Hello. I'm new to the forums. I have a 9 week old yellow pup that we picked up at 7 weeks. He was so mellow and didn't bite til a few days later. I have never had a dog before and I feel like something's not right. We can never play with him because of all the hard biting. I walk in a room and he plays tug of war with my clothes with locked jaws. I have to pry him off then he jumps to see what else he can grab and bite and I run to get over the gate. Is this really normal. Can he be an agressive lab because maybe the breeder didn't keep him with his mom long enough or treat him good? Please any input because I am feeling like I made a big mistake.
Mine was the same. He is still a crocopup at 12.5 weeks. We have learned to have a chew toy on hand to put in his mouth if he starts nipping. Its been working real well. Now when he nips at me, he's usually trying to tell me that he has to go potty. I still let him mouth my hand but when he starts chomping down I let him know it hurts by saying NO and turning my back to him or leaving the room. Letting him mouth your hand teaches him bite inhibition so he learns what can do harm.
Hi Diane and welcome to the forum. What you have is a perfectly normal Lab puppy, don't worry! Have a read through this thread for some advice and to make you realise you're not alone: http://thelabradorforum.com/threads/puppy-problems-will-things-ever-improve.1680/
Hello Diane, my puppy wasjust the same and I had many days wondering what I'd done and thinking is she abnormal etc , all the things that you are experiencing, I don't anything would have prepared me for it. She looked so adorable and bit like a crocodile. I thought it would never end - but now at 5 months I can scarcely believe that all that happened. So read the link already sent to you, it helps. This week Cassie has started to just pick up my arms/hands and play gently with them and drop them and pick up again, is now a real joy to own -- so stick at it .
Hi @Diane0712 don't worry, this is perfectly normal - the link above is great please read it, it helped me a lot. Also running will make it into a game for your boy (what's his name?). Try turning your back on him and ignoring him until he settles - and don't worry the first time I did this to my boy he jumped up and bit my bum! Wear jeans and fitted tops to stop them catching your skin and/or clothes (if I wore a baggy jumper then Bailey seemed to aim for that as he knew he wouldn't get me! They do need to learn bite inhibition, it is not there naturally - their mum's and litter mates start the process and we have to carry it on.
Diane, I felt exactly like you did with Judy. I'd read about play-biting and how to stop it before she came but wasn't prepared for the reality! Also, I wasted time making squeaky noises for a couple of weeks, which I think encouraged her. I did use toys to redirect the bites but she often seemed determined to get sneaky bites in on my skin or clothes. A couple of times she jumped up and bit my face or breasts. It was really horrible because she was so sweet but also a little monster and I thought I'd made a massive mistake getting her and that I was doing something wrong. I was in tears a lot, my clothes were all ripped and I thought seriously about rehoming her! But she's 5 months now and adorable. The thing that made the biggest difference was leaving the room or stopping all attention after a bite. I felt mean doing it but she got the message. Good luck, let us know how you get on.
Arg when will mine stop the croco madness! he stopped randomly for 1 day about a month ago, 5.5 months now still happlily chomping away... btw new to the forums nice to meet you all i'm glad to see most labs go through this phase haha
It's not to say that my puppy has never chewed me since starting this post - just that finishing a cup of tea in an armchair was a momemtous occasion! That said the crocopup is definitely receding, but still visible. In other words a gradual process. Thinking back a few months no one could walk through the house in barefeet without her being attached, but this is not happening now. Yes this forum is such a great way to get support.
Thank you everyone. Knowing this is normal makes it almost bearable!! And really helps me be more patient.
