“I have had several (more than 3) labs now. The best advice I ever got for the energy is excercise. A person I did not care much for actually helped me out. The advice was simple, as soon as you get home, the dog is first. If you have groceries, leave them on the counter, you will get to them soon. Take the dog outside and play vigorously for 15-20 minutes. This always helped me with me field bred lab. I may have had to do that 2 or 3 times a day while she was young, but it really worked. As for chewing, as all others have said, provide LOTS of options to the NO-NO items. We used raw hides, the unflavored ones (they stain the carpet less). Always trade a chew yes for a chew no. Take away the NO saying no, give the yes saying good boy(or girl). Good luck, labs are great.”
— Lynne,
Jul 29 2009
“kjjpayne,
Your Lab just needs some training! I am on my second black Lab, she weighed 50 lbs. at 5 months! If exercise is making her more hyper, she's not getting enough. You need to wear her out! Fill in by throwing a tennis ball for her to "retrieve", remember, she needs to use her natural instincts. Be patient and work with her calmly. She needs lots of chew toys/bones to keep her away from your things. Mine love stuffed animals- stock up at a Thrift shop, and reward her with a new one occasionally. A baby pool- or any place she can swim-in the summer, is also tiring! Your reward will be a very loyal, loving dog. Labs are very intelligent & want to please you. You owe her a little time & effort. (This site is a great resource!) I promise, it will come back to you ten-fold! Good Luck & enjoy the best dog you can have! ”
— Denise,
Jun 02 2009
“I just got a 1 year old Black lab. She is over 50 lbs. and Jumps on everyone. She also chews everything! I'm trying to leash train her right now too.She also is very carless about not running over my small kids. I put here outside when she knocks my kids over. Any sugestions on how to get this huge dog to calm down with my kids. Exercise just seems to make her more energetic. Help, I'd like to keep her. ”
— kjjpayne,
Feb 23 2009
“I just bought an adult English Bulldog she is just a year old and oh my she jumps up, and races around like a child that is ADHD. I've had her for about 4-5 months and I find it intolerable and annoying. I can't seem to teach Cagni to stop this unwanted behavior. I have 3 other English bullies and they are just the opposite of her and well behaved. Even they find her annoying and most times don't want to play with her, she is just too hyper and does not listen no matter what I've tried. Anybody have anything to help? I am seriously considering giving her to the Human Society.”
— mary.davis,
May 28 2008
