Learning About Labradors and Their Behavior

By Brooke Sunderland

Labradors are great dogs but there are certain things that you will want to be aware of before deciding on this breed. Behavior problems in particular can be difficult to deal with and you will want to know what to expect before choosing this breed so that you can decide whether you will be able to handle this or not.

For one, Labradors can be very demanding, and like to have a lot of attention put on them. If you are a busy professional or otherwise are often out of the home, then there most likely will be a problem. Labradors often take out their frustrations of being alone by lashing out or barking incessantly. Also known as separation anxiety, this is a common problem with dogs, and should be dealt with immediately. Of course the best way would be to try and stay home as often as you can but this is not always possible and so there should be other things that you can do.

There are a few things that you may want to try at first to see if you can correct the problem on your own. Getting them out for more exercise is one of the first things you should try, even if you just take them for a walk around the block. Gradually lengthening the periods of your absence is another good idea, as this will allow the dog to start understanding that it is not such a big deal that you are gone and therefore not make such a big fuss.

Another idea to help deal with your Labradors behavioral problem is to soften your departures and returns. Instead of making a big deal and fuss every time you are leaving, or trying to give them extra attention before you leave, try to slip out while they are not looking. By leaving without them noticing they will begin to realize that their attention seeking is going unnoticed and there will not be a problem anymore.

If you try these things and find that your Labrador's separation anxiety is not getting any better, there are a few more options but these are only for more serious cases and you should definitely discuss this problem with your veterinarian before deciding on anything.

Medication is available for Labradors to treat separation anxiety, namely anti-anxiety medication. This can be helpful in calming your dog and keeps them from freaking out every time you leave the home. The problem with these drugs is that, just as they would in humans, they can cause a dependency in dogs and so you need to be very careful when administering medication to your dog. You also need to realize that no matter what medication you are giving your dog, this cannot be deemed as a long-term solution, so you will need to work together with your veterinarian in order to come up with a lifelong plan to deal with your dog's behavioral problems.

Brooke Sunderland has experience dealing with canines and understands how important learning about a breed's history really is. Not only is the Labrador an attractive, statuesque dog but they also have a very long and complex history. The Internet is one of the best available resources when it comes to finding out further Labrador information regarding the history of Labradors.