Labrador Retrievers/the yellow lab

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Expert: Labman - 3/14/2006


Question
I had a black lab also nuetered and had a good home.  he started to attack my dastchund and draw blood and become very aggressive.  this was my dog and sometimes i think my husband thought i loved him more than him.  i had no choice but to find him another home (i have children) and tell the new owners do not own any other pets.  why is it labs are starting to become so mean this is not the loving breed we all know.  is it from inbreeding and bad genes?  

Answer
I really can't say.  Early socialization, and by that I mean before 12 weeks old, is very important.  Poor socialization may not show up until the dog's personality reaches maturity at 3 years.  Breeding can make a big difference, although litter mates are often far different.  My Prince was a royal pain.  My friends had his brother Dawson, who was much more mellow.  

There is also some subtle ways for one dog to challenge another.  the Lab may have been responding to aggression by the dachshund you didn't catch.  Doggy    your mother wears combat boots.  I once saw a neutered Husky challenge an intact Lab that weighed twice what he did.  

Labrador Retrievers

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Housebreaking, chewing, feeding Most medical questions are best handled through a local vet. I try to base my answers on carefully proven methods confirmed by my own experience. Much of what I know about dogs, I have learned raising a puppy every year since 1991 for a large dog guide school. I am familiar with several similar programs. Nobody is in a better position to know dogs, need ones with long, active life, and share what they know, than the service dog schools. In addition I have done extensive reading. My answers have much more to back them than the limited experience any one dog owner can have. PLEASE DON'T SEND ME MEDICAL OR BREEDING QUESTIONS. An internet forum is not the appropriate place for them. Even if I could tell what was wrong from a handful of symptoms, you would still need to get the medications from your local vet. Breeding should be left to those not needing to ask simple, basic questions. Books have been written about it. Rather than ask me a question, start reading. Those unwilling to do the work it takes to produce quality puppies should spay/neuter their pets at 6 months. I will not answer questions that sound like a poorly prepared breeder.

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