black lab problems

[Randy Kaar]

we have a year old male black lab that found us a few months
ago. this dog is great but very protective of us, like a german
sheperd. he will go after any stranger. and not to play either.
any ideas what to do?

thanks
randy aka bh

[tattguy12]

Just needs more playtime. Dog parks are great for that, The dog was probably never around people before you got it ::cheers::

[schwinger]

Sorry I don't know what to tell you but I would stay as far away from the dog park as possible with an aggressive dog. There are people at the dog park as well. I agree the dog probably needs to be socialized but a public dog park with unleashed dogs is not the place for it in my opinion.

 

[Randy Kaar]

he is great around the grand kids, just doesnt like
strangers, if we cant sell the house here in the cities
i might have to give him up....

randy aka bh

[The General]

BH, from reading the posts you have written and this post I can tell you're a pretty good guy.  Let me ask you this though.  Is it worth everything you own to try and rehab this dog?  Because that is what it might cost you if the dog does
bite someone.  Good Luck, wish I had some helpful information.

[The General]

I gave my buddy a call for you who had the same problem.  He said what he did was whenever the dog showed aggression he would immediately put him on his back and get on top of him.  He said he seen it on TV.  It's to show the dog that he is a follower of the pack and not the leader.  Putting the dog on it's side or back is a submissive position for the dog.  Hope this helps.

[mrs icebanger]

yes protectiveness is a dominance behavior....the dog believes that he is one of the alphas in your pack....need to work with him on being submissive around others....putting him on his back is a great way to start....also any of the kids need to do this and often....if you have neighbor kids they should do it also....but not if he is already agressive towards them of course...it is a slow process and needs to be done over and over....and may not work if he is set in his ways.  There are great Behavioralists that can work with you also.  hope this helps

[Randy Kaar]

thanks all, some good info.

randy aka bh