Black Lab Help

Question
I have a black lab thats almost a year old. He's being really stuborn when it comes to training and id like some tips. i taught him how to sit but lately hes been chasing our cats and taking pretty much anything he can get his mouth around and chewing it to bits. im going to take him to obedience training soon but i dont know if he'll respond to it since lately he hasnt even been coming to his own name. i walk him everyday and give him 2-3 rawhide chips every night so he wont chew my stuff and this works but i dont wanna have to make sure i have chips for the rest of his life without worrying about what hes gonna chew up. any advice would be appreciated.
Jacob

Answer
Your current supply of rawhide chips could last him the rest of his life.  They are one of the most dangerous treats there is for a Lab.  In addition to problems with them swelling and choking the dog or blocking the intestines, the sharp corners can tear the throat on the way down.  

There are safer ways to protect your possessions.  Other dogs may
not be as bad as the young Labs I am plagued with.  Still your house and dog
will be much safer with the dog in a crate when you can't watch it.  The dog may be happier in its den than loose in the house.  It relaxes, it feels safe in its den.  It rests, the body slows down reducing the need for water and relieving its self.  Dogs that have been crated all along do very well.  Many of them will rest in their crates even when the door is open.  I think the plastic ones give the dog more of a safe, enclosed den feeling.  They are harder for dogs to open too.  Metal ones can be put in a corner or covered with
something the dog can't pull in and chew.  Select a crate just big enough for the full grown dog to stretch out in.

Leave it some toys.  Perhaps a Kong filled with peanut butter.  Don't leave
anything in the crate the dog might chew up.  It will do fine without even any
bedding.  You will come home to a safe dog and a house you can enjoy.

Damaged possessions are the fault of whoever was watching the puppy.  When you are watching it, immediately correct it as soon as it goes for anything except its own toys.  In a quiet, but firm voice ''Bad dog, its name drop!''.  Gently remove what ever and replace it with one of her toys, or if older, hold eye contact until the puppy drops it.

A dog that has not been crated since it was little, make take some work.
Start out just putting its toys and treats in the crate.  Praise it for going
in.  If you have been able to trust it with any bedding, put that in the crate.
Feed it in the crate.  This is also an easy way to maintain order at feeding
time for more than one dog.

Make sure the obedience class is about you being top dog.  The ones where the dog learns it gets a treat if it sits are useless.