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 Over energetic Lab!
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| Author | Topic: Over energetic Lab! |
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TBill New Member  Posts: 2 |
posted 06-23-2003 09:42 AM
 
Hi everyone! I was wondering if anyone could advise me on my Labrador, Jasper... He's over a year old now and he's just doesn't stop! He goes absolutely ballistic every time he see's somebody (especially me). I thought that he would grow out of this but that doesn't seem to be happening..... HELP!!! IP: Logged |
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katkrazy Member  Posts: 68 |
posted 06-23-2003 01:03 PM
Hi there - Here's just my two cents on the issue. Lab's are very intelligent and energetic dogs and require interaction with something at what seems to be all times. Have you thought of training Jasper for any special tasks or physical agility or just some fun and entertaining "tricks" he can do? Perhaps a new game like frisbee catching or new trick like "finding the ball" (hide-n-seek with his favorite toy) Perhaps if Jasper had other things or tricks to concentrate on and practice with each day - his attentions could be routed towards that instead of being so hyper and under foot all the time. My advice would be to pick a certain thing you want to teach Jasper how to do - and spend part of the day each day working on that new skill with him. Coaxing him to put all of his energy into this learning time. This way he has all of your attention even though for just a brief period of time each day - and he won't be so obtrusive about demanding your attentions and effections at other times. Just my thoughts. Hope it helps. [This message has been edited by katkrazy (edited 06-23-2003).] IP: Logged |
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Maisey Member Posts: 1387 |
posted 06-23-2003 01:31 PM
I agree...get him in involved in something. He needs to work his mind and body, get rid of some of that energy. I also think obedience classes would help you learn how to keep his attention for longer periods of time. Keep in mind a year old lab is still very puppy like, they don't hit a year and then grow up. I have an Aussie/Lab X, he is very much the Aussie in this mix, I can't see that the Lab mellowed him at all! He is all herding dog and mentality. These kinds of dogs are thinkers and very high energy. We have him on a flyball team, he is addicted to it, absolutely loves practice, which is once a week. He goes with me to the barn every night and runs his butt off for probably an hour. He is also taking agility classes once a week. We take him swimming or to the park for a nice long session of "chuck it" at leaste 4 days a week. He also has two other dogs that usually one day a week he will go for a play date with one of them. All of this means that everyday he has at leaste one physical thing to do that tires him out and he gets to work his brain. Not everyone can or wants to spend this much time doing doggy things....but if you picked one and really worked on it, it would make a huge difference. The "chuck it" toy is like $12, you can get it at pet stores. If you used it every night to tire him out, it would help alot. Find something he has high drive for...if it's a ball, use that to gain his attention for longer periods of time. Ask him to sit before you throw it for him, tell him to "look here" while holding the ball in front of your eyes, as soon as he looks reward him. get him to gradually look at you for longer periods of time. Then start asking "look here"(still to your eyes) but have the ball off to the side. Same thing when he looks at you in the eyes, reward. The object is to get his attention even with distractions and hold it. Turn games into lessons, a way to gain manners. Make it fun, not punishment, soon you will have a very well mannered pup. You know...the doggy sports are fun for people too! We have met some really cool people. Obedience IP: Logged |
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honeybear Member Posts: 926 |
posted 06-23-2003 03:16 PM
Maisey, sounds like your dog has a blast, I have what I think is mix of maybe aussie, or queensland healler, OMG she does not stop, she will play frisbee 24/7 if I let her, and the other thing when I do wear her out, it is not the same as when she can go for her walks and able to run free to let off steam. I wish I could put her in an agility or flyball class but she just doesnt like other dogs. She is scared of them. how many dogs get to go to a dog park only to run to the gate after 5 minutes wanting to go home! On the other hand my lab is a total couch potato and can only muster up a few minutes of play time a day. I think the lab in queastion needs both types of excercise, they like to be interactive with their owners. IP: Logged |
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Maisey Member Posts: 1387 |
posted 06-23-2003 03:47 PM
honeybear, we have a couple dogs on our flyball team that don't like other dogs. One is a Malinois who was abused terribly in her old home. She has high toy drive, so the lady keeps her mind on that, she has been very patient with her. She also does french ring and obedience with the dog, which seems to have built her confidence. On our team, we all understand that each dog has its issues, and we try to work around them or help them move past them. Passing would be something she might take issue with...we have a dog like that, and we just make sure the next dog is released a little later. Our team is not totally competitive, we are there to have fun with our dogs first. At practice...our dogs are not allowed to socialize until after wards and then only by choice. I would start with a class, beginning flyball. She won't have to deal with any passing like that, but will get an introduction to flyball. You may be surprised, some dogs have such high drive for the ball they are able to keep their focus there. If it didn't work out...you will at least have tried and it was only a class. IP: Logged |
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Maisey Member Posts: 1387 |
posted 06-23-2003 03:49 PM
I just re- read your post....do you mean just being in the same vacinity of other dogs is terrifying to her? IP: Logged |
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honeybear Member Posts: 926 |
posted 06-23-2003 05:38 PM
Weve had her for 4 years, she was a stray, she is getting better, I think her thing is Even though she worships the ground our lab walks on - we had him first, she doesnt want anything to do with other dogs, like when they try to play with her or if they take her 2 toys, a frisbee and a thing called bite the man, even Jake our lab knows not to take her toys - we say wwIII is going to break out (he only does this when he wants attention) I guess you could say she is a loner. She justs wants to be left alone and play, Ive recently noticed that when we had company and they brought their dogs - there is one she gets along with I was shocked, but it is because he doesnt try to play with her. the other wouldnt leave her alone and then she retreats or gets snippy. I guess I could attend one and take her to watch and see how she does. Honeybear IP: Logged |
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Maisey Member Posts: 1387 |
posted 06-23-2003 08:54 PM
The thing with flyball and agility, especially agility..and keep in mind I haven't even been to a competition yet..just an 8 week class, they are not playing with the other dogs...they are doing tasks, they learn what they are supposed to do. She wouldn't have to share anything or play with anyone. It would be time with you, where she is special and getting all the attention. At least go see a class, you never know. IP: Logged |
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TBill New Member Posts: 2 |
posted 06-24-2003 04:31 AM
Wow, I wasn't expecting that much help! I appologise for the delay in replying (I am at work, supposedly working). There seems to be some excellent advice offered, I am willing to try just about anything, he's a great dog and I would not be without him. I live outside of the city, so he gets a huge amount of freedom (Hills, forestry etc), I run, and he usually follows, so he gets plenty of excercise. I will try to concentrate his attention on learning one specific command (or trick) and see that he follows it through. Obedience classes may be an option as well... Many thanks for the advice! IP: Logged |
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