Biting Puppies: Help For New Puppy Parents

Hi I'm new also and I have a 11 week old yellow lab. He is the sweetest puppy most of the time. Sleeps great in his crate, very little accidents now. But his biting is crazy. He won't lay or relax with us he is constantly biting. My kids are scared cause he chases them and bites them. He is starting to draw blood now. He has got maybe a littlw better with me only bites when really excited. But I don't know what to do with my kids. He has to stay separated from them. Will this pass? Should I be doing something different to help him learn?

 

Have a read at old the old threads related to biting, all have the same experience as you. Yes, it will pass, generally gets easier after about 4 months when their teeth drop out. It's a normal developmental stage and they come through it. I don't know how old your kids are, but I kept mine away from our pup until it settled. I had twin boys age 6. It was not worth it for them to become fearful. It made no difference to their long term relationship. They are like triplets now. Hang in there.

 

My puppy is nearly 7 months old. He jumps on everyone and grabs their clothing. He has torn so many clothes that I am nearly put of jeans and tops.
He shows no signs of stopping. I have tried positive reinforcement by giving him treats when I tell him 'off' and he gets off but it just isn't helping.
He has chewed up everything I have. I try to give him exercise as weather permits and play fetch and tug of war every day.
I'm looking forward to spring so we can spend more time outside. I cannot sit without him jumping on me, biting me, etc.
I'm at my wits end. My family is saying to give him away. I don't want to but I am losing my sanity.
Has anyone found something to help with this? Will he ever get better?

 

Hello, 7 months is a boisterous age. It is quite hard. Sounds like he wants to play. What exercise is he getting, a good run about would burn off some energy. Also lots of training exhausts them just as much, sit, stay, wait. Have you thought about obedience classes ? They were brilliant for my pup at that age. You both learn lots around others going through the same situation. They are very supportive.

 

I am new to this forum, and have posted a similar problem with my 8 month old Lab. He is a much better puppy indoors now and even stays four on the floor when my daughters come to visit and stays fairly calm. My issue is now out of doors either during a walk and then zoomies he suddenly turns and starts biting my arms and lunging. He is crazy with strangers and wants to jump up on them, which is disconcerting for them, understandably. If you find a way to stop either of our problems, please post it. My husband was ready to rehome Sam after seeing the bruising on my arms, but I read that it was 'normal?' behavior for a Lab. pup at this age. Never had a dog like this before. He is smart though, and loves us and we he.

 

Hi to Sam's mom. I have been there. This is "Colorado"-- I posted on this site 2 years ago when my lab Rocky was the same way. Even at 14 months old- we were hiking in the snow - and he jumped on me and bit me. He bit me all the time- drawing blood- when he was a puppy and adolescent. He would just turn around and jump on me. It was really frustrating trying to understand him, and disheartening also. At the time, I would give him a stick, a ball, anything to divert his mouth, and yes, I would scold him. It was REALLY hard. We upped his exercise- lots of retrieving a ball in water, hiking. And we would make him sit/down/stay to calm him and work on his patience. I avoided having him greet strangers outside- I would move out of their periphery and make him sit or walk quickly away because it was just too much. And guess what worked the best. A little maturity! He continues to get a lot of exercise either running or ball chasing or swimming or backpacking. At 2yo he is a great dog. He is SWEET, loving, and sleeps with 2 cats by his side. My 5yo granddaughter lays on him. He likes to lay on her coloring books when she is on the carpet, and she just pushes him away. He doesn't bite. I thought he would never change, but slowly, slowly, he is just getting more mature. When I walk him it is pretty much a heel with a loose leash by my side. I make him sit at all street crossings. It is just a lot better. I think you are at the hardest time for adolescence, so if you are able to hang in there, do so.

 

Hi, I have a 12 week old puppy. She will sometimes bite when being stroked and we stop give her a minute then try again(re enforcing good behaviour)
But at times she will go over to the children (even if they aren’t paying attention to her) and try and bite them/ pull their clothes. They jump and move away. What’s best to navigate this? Thanks , Rhian

 

Hi, thank you for the reply. They are 7, 6 and 4. They are great and I’ve taught them to ‘freeze’ if she pulls their clothes so that it doesn’t become a game. We have a play pen for her so she goes in there with a chew toy if she gets too much- yes, they are never left unsupervised.
She’s 13 weeks now it has improved but we’re struggling with now is if she gets too excited (zoomies) during a walk or if the children are playing outside and she’s on her lead she will turn and go for my legs. I hold her away but not sure if this is correct. I gave her her own ball yesterday which seemed to help but want to nip it in the bud as it does hurt! Many thanks

 

Thank you. It’s more towards the end of a walk she will probably be overstimulated or tired and then she will turn and bite (my legs) or will jump and bite at coats. Is this just frustration? I do try and time the walks as to not do too much but can be hard. I take a toy with me to re direct and she will hold that then instead.

 

Thank you again! I’ve cut the walks down and over the past few days I’ve noticed a change. If she does try to jump/bite it’s mainly now at the treat bag if I see her getting overstimulated on the way home I throw a treat in front of us and ask her to ‘find it’ to try and redirect her attention, I hope this is ok and she doesn’t see it as a reward? she did get a bit excited (zoomed) once we came in today and tried to nip but stopped when I said but then she needed to go out to poop- not sure if this is connected? Thanks for all the advice

 

Hi, thank you for your reply. She’s 16 weeks now and we are seeing improvement with the walks. We’re keeping them to around 20 minutes.
She is still jumping and biting- is this to be expected at this age? It’s also tough trying to get her to calm down/ do nothing. In the evening especially she will zoom or look for things to do. I give her something to chew in her pen(which is in the front room so she is still with us) but would be nice for to be able to sit with us. Is this something that will come with time? Many thanks

 

I wanted to add, she did growl at my son today too. I went to brush my teeth so she was in her pen. He has starting at her, holding her gaze and she growled(I heard her) and he said she showed her teeth. He looked away (ignoring her). I’ve told him he shouldn’t stare at her either but she’s only 16 weeks. Is this aggressive behaviour?

 

We’re generally up at 6:30, out to toilet but of time outside. Some training (sit, place etc) she then goes in her playpen whilst we get ready with a snuffle mat. Out again and then in crate (7:40) my mum pops down around 10 to take her for a walk etc then back in crate. Dinner and out again maybe play, sit together. Crate, afternoon then walk, training etc and a lickmat. Then it’s evening

 

Thank you. The reason she goes in her pen is because when she’s out (especially in the morning) she runs and jumps at the children or tries to pull their clothes which then in turn she sometimes catches their skin. It’s hard to manage and get ready. Do you have any suggestions for that?