My 5 year old yellow labrador has an issue with elderly people.?

[ludano17]

Hi,I have a 5 year old yellow lab named Cheska that was given to me by my brother-in-law from a family friend last September 2011. Already a grown up 5 year old, i have never had a labrador retriever before as a pet but i had a welsh corgi mix for 14 years, who recently passed away last May. Cheska the yellow lab is everything i have hoped and dreamed of for a pet, she is so sweet, mild-mannered, obedient, playful and loves to follow me and stay by my side all the time, every time. i have a wife and a niece who also loves and adores cheska but we have a bit of a concern...Usually whenever there are people at the gate she would rush and bark and stay there until i come and let the person in but stops barking the minute i command her to stop. but there were times when even the person who is an elderly is already inside the gate and suddenly comes near her, without any provocation, she would try to lunge at that person,but not bite them or draw blood. she would simply turn away right after. three separate instances these had happen already. All of them with elderly folks. i have no idea that labradors are capable of such act of aggression. please shine a light on my concern. Thanks.

[culley96]

In her past an old person might of caused her harm so whenever she sees something that resembles that person she's scared

[yago]

" i have no idea that labradors are capable of such act of aggression."

Well please tell that to my stitches that are being taken out next week because I was attacked by a "loveable", "cuddly" Labrador. While you are at it tell my now 9 year old cousin that the 2 dogs that nearly mauled him to death when he was four are not capable of such aggression. Tell him that he doesn't have to nearly wet his pants in fear every time a Lab comes near him. Then go to Texas and explain to my now 12 year old sister that the dog who chased her home and attacked her on her own property last September, causing her to break her leg was not capable of such aggression. Then learn the language of Dog and explain to my dog that the bruised ribs and multiple stitches he received as a pup when my neighbors Lab attacked him and shook him like a rag doll was not capable of such a thing. Then you can crossover into the afterlife and tell my old neighbor that the lab that KILLED her was not capable of such aggression. I believe all of these incidents could have been avoided if people stopped thinking "oh its a Lab, it has to be friendly" and controlled their animals.

Keep a control on that dog before it hurts someone. Even if that means putting a muzzle on the dog or locking her in a crate when an elderly person comes over. This lunging has happened 3 times already, next time she may actually do damage. If you are going to have a lot of older people visiting your home then you need to make sure that they are safe from your dog.

[eddis]

This may simply have to do with the different "old person smell" that ultimately happens to people. Levels change in their bodies as people get older and it causes a smell. I don't think that's anything you could change or train away. I would just always keep the dog in your control out in the yard. Put her in the house if someone is coming in the gate. Keep her in a separate room or crate if you have company that you're worried about before it does cause problems.

[bercnan72]

Uh, excuse me sir, how could you just NOT expect her to be so aggressive? Labradors are known to be pretty aggressive dogs, but nobody really says that because they don't want them to have a bad rep. Why? Because they're America's favorite dog, and are supposed to be loved and adored and friendly. Put a muzzle on that thing, it can hurt someone. There are countless articles on Lab attacks. Do your research before you get a dog.