I think my Lab has A.D.D...... ?

Question

Somebody gave me a 8 month old Lab.... He is a beautiful dog but he is exhausting.... My issue with him is he is overly excited and he jumps on everyone. He bowls over my 3 year old twins, I'm afraid to let him play with them. He doesn't bite and I know he means no harm he's just a big horse. How do I get him to calm down?

Answer 1

First off he's still a pup, which means he's gonna have lots of energy and doesn't necessarily know all the social rules yet.  Secondly, my experience with labs, especially black labs, though you didn't specify, is that they like to jump and do get overly excited.  They're and intelligent working breed and need stimulation, that's all.  Just try to take them out to a dog park and throw the ball around for awhile, or take em jogging to work off the energy.  Apart from that, maybe you just need a more mellow breed, like the golden retriever?  

Answer 2

He's still a puppy--Labs grow out of puppy stage at about 1.5 to 2 years old, so sit back and enjoy the ride!

Some things that may help:

**dog training classes.

**neutering

**excessive exercise (walks, swims, runs) to tucker him out

Answer 3

Your 8 month old Lab is a puppy! He does what Lab puppies (and other puppies) do, jump and run and act a fool, oh yes, and bowl over tots and other little people. And he will continue to do that for the next 2 years, because that's how long lab puppies will stay in puppy hood. There is a good solution to your "problem" though: take him for walks, as long as possible, at least 45 minutes. If he pulls on his lead like a tractor get a gentle leader head halter or at least a gentle leader easy walk chest harness. Both will give you the necessary control over your gentle behemoth. Pack lots of yummy treats to reinforce good behavior and keep him from chasing the ducks.

Also enroll him in a beginners obedience class for socializing and general guidance. Your dog trainer will give you all the tools you need to become a happy vs. frustrated dog guardian. Your kids will thank you too.

Answer 4

Labs have lots of energy.  They can be trained.  You may want to take him to some obedience classes and learn how to teach him not to jump on people.  That fault should be very trainable.

Answer 5

Get him fixed. I am a hunter so i dont get him fixed but my black lab is VERRY HYPER! He will come at me 40mph and knock me over. He is about a year and 8 months old and he is hyper. Just make sure he is trained to commands and make him sit, stay and obey you as long as you dont let him ignore your command. He must do every command. If you want him not as hyper get him fixed. Hope this helps!

Answer 6

Labs are very exuberant dogs, they usually stay the same way their entire life. You'd be hard pressed to find an American Lab that has less energy as it gets older.

If you want to aid him in calming down, neutering him is a good start. You can enroll him in an obedience class that specializes in athletic and energetic dogs.

It would also help to take him on several short walks a day, or two to three long walks. Labs love swimming and running, so incorporating those into his daily life will show some vast improvements.

As some basic information, I'd recommend you read Marley and Me by John Grogan. It tells how he overcame living with the most "exuberant lab in the history of the world".

Answer 7

Labs are high energy dogs! haha... as you are finding out! Exercise and training will be the key. =)

Good luck  

Answer 8

mine is the same and he's 3 years-old- labs are not very bright.  

Answer 9

Labs take ages to grow up mentally and settle down... on average not till 3 or 4 years of age.

Excersize, disapline followed by affection is the best way to handle a handful of dog! Look up The Dog Whisperer for more information.

Basically you need to walk him every day, possibly twice and keep him on a check lead when he is about to socialize with your kids/visitors. You should be able to correct any unsociable behaviour becouse you have control of him. Try not to shout and scream as this just encourages roudy behaviour.

Dog training class's would be great if you have the time too.

Labs are not stupid, why do you think they make such great see'ing eye dogs? They do however need constant entertainment, attention and a firm hand - kind of like a child! :)

Maybe you could concider a smaller or older, already trained dog - before everybody gets fully attatched. You may not have the time and patience to deal with another *child*, seeing as tho you have twins! It is not a bad thing to rehome a dog that does not fit into your lifestyle.

We recently bought a 5 year old Doberman  fpr $50.00 who is a dream, great guard, great with our baby and was trained already!

Good luck with it all  

Answer 10

a young lab has high energy. compare an 8 mo old dog to about a 5 year old boy!  he needs to run and play alot to get rid of buildt up energy, just like any little boy. they also like to swim. take him swimming at a nearby creek, river or pond. or if you have a friend that has a pool.  let him burn off thet energy and he'll be more managable.

Answer 11

I would get him trained!  I love Labs!He's still a puppy! I heard that Lbs don't grow up till they are 4. I have a 2 1/2 year old lab mix! He still acts like a puppy!

Answer 12

Well, usually a dog that someone just brought home gets overly excited at all of the new sights and smells and whatnot.

Scold him if it gets too out of hand, and if you do good enough with that he would quit.

If he doesn't after a while, you might want to ask a vet.

Answer 13

First, he needs exercise, about two hours a day. A tired dog is a good dog. A bored dog will find and make trouble. Exercise does not mean time alone in the backyard, this means walks, bike rides, ball, etc. Then you take him to obedience school, and add an hour a day for training. Did you wonder why somebody was giving away a young, purebred dog? Maybe because they didn't bother to start with these things, and he became unmanageable. Also, if he isn't neutered, do that now, it will help decrease his drive.

Answer 14

call a dog trainer or buy a saddle

Answer 15

I took two of my dogs to obedient school , I think I did better job training my dogs than they did.. it was a waist of money... Labs stay puppys untill they're 2 years old... they are extremely smart but they have tons of energy ... you need to let your pup get a lot of exercise during the  day... & you need to poty train him..I cage trained my lab, i think it's the best method.. you need a big cage because labs can get up to 120lbs... make the pup sleep in it at night, let him out in the morning and every time he does something wrong put him in his cage for 5-10 minutes...  

Answer 16

A.D.D ??? Isnt it ADHD..... anyways, you should take him to an obidence class.