My black Lab has been killing small house dogs recently. He has never did this before. What could be wrong?

Question

What could be wrong?
I have a 2 year old Black Lab. Here recently he has killed TWO small house dogs. They weren't ours, they where our neighbors. He has attempted to bite people he doesn't know but he has never attempted to hurt another animal besides playing. His sister, who our friend owns isn't like this at all. He hasn't been "fixed" and he's a little late on his shots. And for some people out there my dog is fed good and where I am from you cannot sue someone for a reason like that. We have also talked it over with the neighbor's and they said that as long as we watched him that it would be fine. My dog doesn't stay tied up because he breaks all of his chains and I dont believe in making a dog live on a chain. Its wrong and I would rather have him taken to the pound before I would. So the QUESTION is: Is there something wrong with him?

*[Reposted]

Actually. I just talked to my dad about the problem and he's taking him to the vet sometime this week or next to get him neutered and his shots. Hopefully it will help him. I apologized to the neighbors for everything. I just couldn't believe he has been acting this way. It's not like him at all...

I live in Kentucky. There is no law against the killing of another persons animal accidentally. Like I said, I didnt know it was going on. He's tied up now. And look, I am 15 years old and I do take care of my dog the best way I can. He isn't getting put down, I won't allow it.

Oh, so I'm a liar now? Well I'm not going to keep a camera on my dog at all times. I bet you didn't know how many of my animals have been killed before by my neighbors either, huh? And they where harmless. We don't have enough money to get him a trainer and I'm not having him trained. If you all would like to dish out the money, be my guest. All I asked was if something was wrong with HIM. We found him on the highway when he was a pup. Christ...

Answer 1

This does not sound like the temperament of the labrador breed. Labs are eager to please, love people, other animals, cats, kids, you name it. I have met hundreds of labs as a lab rescue volunteer and despite being beaten, neglected, and abandoned, they are all just as happy as can be to be around you. Any sign of aggression and we won't take them.

I'm sorry, but I would never keep a labrador that acted like this. From the breed standard itself: "True Labrador Retriever temperament is as much a hallmark of the breed as the "otter" tail. The ideal disposition is one of a kindly, outgoing, tractable nature; eager to please and non-aggressive towards man or animal. The Labrador has much that appeals to people; his gentle ways, intelligence and adaptability make him an ideal dog. Aggressiveness towards humans or other animals, or any evidence of shyness in an adult should be severely penalized."

First off, you need to get your dog neutered.

Benefits of spaying or neutering from HSUS:
Spaying and neutering makes pets better, more affectionate companions.
Spaying a dog or cat eliminates her heat cycle. Estrus lasts an average of six to 12 days, often twice a year, in dogs and an average of six to seven days, three or more times a year, in cats. Females in heat can cry incessantly, show nervous behavior, and attract unwanted male animals.
Unsterilized animals often exhibit more behavior and temperament problems than do those who have been spayed or neutered.
Spaying and neutering can make pets less likely to bite.
Neutering makes pets less likely to roam the neighborhood, run away, or get into fights.

Your dog fits under three of those categories that neutering addresses. Additionally approximately 3-4 million animals are euthanized every year in the U.S. 8,000 dogs are euthanized annually in the U.K. So why take the chance of him creating lots of unwanted puppies?

Second, as a pet owner you need to take responsibility for you dog. I do not promote tying dogs out, but you need to install a better fence to keep your dog in your backyard. Labs do not do well as backyard dogs. They thrive when they are consistently with humans (inside). If your lab is a backyard dog, you have to expect a barker, digger, and escape artist extraordinaire. If you are not willing to install a 6 or 8 foot fence or an electric fence, you really should tie your dog up. You may not see it as a life for your dog, but what about the lives of those two dogs he killed (or the others he will kill) or if he meets a small child and attacks it while out running free.

Frankly, if your local pound knows he's a biter or if he exhibits any aggression when they keep him, they will not hesitate to put him down, so consider that if you'd rather have him picked up by animal control rather than properly restraining your animal.

As a lab owner, I would not hesitate to put my dog down if she ever killed an animal or showed any aggression towards people. You need to properly care for your dog (beyond feeding him) and this includes be responsible for keeping him from harming other animals.

And the thing is, if your dog continues to attack, you aren't going to have a choice whether he is put down or not.

Added:
You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars to train your dog. Go to a bookstore and buy a basic obedience book - they range from $10 to $40. Go to a pet store and get a "clicker." This is how I trained my lab - without taking a formal class - and she is the best behaved dog I've ever known. Just because you can't afford a trainer doesn't mean you can't train your dog.

Answer 2

You have to recognize that an aggression problem like this really is a big problem. Your dog is dangerous and it would seem that the aggression is escalating. Think very hard about this, your dog has killed 2 other dogs and tried to bite people what if he managed a fatal attack on a person? This could happen even if you don't want to think that it could, a 2 yr old Lab is a very powerful dog.

Yes you could try having him "fixed" but this may be a bit late and doesn't usually resolve aggression issues (one of the most aggressive rotti's I have ever known was castrated at six months) of this type. While at the vets you could have a full health check to see if there are any medical reasons for your dogs behaviour followed by a referral to a behaviorist if not. But rehab work like this takes alot of time and commitment and won't ultimately "cure" all dogs. Sometimes we have to just do the right thing and put very aggressive dogs down for the safety of others.

