes A LOT younger.
2007-09-15 21:54:40 · answer #4 · answered by Silver Moon 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a dog lover, no one should have a dog if they plan to just keep him outside all day like a prisioner, his behavior is not his fault, when couped in a kennel, or isolated with little to no interaction with people, he will become very uptight, aggressive and sometimes even nasty.
Find him a good home where he will be loved and get the attention he needs and deserves, the new owner may need to take him to an obedience school- Pets are like kids, you can't just leave them all day to fend for themselves.
2007-09-16 09:17:11 · answer #5 · answered by brandy2007 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
All of these behaviors are common in puppies who are lonely. Dogs are pack animals and like to be around others (both dogs and people). This is even more common with labs as they love to run and play.
If you can't find a way to spend more time with the dog (which is the best idea) you may want to consider getting a second dog so they can keep each other company.
2007-09-15 21:48:43 · answer #6 · answered by Tinglefling 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you love him death maybe your best option is to rehome to someone who has time for him, it doesn't sound like you do at this point.
Its not fair to him to be stuck outside alone all day. Dogs are social creatures and do not do wel with isolation.
His constant barking is a direct effect of this, he's bored, lonely, and underexercised. A dog in a backyard alone isn't going to exercise himself.
He doesn't want to come back to you because he knows that means he's going to be stuck right back in that lonely boring back yard.
Here is a website to help you find a lab rescue should decide to go that route http://thelabradorclub.com/rescue/searchrescue.php
2007-09-15 21:49:56 · answer #7 · answered by Bindi *dogtrainingbyjess.com* 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why don't you kennel train him and leave him in the kennel while you are at school?
Obedience training will help - but only if family members are willing to put in the time to do "homework". Your dog doesn't get better by going to class for one hour a week - he gets better by consistently working on the training day in and day out.
I wish you would answer kid's questions when they ask how to convince their parents to get a dog!! Maybe a little insight on how much time it takes would be useful to hear!
2007-09-15 21:48:06 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would say obedience classes first, if that doesn't work then maybe you should find it a new home. Dogs are like babies you have to train them and if you don't have the time or dedication please give the animal a chance and let it have the home it deserves.
2007-09-15 21:53:38 · answer #9 · answered by Buda411 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
have you teied to reward him when he listens and ignore him when he jumps on you. start by using one word command like down and when he listens say good boy and give him a treat. see if this works it may take some time since he is 8 months old
2007-09-15 21:51:39 · answer #10 · answered by kathy p 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