Almost 9 months.....tell me your stories and keep me sane!!

[choosingtangent]

Thanks for your input Labradorks, and I understand some people's trepidation regarding e-collars. They are misused for sure. I don't think I said that it was a requirement for novice dog owners. If I implied that, it was not my intention and I do apologize. I was suggesting that if a human has a dog with behavioral issues, there is hope. If you choose the e-collar as a tool and are unfamiliar with how to apply it, by all means GET INSTRUCTION. Quality e-collars have a "pager" feature. The pager ONLY causes the collar to vibrate, it does not shock. I did not say an e-collar was NEEDED to be a good trainer/responsible pet owner. I did say that "TRAINING TO SOME LEVEL" was a requirement, and I stand by that statement. By not offering PROPER training, at least basic manners (come,sit, place and most important, HALT) IS irresponsible. I was offering up advice/suggestions (OP was seeking advice/suggestion). NEGLECTING TRAINING IS WHAT LEADS TO THESE WONDERFUL DOGS ENDING UP IN RESCUE PROGRAMS. I have worked with dogs that came from rescue programs, and were an order of magnitude worse than the OP is experiencing and I can assure you that 99% of issues can be solved with the page/vibrate alone. The electronic training collar should be used in conjunction with a traditional collar as well, like a martingale type. That way, when you are "on leash" the dog will learn to respond to the pressure alone. Quality on leash work leads to desirable off leash behavior. All you are doing is getting the dog to focus. Reward the dog with praise and shower them with love when they focus on what you need them to do. I am sure that i don't have to tell you (your dogs are beauties), Labs are extremely intelligent and live to please their humans (as do most canines)... when properly trained. When they are not, they can be unholy terrors. Training on a regular basis stimulates your dog's mind in a positive way. That is a fact, plain and simple. I will say it again, train often, not just when you feel like it and LOVE your dog. Training = Love. Often these beautiful animals don't respond well to the PETCO style of training. How many people can stop a 30 kg dog when it takes off at a dead run towards, or because of something? That is where my statement regarding safety is based. They are field/working animals with specific instincts. That is in no way meant to imply that they also do not make great companions, because they certainly do. Never forget, these guys were bred to work in the field along side of humans gathering food, so give them what they crave, it is in their DNA.
"Wildly incorrect" seems an overstatement. I don't know about you, but it breaks my heart to see loving dogs relegated to a shelter, or worse, the pound when a human does not recognize the importance of training. If you don't know how to train, learn... and if you don't want to train with your BFF, get a cat, not a 30 kg bundle of "I want to work". If you don't do field work, give you dog a job, you don't have to hunt to teach your friend the finer points of retrieving. If you can't at the very least do that much, and you still want a dog... then get yourself a purse dog. It is much easier to control an untrained 2 kg dog.

[Maxx&Emma]

I think training, (and not at a Petco type class), is the answer, period. And don't stop, teach your dog new things as often as possible. I have said before, my Maxx was born to be a therapy dog. He loves the work and his ability to pick up on a sick child's emotions is incredible to watch. He knows when to comfort and when to be silly. He also loves nose work and tracking but nothing makes him happier than putting his bandana on and getting his backpack ready. You get out of a dog what you put in. If you don't have the time and patience to teach them, get a cat!

[Labradorks]

Thanks for your input Labradorks, and I understand some people's trepidation regarding e-collars. They are misused for sure. I don't think I said that it was a requirement for novice dog owners. If I implied that, it was not my intention and I do apologize. I was suggesting that if a human has a dog with behavioral issues, there is hope. If you choose the e-collar as a tool and are unfamiliar with how to apply it, by all means GET INSTRUCTION. Quality e-collars have a "pager" feature. The pager ONLY causes the collar to vibrate, it does not shock. I did not say an e-collar was NEEDED to be a good trainer/responsible pet owner. I did say that "TRAINING TO SOME LEVEL" was a requirement, and I stand by that statement. By not offering PROPER training, at least basic manners (come,sit, place and most important, HALT) IS irresponsible. I was offering up advice/suggestions (OP was seeking advice/suggestion). NEGLECTING TRAINING IS WHAT LEADS TO THESE WONDERFUL DOGS ENDING UP IN RESCUE PROGRAMS. I have worked with dogs that came from rescue programs, and were an order of magnitude worse than the OP is experiencing and I can assure you that 99% of issues can be solved with the page/vibrate alone. The electronic training collar should be used in conjunction with a traditional collar as well, like a martingale type. That way, when you are "on leash" the dog will learn to respond to the pressure alone. Quality on leash work leads to desirable off leash behavior. All you are doing is getting the dog to focus. Reward the dog with praise and shower them with love when they focus on what you need them to do. I am sure that i don't have to tell you (your dogs are beauties), Labs are extremely intelligent and live to please their humans (as do most canines)... when properly trained. When they are not, they can be unholy terrors. Training on a regular basis stimulates your dog's mind in a positive way. That is a fact, plain and simple. I will say it again, train often, not just when you feel like it and LOVE your dog. Training = Love. Often these beautiful animals don't respond well to the PETCO style of training. How many people can stop a 30 kg dog when it takes off at a dead run towards, or because of something? That is where my statement regarding safety is based. They are field/working animals with specific instincts. That is in no way meant to imply that they also do not make great companions, because they certainly do. Never forget, these guys were bred to work in the field along side of humans gathering food, so give them what they crave, it is in their DNA.
"Wildly incorrect" seems an overstatement. I don't know about you, but it breaks my heart to see loving dogs relegated to a shelter, or worse, the pound when a human does not recognize the importance of training. If you don't know how to train, learn... and if you don't want to train with your BFF, get a cat, not a 30 kg bundle of "I want to work". If you don't do field work, give you dog a job, you don't have to hunt to teach your friend the finer points of retrieving. If you can't at the very least do that much, and you still want a dog... then get yourself a purse dog. It is much easier to control an untrained 2 kg dog.

I agree. Train. Pick a method and go. It is irresponsible not to. PetCo style, whatever. Nearly any type of training can work if you stick with it. But an e-collar is not the only way nor is it always the best way. There are many dogs who are well trained or trained well enough without them.

Having founded a Lab rescue, doing intakes and temperament tests, and fostering dozens of untrained two year old male field Labs, I can assure you, I have seen and dealt with a fair share of untrained dogs. None of which we used e-collars on to train.

Consistency is key.