My new 13 week golden lab has started to bark at us during a play session or when she wants to get our attention, whether it be when she is in her crate or waiting for supper. In general she is a bold and confident lab, with independant and stubborn traits. We are worried that this behaviour will lead to more dominant behaviour when she is older. any advice.

Zoe

She is trying to prove her dominance over you and you must nip it in the bud now. Labs are very stubborn and extremely crafty. Don't give in to her if she barks for attention, unless she is asking to go out to toilet, instead ignore her until she is quiet then allow her plenty of fun and praise but on your terms.

Hi Jessica,

You are slowly finding out the the yellow lab is a more domiant colour amongst the labs!
(although people will probably disagree with me this!) They do require a little more patience and training than others because they do have a tendancy to be head strong. It is something that needs nipped in the butt before it does escalate, although he is still young and many more strange things will happen! I would try ignoring him whilst he is barking and see what happens but we did this with our lab and it just continued. What i do now is tell ours to " be quiet" in a firm voice and this tends to shut them up! :P

But in general labs do require a lot of attention and will do many things to get it! Just "Bat on" :D

Regards

Mark