My 3 year old labrador Molly has always been very difficult. But recently she has been very agressive towards other dogs. She has never biten any but she screams and chases them. It has got to the point now that I never let her off the lead unless I am guaranteed that there are no other dogs around. We also have a 1 year old black lab called Maisy who is wonderful and I am worried that she is missing out because we have been doing alot of lead walking and she hasn't been stretching her legs as much as she should. Should I walk them seperatly as I don't want Maisy to loose her social skills just because Molly is having problems. What is the best way to tackle the problem? She has always been totally hyperactive and to be honest is quite neurotic to the point where I wonder if she has a mental problem. She barks at everyting that moves and especially when she is let out into the garden she circles the perimiter barking all the time until she is satisfied ther is no one there. She also craves attention so much that sometimes I avoid making eye contact with her because I know she will then demand my attention for the next 10 minutes. Please can anyone give me some advise as we love her dearly and just want her to be happy and secure.

Can anyone offer any advice?

Melody :)

Hi

I think John might be the best person to answer your question as he is ' the lab man '! However i to have a yellow 3 yr old male lab and a 7 mth old male black lab.

The yellow i have found to be very head strong and as a result difficult to train and does also bark at things or at odd times. The black, a lot more docial and controlable. Is Molly a yellow as i do know a few people that have been in similar situations in that they are head strong and are sometimes difficult.

With regards walking them on there own, yes i would definatley do this untill you have the problem resolved as not only will the younger be getting the walks as it should he/she may also start to pick up the elder dogs habits! - Does the issues happen when Molly is off or on the lead? If it is when she is off then maybe you might want to concentrate on more lead work and reassurance or being a little more strict with her when she does start barking at people or other dogs etc.

Does it only happen when both dogs are together? If so it may possibly be that the elder dog is trying to protect the younger, as i have sometimes had this problem with my two. The elder starts to bark at other dogs/ objects and sometimes even people when the younger dog is around but doesnt do it when he is on his own. - just a thought. Anyway im gabbling a bit but if it is the case that that only does it around the younger then try walking them seperatley and see what happens, if it is the case that Molly does it all the time i would try and work on something that reassures her as it sounds as though she might be a little insecure, hence the barking at dogs and the perimeter of your garden etc. I dont really know the best advice on behaviour reassurance but maybe someone else on here might have a better idea.

Best wishes

Mark

Colna,

After all that i have just read the thread " 6 mth old nervous lab " and john has made some good points with regard to a nervous dog, these might be of some help to you.

Regards

Mark

HI Colna

YOu say that your 3 year old Lab has recently become aggressive towards other dogs - this suggests that something has happened recently to cause this - possibly she is protecting the other dog, she may have been frightened or attacked by a dog (?) or it may be due to a medical problem.

I always think it is a good idea to rule out a medical problem, especially if a dog's temperament seems to change quickly without an obvious cause. I would certainly put a visit to the vet on your list of "things to do" :)

Best wishes
Lindsay

Hello Lindsay

Thanks for replying, you are absolutley right about getting her looked over by the vet so I hvae made an appointment! I'll let you know if she gets the all clear.

Regards

Amanda

Hello Mark,

Thanks so much for replying to my problem with Molly(and yes she is a yellow lab). This problem first started just before Maisy(our black lab) arrived and so it would seem the problem may have been magnified by a new puppy moving in. I think the problem may be somthing to do with protecting me as we did have a bit of a run in with a German Shepherd not too long before she started this behaviour. I'll try and contact John and see if he has any advice because I think that you are right when you say she sounds insecure. Thanks again for replying I feel better already knowing there is good advice out there to be had.

Regards

Amanda