Please help my friend--Dog training related

Hey all,
My friend has a 1 year old pure breed black lab (male), who is very hyper. She found out she is pregnant about 2 weeks ago and this week, for the first time, the dog growled and snapped at her. He didn't bite her and she didn't back down to him, she just pulled up on his leash and made him go into sitting then lying position, while giving a loud "no!" Does anybody have any recommendations for dog trainers that would go to their house and help them train and transition the dog for when the new baby comes? Also, he is not neutered. The vet said it would not help calm him at all at this point. I said he should be neutered anyway and what can it hurt at this point? Any experiences with this. TIA!

Re: Please help my friend--Dog training related

I think neutering is a good idea for this situation. Why not? You mentioned that the dog is hyper, my first concern is he getting the exercise he requires? I don't have any advice for trainers but at this point I would try neutering and exercise. A lot of exercise for a hyper dog. Then see if it is still necessary to go ahead with the trainer.

Re: Please help my friend--Dog training related

Neutering will not make much of a difference. Based on the breed it would be better for his growth to wait another year but wouldn't be harmful if that's the way they decide to go.

I commend your friend. This dog needs exactly what she did with him and for the same to continue. I used to train dogs. I called it, as many do, Doggy Boot Camp. Before any meals, treats, walks, play, petting the animal must submit to sitting, or laying down. Stern loud deep voices (I especially stress this to women) need to be used. Immediately after an undesirable behavior (like you mentioned) they need to be forced to submission just as she did. Immediately after a good or desired behavior the dog should praised preferably with a calm soothing voice and a pat or rub on the chest. While this is still praise, leaning over them to pet their chest reinforces who the alpha is.

As far as the dog adapting to a baby they first have to get this dog under control and to understand his role in the home. They also have to give him "work". A retriever needs to retrieve or be trained to do something they enjoy and this will really help his hyper activity.

I'll ask around some of my former contacts to see if anyone has a good program for a dog with a baby. It is important that they bring a trainer in much sooner than later and waiting until their baby arrives is not a good idea.

Re: Please help my friend--Dog training related

Thanks both of you for your replies! The dog gets a ton of exercise most days (depends on weather for the most part). They have a fully fenced 1/3 of an acre and the way their deck is, they are able to kick his soccer ball (his favorite toy) off the deck and the dog continually runs and gets it, and returns it. This goes on for an hr-hr and a half minimum per day. She is really passionate about getting a trainer in there starting now, so the dog can adapt better before the baby comes. They love the dog and want whats best for him and their growing families. If there are any other suggestions, please let me know!!

Re: Please help my friend--Dog training related

It is JMO and my experience...but I do not believe dogs sense someone is pg and act out. The way I see it is that often when some people have a baby on the way, they change (not the dog). Happens everyday. The dog often becomes the lesser priority before the baby even arrives. The dog all of a sudden becomes "aggressive" or "vicious". It is just too common of a story and we hear it all the time on the pets board. i think it's the owners interaction with the dog more than the dog's sudden "change".I do hope they love their dog as you say they do b/c doggies need unconditional love. And they need love and time even when baby comes. So with that in mind, yes, they should get a trainer asap b/c the trainer is going to train them, not the dog so much since we are the ones who elicit responses from our dogs. We used www.barkbusters.com to train ourselves once baby came (and therefore our dogs). It works if we keep up with it. They should neuter their dog, for his own health and life. But it likely will not change his personality. It didn't change my male dog's rambunctious personality at all.

Being honest...having pets and a baby is very hard, but it's only fair to give our pets what they need to be happy and healthy. My DD loves my dogs so much, it melts my heart and we are so glad she loves our dogs as much as we do. But I know my DDs love for our dogs is not just luck. I am sure she learned it by watching us.

Message edited 10/23/2010 12:55:15 AM.

Re: Please help my friend--Dog training related

Posted by Goobster

It is JMO and my experience...but I do not believe dogs sense someone is pg and act out. The way I see it is that often when some people have a baby on the way, they change (not the dog). Happens everyday. The dog often becomes the lesser priority before the baby even arrives. The dog all of a sudden becomes "aggressive" or "vicious". It is just too common of a story and we hear it all the time on the pets board. i think it's the owners interaction with the dog more than the dog's sudden "change".I do hope they love their dog as you say they do b/c doggies need unconditional love. And they need love and time even when baby comes. So with that in mind, yes, they should get a trainer asap b/c the trainer is going to train them, not the dog so much since we are the ones who elicit responses from our dogs. We used www.barkbusters.com to train ourselves once baby came (and therefore our dogs). It works if we keep up with it. They should neuter their dog, for his own health and life. But it likely will not change his personality. It didn't change my male dog's rambunctious personality at all.

Being honest...having pets and a baby is very hard, but it's only fair to give our pets what they need to be happy and healthy. My DD loves my dogs so much, it melts my heart and we are so glad she loves our dogs as much as we do. But I know my DDs love for our dogs is not just luck. I am sure she learned it by watching us.

Re: Please help my friend--Dog training related

Re: Please help my friend--Dog training related

TY!! I passed all the info along to her!

Re: Please help my friend--Dog training related