This is a topic close to my heart. My lab is 11 mos old. I can't complain at all because he's been really great so far but when he's bad he's really bad. He's very smart and I hate to say it but he can outsmart me sometimes. He's very stubborn and strongwilled as most labs are but I think Taylor is very stubborn. He do what I say when he gets around to it or when he feels he wants to. I've tried the gentle approach and he acts worse, I've tried screaming at him, nope he thinks that's great and yes I've even tried swatting him and he things that's even greater, he thinks I want to play. He seems to be settling down a little bit now but he's still very defiant and sometime bribery with treats doesn't even work. The best thing so far I've found is to ignore him or give him a time out and he gets tied at the door. (this also works for begging for food) Good luck