Is it normal to be thinking about rehoming my puppy?

How are things going? @vicvegas xxx

 

Hi i was just looking at the thread and saw you! Still very up and down. Not sure if puppy is just too boisterous for the kids. Scared she is going to hurt them if she gets a chance. ????

 

You still don't sound very happy and undecided. Have you thought of getting in touch with the breeder to see if they would have the puppy back? Maybe this isn't the right time for a boisterous Lab puppy, perhaps wait until the children are older and try again.

 

Hi, sorry you are still struggling. Your pup is going through a very normal stage and it lasts for a while. She would never intentionally hurt any of you but whilst bounding around like this she may accidentally. It's not her fault she needs training and time. I doubt she needs a farm or other dogs....but maybe a more experienced family. If it's not working for you all and you are miserable maybe it's time to think about rehoming her...they she can get what she needs and you can maybe try again in the future. It's a tough decision but you have to do what's best for your family and your pup. Best wishes, Emma.

 

I don't have kids, but the nearest park to take Snowie when he was a pup was full of kids. I was lucky that I only had to keep an eye on him, not on any kids. But I had to make sure he didn't down any kids -- and he did down two of them by instinctively running after them and jumping up behind them, paws on shoulders, and boom both of them down on the ground, my heart stopping in that moment! Thankfully he has totally outgrown that instinct and never ever chases kids now. He was just a puppy then and I suppose it looked like so much fun to run with the kids!

Having spent every single day in that park, Snowie really got used to being around kids and learned how to behave around them. I wonder if this is a possibility for you, to frequently visit a park where there are kids so that your puppy gets used to kids and doesn't get so excited by having your kids around?

I trained Snowie how to sit and wait while I hid a ball in the park. This was a great hit with the kids and they just loved hiding the ball and then having Snowie go find it. Perhaps you could do this with your kids? Of course I only had the dog, no kids, so it was much easier for me than for you with so many more responsibilities.

Do you have a baby gate at home? If we had friends come over with kids who were scared of Snowie -- and yes, he would get so excited and want to be with the kids, and of course the more they didn't want to be with him, the more he would try to get their attention by sticking his nose into them and jump up -- the kids would go into the lounge and close it off with the baby gate and be safe from Snowie. I don't exactly remember when we dispensed of the baby gate, might've been when he was two years old -- mmm it does take time... And now that I am writing this, I realise that all that time in the park with kids didn't remove his excitement of having children visitors. He just loves the energy given off by kids, I even see him peer into prams on our walks while wagging his tail, he loves babies! But he no longer jumps up or chases and is very gentle around children.

Ah memories coming back: I remember getting the kids in the park to practice crossing their arms and turning their back to Snowie if he tried to jump on him. It gave the kids a sense of being in control and it really did help keep the kids calm and in turn Snowie calm.

If you do decide to rehome, please do not simply post an ad on a website: Free to a good home. I have heard so many hideous stories of pups being "rehomed" like this only to discover they were likely taken for dog fighting. There will surely be a Lab Rescue group in your area who will be very helpful in helping you rehome your pup if that is the route you take.

 

Hi everyone. My hubby phoned the breeder yesterday. They were surprised that it wasnt working out. They said they would help to re home her and we could leave her with them or put people in touch with us. Its good to know they will help but at the same time I cant imagine anyone taking her, it really upsets me. I would never just give her away to anyone.

I keep changing my mind about her numerous times a day. I enjoy walking her but at home she is a nightmare. She mainly based in the kitchen as kids are scared. My trainer said to take her into other rooms on the lead to get her and the kids used to each other which I am doing. They are so jumpy though and rightly so. She bites REALLY hard. Im constantly checking the baby gates in case theyve been left open. My children are very gentle. I thought having her from a pup they could grow up together and not be scared. They are even more scared of dogs now. My fear is if the kids fall over she'll go for them as she did this twice to my son when she was smaller and bit his head.

I keep thinking I must have got an extra fiesty puppy? My husband said to the breeder I expect this happens alot and she said no not really!

Cant believe I waited so long for my lab and its not working,

 

Also I did try and socialise her around school kids on ths school run. It did not go well. She is such a beautiful dog and looks so cute, wags her tail at people, then they try and stroke her. She lunges up at their hands and mouths at them. She has drawn blood on about 10 different people. I get very stressed when people try to pet her now.

 

Ah, I really do feel for you. I can't say what is the right decision for you - only you can decide.

My new puppy is really, really bitey, and I don't have kids to worry about but even so I find it a bit tough at times - and I've done it before! The thing is though, I know it will get better and I don't doubt it for one minute. There is no doubt in my mind that she will stop biting and be a lovely dog. She is getting better every day although I do wish this bitey time was over already! She does not get to say hello to people on the street. She gets to say hello to people that I know are familiar with dogs and are going to be ok with a bitey puppy. And that's that. No kid on the street gets to pat her. Puppies don't need to be stroked by children in order to be socialised to them - just getting them to watch how kids are, how they move and so on is ok.

