We may have a problem-Sam bit someone

[BradsDarla]

About a month ago I had to leave on a business trip ASAP. So co worker Steve who has met Darla before was kind enough to take Darla to the kennel the next morning. Anyway she spent the night alone and when Steve got to the house the next am he heard her barking and called out her name before going in. She growled pretty good at him but as soon as he got through the door rolled over to get a belly rub. Go figure.

Now that I have Bob (ym 1 yr)as well I am wondering if she would have done more since she is playing bitey face everyday, is the established Alpha and puts Bob in his place when he bugs her.

[Lab Dad]

Ooohhhh Boy! What a dilemma you got.
It would be too easy if there were a person or two who just irk your Dad. You might if you talk very softly point out the carpenter is to Sam what your Dad's "favorite " person is to him.

Good luck

[nanabearski]

I cant help in much, but I think that when a dog and especially a sweet breed like a Lab, doesnt like a person is for A reason. You may not find out now, but later in a few months. ???

[einstein's legacy]

I could have sworn I replied to this post before...>>>scratches head<<< !!

Anyway,, I happen to fully agree with Sandy (zoezoe) and also think that his recent surgery needs to be considered. He's got fears and uncertainty right now that we might not fully understand. I don't think there's any problem with Sam at all.

[WeHeartLabs]

Isn't Sam the one that just lost his eye?* Do you know if he is seeing well out of his remaining eye?* He may have been fearful because he was being approached by a stranger that he couldn't see well and he was penned up, so was unable to get away.*

I bet this had something to do with it. He is still adjusting to not having 50% of his peripheral vision. Now add that youre gone and he doesnt like this guy to begin with....

Glad it wasnt that bad of a bite.

[LovingMyLabsLori]

Ah, very good guess about the wrong side! He is only just getting used to this, right?

oh you think you are a bad dog

Oh good grief.* : Now see, the guy would not have pushed it if it had been, say, a Rottweiler. Or a Doberman. Or pick-your-favorite protection breed. Everyone just thinks Lab = Happy happy joy joy. But a pissed off dog is a pissed off dog. People are nuts. There is a guy down the street who Angus doesn't care for. His hackles go up every time he sees this guy. I can tell the guy is not taking him seriously simply because he is a Lab. He just laughs and says something similar to Lydia's encounter. But I tell you what, I can see Angus biting someone before I could Crash, for example. :-\

Anyway, I think Lydia is right...it's just too hard to make a call without having seen the whole thing. I'm sorry, that's not a very fun thing to come home to. But it sounds like, at any rate, it wasn't a terrible bite and the guy is not too upset...? And you know, the guy was in Sam's territory.* *

As I have said many times here before, I think it is huge disservice to both lab owners and potential burglars etc. to put out there that labs are frightened, never aggressive, little lambs. Not all of them are; two of our three fit that stereotype but not our Murphy.

A dog is a dog...period. All of them are capable of biting in the correct circumstance....

I wouldn't worry about this particular incident with Sam too much; the carpenter apparently realizes his own mistake and takes responsibility for a thoughtless action on his own part....but, in the future perhaps your parents will now understand that to leave Sam outside alone is NOT a good idea.