Could use some advice....Biting Issues?

[jmwoody]

Hello, All!

Tucker has turned 9 weeks. Since 8 weeks he has been biting US non stop. Play time is always him biting our hands. He even lets out a few growls at times. He hardly goes for furniture or wood work, only wants to bite us! At first I assumed this was to be expected with puppies. After his visit with the vet yesterday she has made me feel like I have a "bad" puppy! Has anyone else experienced this? We do say " NO BITE" in a firm voice, he sometimes backs off, we have replaced our hands with toys every time and we do use the biter spray. Now Im wondering if i have a demon dog or just a playful pup?!!! He is even biting at our hands when we simply want to pet him.


On another note, when we take him out to potty he will just lay down. Stubborn eh?
Thanks !

[Doreen Davis]

No you don't have a 'demon' puppy. Labs are mouthy and it is a huge issue at this age. How old was he when you got him? If it was at 6 weeks, they learn a lot about bite inhibition during those last two weeks. We have a rescue that still has some 'play nipping' issues but consistent 'no bite' and substitution with a chew toy and they'll eventually get it. Why does you vet think he's a 'bad' puppy ?

Go on to the puppy training and search bite and you'll see tons of things to try. Rolling the gum over on his teeth so he 'gets it' has been mentioned.

[jmwoody]

No you don't have a 'demon' puppy. Labs are mouthy and it is a huge issue at this age. How old was he when you got him? If it was at 6 weeks, they learn a lot about bite inhibition during those last two weeks. We have a rescue that still has some 'play nipping' issues but consistent 'no bite' and substitution with a chew toy and they'll eventually get it. Why does you vet think he's a 'bad' puppy ?

Go on to the puppy training and search bite and you'll see tons of things to try. Rolling the gum over on his teeth so he 'gets it' has been mentioned.

She (the Vet) didn't like how he growls at us during play. She also gave him a rawhide during his check up and when she got close to his mouth to try and take it from him he clenched his jaw and growled a little at her. She thinks he needs obedience classes too. IDK... was hoping to steer clear of training classes. Was hoping to do it on my own. I taught him sit, stay, paw, lie down and come at 7 weeks 3 days. He only listens when he knows treats are involved otherwise he ignores commands.

Also, to answer your question we got him at 7 weeks!

[rochie427]

There's a thread here under Puppy TRaining and Behavior about puppy biting that you should check out.

I think most of us here have gone thru what you are describing. We called our Rosie a land shark, piranha, spawn of satan puppy LOL!!!

Consistency is the key. Find what works and stick with it. They usually outgrow this phase by around 4 months but some may take longer.

[Doreen Davis]

She (the Vet) didn't like how he growls at us during play. She also gave him a rawhide during his check up and when she got close to his mouth to try and take it from him he clenched his jaw and growled a little at her. She thinks he needs obedience classes too. IDK... was hoping to steer clear of training classes. Was hoping to do it on my own. I taught him sit, stay, paw, lie down and come at 7 weeks 3 days. He only listens when he knows treats are involved otherwise he ignores commands.

Also, to answer your question we got him at 7 weeks!

Training classes aren't about 'not' doing it on your own. It's about training in a different environment, socializing with people and other pets. It's probably the single most important thing we've done with our dogs, even though we are capable of doing it on our own. We are fortunate to have a good trainer locally so we haven't tried Petsmart or the other box store offerings but others have with good experience.

[sparky]

Welcome to the world of the land shark, puppy piranha chew monster. Mocha was a terror till he was about 4 months old. He chewed, bit his momma more than me but we made it through. Find the puppy biting thread in Puppy Behaivor for some great tips.
Training is as much for you as the puppy. We learned more than Mocha did. Our trainer taught us so many points where we were not training properly and the proper way to train sit, stay, down, drop, leave it... It was worth every minute and cent.

[barry581]

These issues seem to be the number one problem people have with a Lab pup, myself included. First and foremost, you are dealing a baby. Just because the pup sat once, in your house with a treat handy doesn't mean he understands Sit. It will take about 5000 "sits" in a lot of different environments before "sit" really is sit.


Lab pups are notoriously mouthy. They bite, they chew, it's part of who they are. Be consistent with your corrections. It will take more than a couple weeks, and maybe a couple months for it to sink in. Don't be discouraged, your pup is not defective. Bruce is just over a year old and he still gets mouthy at times.

Don't worry about your pup laying down when you go out. Just walk around the yard and soon enough the pup will get it to follow you around. It took Sophie about 4 weeks (14 weeks old) to be completely potty trained, Bruce was about 6 months when he had his last accident.

You are dealing with a baby who's whole world changed, and is trying to figure things out. It's all part of the process. Enjoy it, they are puppies for such a short period. Trust me, in a month or two, all these issues will be water under the bridge.

[smartrock]

The biting is the worst, isn't it? And they can be very grabby when they take a treat or anything else from your hand until they learn proper manners.

I would not skip training classes, at least one round of obedience classes. I've had 7 dogs, so we've been to many, many classes, and I always take any new puppy to at least the first 2 levels of classes. It encourages you to form a team and practice, practice, practice while the classes are going on. Plus, you have a trainer who may be able to give you a little individual attention or who you can ask questions of regarding issues you have. Maybe your vet thought your puppy seems like a more dominant little guy and that both of you would benefit from classes to help you work with that character trait.

My daughter adopted a puppy from a shelter who growled at the vet on the first visit when they tried to check her temperature. The vet expressed concern about the growling and my daughter called me sobbing that they had been told they had a "bad puppy". Once she stopped crying we had some good laughs joking about helping her puppy learn to accept having her temperature checked (first, try a toothpick, then a matchstick, then try a chopstick...) Her dog is 7 years old now and certainly not a "bad puppy".

[Labradorks]

Training classes, especially Puppy Kindergarten, is about teaching the owners. It's more than sit, down, etc., but also handling body parts and dealing with play biting as well as other issues you may be having, for example, the growling when the pup has the rawhide. While you can get some information from books and forums, nothing beats having someone right there showing what to do...and what not to do.

I've had dogs for 20+ years and I take them all to classes. I start with Puppy K when they are around 10 weeks, then basic obedience at least twice, before intermediate obedience. I often will take a fun class as well, like agility, rally, or similar.

[Tanya]

Regarding biting: https://www.lab-retriever.net/board/p...py-biting.html
https://www.lab-retriever.net/board/p...te-normal.html


Classes NEVER "train the dog". They train the owner to train the dog. They also offer a good controlled new environment to train a dog while they learn. As long as the school isn't a bad one there is only good reasons to go.

puppy classes for dogs that age are more about socialisation and giving owners tips. But it's a good chance for your pup to interact with other dogs and learn and to meet new humans in a safe environment.

Ive taken tons of classes and when I get my next dog, even though I trained 20+ fosters and two of my own dogs (plus the family dogs when I was old enough), we will start all over again from puppy k to basic obedience to the fun classes (rally-o, agility, CGN). I know classes are NOT for everyone and many do well on their own, not only training the basics but proofing and socialising in new places on their own - but taking them isn't about "you not training your dog" or you "not being good enough to train this dog". It's about getting out there and working with your dog in a new envrionment and learning new things (because no one technique works on all dogs).