Q: We have a 1-year-old, 75-pound black Lab, Conan the Barbarian, who is a great dog in some respects, but exhibits a behavior that we would like to correct.
He is a high-energy dog who can’t seem to calm down. He has plenty of chew toys, we play ball with him, we give him rawhide bones and a frozen Kong when he is agitated and he has a fenced backyard with toys to play in.
Sometimes when he wants to play, he will growl and bark. He will also, for no apparent reason, growl and bark at us and occasionally has nipped us. The only way we know how to settle him down when he gets that way is to get a treat, make him sit and either put him on the leash or in his crate for a timeout.
We do not know if this growling and barking is aggressive play or not. He is generally a loving playful pup except when he gets in these moods. He gets along well with company and other dogs.
For the last few weeks, we have had a camcorder on a tripod and have tried to capture him when he exhibits this behavior. We thought this video might be helpful for a trainer to see. We would appreciate your help in correcting this behavior.
— F.M., Cuyahoga Falls
A: Thank you for seeking help for Conan! Based on his age, the high energy level can be normal but it is a problem that he has put his teeth on you in the past.
At The Behavior Clinic, we use Dr. Ian Dunbar’s Bite Levels to determine what a dog has done in the past. It sounds like Conan is at a Level 2 so far.
It is important to intervene so that his level does not increase as that reduces his prognosis for improvement. I cannot determine on paper if behavior that you described (growling and barking with occasional nipping) is aggression or unruly play behavior.
The best way to determine this is via video. I will say that if it is a problem for you then it is a problem that needs intervention.
Using a treat to interrupt the cycle is not diagnostic in determining the cause either. It may be that the treat motivates the behavior and continues it. However it may also be preventing the behavior from escalating to further aggression!
That being said, it is unwise for me to give you a step to intervene without knowing Conan’s diagnoses. I recommend a consult for Conan at The Behavior Clinic and to please bring a video of his problem behavior. This is the safest step to reduce the chances of escalating his unwanted behavior.
— Dr. Elizabeth Feltes, DVM, The Behavior Clinic, Animal Behavior of Northeast Ohio, LLC, Olmsted Falls. 440-334-8534, dr.feltes@thebehaviorclinic.com, www.TheBehaviorClinic.com.
Please send questions about your pet to Kathy Antoniotti at the Beacon Journal, P.O. Box 640, Akron, OH 44309-0640; or send an email to kantoniotti@thebeaconjournal.com. Please include your full name and address and a daytime phone number where you can be reached. I will forward your questions to the expert I think is best suited to answer your particular problem. Phoned-in messages will not be taken.
