Are Labradors Aggressive? 3 Reasons They Can Be

Are Labradors Aggressive

Have you been thinking of adopting a Labrador? When you are selecting a breed to adopt you have to consider their temperament. Are Labradors aggressive?

It’s not your fault if you perceive them as aggressive dogs because they are large dogs. 

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Due to this, people think twice when they are about to sign the paper for adopting a Labrador. No one wants a Labrador retriever attack.

You will be happy to read that Labradors are pretty friendly, although they carry a stern look. It is very rare for a Labrador to be aggressive unless there is some serious reason. 

Are Labradors Friendly?

Yes, Labradors are highly friendly, and you are going to love them as a companion. We can proudly say that Labrador retrievers are neither aggressive nor dangerous to live with. 

Even the breed is popular due to its friendly and protective nature. You will always find them gentle and good-natured dogs. 

Because of this, they make excellent family pets. Not only this but they are also friendly with the children and are great around strangers.

No matter how big the size of your Labrador, it will always demand your lap to calm down and for sleeping. 

If you are an athlete or a swimmer, a Labrador will be the best companion for you. Labradors have a kind and loveable nature; they try every possible way to please their owner.

It is crucial to mention that if Labradors do not exercise regularly, they may get separation anxiety or chewing behavior.

Your lab needs mental stimulation because they are brilliant and conservative dogs. Interestingly the intelligence of Labradors includes them as the best breeds for rescue and as guide dogs.

Labrador mouthing

Most people may interpret the Labrador mouthing as biting and get scared of it. Don’t panic because the breed has a great tendency to mouth.

Mouthing is something when a dog puts its teeth on your hand and never harms your skin and does not apply pressure on it. However, there’s a possibility dogs may bite you in case of any behavioral problems or when facing some aggression. 

So you should train your dog not to chew or mouth from a young age. In this way, you can reduce the chances of your puppy turning into a dangerous adult.

Can Labs be aggressive?

Although it’s rare, yes, Labradors can be aggressive, usually because of specific reasons. 

The conditions include pain in the body, irritation due to the heat cycle, behavioral issues, or when people force them to do something. Fear and frustration also cause aggressive behavior in Labradors.

1. Pain in the body

There is a possibility that your Labrador is facing some pain, and you are unaware of it. Not serving your dog with proper medication at the right time causes anger. 

Make sure to call your vet if your dog is in pain.

2. Frustration

Maybe you are not spending quality time with your Labrador, due to which it is getting frustrating. 

Moreover, forcing your dog to do something also causes aggression and frustration. Putting a dog into a crate for a long time again results in behavioral issues.

3. Fear

Maybe your puppy is scared of something, and you are unaware of it. Any experience or traumatic situation that happens to your dog can cause aggression. 

It is worth mentioning that fear induced at a very young age is difficult to reduce even when your Labrador is an adult.

Ways to fix aggressive Labrador behavior

Labradors are pretty friendly and calm. Still, you cannot ignore the fact that they get angry in certain situations. 

Maybe your Labrador is showing aggression once in a blue moon, but it is crucial to fix this issue. 

Ignoring the attack at early stages may raise a frustrated or high-pitched Labrador, which is unacceptable.

By following these simple steps, you can fix the aggressive behavior of your dog. Try to be consistent if you want quick and desired results; otherwise, all of your efforts will be in vain.

Step 1

Firstly, as a responsible dog owner, you should be aware of the conditions in which your dog shows anger or aggressive behavior. 

Knowing about the causes and root problem is crucial to solving the general issue. Try playing new games with your dog to divert its attention in case of aggression. 

Moreover, regular walking and exercise will be effective in helping your Labrador.

Step 2

Establishing yourself as the pack leader is the next step when you are willing to fix anger issues in Labrador. Most labs are social and well-mannered.

However, bad parenting and lack of responsibility cause behavior issues in Labradors, and that’s not their fault. Show your Labrador that you are the leader and they will respect you and your commands. 

Follow the training methods to fix the aggressive nature of your dog and be consistent. Make your puppy wait for the proper command to move ahead for some action. 

Make your Labrador walk on a leash just right next to you. Indoor training will be appreciated when you want your lab to learn commands.

Step 3

Correction of behavior is needed as soon as your lab breaks the rule. Use attention-grabbing and high-pitched commands when your Labrador shows initial aggression in the form of growling or biting. 

Never allow random lunging and loud barking because the dog may interpret it as encouragement. Make your No firm and strict so that your pup will understand what you want.

For this purpose, you can follow the training sessions with a firm grip on consistency to extract the desired behavior. 

Moreover, you can use accessories and toys to divert the attention of your Labrador from the thing which is making it angry.

Step 4

Try to socialize your lab as a puppy as soon as they are old enough. Take your puppy to play gatherings or canine parks on the off chance that you feel it won’t harm another dog. 

On the off chance that your lab pup starts to show improper conduct with another dog, correct their behavior. 

Step 5

Avoid playing games where aggressive behavior is encouraged, such as tug-of-war and wrestling. 

Instead, play other games such as fetching and running. Many labs also enjoy water sports, such as swimming and retrieval games.

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