[Cleo]

Hi , I hav a 10 month old lab,male who stools bites n chews on furniture... Doesn't listen n barks a lot in d evenings... He gets really excited see in new ppl n it's difficult to control him.. Wat do I do..

[reeskujo]

It sounds like he has a lot of pent up energy and not getting enough exercise..When dogs can't expend their energy and aren't kept busy they get frustrated and release that energy and frustration with behaviors like the ones your dog has..

My best suggestion would be to make sure you dog gets regular daily exercise and find a puppy training class and sign up.

[Lunareclipse]

And get him lots of toys he can chew on! Get him Kongs and Nylabones and cover them in peanut butter. When he barks in the evening, don't yell at him. He thinks you are barking right along with him. Get a spray bottle of water and squirt him with it. Don't say anything to him. Just squirt him. And take your dog for at least 1 hour walks every day. Labs weren't meant to be kept in the house with little or no exercise. They were bred to retrieve game for hunters. Hence Labrador Retriever. He needs something to keep him mentally stimulated and give him something to do. I would crate train him too until he has outgrown his puppy chewing stage. I would put him in his crate when he can't be fully supervised. That would save a lot of your furniture.

[piratekitty]

I agree with the last two post. Find good trainning now before your lab forms this in to habits. If you cant aford trainning, there are so many good books to start you off on the basics. Crate trainning on a positive note, use as a quite, safe place for your dog to be. Not as a discipline tool. Play with your dog, pick toys that will challange your dog, and keep his interest. Most pet stores allow you to take your dogs in, take your lab with when picking a toy out. Reward trainning with tons of praise, good healthy treats, and toys. Get active with your dog, go to parks, trails, neighborhoods, water, labs love to swim. Most of all get out and enjoy time with your dog, all dogs love the interaction with their owners.

[chiclet]

You could add umbilical to all the above. That is keeping him tied to you by a short leash.