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Hi, my puppy Leon is 10 wks old now and I would just like some pointers on managing his behaviour. He is a very bright but lively lab. He has growled at me on several occasions and has been a bit snappy. I have a lead attached to him in the house so I can grab it if he's misbehaving and want to pull him away. I restrained him recently in this manner when he tried to chase the cat. He started barking and growling and biting the lead.Over the last few days he has also been barking when unable to get his own way. Today I took him to the vet for his second vaccination and he spent the whole time in the waiting room barking which then went through the roof when a collie appeared. I don't know if he was barking actually at the dog or merely the fact that he was being restrained on my lap so couldn't play (last week I took him to see a trainer who introduced him to her lab and he was fine). Is this normal behaviour for such a young labrador? I suspect it may be something to do with the alpha male status. I have noticed he behaves far better with my bf (who does have past experience with puppies). Unfortunately he works full time whereas I'm at home so it falls to me to lay down the law. I feel somewhat stupid admitting that sometimes Leon does make me nervous (a 10 wk old puppy for gods sake!) and i know I need to curb this as he's going to get a hell of a lot bigger. I also want to moderate this behaviour for the sake of my children (who are also particularly nervous of him)
Any advice would be gratefully received. I have his name down for a puppy school and am also arranging to meet again with the trainer to discuss specific issues before this starts. I know I am in for a long haul with labrador training but am desperate to start on the right foot and with him knowing his rightful place. Also I would quite like to meet anyone who lives locally to me (Nr Milford Haven, pembrokeshire) who has experience in raising labradors, for further advice and support and possibly a walking companion (Leon is allowed out on the lead in a week) Even my vet said 'look out world!'
Any advice would be gratefully received. I have his name down for a puppy school and am also arranging to meet again with the trainer to discuss specific issues before this starts. I know I am in for a long haul with labrador training but am desperate to start on the right foot and with him knowing his rightful place. Also I would quite like to meet anyone who lives locally to me (Nr Milford Haven, pembrokeshire) who has experience in raising labradors, for further advice and support and possibly a walking companion (Leon is allowed out on the lead in a week) Even my vet said 'look out world!'