Hi everyone, or whoever reads this..

About 6 months ago, I bought a male yellow lab (Riley), and I have been succesful with training him so far. He knows his commands, and even some cute tricks..and he can do them.. If he chooses to.

Starting a little over a month ago, Riley started acting up and had more energy than I was ever used to. I took him out more, ran with him more, played mroe.. but that wasn't enough. I thought he would like a playmate, so I bought a second yellow lab. A female, who is named Dakota, who is just turning 3 months old. I heard that if a second dog is going to be introduced, then to get it before the first dog turns a year old- so that's what I did.

I let them both meet at a neutral space.. the park, and the first meeting didn't go very well, but they slowly liked being near one another. They hate being away from each other now, which is cute, however there are problems that come with that.

Riley jumps and pounces on her, and wraps his entire mouth around her neck. She's whimpered a few times, and I get scared to leave them outside of their cages with each other. It's also impossible to walk them together, because now Riley will not listen to anything I say. Elevators are especially horrible because they jump and bark and roll around on the floor. I have to actually avoid being near people so they don't think I'm a horrible owner.

I've bought books, and dvd's, and different collars to use. Nothing will work on him. The Gentle Leader collar does not work- he rolls around on the floor with it. A choke collar doesn't work- he doesn't even feel it. A Harness doesn't work- he pulls way too hard. I don't know what else to try.

So if they aren't on a walk, and they are in their cages, it's like one just triggers the other one to do something stupid. All of a sudden, Riley will start barking in his cage, and roll around, and whimper as if someone is beating him. Keep in mind, he has never once barked in his cage since getting him. When he is done barking, then Dakota will chime in and start barking and carying on.

I don't believe in shock collars for barking, so I bought a "ultrasonic sound" device, which does absolutely nothing. I'm afraid that my neighbors are going to hear them and get fed up.

I'm lost on what to do for my two loved ones. I want them to behave, and I want them to be happy. I hate getting fed up, and I hate that I don't like walking them because it's stressful. Does anyone have any helpful hints or ideas?

they are going to clobber you on this forum.

Good Luck

Whoever suggested that you need to introduce a new dog into the house before the first one is 1 y.o. has a sadistic streak. I have never heard/read that one before.

I remember reading that another poster used a harness that clipped in the front -- so if the dog pulls hard, it will just spin him around toward you.

My brittany thought he was a sled dog. Getting a Halti (a lot like a Gentle Leader) helped a lot for me.

Other posters on here swear by prong collars. They are not for inflicting pain, but for getting the dog's attention.

Hope someone on here w/ more experience can help. You have got your plate full, that's for sure.

I would take the oldest one and attend a dog obediance class. Once he is back on track, then pick a different day to start the young one. You are going to have to walk them individually until you get a handle on them. Or somebody's gonna get hurt, and that is probably you. Do you live in an apartment with these two big dogs? You might have to send them off to doggy bootcamp. One of the issues, is they are Labs. Not to put down the breed, but they tend to mature mentally slower than their bodies grow. I tell people if they can survive the first 3 years, everything will be ok. But now you have 2 to deal with. Is there anyway the breeder would take the younger one back? It is so hard to properly train one dog, but two, is a terriably huge undertaking.

If you aren't able to get the puppies exercised, your problems will only intensify. Boot camp sounds like a great idea to me.

You know.... sounds pretty normal!

I think that going through bad times is very real, and very normal. If you love them, and want to keep them, then you'll get back in the game and make sure they both get the proper exercise and training they need.

We all have rough times. Sounds like you have your hands full, keep at it.

We are having the same problem!(with an 8 month old and 4 month old) In fact I wrote a post on here about it.

So far the best suggestion and what seems to calm them is individual training. It gets their attention back to you as their leader. I give them time outside to play, wrestle, and romp. Inside I break up the older dog bullying. She needs to learn to play gently. If things get too rowdy, they're both quaranteened to the kitchen (where they look at us pitifully from behind the gate). Still, things are a bit hectic but not as bad as they once were.

Lucky for us, our 8month old GSD is more obsessed with her frisbee than the puppy. We get our control completey back outside playing catch.

Treat them as individual pups... walking ONE at a time. Playing with one at a time.. and be fair with the time spent on each seperate one. Try training each one...ALONE.

I almost did this... when I bought my 4 month old alaskan malamute... I thought how lonely he was.. and how it would be easier on me... IF HE HAD A PARTNER..... I was offered his aunt.. who was only 2 years old... I almost did it.. then I woke up to the real world... IT WOULD BE LIKE HAVING TWINS... Hard when they are babies... but inseperable after they are 18 months old.... and amuse each other.... BUT.. I don't think I have the patients for those first 18 months .. Please give it time.. it'll be well worth it... You already made the step that I couldn't...it'll be alot easier as they age a little! BUT treat them seperately... socialize them with other people and dogs and children..ONE AT A TIME... I bet in a few months you'll be on this site...telling us how great it is! They amuse each other and sleep at the same time..etc.. Can't wait to hear from you then!!!!!!!! GOOD LUCK