[Fowlfeller1100]

So Im starting to have this issue with my (pup 8 or 9 months old) where when I walk by or make eye contact or alert him, especially when he's sleeping or dozing. He will jump up and find the nearest "thing" that is "his" (kong, toy, nyla bone etc.) and grab it. Often he then runs under a coffee table (funny to watch a 90 lb dog squeeze in there) and growls when I go by. When he was younger he always seemed to have a sock or something that he wasn't supposed to have so I would guess that having socks and things taken away is the root of the behavior. The growl isn't too scary and I can take the toy if I want, he just holds a little tight, and I'm not concerned about biting. Other than when he's under the coffee table or has a "thing" I can roll him on his back and he licks my chin and generally acts like a sissy.


Right now what I do is stay near him but don't create a confrentation, like maybe I sit on the couch with my feet near him. He seems to just give up on defience after a while. How do I break him of this? He is so good about food too, so this seems odd.

 

[Sundown49 aka Otey B]

sounds to me he just wants you to play with him. I watch my dogs basically do the same thing ....one grabs anything they can get in their mouth and go over and taunt their "buddy" dog to try to get it...... sounds like a war but all in play. To really get them going I go in as the ALPHA and take it away from them both and then kind of posture and then as the benevolent "leader " give it back.........LOL. It's fun to relax with my dogs.....

 

[ZEKESMAN]

I agree with sundown49. I think it is trying to get you to play. Also most labs have a kind of oral fixation and like to have something in thier mouths. The socks are because they smell of pack members and some of them like to hold the stinky socks in their mouths. Vic

 

[metalone67]

Will he come out from under the table if called? If not he is developing territory issues. Nip this in the bud, he may be ok with you but someone new may be an issue. If he doesn't come out, reach under there and drag him out and take away his toy. Do not give it back.
If you exercise and play with him on a regular basis this should not be the issue. My one female used to do this and it was definetly a territory issue and she challanged me to who it belongs to, needless to say she lost.
She always has somthing in her mouth especially when I get home from work, she'll run and get her chew bones with a happy wag and excitement.

 

[Fowlfeller1100]

Im now thinking that it is mostly play, he's always coming up to me with a toy or bowl or whatever and putting his head on my lap. But I am trying to keep stuff under the table to elimintate it as an "insubordination zone".