i just got this lab hes 6 and fully trained but the only thing is that when hes in the blind duck hunting he constantly whimper and whines. I know its not cause hes cold cause it was 70 on opening day. so how would i get him to stop it.

and i was woundering if hes the only lab that does that?

I have no clue but my dog whines a lot...but never barks. I guess its his preferred form of communication I don't know if there's much that can be done about it other than orally correcting after he whines.

Does your dog sleep inside or outside? My best friend had a dog that did the same thing, and he always slept inside on the floor. The following year we had him sleep outside starting in the summer, and his coat built up throughout the fall so he didn't get as cold in the winter. He whined less, and when we bought him a neoprene vest he quit all together, so I think it was just that he was cold and uncomfortable.

Do you towel try him after swimming when it is cold? That seems to help also. At 6 months I don't see that as such a bad thing.

When you say he's six ... does that mean years or months? That'll make a huge difference in eductated replies to you.

Whining in the blind is no more than the dawg "vocalizing" it's excitement and impatience. It's cured with patience, consistancy and some force by grasping the muzzle firmly while harshly saying "NO, QUIET!"

You may also use the e-collar to correct this behavior if you have one but unless experienced with it, please don't.

Some people have corrected the problem by squirting lime or lemon juice into the dawg's mouth to enforce the no-quiet command. I personally am firmly against that as there is a risk of acidic burn to the dawg's throat and esophagus.

You must also reward the dog once you have him quiet so they get to understand the difference basically quiet and when they are silent "good dog".

Labracorn ... one of the nice things about these forums is that folks like you and me can have a difference of opinion about a topic without resorting to saying the other is wrong.

Correcting improper behavior does generally NOT include a "good dawg" on my part when certain unwanted behavior ends. I've found that may tend to confuse the dawg and lengthen the learning process. Whining is active whereas silence is passive. I correct active misbehavior and offer praise when the correct ACTIVE response is exhibited (ie; NO ... DROP ... GOOD BOY). I do NOT offer praise with passive compliance such as QUIET.

(ps ... you're wrong!) :brow: :D :D :D

Too each their own. After attending lectures and workshops hosting Ian Dunbar PhD, MRCVS and his methods, once you have corrected the behaviour you must reward the good behaviour of the dog. A barking or whinning dog is first taught to associate the behaviour with a command "Speak, sing etc." it is then taught "Quiet, shush etc." This is similiar to an on off switch at least the dog then understands what is expected of him.

Must be a north-of-the-border thing when an attempt at subtle humour isn't recognized.

"Cappy ... DON'T chase the nice Kitty!" Chasing ends. "Good Boy Cap! Now help Daddy DRY the Kitty before Mommie gets home."

I too believe that priase is one of the most under utilized training tools available and it doesn't cost a penny.
HOWEVER, it must be used/done properly.
When you praise a pup/dog for preforming the correct action, sandwich the command. Lets say you command your dog to sit and it complies immediately as it is supposed to. The correct response (Sandwiched command) is "good sit, good sit" Unless good boy/girl or good dog is used exclusively as command reward, the dog will often see it as a release from control. By sandwiching the command the dog know what it is, it is doing right.

hmmm... If this vocalisation is from excitement (as I've seen in dogs I've worked with) the "good dog" reward thing probably wouldn't make much difference- by that point (6 years old), the hunting is intence work, and not a puppy game any more-it wouldn't mean that much to the dog wile hunting anyway.

However- if this is because your dog is loosing intrest (6 months old), is cold, and is truly "wineing", then you should use as many "good dog's" as you can, in trying to convey that this hunting experience is a "good" thing.

Also, I agree with both options Jim gave as far as getting your dog's attention- If this is because your dog is soooo AMPT to be out there waiting for birds, you will have to be brisk with getting his attention. BUT (at risk of reiterating)- if you don't know how to use an E collar right-then please don't use one at all.

And I have to lean tword Jim's philosiphy about the passive vs. active commentary. Reward definatly has it's place, and is VERY important... but this isn't nessisarily the time.

PS... I'm not taking sides!!! and it has nothing to do with my nationality :D ;)