Growling?

Washington Hunter · 04-08-2003, 04:17 PM

I have a Chocolate Lab, just over a year old. The other day my father and I took him up to our ranch to get a little exercise and just let him roam around. That night when we got home He started limping so I went to grab his paw to see if anything was wrong and he growled at me. I got angry no doubt, but I didnt yell because I figured he was just tired and sore. After that he started growling while we played and things like that. Today he got into the trash and I started scolding him in a loud voice as I cleaned the garbage up. When I did this he backed into the corner of the kitchen and started growling and shaking. Immediatley I clamed down and started talking to him in a gentle voice to calm him down, when I did this he rushed over to me and started licking my face and jumping up and down, but he was still shaking. Is this un common? If it is, what can I do to correct the situation, I would hate to have to get rid of this fine dog, but I might have to if this continues. I need all the feedback on this that I can get.

Thanks for the help!
Daniel

OhioDuckHunter · 04-08-2003, 04:30 PM

I wish I could say I could offer words of advice, but I have never experienced this situation with either of my 2 Labs. Good luck. You may try to get into contact with Drgridly on this message board.

Takeum · 04-09-2003, 03:32 AM

I have been the owner of 3 Chocolate Lab' s, and I can honsestly say that all 3 dog' s have had some type of " cowardly" frightful, tendiencies..... I have found thru trial & error that with this Color and not necesseriely the breed that It has been common....At least with mine... The first one lived and hunted untill she was 14 y/o and the second one was 13 y/o and now I have 2 y/o that has some of the frightful type things you have mentioned..... I never use a " strong" voice or yell at them even during training when your " MAD as HECK" ntry to maintain a soothing monatone voice.... We have to remember that this breed will go to the end of the world for it' s master.... And I have been proven that time and time again......You , In my opinion have choosen the best breed and color of hunting companion mony can buy......Just try to remember never to scold and never ever yell.... he will learn good from bad...... Just my opinion....

Shoot um in the lips.......................

drgildy · 04-10-2003, 07:18 PM

I raised Labs for many years and had black, yellow and chocolate all show up sometimes all three colors in the same litter. I believe when people start to breed for one trait (ie color) that is when you start to have problems such as you describe. I believe that if you forget about color in labs and breed for hunting ability, disposition and a good coat you are better off than breeding for color. The reason I say this is that color has really nothing to do with the real quality of the dog. Also if you have a nervous problem like this crop up you have to be a little heartless and eliminate this type from the gene pool either by neutering or a trip to a vet for a shot of sodium p. I guess I am a heartless sob but I can' t see saddling someone with a dog that does not even make a good pet. Sorry but that is my opinion. There are too many good labs out there in all colors to put up with something like this.

OhioDuckHunter · 04-11-2003, 07:22 AM

Sorry drgildy, I did not mean to mis-spell your screen name.

Bob

Washington Hunter · 04-11-2003, 04:02 PM

Well drgildy, I wanted a Chocolate for its color yes, but the reason I chose to get the pup that I did, from the litter I did, is because it came from a long line of good hunters. Its father has won many many awards for competitions in this area not only for its hunting ability, but for its looks I guess you could say (I.E. coat). So, I dont see how THAT could be the problem... How exactley would nuetering the dog help? And what is sodium p?

drgildy · 04-13-2003, 04:32 PM

Ohioduckhunter, my name hasbeen misspelled a lot worse than that. Don' t worry about it. Washington hunter, just because there is a long line of good hunting animals does not mean that something can' t crop up in the genetics like you describe. I would go back to the kennel where you got the animal and ask them if they have ever had something like this in any of their other litters. As far as how the neutering helping it would just prevent him breeding and passing on a bad gene. Have you had him to a vet yet? That should be a definite step for you. As I said in an earlier post I am a heartless person whencomes to breeding dogs. If it is somethingpossibly genetic I would if he were mine either cut him to prevent some other person from having the same problem.. Sodium P is what the vets use to put a dog down if it comes to that. It is as fast as a .22 to the back of the head but much more expensive. I really do hope you check the breeder and or the vet then decide what to do. I know that it is not easy after you have had the animal for a while to do something like this. Good luck on whatever you decide.

seadog · 04-18-2003, 07:49 AM

I agree with Drgildy 100 %

BowHuntingFool · 04-23-2003, 09:16 AM

Ya gotta think like a dog, next time he growls have your wife or someone sneak up behind him and bite him on the tail and see if that works!

hntngirl · 04-23-2003, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Ya gotta think like a dog, next time he growls have your wife or someone sneak up behind him and bite him on the tail and see if that works!

LOL! Make sure it' s somebody you don' t like. That could get painful real quick!

Washington Hunter, I' ve had several labs, black and yellow, and not one has ever growled at me. Labs are great dogs. Very tenderhearted and eager to please. I don' t know if you have small children, but if so, that type of behavior would kind of worry me. If it was me, I would at least neuter him so that, if it is a genetic problem, it doesn' t pass further.