any suggestions - ex-rescue lab got issue with henry

[LinzHenz]

My friend has a 5 year old black lab who was rescued at 6 months. He didnt have the best start in life - he was kept in a cupboard under the stairs for most of it 

He's known my dog since he was a pup and has always had an issue with him. Barking and chasing him...but not really in the sort of way that would make you think it was a fun thing. Nothing bad has ever happened. We've tried walking them together on and off lead, leaving them to it, intervening. It seems to be worse when it's my friend on her own - if her husband is there it doesnt happen so much (the lab is 'his dog' although they share the walking etc he did all the training so his word is law).

The lab doesnt have issues with the majority of dogs. We were both at a show at the weekend and of the hundreds there it was henry he picked out of the crowd to bark at. my friend thinks he might have issues with young dogs. also, he doesnt seem to play much - only with humans - i wonder if this is something to do with his start in life.

it's such a shame as every other month we stop over and the barking (and my friend's reaction to it - lots of shouting) makes it a stressful experience! if the lab comes over all aggressive (barking, standing very rigid, high fast moving tail wag) henry goes into injured puppy pathetic mode doing the whole submission thing, so i think he is doing his best to diffuse the lab.

any ideas what we could do to help them get on better?

[Crazy Cocker Gang]

Tell your friend to shut up 

If its stressful for you imagine what its like for her dog. Maybe your dog has become a trigger that upsets her dog because when hes around he gets shouted at lots 

It does seem that your friend could be adding to the problem

[Helen]

Tell your friend to shut up 

If its stressful for you imagine what its like for her dog. Maybe your dog has become a trigger that upsets her dog because when hes around he gets shouted at lots 

It does seem that your friend could be adding to the problem

I agree 

[LinzHenz]

lol yep that's a good point, bet he's thinking 'oh no its the hairy thing that gets me into trouble, best try and see him off quick'

i think she shouts coz she cant think of anything else to do.

have tried making it a nice experience seeing henry by bringing goodies (like i do with some other doggie friends who we visit, although can see adding toys or food might exaccerbate things) and fussing the lab when he's not barking but i guess its got to come from his owner??

[Crazy Cocker Gang]

lol yep that's a good point, bet he's thinking 'oh no its the hairy thing that gets me into trouble, best try and see him off quick'

i think she shouts coz she cant think of anything else to do.

have tried making it a nice experience seeing henry by bringing goodies (like i do with some other doggie friends who we visit, although can see adding toys or food might exaccerbate things) and fussing the lab when he's not barking but i guess its got to come from his owner??

I dont think he would see your dog as getting him into trouble.
I meant it more as when your dog arrives, its become a cue that something bad is going to happen, he reacts, his owner gets stressed, he gets shouted at, he reacts more, his owner shouts more and it goes around in a vicious circle.

 Just like any cue an association has been made between your dog and a stressfull enviroment. Him being stressed will then obviously have an effect on how he reacts to your dog.

I dont think he has issues with Henry, I think he is reacting to what happens when Henry appears.

[I love cockers]

Could you leave them in the room together? I have an 11 year old cocker and puppy and when the older one barks at her I find if I leave the room they settle down much quicker than if I am present

[Nicola]

How does your friend's OH react when the lab does this? As you say it doesn't happen so much when he's there, what does he do? I agree with Jo that it sounds like your friend is exacerbating it by getting wound up and shouting at the dog so he's then getting more wound up and associating Henry's arrival with getting yelled at.

[LinzHenz]

her husband grabs hold of him & tells him no. then the lab just sits near her hubby and doesnt bother with henry. i think they would be better just to get on with it and sort themselves out...henry doesnt seem threatened by him or scared...agree with you that its humans making it more complicated. hmmm. how to go about saying that...