Hi.  I'm the proud owner of a 7 month old male chocolate lab.  He's perfect in every way but is difficult to control when we're out for walks and encounter other people and dogs.  He settles very quickly in the company of people he knows but if we meet a stranger he goes mad, frolicking like a lamb, jumping up and pulling on his lead/harness (even if they're on the other side of the street).  I know he's only wanting to say "hello" but it upsets me when people comment on him being "hyper" when I know he's not:(.  He's a very contented dog and walks fine on the lead the rest of the time if there's no-one else about.

We've been to puppy socialising classes where we were told that puppies are used to getting lots of attention.  Labs in particular are eager to please, which is why they want to speak to everyone.  We were told to take our pup to busy places to get him used to other people and noises - we don't tend to meet alot of other people on walks around our way and I don't know if this is part of the problem.  We've taken him to the local market on a few occassions now and he's been fine - no jumping at all.  The problem seems to be more on a one-to-one basis and I really don't know what to do.  Is this something he'll grow out of over time?

Thanks.

Part of any dog training is to make a set of rules and stick to it totally. 100% consistant, never vary. Quietly insist that he behaves himself ALL the time. The biggest mistake anyone can make is to not allow indisapline MOST of the time because the few times when you do allow it completely undermines all the good work you have done. To see a friend and say to your dog, "Go and see Sue." will to your dog mean go and see anyone.

Labradors are slow to mature and chocolate Labradors often slower than the average but they will learn if you really work at it.

A one to one basis is always harder than in a crowded situation. In crowds the dog is at a loss to decide who to go and see first whereas in a one to one there is no such problem. If the going gets tough I always stop and put the puppy into the sit AND INSIST HE STAYS THERE even if you have to phyically keep him sitting. (You wont have to do it many times before he learns.)

A lot of it is that he is still very much a puppy but as a puppy he has to learn!

Regards, John

Just be thankful it's not a Doberman puppy. LOL. Talk about rambunctious! INTO EVERYTHING CONSTANTLY if not made tired out by lots of exercise. Mine is finally getting civilized but he has been a handful until about 7 months of age. (My Chocolate Lab was a piece of cake as a pup, very quiet.)Lots of exercise, obedience training and calm play is what I prescribe. Puppies will be puppies and ya gotta let 'em be puppies... while at the same time helping them to develop into a well mannered adult.