Why Doesn't my Labrador listen to me?

[Spirit2010]

Ok, so he is 6years old, and we have trained him, he doesn't listen unless you have a treat on hand... Thats the way we trained him... hehe. But, I've also trained him without treats. Sort of... But I have to snap the leash or something like that in order for him to listen, (tug at his collar a little) That gets his attention, but, I think it is too late to train him, and I have little time to work with him, because of homework, and all of that good stuff.. I wish Sugar was still here, she was the one that trained him... (yes Sugar is a dog) We had to put her down recently... Hershey, and her were best of friends, I think... And they taught each other.. I don't know what has happened to him, he has pulled my muscle once, and bit me three times... All, not listening... He could probably break my arm pulling so hard on the leash, when I walk, and he tugs, I pull back gently, and say NO firmly. He doesn't listen, I've tried everything! I don't know how to get him to listen without treats! Thank you for reading!

 

[SummerRiot]

Have you tried using a Halti, Gentle Leader or a prong collar on him yet for walks?
I have used a Halti on my Belgian when he pulled consistantly. He wore it 4 times on a walk, I went back to a choker with him and he hasn't pulled ONCE since.

If you praise him for his positive behaviours and ignore his bad - then he will learn MUCh quicker. Its easier for a dog to WANT to work when it means that he gets coddeled for his work.

What type of collar do you use on him presently?

 

[Doberluv]

Well, he isn't trained to listen to you. There's more to it than you've descibed to training. Do a search here. There's a tread about the "watch me" command right on this same page that might be helpful. There are ways to teach him not to pull on the leash. Are you bribing him with treats or using them as a reinforcement or reward? Once a dog is 99% reliable with a behavior or skill, you phase out the treats to a variable reward schedule, where you don't treat every time, but skip a time or two, then skip a few more times etc. This keeps him interested.

Do a search. There are lots of threads about the same things you're wondering about. Up on the top right of the page is a search button. If you can't find anything, post again. There are also good training books. But if you don't have time, it won't happen. Actually, it doesn't take a lot of time, but it does take consistancy and a little practice each day.

 

[dr2little]

Ok, so he is 6years old, and we have trained him, he doesn't listen unless you have a treat on hand... Thats the way we trained him... hehe. But, I've also trained him without treats. Sort of... But I have to snap the leash or something like that in order for him to listen, (tug at his collar a little) That gets his attention, but, I think it is too late to train him, and I have little time to work with him, because of homework, and all of that good stuff.. I wish Sugar was still here, she was the one that trained him... (yes Sugar is a dog) We had to put her down recently... Hershey, and her were best of friends, I think... And they taught each other.. I don't know what has happened to him, he has pulled my muscle once, and bit me three times... All, not listening... He could probably break my arm pulling so hard on the leash, when I walk, and he tugs, I pull back gently, and say NO firmly. He doesn't listen, I've tried everything! I don't know how to get him to listen without treats! Thank you for reading!

First, what were the circumstances around the bites? That's the most important thing to answer first.
It does sound like the treats were faded to quickly or not at all. Variable reward can be a tricky business. If treats are stopped abruptly or faded too fast, you can loose behaviors. It is NEVER too late to train your pal.
What behaviors does he know and do well and which ones are you struggling with. You may have to start from square one (sort of) by reintroducing the 100% reward system, proofing the behaviors with distraction, and slowly fading the rewards using a variable system...not only with how often he's rewarded but also varying what reward he gets.

 

[Spirit2010]

SummerRiot, yes, I have tried a Halti, he doesn't let me put it on him. The collar he has now, is the regular take me on walk one. Choker didn't work with him, he pulls harder. (and chokes himself until I stop, and make sure he doesn't strangle himself to death) thankies Doberluver, I'll go search. dr2little he bites me when I try and take him out of the trash, So I just go over there and say NO firmly, he doesn't do anything, and it was kind of my fault for this one, I grabbed his collar when he was eating the trash and he growled to get away first, then bit me. It was like another dog, not mine. But it was my dog that just bit me. (my mom said if he keeps doing this she would get rid of him) But, it doesn't hurt as bad now that he has done it soo much, but it is the wrong behaviour. He is the sweetest dog around people, but when it comes to me, he just doesn't like me or something, I don't know why.. (when I disipline him) Which I try to ignore the bad behaviour but, I am around it soo much, that I can't stand bad behaviour so, I have to do something about it. I don't hit him or anything, I just say no firmly.

 

[SummerRiot]

It sounds like to him - you are the lower order puppy in the pack.

I think you need to start taking on dominante behaviours around him. Ie - YOU feeding him, making him sit and wait while you put the food on the floor, you let him out to go pee, you should be the one to play with him when he deserves it.

No dog should growl or bite people at any time - especially their family members.