Fear Growling And Confidence

[Michigan]

Hi. We recently (3.5 weeks ago) added a 3.5 yo female lab to our family. She is a lovely dog and the whole family is smitten. She is not the most confident dog with others (humans or dogs), especially men but is coming along in leaps and bounds in the daylight. She was used for breeding (3 litters) so I don't think she ever lived in a neighborhood so everything is new and scary to her (especially living inside!). I was hoping to get a little insight before we screw up the lovely training that she came with!

1. When we are out on a walk and something scares her (loud noise, other dogs barking at her etc) I just keep on moving her forward. I don't pat or talk to her or "poor baby" her at all. Is this how we should continue?

2. Our lovely girl is a bit on the plump side and thus the heat really gets to her. This means that the best time to walk her is at dusk when things cool off. A couple times at night she has growled at people in their yards. How should I address that? Do I let her stop and look? Keep moving? I was silly tonight and corrected her with a soft tug on her check chain and a "no" I won't be doing that again! The first couple days we had her home she barked and ran when my husband came home from work and she as outside or when stupid me walked into the lounge room with the electric toothbrush running. I am going to guess that she was just not comfortable with us yet. Now we have none of that behavior here at the house.

Today we went out for dinner and sat outside to eat and had her lay at our feet. Granted it wasn't very busy but about 10-15 people walked by and she was fine.

3. We are going to look into a dog club to help with socialization but I am not sure if it is too soon or not. I want her to be comfortable with us before we put her into a situation like that. Also she is not spayed yet (appointment at the end of the month) as she had to have a c-section (Oct 2) and a drain put in for mastitis and vet wanted to heal a bit more before another surgery. Not sure if we would be welcome with an unspayed dog.

So, long story short- what do we do about the growling? what do we do when something scares her or dogs bark at her from behind their fences? is it too soon to bring her to class?

Thank you very much for any help we can get!

[Aidan]

Entire dogs are welcomed at obedience clubs.

Depending on how serious the reaction towards other dogs and new things is you might need some help. She sounds poorly socialised, and given that she is now 3.5 years old it might take some time for her to get used to new things. I would see a behaviourist, an obedience club might be too much for her but it's impossible to say without seeing her.

Begin with some basic obedience using positive reinforcement methods. This will help in many ways. I would especially begin by teaching her to touch things with her nose ('target training').

[Michigan]

Aidan,

Thank you for your reply. I will look into finding a behaviorist in my area (lower Blue Mountains in NSW if anyone can make a recommendation).

Do you have any literature on target training that you would recommend so I can begin reading?

Thank you very much for your input I appreciate the help.

[huski]

Aidan,

Thank you for your reply. I will look into finding a behaviorist in my area (lower Blue Mountains in NSW if anyone can make a recommendation).

I don't think that's far from where Steve at K9 Force is

http://www.k9force.net/

I agree it's best to go straight to a behaviourist for some one on one work first, and then look at obedience club once you've had her assessed and know what the problem is and how best to deal with it.

[Michigan]

Thank you Huski.

I have emailed Steve and now I just have to wait to find out when our appointment is. I am excited to have him help me with my girl.