Pesky dog ! HELP

I don't think a family without the right knowledge can train a dog to be an assistance dog; surely you have to have the expertise to do so otherwise the dog will just be confused.

What is the family's definition on an 'assistance dog?' What are they expecting from the dog?

There have been documented success stories where dogs have brought great joy to autistic children as involvement in their care gives the child focus and a special bond is formed.

The problem is autistic children have special needs of their own so adding a puppy into the mix, which could grow into a boisterous dog unless properly trained has to be carefully thought through.

Tegan has a good point. A friend of ours managed a country estate and trained three of his labs as gun dogs. The one he failed with was a chocolate lab who was serially hopeless at obeying instructions. He was a lovely dog but totally scatty and in the end was just a lovely family pet. I hate fussy dogs. My SiL has a totally spoilt Bijon Fris who is sweet but a pain in the neck and won't leave you alone.

Since the dog was bought for the autistic offspring, could you suggest, or maybe offer to help fund as a present, that child and dog go to training classes together? It would help them bond and give your DGD responsibility and focus. Maybe even agility eventually?

Bad phrasing and grammar there, but I'm sure you know what I mean!

Tiring a dog out isn't the answer, that seems to indicate that there are 2 types of behaviour, energetic or knackered!

Training is the only solution, and mostly it's never too late to instill some basics.

However, there MUST be consistency! It's no good one person saying "sit, no jumping up" when another is actively encouraging it, for example.

I get the impression that labs take at least two years to grow up but chocolate ones never reach that stage at all. I've actually got a large scratch on my leg from when one leapt at me on the beach last week after having knocked it's owner over. The next time I saw them they looked very harassed and said 'we've walked and walked her but we can't tire her out'. Strangely enough I knew someone she bred Newfoundland's and he said that dogs of different colours but from the same litter would have totally different personalities; one of the colours being much dafter than the other one.

Yes. Chocolate labs are rarely used for gun dogs as they are less biddable.

Blacks are considered the best then yellow.

Interesting question, Tegan, as the younger dog at work, although black, had a chocolate mother, and on the occasions when she was being difficult, my boss would say "she's being really chocolate today!"

Out of interest, what colour is the dog? I've been told by several people that brown labs are much more difficult to train than golden/black ones.

Please do not use Jan Fennel if you want a happy dog that is part of the family. She suppresses the dog's personality. Cesar's methods are really last resort. Find a Kennel Club approved training class.

At work there are 2 labs, the old boy is 13, and apart from a dreadful flatulence problem, is no trouble!

The young one has just turned 2, and with firm, gentle training is becoming a pleasure to have around!

She used to jump up when I arrived at work, that has stopped as I would turn my back on her while saying "sit". Once she did, I would then turn round and stroke her.

She would also charge down the stairs after me, nearly knocking me over.

I trained her to sit and wait on the landing while I went down, then only come down once called. She has also learned NOT to barge through the door when it is opened, but to sit and wait until invited to come out.

I have NEVER had to shout at her, just a firm quiet voice with eye contact and a hand signal.

In fact, many times she will do what is required when I give her a certain "look"!

My boss's wife once remarked that I seemed to be "hard" with her, but I disagreed. As I said, I never shout, or raise a hand to her, but really believe that a well behaved dog is a pleasure to have around, while a badly behaved is a complete pain!

PS Before I sound like the Mary Poppins of the canine world, I haven't succeeded in stopping her staring at me while I eat my sandwich at lunchtime!

Cesar Milan is the man! Or have a google at Jan Fennel.

I do believe dogs have to know their place in the pack ( which is not as the pack leader, that's your job!)

Labs take ages to mature and need a lot of input and training. Given that they make delightful if shedding friends.

We really should have got on top of this dog thing by now. They are our oldest domesticated animal and have been our companions for at least 15000 yrs.

As soon as it starts to pester, stand up, turn your back on it and fold your arms.

It sounds totally bored it's trying to fit in and be part of the family and everyone dealing with it in a different way Get some professional help

I agree with Tricia and was going to post the same. A firm 'NO' said with conviction but not shouted and turn away/ ignore the behavior.
As has been said labs are intelligent and should be easy to train but it needs consistency. All family members should agree to do the same.

The best way to train a dog like that is through exercise and LOTS of it. A dog who pesters people is usually bored stiff. They need to need their boundaries so fussing and pampering will no good at all and shouting makes a bad situation worse.

The dog isn't bringing you a toy for you to admire, oldgoose, it wants a game!

Tricia is right about folding your arms and turning your head away. Keep eye contact to a minimum and if it gets bored and curls up in its bed, leave it be.

Assistance dogs need specialist training. They need to get professional help.

My friend was given a lab. like that. The poor thing had belonged to another family who had divorced and moved away. She had been illtreated and neglected from puppyhood - I saw it many times for myself. The poor dog was completely wild with no control.
My friend has been very patient with her, used positive reinforcement as advised by a dog trainer, and Jassy is much calmer now. She's just turned 2. But it's taken at least a year.
Oldgoose when I go to their house and J. tries to jump up I stand still facing her, turn my head away, put my hands behind my back and say 'No' in a firm voice. Try that and she'll soon learn.

Lol X posts Daphne we're on the same page.

What a shame for the dog - and the family.

It's a lovely idea , training it to be an assistance dog but the reason everyone doesn't do it is because it's darn hard work and you need to start young, be consistent and know what you're doing.

If they really want to do this I would suggest investing in a few hours from a specialist dog trainer on a one to one basis to train the family !

Once the family knows what they're doing and can all do the same thing ( over and over and over again) then it's time to train the dog.

It's not impossible but they've created a rod for their own back and now have a dog with poor habits and a family that reinforced that.

Labs are smart , they're working dogs so they can learn . Shouting at the dog won't achieve anything. It's positive reinforcement all the way . I do hope they undertake some training for the dogs sake as much as anything. Well trained dogs are a pleasure for family and visitors.

As I read this I am hearing a report on the World at One of yet another dog mauling young children and killing a baby. I do not suggest for a moment this Lab is capable of that but it needs to be properly trained - or rather its humans need training.
A well behaved, well trained dog is a HAPPY dog, it knows its place in the pack /family and will be relaxed and stable. Labs are notorious for not growing up until they are about 5 and I love them, but proper training is essential.
Watch an episode of It's Me or the Dog and you will see what I mean.