I'm very close to rehoming our puppy. :(

Person_one

MurphytheLabrador wrote: »

I know she must see worse dogs, but I was really embarrassed. I think she probably thought we hadn't trained him properly / at all, which is far from the truth. Sorry to ramble on a bit.

I'm sorry, but that is the truth.

I'm not saying that to be cruel, I'm really not I promise, but its clear from your posts that no matter how much you've tried to train the dog, you haven't managed it and I think you need to accept that responsibility before you'll be able to turn it around.

We all get it wrong, we've all accidentally given our dogs bad habits when we thought we were doing it right, but sometimes we have to accept we've got it wrong so that we can start getting it right!

You have a very negative attitude to this dog, as though you think he is behaving badly on purpose somehow. I absolutely believe that if you and your husband are willing to change your attitudes and really put the hard work in that this pup could be a brilliant family pet, but if you aren't willing to do both then it would be better to rehome him sooner rather than later so that somebody who is willing to put the effort in can get him while he's still young.

poppyfield19

I just read the forum and don't post.

I just wanted to say I really feel for you OP. Quite a few replies have just been really rude and completely unhelpful.... you've clearly all tried your best with him and if that's not working then maybe for his sake too, it would be better if he was in another home.:(

Something that nobody has really picked up on, is he from a show or working line? If he is from a working line, this might explain all the extra energy..... walking him for longer and mental stimulation games often won't be enough, he might actually need to go to someone that is interested in having a working dog and is willing to do those things with him.... a lot of breeders definitely don't educate buyers on the huge difference between show and working dogs - there is a massive difference!

Not going to post again but I just wanted to add this , like I said some replies have just been really rude for no reason at all ! Good luck in whatever you decide to do - despite what people here think, do what is best for your family and for him. :beer:

poppyfield19

Person_one wrote: »

I'm sorry, but that is the truth.

I'm not saying that to be cruel, I'm really not I promise, but its clear from your posts that no matter how much you've tried to train the dog, you haven't managed it and I think you need to accept that responsibility before you'll be able to turn it around.

We all get it wrong, we've all accidentally given our dogs bad habits when we thought we were doing it right, but sometimes we have to accept we've got it wrong so that we can start getting it right!

I have to disagree with this. I foster dogs for a dog rescue and have for over 20 years and I've seen dogs - usually labradors, springer spaniels - like this before. With these dogs it wouldn't matter if the owners tried their best to train them and did all they could, it is very possible he needs to be (just for example) out working, or in a house with no children... you can't keep telling the OP that they are doing something wrong and that this dog will improve, it's just not realistic.

lostinrates

poppyfield19 wrote: »

I have to disagree with this. I foster dogs for a dog rescue and have for over 20 years and I've seen dogs - usually labradors, springer spaniels - like this before. With these dogs it wouldn't matter if the owners tried their best to train them and did all they could, it is very possible he needs to be (just for example) out working, or in a house with no children... you can't keep telling the OP that they are doing something wrong and that this dog will improve, it's just not realistic.

Labs (and springers) and indeed all the dog breeds are wonderful. I think it's a testament to the good nature of labs as a whole that a dig bred to have such endurance and energy settles to be a wonderful family dog in most cases but they are one of those breeds that I always wonder at how popular they have become, how generous their natures are, as many are just so ill suited to 'average' domestic life.

A lab's needs could not be more different to a greyhounds, and we know OP and her greyhound were a great mix. op, I tend to agree things have probably gone too far for you to turn it around with two intimidated children and ill will. Fwiw, there is NO WAY I would let children get food from a room with the puppy in if he has bitten them before. Are you keeping him in the kitchen? Is he kept in there to safeguard your children? It could be he is getting frantic and frustrated in there if he has considerable time alone in there and is over excited when the kids come in. Biting is Not acceptable, but sometimes it's understandable....the two are not mutually exclusive.

