dog problem!

lucylou

Hi everyone.I have 2 problems with my labrador.I wonder if anyone can help me.
1st problem:my dog barks when I leave the house and when I come back either walking or by car
2nd problem:if I plant anything outside in vases he digs the earth out and then carries the pots arounsd the garden and destroys them
Can anyone help please?thanks

prideline

hi lucylou it sounds like your labrador has taken on the role of leader of the pack. You need to re-establish yourself as the leader. Simple things to observe are when you walk through a door or to go outside does your dog get out first or wait for you to go. Always push yourself through first before your dog. When you come home from work or enter the room where your dog is ignore him completely, no eye contact and wait as long as it takes for him to quieten down and lay down in a relaxed manner, wait a further few minutes make a cup of tea or something then call him over and play as much as you like, but end the game yourself, if he tries to continue the game ignore him. When you leave the house don't fuss him or say anything just ignore him and leave with no eye contact.

Try these simple things over a few days, stick to them when you start and monitor his behaviour.

For your second problem this could come back from his puppy days that perhaps it was a funny game he used to play. A simple answer is prevention is better than cure so while planting things keep him in the house, unless of course he does his game whether there freshly planted or not. Whatever he does with the pots, don't raise your voice to him and don't chase him, if he takes a pot show him it has consequences and ignore him or walk off back indoors.

Hope this is some help, if no significant improvements over 7-10 days give some more detail whether the barking is attention seeking or agressive barking and anything else about his behaviour or changes.