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  1. #1
    Puppy
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    Please help with my lab!!

    My lab is about 5 months old. We chose to get a lab because we have a lake house and we loved the idea of playing fetch, swimming, and all the great stuff that comes along with lab ownership. I grew up around labs and I know they are great dogs.

    As I mentioned my lab is 5 months old. She is scared of other dogs. This is strange because ever since we brought her home as a puppy we had another dog and a cat and she loves to play with both animals. However any other dogs she is terrified of.

    Also she doesnt like to fetch. She will run after the ball maybe 5-10% of the time. We try to work with her by herself so there are no distractions but she has no interest it seems.

    And she definitely will not swim.

    So I am slightly frustrated because everything I was excited about as of now she has no interest in. I am starting to get worried since it is strange for labs to not like other dogs. She is great around other people however.

  2. #2
    Senior Dog charliebbarkin's Avatar
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    Did you do a puppy socialization training class? Did you do any socialization on your own? Not including your own/familiar pets?
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  4. #3
    House Broken
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    Your puppy is still young. 5 months is still a baby.

    I think you have to enroll her into a puppy obedience class. She needs socialization (around other dogs) to get over her fear of them. It's very important you do it otherwise you're setting up problems in the future - the fear can turn into 'fear aggression.'

    As for the 'fetching' and 'water.' You might have to teach her it's okay. Get a kiddy pool and fill it with water, drop some of her toys into the water. Help her get them out by reassuring her it's okay. She'll get it. There are some who don't like water but I'm guessing she's just unsure what to do, especially since your other dog hasn't shown her. I'm guessing your pup is dependent on your older dog to show her what's going on. Try to work with her as an individual.

  5. #4
    House Broken petitesalmon's Avatar
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    Your puppy is still a baby - don't put too much pressure on them! Mine is 7 months now but is quite the opposite of yours - just goes to show how individual they are.
    Definitely enroll in obedience class. It has been great for us, because it has got us in tune with one another and I love the challenge. Plus labs are quite trainable so that's a plus!

    I agree with Grumpy, ease her into water. Gradually she'll learn to like it - but then again not ALL labs love water! Is it warm where you are? Maybe it's a bit cold for her to go in the water at the moment?

    With fetching I think this will get better with more obedience training and treats! I started off when he'd be playing with a toy id call him to me and praise him to no end! He gradually picked it up but it's still not 100% at the moment. Just keep at it, I'm sure she'll come round and fetch in no time

    good luck!

  6. #5
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    We do work with her individually.

    She isnt scared of water, she doesnt mind putting her toes in the water. But she does not show any interest in swimming.

    We have taken her to the dog park once and this is when we first noticed she was affraid of other dogs. The vet told us to wait until we have her shots done to take her back. Since then her shots are done and now we have had dogs over the house to get her use to it. She is scared at first then after about 15-20 minutes she calms down and plays. But I am not sure how to get her over the initual scared phase.

  7. #6
    Senior Dog Maxx&Emma's Avatar
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    A group class would probably work wonders along with lots of play dates with young dogs that are like her in their energy level. Lots of positive reinforcement from you is very important. If you have any friends with dog's that swim, take one with you. It often works to move them along.
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  8. #7
    Senior Dog MightyThor's Avatar
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    My 5 month old hasn't been terribly interested in fetching. In fact, he's not a toy fan at all - much more food motivated. Every once in a while he'll enjoy a couple of tosses of a toy, but it's never been anything that he's shown much interest in. Until this week. I did a big order of outdoor dog gear from Ruffwear in preparation for a camping trip (no affiliation, just wanted to mention the specific toy) and included one of their TurnUp 'balls'. For some reason, this toy has just turned a lightbulb on in Thor's head. It bounces unpredictably so he just spent an hour playing fetch with himself on our wood floors. He can fling the ball and it bounces all over the place and he happily goes bouncing after it. My heart melted when he came to me and dropped it at my feet with that stereotypical 'throw it please?' lab face. He still doesn't care about chasing his other toys (including tennis balls) but this one just works. It's fun to see it kind of 'click' in his head. I guess my point is that if they aren't natural fetchers from birth, maybe the right moment/toy/experience is needed to turn on that light.

  9. #8
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    Dogs parks are not the best place to socialise. they are not really a natural environment, especially if your dog has never had play dates or met other dogs. I would work on finding friend with dogs (friendly dogs) and set up play dates. Sometimes facebook or meet-up have meet-ups for dog owners that are smaller. She missed out on a lot of socialisation so it may time time for her to become comfrotable with dogs. Yes she was too young for dogs parks but that means finding other ways to socialize in safer ways, but what is done is done.

    Swiming and fetching will come. She's still a baby. Keep fetching FUN FUN FUN, no pressure.

    For swimming, an area where she can play on the beach and slowly go in (gradual slope in the water) is ideal. Even better, if you have other dogs she likes to show he the ropes. otherwise just go in the water and encourage her to come. Don't push her or force her. It will come.

  10. #9
    Senior Dog voodoo's Avatar
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    I am sure all it will take is a little time/effort to get over this hump. Once it clicks in the pups head, you will be like wow, that was easy. just stay positive and dont get angry/give up and your pup will catch on. socialization is fun and easy way to let dogs teach each other stuff.
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  11. #10
    Senior Dog ckfalz's Avatar
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    Still a puppy so take it low and work on these things as several good suggestions have said. However, not all labs swim and fetch. Maybe by working toward that now you can get the dog's interest.

    I had a husky mix that, when little, avoided the water. When he got bigger and older I could not keep him out of the water. He just seemed to act like he wasn't ready yet when he was little and it all happened naturally as he got older.

 



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