Posted: Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:05 pm Post subject: Are we the only ones with a hyper/excitable lab?
I've posted a few topics regarding my one year old lab Emma before on Lab Forums and had very good advice.
After a recent walk at the local park I suddenly feel on my own with this one. Every other dog that walks past is a Labrador and seems to have a very placid nature and walks off the lead no problem.
Emma on the other hand is very boistrous and un-trainable. As soon as she she's another dog her feet do not touch the ground. It is very embarrassing!!!!
I was just wondering if their are any other lab owners that have had this problem when their dog was younger and if its going to pass?
She has the same problem with people that walk past but not so excitable behaviour. Also have the same problem when visitors come in. Total nightmare. don't know what to do next!!! HELP
p.s Emma has had a personal trainer once but did not touch on these problems at the time. Do not want another trainer.
Snap, I have a very lively lab too but I put that down to the back ground breeding. She comes from field trial parents
She never just chill out when out on walks, she is always on the go
Hope you dont mind me asking but is your lab from purely working types, you can usually see this in the pedigree that you got when you picked the puppy up from the breeder.
Majic used to run off to other dogs and given half the chance she would now so I invested in a 26ft extendable lead for off lead so I was in control but she could still have a run but be pulled up for anything she shouldn't be doing it also helped with her recall as she did cop a deaf 'un a lot of the time and it it only nowish that she is fully off lead after 3 months on extendable no she isn't perfect but it is getting better.
At home she had to be put on a lead when any visitors came snd introduced on lead any jumping or silliness she was removed and tried again a bit later she is still learning this as now we have got a Dexter our rescue she wants to be at the visitor first which can mean barging and nearly flooring people so back to square one with this.
A long line is also good but you have to be like a cowboy for reeling it in but some do prefer this to extendables
Perseverance and shoeing her you are boss is the key she is also robably going through a kevin stage and trying her luck so reinforce your commands
Max was very excitable when younger and, if not checked early enough tended to rushed up to other dogs expecting them to play which is bad manners and got him into trouble a few times.
With persistance he stopped the rushing up but still had a love of life as only a lab can.
However, at about 2.5 to 3 he started to chill out and now at 4 he is so laid back he is almost horizontal although at times still a bit of a scardy cat as things can often take him by surprise. He still rushes around when out off lead but calm in the house/car and doesn't chew.
He has his bum tuck and run moments like all labs, but is very chilled now and just goes with the flow.
..... you are so not alone ....ok this may not be what you want to hear about Emma .... but if she's anything like Sherpa..one minute he makes his mummy sooooo proud....next well what can i say he is possessed and behaves like a lovley labby "demon" thankfully no head spinning but it's open house for any other labby demonic behaviour ..and he's 8 this year ..so should know better ..but would i have him any other way??? NAHHHHHH !!!
Saying that he does have longer periods of calmness these days ..but i do love it when he has the demonic puppy rush moments
Hi,
Most young labs are boisterous to a certain extent (which is probabaly why so many adolescent labs end up in rescue- people think that lab = calm, guide-dog type behaviour and not manic loon behaviour!)
I think that a lot of people under-estimate their labs intelligence too and that maybe their lab doesn't get enough brain-stimulation. Labs really love to have 'jobs' and to have to use their brains. Although mine are training to be 'working' dogs there's nothing a lab likes more than being asked to help out with chores around the house. Emptying the washing machine, picking up dropped objects, taking things on command to other people in the house are all things that a lab will pick up really quickly and give the lab endless pleasure. I find that the more a lab learns to do the calmer they become.
Also Echo, at nearly a year old, has just had her first season ans she is suddenly a much more calm and mature dog, so don't despair!
Love Becs and the Gang
Bitch Bag Willow who is now 3 (love her to bits really) came from a breeder who also bred Springer Spaniels. I always tell people she's a Springer in disguise and beside Jet who I consider to be a typical laid back horizontal Lab- she is a nightmare at times. I had a WSD before and he was calm compared to her and thats saying something for a Collie.
No you are not alone!!
Cant add to the advice already given, except why dont you want a personal trainer again- this is often where they come into their own as it were. It would be my choice for this problem as I had to resort to this when Willow was about 8-12 months old as she was getting me so worked up- having a 'style' of Lab I was not really expecting nor prepared for. My Collie was oh so much easier to get a grips on and thats not funny.
As long as they know that this is why you are asking for thier assistance.
Doobs is better now - but he has his moments. Gracie is quite a chilled out pup - but again, has her moments. Millie however is always on the go - although I think its more to do with her settling in here. But take all 3 out together, I am asking for trouble! Excitable isn't the only word I would use lol
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..and he's 8 this year ..so should know better 
