My labrador is nearly 2. She has developed unusual behavioural traits which are starting to concern me. She has always been quite a nervous dog but every morning when I go into the kitchen to see her, she has to pick something up in her mouth and parade round in circles. If she can't find a bone, chew or ball, she will even pick up a piece of fluff or anything that she can find. If I go in to her, she weaves around me and goes through my legs again and again, wagging her tail, not in a typically happy way, but with it quite low down and submissive. Her ears lie back and she constantly makes a nervous whining sound.

It really seems to be getting worse although there are no obvious environmental changes that may be upsetting her.

Any advice gratefully received

Diane
AnimalLoversWeb.com

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Labs like all gundogs have been bred to gain pleasure from holding things in their mouths, the hold is innate, the retrieve is taught by teaching recall. If she is a nervous dog, holding something in her mouth, may also bring her comfort, and it will certainly make her feel better. It sounds like she may be a little worried by you coming in, so goes into submissive behaviour. Some dogs do make a noise whilst holding, it is impossible to say without hearing the dog if it is pleasure or distress, or a mixture of both. make sure she has toys around so she can do her normal behaviour of holding. She probably needs confidence building if she is nervous, a local behaviourist or dog trainer would be able to help you with that.

Diane, if your dog has only just started displaying this behaviour I would strongly suggest that she gets a health check before going down the behavioural route.

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