Labrador Colouring

Question
Hello

I have a 12 week old chocolate labrador. I have heard various rumours that the colour of the dog affects their personality, with chocolate labs being the maddest! Is this true?

Thanks

jude

Answer
There are a lot of old wives tales around, but this may be true at least in some lines.  The dog guide school I raise puppies for avoids breeding them, saying they are more hyper and have more hip problems.  OTH, they actually have chocolate Lab breeding stock and have chocolate Labs graduate.  It is not a matter that all chocolate Labs have problems, only that a greater percentage of them do.  Are you familiar with the book Marley and Me?  He was a yellow Lab and likely more difficult than average.  He may have been a great dog handled properly.  I don't think there is much difference between the blacks and yellows.

Start obedience training now.  You will need to work out of a book for now.   The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/

Here are some more things that will help:

''Elevation for small puppies:  Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up.  He is facing you.  Hold him for 15 seconds.  Repeat until he no longer struggles.  If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.  

Cradling for small puppies:  Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby.  If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds.  With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down:  Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you.  Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position.  When he is quiet, praise him.  Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position.  When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work.  It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual.  I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective.  You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too.  Helps bonding.  There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly.  The latter cements your place as pack leader.