My new dog is really bad?

Question

he is a chocolate lab, and almost 7 months old. he never listens. i keep him locked in the kitchen when i am out and oustide when he needs to play or go to the bathroom. but he bites me like crazy. i could walk right on by him and he would bite and naw at my ankles jump on me scratch me bark at me. if he doesnt get his way he will destory the house/kitchen kind alike a little kid.i try yelling at him ignoring him, and on ocasion giving him a little hit on the nose, still never listens. HELPP.

Answer 1

Never mentioned exercise or playing with the dog......

Did you get a dog just to have it sit in the kitchen and in the yard?  'How about taking the dog to an obedience class and taking him on a long walk everyday to drain his energy.  You basically are keeping a prisoner, since hes locked in a kitchen and only allowed to go out in the prison yard.  Good luck with your pooch, sounds like hes just wound up like a typical lab puppy and needs exercise and training.

Answer 2

I think he needs more positive attention, and needs to be taught who the leader of the pack is, right now the dog is trying to be dominate and he needs to be taught.  I would think also he requires more exercise and training, if you don't know how to properly train him get a book that will help you or invest in training sessions that you and the pup will go to together.  Labs are generally easy to train but it will take time and patience on your part.  Good Luck!

Answer 3

http://www.cesarmillaninc.com/

this dog training philosophy of learning how to be your dogs pack leader by being calm and assertive hass been a life saver for us (my Jack Russell terrier and I). I highly recommend it!

Answer 4

I ,VE BEEN THERE! BUT THE SOLUTION IS VERY VERY SIMPLE.....WALK ,WALK,WALK,WALK,EXERCISE,EXERCISE EXERCISE EXERCISE....CONTINUOUS FOR TWO WEEKS(14 DAYS.....YOU WILL SEE RESULTS AND THEN START EVERY OTHER DAY IF POSSIBLE FOR HIS LIFETIME...................

Answer 5

The crate theory is an excellent suggestion.  Labs require a lot of disipline, excercise, and attention.  He's 7 months old now, it's time to get real serious before it's to late.  Do get a crate though!

Answer 6

Have you had the dog since he was a small puppy?

One reason he may keep biting you is because when he was really small, cute, and playful you (or the previous owner) did not correct him when he gnawed or bit your hand. While it may have been funny or cute when he was small, it is not so cute anymore (as you well know).

This could also be the reason behind the jumping - when he was small and cute you (or previous owner) may have let him jump on you and thought it was funny. Once again, not so funny or cute when he got bigger.

The scratching and barking needs to be addressed as well before it gets worse.

My advice to you is to seek out a professional trainer who can teach you how to train him and correct his behavior appropriately.

Most of the time with dog training, it's the human that needs to be taught how to communicate with their animal. For example, yelling at a dog does not do much other than excite or frighten them. Commanding them in a clear, even, and lower pitched voice will get a dog's attention faster than yelling.

Also, try redirecting his behavior. When you come home, have some treats waiting outside or keep some in your car. Come in the house with the treats, command him to sit, and when he sits quietly, reinforce his good behavior with the treats. Eventually, it will become an automatic response (like Pavlov's dogs, if you remember it from your science classes) so that when he hears you come home he will sit and wait quietly for you to address him and give him attention.

Also, the destructive behaviors sound very puppy-like. Make sure you have enough fun toys and things for him to chew on so he doesn't get bored. Also, labs are high-energy dogs so make sure you take him on lots of long walks. A tired dog is usually a much calmer dog.

As for hitting him on the nose, that doesn't really do much other than make him scared of you, which could lead to more aggressive behavior in the future.

And the most important thing of all - remember that you are in control, not the dog. Carry yourself around him like the boss that you are - do not get overly emotional when dealing with him (hard, I know, but think of it this way - what would you think if a mother started screaming and throwing a fit at their child who was having tantrum?).

Just seek out a really good professional trainer and I think you'll be fine. Also, read The Other End of the Leash - it's a great book about how dogs and humans misunderstand each other because of their different ways of communicating.

Answer 7

Maybe he'd just wants you to give him more attention.

Not to sound rude.

Just saying he's young he probably loves attention. :)

Answer 8

Training.  It's that simple.  You should have had him in a training class months ago, but it's never too late to start.  Labs have a lot of energy so he needs walks as well.  Training will teach you how to communicate with him.  They don't speak english so they have no idea why you are yelling at them.  Just like children, you have to SHOW them the correct behavior.  Trainers are a great resource for helping you through this difficult adolescene period.  He jumps at you and nips you because he is trying to get you to play.  Here is a great article on nipping to help you break that habit:  

http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/pup-nip.pdf

You can find a good trainer in your area here:  www.apdt.com

Crate training.  Here is a reference page:

http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/crate-train...

He shouldn't have any unsupervised alone time so that he can chew or destroy the house.  Again, Labs are notorious for their chewing as well (which I'm sure you discovered when you researched this breed before you got the dog).  Bully sticks.  Compressed rawhides.  Kongs filled with treats and sealed with peanut butter so he has to work his mind to get the food out.  These will all help.

These are all behaviors that can be easily modified if YOU are willing to put in the time and the training.  Hitting him teaches him nothing except that you are a painful person to be around.  Labs are notoriously food motivated - this makes them very easy to train!  Training can be fun.  It's also a great way to socialize your dog.  We found playdates with other dogs through our training class.  Puppies can tire each other out a lot quicker than we can wear them out!  Training also works their brain, which is another way to tire them out.  You need to work the body and the mind.  Dogs don't play by themselves in the backyard so if you are just putting him out there on his own, he's not getting any exercise.  You need to go out with him and play fetch or start walking him.

Answer 9

Well one, i would replace your kitchen holding area, with a crate.

You need to correct him sternly, make a yelping or loud "OUCH" when he bites at you.

How much exercise does he get? Usually a dog without much exercise will lash out in ways that you're describing. Maybe invest in a Nylabone, they are great for chewing.

Yelling and Ignoring will do nothing but escalate the situation.

Answer 10

maybe the dog doesn't like you or maybe having some pain so try locking him in a room.