Have you spoken to the breeder yet?

poppyfield19

I agree with the kids going and that's why he is excited by seeing them, but on the other hand I think your kids should be able to go in for food without getting a sore bite... despite what people here are saying you do have to draw a line somewhere.

~Chameleon~

Having read the thread I think it's in the dog's best interests that the OP rehomes him, for his sake. I think they had very blinkered views on what taking on a puppy means, especially a labrador. They are NOT the family pet the Andrex advert would have you believe, at least not without a lot of hardwork and training.

I think the OP and her family have already conceded defeat so no amount of offers of help, and from incredibly experienced dog people here, will make the slightest bit of difference.

OP, please speak to your breeder or contact a labrador specific rescue to find this poor pup a home where he can learn how to be a proper dog.

poppyfield19

I know I said I wouldn't post again but I just feel like the OP is getting a really hard time for no apparent reason. The above post is once again going on about this poor pup and these awful owners who won't listen... are you reading the same thread as me? Like I said I have seen dogs like this before and OP, you should take some comfort in the fact it is not anything you are doing. I don't generally read this section so I don't know how much experience people have or don't, but you should simply ignore some of the comments getting made TBH. You have done nothing wrong and from what you have said you have tried your best..... have you spoken to the breeder about him again... it would be worth giving them a call and speaking through things with them about his behaviour, tell them that you are considering rehoming him, see what they have to say and if they would take him back. Keep us posted - I have sent you a PM.

Welshwoofs

MurphytheLabrador wrote: »

We got a labrador puppy because everything said what great family pets they were.

They are. But they don't come 'pre-formed' that way. As I said earlier in the thread; my Mum's present Lab was a complete nightmare for nearly 2 years. He's a picture of the perfect Lab.

We would not be dumping him for no reason, no matter what you think, we have tried for over 7 months with Murphy.

This is where I think that you weren't prepared for a puppy because 7 months is nothing. You've had several people in this thread, including me, telling you that it took a couple of years before they ended up with a calm, obedient dog.

We have wanted it to work out and wanted him to be a part of the family.

Wanted? Not want? You're using past tense which tells me that you've given up.

The trainer was fine, it's just that nothing seems to work for him. We are still going to try and do what we can.

Sorry but that's just ridiculous. You had one assessment with the trainer - did they tell you "Sorry madam, but there's absolutely no hope for your dog, he's clearly untrainable"? No.

Honestly, if you honestly expect to get a perfectly trained dog within a few months you are better giving him up to the trainer or a good home. If you ever get another dog I'd suggest sticking to the rescue greyhounds or something else that doesn't require a lot of hard work.

In the meantime; as your Lab pup is getting excited around food I'd suggest you put a baby gate on the kitchen door to avoid situations like you had with your child and the yogurt.

zaksmum

OP, you're right in that you can't have the dog giving the 6 and 8 year old "sore bites" - what do you class as a sore bite anyway? Is it a really vicious bite from a dog that harms the kids or just what some of us might call mouthing?

My own dogs all did that at first and I did the yelping thing and pointed to the area the dig had nipped...the dog was always immediately as apologetic as a dog can be.

You do have to put the kids first though and if they're being seriously hurt by the dog it's no contest.

It looks very much like you've made your mind up the dog has to be rehomed, so don't drag it out - just find the best possible home for him. He will be happier too because I'm sure he can sense something amiss with his people.

Dollardog

Just a thought, but what about offering him to the guide dogs for the blind? Perhaps with their exprienced trainers and a job of work to do to tame all that energy, he might end up doing some good.
First port of call though for me would be to contact his breeders again, if they are responsible breeders they would not want one of their dogs passing on to anyone. Ask if they could have him back, just for a week or two to see if they can see what he is like and help you to get him out of these bad habits.
If I was the breeder, I would sooner have the pup back than think of it ending up in some rescue or being passed from pillar to post getting worse with each home it gets like the rescue I took on did, he was only around two years old and had had five homes before me.