Case Profile: The Labrador
In this case profile, we explore one of the worlds most popular breeds - and a breed that we know very well! The Labrador. This walking contradiction most commonly suffers with two issues that people would expect the least - a distrust of strangers and a fear of loud noises. We’re going to break down the cases we most commonly see in labs - and what you can do about it.
BREED(S): Working Line Labrador Retriever, Show line Labrador Retriever
Owners most commonly see me for: Distrust of strangers resulting in fear or reactivity towards people. Fear of loud noises, most commonly gunshots, fireworks and crowscarers - typically later in life and resulting in a refusal to walk or leave the house. Oh, and pulling on a lead!
Most Common symptoms include: Balking or flinching away when people try to touch them, barking, lunging other reactivity. Refusal to leave the house, refusal to walk on a lead anywhere near loud noises.
Occasional symptoms include: High Prey drive resulting in livestock worrying or chasing and hunting small game.
Case Breakdown: The Labrador really is a contradiction when it comes to the issues we most commonly see them for - because if you asked most people what a Labrador is, they would probably say “a very confident, friendly gundog” - which makes it seem very odd that these dogs are so commonly antisocial with strangers and fearful.
In reality, these common issues are a reflection of a wider conversation - the difference between a dog bred for show, and one that is bred for work. When we talk about the show line labradors that are used by organisations like the guide dogs association, or the ones we see advertising toilet paper - these dogs have been bred specifically for their friendly temperaments, affinity for poeple, there confidence and trainability. But, as is very common in the breed - health issues such as arthritis, dysplasia and obesity are rife. Many people are now choosing to buy working line labradors, including the increasingly popular Fox Red Labrador - which tend to be much fitter, healthier dogs - slight and athletic in build, with far fewer health issues - and far more working ability. In addition, these dogs have never been bred with friendliness in mind - they’ve been picked for their working performance and health. And in the English countryside, a dog that is a little standoffish makes for a good guard - not a trait that many breeders of working dogs would be deterred by.
The biggest challenge we have with most of the dogs that we work with is that many owners don’t take action quickly to learn how to work through the fear. Which means that instead, the behaviour gets increasingly widespread and problematic, until the dogs are completely paralysed and refuse to leave their homes.
Mistrust of Strangers vs. Fear or Timidity.
In my experience - both personally and professionally with Labradors, there is a no direct link between this very common mistrust that many labradors show, and their overall confidence as an individual. This behaviour is often mistaken for a dog that is naturally very timid or fearful - but in most cases these dogs are typically perfectly confident and happy in their own skin, as well as being highly social with other dogs - but do not like being approached or petted by people they don’t know. This behaviour is all about instincts - what respectful behaviour looks like in the dog world and what the “right” way to greet a dog is, vs. all the bad habits that humans practice, and the liberties that many people take with labradors on the basis of a breed stereotype.
Both our Ambassador Labradors - Théo and Olive, who are both from strong working lines - have a distrust of strangers, but are very confident and friendly dogs once theyre properly introduced. Perhaps a little too confident for their own good sometimes! Would you know it to look at them? of course not - they’re professional dogs that trust their owners, so they present any issues. But this is because we are very strict with people coming in and interacting with our dogs uninvited. Our dogs have a job to do, and we need their trust - which is why we never let them feel pressured to interact with people they don’t want to.
Gundogs that are scared of - Gunshots?
Labradors are the top breed that we work for when it comes to a fear of loud bangs, alongside Border Collies - and a lot of these issues develop later on in life. The biggest challenge we have with most of the dogs that we work with is that many owners don’t take action quickly to learn how to work through the fear. Which means that instead, the behaviour gets increasingly widespread and problematic, until the dogs are completely paralysed and refuse to leave their homes.
Fear is not logical - and labradors have a genetic predisposition to this particular fear. The only thing that needs to happen for a dogs fear to be reinforced is that their reaction - evasive action or flight - results in their survival. That is it, that is all - the bar is incredibly low. So fear builds very quickly if it is not addressed.
The Good news is - it can absolutely be addressed, the sooner the better - and teaching these dogs to make confident decisions can do a huge amount to rebuild freedoms. Building a healthy, positive relationship with the lead and teaching the dogs to trust it as a guide and as a source of calmness is one of the most important skills that we teach.
Castration can also have a significant impact on the likelihood of this fear presenting, which is why it is always worth using a temporary implant rather than a full castration procedure. If your dog is predisposed, it is useful to know if castration will trigger a reaction before committing to an irreversible procedure.
Steps towards resolution:
Learn the right way to introduce people to your dog. Teach people to practice No Touch, No Talk, No Eye Contact and allow the dogs to come to them, rather than invading their space. Do not move your hands towards any dogs head, but allow them to come to you and sniff, to learn more about you.
Teach your dog an interactive game they can play with people - like fetch or tug - to foster social bonds and build trust. Food will only create curiosity - it will not bridge the gap to social interaction.
Don’t let fear lead you, or your dog. Be the primary source of calmness and safety, and teach your dog to be able to be still without the need for flight, before teaching them to trust and follow you on lead.
Understand the fear triangle of “excited, nervous, calm” and how to work back through fear.