You could, if you wanted to, just say to yourself right, she is my dog, no-one else handles her, and just keep it you and her for now. Don't ask the kids to pet her or handle her, and just keep her away from them. You might spend an awful lot of time sitting on the kitchen floor with her! Or when you take her into the other rooms, just tell the kids to ignore her, and concentrate on her spending time with you and learning things like lie on a mat and so on.

Anyway, best of luck with your decision. I'm sure it's a very, very difficult one.

 

When Quinn was very young she would jump and pull toddlers down by their hair and would incessantly bite at the kid's and their clothes. I was mortified. My anxiety was level 100 whenever a toddler or baby came close...she was obsessed with them and would be over the top. She was also way way worse with biting the kids and their clothes than ours, though I was a particular target for a long time over OH.

We worked at having the kids not run, especially with toys in their hands and stand very still if she was biting (no yelling, pulling away etc...very hard when that is the natural reaction) and we would get her to let go of clothes/body parts with a toy treat...but truly it just took time for her to get bigger and learn how to behave. She still loves babies and toddlers but never ever jumps at them or chases them, let alone bite at 7 months. Bigger kids she treats the same as adults now...listens to commands etc. It was like a turning point after she finished teething and we started training....she is SO much more fun now that she is older. The kids take her out on the leash for short walks and have her in their bedroom with no problems now. The puppy stage is hard and seems like it will never end but it will. Only you know what it right for your family. Good luck.

 

I can only echo what Julie has said. It really doesn't last no matter how bad the pup is. My spaniel while not super bitey was and is super excitable which meant being a bit grabby as a pup. My daughter was two when we got him and I thought it was an awful mistake. Like Julie I knew it wouldn't last and we toughed it out. Lizzie has learnt how to be around dogs and Obi has learnt not to pay her much attention when she's shrieking! It's almost a shame as now, two years on, she'd love to be best buddies with him and he's been taught to leave her alone.

I wish you the very best with making your decision

 

@vicvegas wishing you the very best with your decision. I really feel for you, I think Julie has hit the nail on the head when she says puppies don't need to be stroked by children in order to be well socialised. I seriously wish I'd never allowed children to pat Mabel as she has recently been hit by an over zealous 3 year old. Said child belongs to my friend. So the theory of only allowing her close to my friends children has somewhat backfired I'm now back to square one on training her to be calm around children.

 

If I didnt have kids I would definately keep her. I am fiercely protective of my kids so get really upset if she hurts them. I had a golden lab when i lived at home and she was nothing like this one. I'd have never got her if I'd known!

 

It's such a tough decision for you. As everyone says this stage does pass and some are much more bitey than others. I'm sure she's no worse than some on this board - mine was a complete horror for biting, drew blood in a regular basis and I looked like a self harmer! My last lab just wasn't like that at all so I was surprised. We stuck it out and got there in the end with lots if training, chew toys and long sleeves. My son is 17 now so not an issue like you but I have had lots if small kids over with him. Even today at nearly 9 months he got excited with a six year old squealing and running with him and did jump up. Luckily she has a 2yr old lab at home and is used to it and knew she shouldn't have excited him but it's hard work and training, training, training! That said he is now the most gorgeous, bright pup and we love him to bits. The bitey days are long gone. It's whether you can get through it or not and realise that she's like many other lab puppies of that age. Otherwise I would get her back to the breeder as it sounds very stressful for you. Thoughts are with you. Good luck with your decision
Sam and Mole

 

It's tricky...she is very normal and this phase will pass. I guess the difference is that last time you were not a mum.. Everything changes when that happens. Meg was like this at this age...from about 1 she settled and now at 2 she is a delight. We worked at it though ? Have you tried any classes....obedience classes helped us no end...also did off lead excercise.....does she get a good run about daily ?? That usually helps no end...oh and plastic milk bottles...no tops...and cardboard boxes...she was busy shredding them and not us

 

They are all like this.

Honestly, it is totally normal puppy behaviour.

...

 

Maybe I'm looking at it though human eyes, but could being stuck in the kitchen most of the time be part of the problem? Would this not be frustrating to a young dog and just exacerbate her "bad" behaviours?

 

I totally emphasise my girls are 8&9 and love Hugo to bits but he does (at 7months) still hurt them when they wind him up and he gets over excited - we operate a very much he is my dog policy and the girls respect that and leave him alone when I say but that is their age - we still find it really hard to manage but I can see a light at the end of the tunnel for a lovely family pet. I hope it works out for you @vicvegas xxx

 

Yes I understand what you're saying. She kept weeing in the lounge so kept her out but she has got better now. Then I guess I was waiting for her biting to get better... I am letting her in other rooms now but have to supervise.

 

I have a crate in the kitchen, and in the front room (and Betsy's main pen is in the utility room). She comes in the kitchen and the front room when she is empty, but if she gets too bitey (she bites my older dog, which I just hate) or too excited, or I can't supervise her because I'm cooking and so on, she goes in a crate. She does settle exceptionally well in the crates though. It means she isn't isolated at least.

 

Good idea, I put a bed in the lounge for her but she woukdnt settle. Just keeps grabbing kids toys. I wonder is it a good idea to tether her?