Question for you Lab owners

Tom Barb

Tom Barb

Active member
The time has come when I am beginning to research getting a lab and how to train for hunting and etc. I know I'm about to get ripped lol. My question is in regards to the dogs behavior around other dogs. I currently have 2 small dogs around 5 lbs each. (I know, I know lol). The fiancé gives them special treatment with being on the couch etc.

Will a lab be ok with these little guys? I know new dogs assume their role on the totem pole and will likely be ok being low man. I want it to be a hunting dog so It needs to be disciplined and trained properly.

I guess I just want to know if they can co exist with such small dogs in the house that will get "different" treatment.
 
Tom,
I have a golden male, a lab male, a lab female and 2 yorkies...Everybody gets along fine except the female lab has her moments when she gets aggressive towards the others...But its just like children, you never know how they'll turn out...The female lab doesnt't pull the same tactics with me as she does my wife...All three big dogs are trained for hunting...
Bruce
 
My female lab loves all other dogs... even the little ankle biters that don't like her. The worst she will do is lick them.
 
My old lab was fine with the ex gf's little ankle biters ... First time he'd been around anything smaller than a 50lb female. He was generally good natured anyhow... Him and the male dachshund became really good "friends ".

If the female dachshund pissed him off, then he would just piss on her and then go lay down..

My current female she's a different story, she doesn't play well with other dogs... I think a lot of it had to do with socialization as a pup from her previous owners ...(she was given to me when she was 5years old).... It took several "behavior modifications" to not be aggressive to my new male puppy.... But oddly enough she'll play really well with new feist mix...
 
Tom, I think you will be OK with a lab, most of them are just big creampuffs. One tip that you should really consider is to introduce the dogs to each other in a neutral place. It may or may not make a difference but it will take territorial issues out of the picture. The little ones may feel the need to defend "their" territory if you bring a new one into the house. Keep it fun and it will go better. Remember that dogs need manners.
 
Thanks for all the great advice guys. Id also like to get a video series of books about how to properly train. I want to be completely prepared when I do get one. Any suggestions on that front?
 
Since the lab will be the new one in the bunch,she/he will grow up with the other dogs and be fine.Just watch the bad habits,puppies learn from others.
 
Yes they will be able to co exist without problems. Some good advice was mentioned about gradually introducing the dogs in a neutral place to avoid territorial issues. Labs are very quick to learn, if you set a standard that they need to follow, they'll figure it out regardless of what the other dogs do. The biggest thing is consistency among family members, they'll figure out who will let them get away with things and who won't. That means no afternoon naps on the couch with your new buddy when the fiance is not around, lol!!! Enjoy your new lab when the time arrives, and remember to focus on bonding the first few weeks and don't rush your pups development. I can't recommend enough the dvd training a retriever puppy by Bill Hillman. It's the most complete puppy dvd out there and takes you step by step in laying the ground work for future training. It's expensive but worth every dollar, and it has a very good resale value.

I also noticed your from South Jersey, if you ever want to get together and train dogs let me know. Things get expensive and eventually it really helps to have an extra set of hands to run different set ups.
 
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I have had labs all of my life from the time I was a toddler. Most....MOST labs do not have many problems with other dogs. There will be the occasional dog that they cant get along with, but for the most part they are friendly to just about anyone and anything. Our current lab hasn't found a dog in our neighborhood that he doesn't like and even loves my son's Hedgehog. They are a very friendly breed.

dc
 
Tom, what most have written about Lab's disposition is spot on, and why they are such a popular breed. However, whenever you introduce a new dog to the "pack" you have to allow the dogs to work out their hierarchy, and focus on your position with the dogs. So many on-going conflicts are created by well meaning owners. If a dominate dog in the family pack, is not allowed to be dominate, there will be constant conflict and testing. Once it is obvious the pecking order, you have to accept it and allow it. If you favor the non-dominate dog you will be sorry in the long run. That is not to say you don't have your favorite and take him hunting and leave the others... it is just when the dogs are together, you have to respect the order. If you are petting a submissive member, and the dominate comes over and nudges the submissive aside. You have to allow that and give the dominate the attention.

A little study of canine pack dynamics and how it might relate to training and house life will go a long way.

A couple of my golden rule:

1. I am pack leader.
2. No one enters a door/gate, ahead of me.
3. I own everything, there is nothing that belongs to the dogs, and I remind them of that often. (chew toys, betting, food, dishes, etc)
4. Once a command is learned, and I am confident it is understood, it is given once, and then a correction is made if not compliant. (I am not talking about hitting or beating, simply a correction, and then appropriate praise for proper performance)
 
Dave, What you said is spot on and what constantly amazes me is how fast dogs figure it out!! So much better and faster than humans, one sniff of the butt and that's it. heheh. One phrase that I love is "timely and sufficient correction". Good rules.
 
My question is in regards to the dogs behavior around other dogs. I currently have 2 small dogs around 5 lbs each. (I know, I know..lol). The fiancé gives them special treatment with being on the couch, etc.
Click to expand...

Make sure the pup does NOT develop a primary bond with the "little dogs". Take him out for long walks in safe places. Plan for plenty of "one on one" outings....just you and the pup.

Crate conditioning is a must do. Also, make it so the pup has a "safe place" to relax during the day.....like his crate. Plan each day around what you intend for him to be like when he is older.

Puppies thrive on fun routines. Develop a predictable, daily schedule. Here's a link to some ideas you might incorporate.

http://kwicklabs.com/InTheMoment.htm
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The link Jim posted to his site is another valuable source of information. I've found quite a bit of valuable information there.
 
Some great advice from everyone. I will definitely use the listed resources to do some research and studying before I take the leap. Thanks fellas
 
My wife and I have a Maltese that obviously is the "house" dog. My hunting dog is a German Wirehair. My expectations for both dogs is quite a bit different, but that's just me. With a dog in the field you need absolute control for their safety sake and the enjoyment of the hunt. If I say "heal" or "sit" by golly she better do it or there's heck to pay. To me there's nothing more frustrating than an uncontrollable/disobedient dog on a hunting trip. With our Maltese I'm not nearly so strict. So as someone mentioned earlier or maybe alluded to, I would say limit the time your house dogs and hunting dogs spend with each other especially if your expectations are different. I know there's others on this site that have a greater depth of knowledge/experience than me on this topic.
 
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