Help please

hi there please can I have some advice Boo is a 8 month old lab. I have speent hours and hours training her with recall, sit, lie down, leave, stay which she has done so well on and I have no poblems with.

My problem is her behaviour has gotten worse. She is crated when I leave the house (I only ever go to school and back twice a day) and is crated at bed time. She loves the crate and often goes in there when she has had enough as I leave the door open all day. I don't go anywhere because I feel guilty leaving her in her crate as she can't walk around etc. I have been coming to the idea of leaving her free but in the last few weeks her chewing has gotten worse and she has chewed sofa, chair legs, anything on the side etc. I don't know what to do or how to punish her (i certainly don't want to smack her)

She has also started to bark at me for attention. I spend most of the day with her but as soon as the phone rings and I am not giving her my full attention she barks. When I am making dinner or giving the children my attention she barks.

I have got to the point where I feel trapped in my own home. I love her to pieces and couldn't imagine a life without her but I feel I am stuck and need a break. I know that's not going to happen lol but I just don't know what to do. I am willing to put 100% in to this please can anyone help x

Sorry to ask but is she getting a good lot of exercise especially a run around?

Have you tried the normal bits like a Kong with hidden treats, hard rubber bone ?

Do you ignore her when she barks at you for attention?

Hi yes she gets a 45 min walk in the morning off lead with another dog so lots of running around sniffing away etc. Hubby then takes her for 15 mins in the evening to the shop and back on lead.

I have ignored her and I do but the barking just carrys on so I just distract her

She has lots of toys etc around as is not interested in the kong even when there are treats inside.

Also my other problem is jumping up at people when they come in I hold her and tell her to sit but it seems everything I have taught her goes out of the window because of the excitment of someone visiting. I dread people coming to visit now.

Sorry for the moaning I love her dearly but it all seems to be getting on top of me

Could you trial leaving her out of crate in a confined area (where she can't chew?) like putting up a baby gate or something?

I hope someone can give you some more advice, she sounds like she loves you dearly also

I don`t think she`s getting enough stimulation. (sorry). She`s at her most inquisitive period and also moving into adolescence.
I would be giving her short periods of gundog-type training. Scentwork (and she is bred to use her nose and retrieve) is wonderful for wearing a dog out.
Toys are not really that interesting for dogs unless they have someone to play with IMO.
Have a look at this website and it might give you some ideas on what sort of activities you can do with her
http://www.thegundogclub.co.uk/Train...FQ1lfAodwXzZcw
I understand that you won`t go shooting etc with her, but it does give good ideas on training this type of dog.

You could also think about taking her to a training club, where they will help you learn to control her. Be careful it is one that uses positive methods (no shouting, yanking or pinning down).

Do you actually do anything with her other than walk her and be there? My 11 month old Lab is extremely lively, highly intelligent and an absolute menace if under stimulated. Multiple 10-15 minute training sessions a day, indoor and outdoor, a good walk each day, several short walks so he can toilet (I live in a flat), games and a stuffed Kong keep us relatively sane but he still has his moments.

Classes are not an option for me at the moment but it's well worth looking into what's available in your area. If gundog work doesn't appeal then there are plenty of other activities to do with your dog. Agility, heelwork to music, flyball, treiball, obedience etc.

As a fellow Lab owner, I empathise

I agree with much of what others have said. She needs more mental stimulation so that she is not just tired physically but that she is tired mentally too

Also, although the 45 minute play session is fab in terms of socialisation, dogs also need on-lead walks as well, especially if they involve going to new areas, new sights and sounds etc. Could you alternate the play sessions so that every other day you instead take her for a good walk on lead - and so lots of training while you're walking also?

JUMPING UP:

This is very typical for young Labs. The only way to combat it is for everyone to be on the same page: i.e. for everyone to IGNORE her UNTIL she has all four paws on the ground again!

When she does jump, take a big step back and turn around. Do not even tell her 'no' or 'down' because ANY response = attention which is what she wants.

You will need to tell any guests to your home to ignore your girl in this way UNTIL she is sitting/calm. You will also need to enforce this rule with people you meet while out. I find that countless people tell me 'oh it's fine, I don't mind' when my Lab tries to leap up to greet them - I then have to explain that I am training him NOT to do this as plenty of folk do not like it.

I urge you to combat the jumping now while your girl is young - I can promise you that having a fully grown Lab leaping up at people is a problem that you want to avoid.

My Lab will sometimes protest if I'm busy at the computer, e.g. he will whimper for attention. If it becomes a bark, I do tell him 'not now' very firmly.

http://www.dogsey.com/showthread.php?t=167056

http://www.clickersolutions.com/arti...1b/jumping.htm

I don`t do the ignoring thing because it takes too long for excited dogs to `get` it.
I find it easier to teach an alternative behaviour. So when she sees someone, you take a treat, ask her for a Sit and reward. If necessary have her on lead.
After a while this will become a habit. A good one!.

Sounds pretty normal for a young dog.

Chewing isn't necessarily indicative of boredom. Some dogs just like to chew -- I have one who still enjoy's chewing shoes, TV remotes, random inanimate objects, etc., at nearly 3 years old.

Anyway, regardless of why a dog chews, ultimately it is a management issue. If she is crated when you go out and you are around the rest of the time, how is she getting chance to chew the furniture? you'll have to keep a closer eye on her, block her access to any particularly attractive bits of furniture, move any desirable items left on sides, etc. Yes its annoying having to do this, but hopefully this will only be a short term problem.

You have been given sound advice re: mental stimulation. Exercise wise she sounds like she is getting the right amount for her age, but you should bump up the training/play to keep her satisfied.

I agree with ClaireandDaisy about thinking about gundog training and teaching an alternative behaviour for jumping up.