We just got a full blooded AKC Black Lab puppy 2 weeks ago. She is now 14 weeks old and driving us insane. Our kids,who are 5 and 7 (the puppy is technically theirs) are terrified of the puppy. We bought her Nylabones, 3 of them, she devoured all 3 bones in 3 days. Bought her dog treats that were shaped like ribs, devoured in minutes. She is destructive...she has left bruises from pinching my leg. I have put her in her place when she bites me and she hasn't bit me anymore but she chases the kids and bites at them. The only time she is sweet is when she is sleeping!!! Help us please!
Please don't punish your puppy for simply being a puppy. She is only trying to play in the way she knows how, the same way she has played with her littermates. Punishing her is only going to make her afraid of you, especially at such a young and impressionable age. It sounds like you really need some 1-2-1 help from a reputable and force-free dog trainer. As a breeder, I won't sell puppies to people with kids under the age of 10yo unless they are very experienced homes - for all the reasons you describe. Puppies bite, that's what they do. Especially lab puppies. Your puppy should be contained within a puppy pen or crate, and the kids should not be inside that area unless they want to engage with the puppy. The puppy, when outside that area, should be trailing a 2.5m puppy house line so you can gently take hold of it and redirect the puppy onto toys should she attempt to chase the children. All of this is completely to be expected when bringing a puppy home. Did you research what would be involved in owning a puppy and how to deal with it? Did you anticipate these problems and put things in place preventatively beforehand? If not, why not? And why punish the puppy for your own failings? I think you really need to purchase some excellent books on puppy-raising (there are many out there), and take the pup to classes as well as book some 1-2-1s with a reputable trainer.
Hi and welcome. I feel your pain. Ouch. It might be helpful to explain to your kids that the puppy loves them and wants to play but she uses her mouth to play because she's standing on her hands - yes I know but it makes sense to kids. Or remind them that human babies don't make great playmates at first either. If you think of this as like having a third child, it may remind *you* to take care of yourself, i.e. napping during the day as needed when the puppy sleeps. Does the puppy like to play tug? If so you could show the kids how to play this relatively safely. In addition to the crate/pen and house line, you could figure out how to use puppy gates so family members can get away from the puppy as needed. Some gates can be opened by foot pedal, which might be easier for the kids to manage? A good positive 1-2-1 trainer will get results quickly but you could also try to find a puppy class thru your local labrador club or SPCA. Take the kids to class, ask questions, and don't be shy about picking the trainer's brain for suggestions. Hang in there. The worst passes relatively quickly.
Hello, this is normal for a lab pup. Have a read of the many threads on the puppy forum about biting. It’s a developmental phase and she will grow out of it. I had 6 year old twins when I got Meg and I kept them apart for quite some time. It was worth it, no scared kids and it did not damage their relationship at all. Now age 5 Meg, 11 boys they are fabulous together. Keep her distracted frozen carrots, frozen kings, cardboard boxes to chew and read all the great advice on the puppy thread. Hang in there, it will pass.
Yes! We have only owned Dobermans from puppies to old age they were nowhere near this hyper and rambunctious!
Have not punished her. I was using my phone. Put her in her place should have said crate!! We are not punishing her at all other than putting her in the crate!
