Comments on: Is Your Labrador More Anxious Than You Think?

By: Sammie@LabSiteHQ

Sammie@LabSiteHQ — Thu, 16 Jan 2025 15:22:25 +0000

In reply to Dee singleton. Hi Dee, it sounds like Buxton would benefit from a vet check, to make sure there is no physical reason he's struggling to gain weight, and feeling reactive. If the vet gives the all clear, we recommend an in person visit from a canine behaviorist, who can assess his behavior and help you understand why it is happening and how to help. In the meantime, we suggest feeding him separately from his brother, to reduce the chance of fights. And we recommend keeping him separate from your clients, and from any children or vulnerable adults, until after he's been assessed. A baby gate at work might help with this. I do hope things improve for him soon. Sammie

By: Dee singleton

Dee singleton — Sat, 11 Jan 2025 09:34:00 +0000

I have 2 siblings labs who will be 2 in Feb I am a dog groomer and work in a daycare facility my boys come with me to work everyday and are well socialised. But one of my boys Buxton is very anxious. The boys are both still unneutered I was not going to do that until they were at least 2. Buxton will bark at the slightest noise or if someone he doesn’t recognise appears even if he knows them. Out in the big wide world he is constantly lunging and barking at everything he is fearful of traffic people bikes plastic bags inanimate objects you name it he is afraid of it. I have tried sitting on a bench and letting him watch the world go by he does start to calm after about 10 mins but will still have heckles up and huff bark. If anyone approaches he will then go berserk again. I live in a small remote village with no amenities not even any street lights. My garden is over an acre so they are not lead walked much it’s mainly off lead in the fields. The only time we meet other dogs and people is at work. At night at home he will be sleeping in my room and all of a sudden jump up barking rushing out the door if my son walks past the bedroom he does it every time he knows my son in fact he is really his dog. He will sleep with him but will always come back to my room he will never spend the whole night with him. I cannot get weight on him he is raw fed and his weight will go up and down all the time. He was only 17 kg before Christmas he has now gone up to 21kg but you can still see his ribs. I am considering not getting him neutered as I have read that it can increase anxiety, but he is begining to get aggressive with the other males at daycare so I am having to keep him separate which is really defeating the object of socialisation. Bramble His brother by the way is a little anxious with new things but soon settles. Buxton has also started to growl at his brother for no reason they eat beside each other and there are no issues there. When he does growl I just say hey no in a sharp voice and he stops. He is a very loving boy they both are and I love them dearly but Buxtons behaviour is worrying especially if anyone comes to visit. I am worried it may escalate to him biting someone. Any advice would be most helpful. Thank you

By: Christine Popolizio

Christine Popolizio — Mon, 16 Apr 2018 21:52:56 +0000

hello,

we rescued a lab mix puppy about seven weeks ago. She is eight months old now. the first two weeks were easy. We had a leash on her in the house, she was listening to commands and learning a lot. and she was going potty pretty much on command!.. we did not have to go out in the yard with her.. Then in the last two weeks, she listens less, barks when she is in her crate (my husband works from home). and the last two days, she seemed fearful in our backyard, which is fenced in. it is hard to get her to go out there. and she has peed in her crate twice. she has to pee about every hour that she is awake and we let her out to let her do her business. any advice?