While you are thinking about this and waiting for your appointment with the vet and behaviourist / dog trainer your dog must be made safe. If he is out he must be on a lead and wear a muzzle.

Answer 3

Nothing's wrong with him-- it's you.
All dogs need to be neutered or spayed if they aren't show dogs or dogs bred by a responsible breeder (NOT a backyard breeder).
He may have recently become aggressive because he's just gone through puberty at 2 years old. This is not the behavior seen in neutered, well-socialized dogs, especially labs..
This dog, through no fault of his own, has become a dangerous liability. No one may be able to sue you because he kills their dog(s), but believe me, you won't be so lucky if he bites a human, especially a baby or child.
You say you don't chain him. How did he "break all his chains" if he wasn't chained? Chaining (or tying; same difference) will ALWAYS cause a dog to become aggressive.
So, you say you have entertained the idea of taking him to the pound if his behavior doesn't improve? Yeah that's right-- take him there so you can pass the buck to some unsuspecting new owner to deal with an aggressive dog.
People shouldn't have any animal unless they know how to manage one appropriately, which includes spay/neuter and training.

Answer 4

There is something wrong both with the dog's behavior because of it;s aggression and with you because of your acceptance of this behavior! Your dog KILLED another dog. If you child KILLED anorther child would you have the same attitude? because it's practically the same thing. both are lives lost!

oh and ps. keeping a dog on a chain is against the law in some areas just like allowing your dog to attack other dogs and people is illegal in most areas. I don't know what backwards county would allow people to let their dogs attack other dogs and bite people and there be no legal repurcussions. that's crazy! And your neighbors just accept that two of their dogs were killed. like they were meaningless.


Since you aren't willing to accept responsibilty for owning the dog and because the aggression has resulted in TWO dogs being killed. You should look into euthanasia. Your vet can do it when christmas is over. poor dogs. all three involved.


Neutering and shots WILL NOT FIX THE PROBLEM! it's like putting a band aid on an amputated leg! the aggression is there. It's not gonna change overnight.

Answer 5

Yes, he has aggression issues. Still.
Take him to the vet, get his shots. Get him neutered. Rule out a physical problem. If not, get a behaviorist to see him. He has dog and human aggression issues.
Don't let him out unsupervised. You don't believe in chains, or he's broken every one? How about a fence? A large dog run? Taking him out on a leash yourself?
He should not have the opportunity to go and kill other people's pets.

Okay, you're not going to spend any money on him, get him trained, restrain him, or anything else. What do you want? Just for us to say, "Yes, there's something wrong with him" so you can feel no guilt? Well, there's something wrong with him, but what's worse is that you won't do anything about it. Find a rescue that will take him in and hopefully rehabilitate him. Then, don't get another dog.
He should not just be dropped off at the pound. You're just passing the problem off to another owner.

I expect you'll delete this again, as you are still not getting the answers you want. Think about it for a bit, maybe it's because we're right?

Answer 6

Your male dog has hit an important age. He may never have killed before when he was a young dog and still mentally a puppy, but now he is older his aggression is starting to crop up. This is a common reason owners get rid of their dog, they failed to socialize and train the dog because they think their dog is not aggressive and that it would never hurt a fly. As the dog gets older, often about 2, it then starts acting dog aggressive and dominant and then it is too late to go back and undo the past. He has not been trained or socialized and you let him run free. He was not fixed either, no wonder he has gone bad on you. Any experienced dog person could have seen this disaster coming a mile away!!

Answer 7

Most all cities have ordinances that require a dog to be put down after two bites to people or the death of an animal, you're extremely lucky if this is not in your area. Any owner around you would be intensly concerned about a dog who's killed more than once, especially in a dog with as tolerant a nature as a lab is supposed to be. You could have a lawsuit in the making if you don't watch your dog closer.

A chain is NECESSARY for control of this animal--running loose is not an option. You don't have to have him on it all the time, just when he's outside. Indoors he will be under your control.

If this happened out in the country where I live, and a dog went after livestock or another farm dog, yours would have been shot inside of 15 minutes. Killing is not tolerated. You have to have your animal under control.

Answer 8

I'm having a hard time imagining where a person could live where it's okay for dogs to kill each other and people just comment that it's fine and your dog should be watched. It's not fine for your dog to be killing other dogs or attacking people. Yes, there's something wrong with your dog and if you don't have the money for an animal behaviorist take him to the pound before he does some major damage.

Answer 9

I think there's something wrong with YOU! The one thing that resonates throughout your question is your absolute lack of concern that your dog killed two smaller neighborhood dogs. You seem more concerned about your dog's freedom than the carnage he has caused to other dogs, which I assume, were loved by their owners. Just because no one can sue wherever you live doesn't mean your lack of responsibility gives you the right to knowingly allow your dog to run free after he killed NOT one, but TWO other people's pets. You must be one hell of a neighbor. Maybe you should be the one tied to the chain in the backyard!
Take your dog to the vet to see why he is so vicious.
Take yourself to a shrink to find out why you're so callous.
Also, you might want to bring those neighbors, who say it's okay that your dog killed theirs, with you!

Answer 10

Yes, your dog is showing signs of serious aggression! You are telling us that your dog has tried to bite people, and now he has killed small dogs. He needs serious training and exercise or you will end having to put him down! This behavior cannot go on or a person could be the next victim of your dogs aggression.....