Pet Information > ASK Experts > Dogs > Dogs > Black Lab and Momma

Black Lab and Momma

19 10:29:01

Question
Hey there.  I have three dogs: Gracie (Mom to the two others) who is half Akita half German Shepherd, or so I'm told.  She apparently got with the dog next door and had a couple of litters.  The yellow lab we now have, named Holly, and the second litter a black lab whom we've simply called Blackie.  He's the male of the three.  My problem is that he keeps trying to do it with his Mom.  I've obviously seen dogs doing it before, but never the Mom and the son.  That's just sick.  How do I keep them from doing it?  It really pisses me off.  I think I know what the answer is going to be, but we're in the middle of buying a house and our money is being stretched right now or else I'd have both of them fixed.  Is he just doing what's natural, regardless of how disgusting it is?  

Something else he's been doing lately that really aggravates me - he's pissing in the house while we watch.  I immediately scold him, but I'm not sure he's getting it.  He doesn't seem like the smartest dog I've ever owned, but he's still smart enough to open the back door himself and other relevant actions.  Any/all help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Loadedmind

Answer
Dogs have no sexual morals.  As far as inbreeding goes, they are just following their instincts.  Unless Holly is fixed, I am surprised you don't have the same problem.  Yes getting them fix ius the only solution.  Please scrape up the money some how.  Some larger places have low cost spay/neuter clinics.  Mobile ones visit smaller places sometimes.  

That along with obedience training him should end the marking in the house.  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/ For more on being top dog, see http://www.dogbreedinfo.com./topdogrules.htm