We have a problem with Hannah. It has been upgraded from a serious concern to a problem. She bites (mouths, whatever) and has done since the date we got her at 8 weeks (she's 11 weeks now). I had to stop touching her for a few days as I got a serious infection on my right hand and she kept opening it up. She's drawn blood on 4 guests to the house (I do warn about the biting). I've tried pretty much everything one could possibly research on this subject. About the only thing I haven't tried is giving her a good thump as all the experts believe that will get you nowhere. On the breeder's advice, I even squirted water in her face, but she just thinks that's a game. Does anyone have a silver bullet for this problem? Whilst my patience is still there, my fiance is at the end of her tether and I can feel an ultimatum coming on.
Re: Desperately Need the Biting to Stop Welcome to you onefootswill I know they are crazy crocodiles at this age - Tatze was unbelievable! Take heart, they quickly grow out of it Here are some articles with the best advice - more importantly, it WORKS! The important thing to remember is that repetition is needed - lots and lots of repetition for them to learn new skills. All the best with Hannah http://www.thelabradorsite.com/labrador-puppies-biting/ http://www.thelabradorsite.com/how-to-cope-with-an-overexcited-labrador-puppy/ http://www.thelabradorsite.com/how-to-play-safely-with-a-labrador/ http://www.thelabradorsite.com/labrador-training/
Re: Desperately Need the Biting to Stop It really, really does stop. I know you said you've tried everything....but have you made use of 'time outs' when she bites? By that I mean 30 seconds or so shut in another room, repeated every time there's biting. Also, do you use a crate? A crate is very helpful as you can shut your puppy in it with some treats when people come over. Physical separation of the puppy and guests is best until the pup is calm enough to say hello. Wearing the puppy out before guests come over also helps. I know it's horrible right now but the behaviour you're seeing is not an indication of her future behaviour. Hang in there!!!! We understand what you're going through.
Re: Desperately Need the Biting to Stop Hello and welcome to the Forum. Yes, the biting is awful. I was really shocked about it when I got Molly (now 10 months old). Labradors are such gentle dogs, otherwise they wouldn't use they as Guide Dogs would they? Sadly Labrador puppies mouth and nip. When Molly was the age of your pup my hands were covered in little scabs. I tried everything to stop her and felt like a failure because I couldn't. Then, around 5 months she just stopped. I think she just grew out of it. It is frightening while it lasts, and it does seem to last a long time but it is only a matter of weeks then you will have a dog that is very gentle with it's mouth. Oberon and Boogle have given you good advice. All I can offer is sympathy because like most people on this Forum I have been there.
Re: Desperately Need the Biting to Stop I can't give you any other advice than what's been said. It works but unfortunately not over night. :-\ If you are really desperate you could try putting bitter apple spray on you hands before you touch her and know she will try to get hold. It doesn't work with all dogs some don't mind it but it might be worth a try. It's best when wet, dry it's less potent. Bitter apple = 2 parts white vinegar to 1 part apple cider vinegar. It might just put her off : Good luck .
Re: Desperately Need the Biting to Stop You've had some great advice and those articles are really worth checking out. The key is to find a method and stick with it. Chances are the behaviour will get worse before it gets better as your pup does this for attention and will put more effort into it before realising that it's not getting her anywhere. You will get through this, I promise! Keep popping back for support and advice!
Re: Desperately Need the Biting to Stop Many sympathies... nothing to add except solidarity. Please tell your fiance that I really, really sympathise but please hang in there... the biting is genuinely a sign of affection / wanting to play and it honestly shows how much the dog wants to be with both of you. It is absolutely horrid while it is happening but it does pass. Let us know how you get on... Rosie (and 7 month Pongo, who is now a beautiful gentle boy but was a little skunk for several weeks going through the biting phase....
Re: Desperately Need the Biting to Stop Again, no extra advice but just another person with the same experience. I was also bleeding daily! But it does stop and you may find that it's only a matter of a few more weeks; I found things improved when I could take Molly for walks. I now have a delightful young dog and you will too.
Re: Desperately Need the Biting to Stop Oh please hang in there and don't despair.ive nothing to add to the others advice but it will pass and if you hang in there your fiancé will learn to love her and forget this stage. Welcome to the Forum too x
Re: Desperately Need the Biting to Stop Have been there and suffered like most. One thing that has not been mentioned is they need to learn 'Bite Inhibition' this cannot be learned without biting? So it is mad to say, but you need to put your hands in there. Not as a game, but as a learning tool. With the pup sitting or lying down gently stroke her head, when she bites try not to snatch your hand away too soon (she will see that as a game and follow it). When she bites down, really yelp like a puppy does when hurt very loud? stand up and walk away (do not say anything ) go back in 30 secs and try again but keep doing the same, they get the message in the end. give her something to chew, filled Kong's are great. Hang in there
Re: Desperately Need the Biting to Stop Don't want to bombard you with suggestions, but one of the things I learned (to my surprise) was that when you do the 'walk away and ignore' thing the MOST IMPORTANT thing is to avoid eye contact with the pup. They seem to find that really important as a message - "if I don't even look at you then you are being a very boring, unattractive puppy". It was the single most effective thing in changing Pongo's behaviour. Good luck, hang in there....
Re: Desperately Need the Biting to Stop Hello and welcome! I have Edsel, 5 1/2 mos now, and posted on here some time ago about the snapping alligator I was living with. I literally had nips and scratches from elbows to fingertips on both arms all the time. It had slowed down greatly by 16 weeks and has all but stopped now. Definitely a growing pain but does pass. I would simply stop paying him any attention and remove myself from the situation for a few minutes. I also found it was much worse when he needed a nap and so a couple times a day would crate him and within a few minutes he was usually snoozing. Hang in there! It will stop. Lori
Re: Desperately Need the Biting to Stop Just wanted to say Hi, and hang in there! Like they said, it does get better! jac and 4 year old Lilly (she of the deer-hunting passion)
Re: Desperately Need the Biting to Stop Also wanted to say welcome and - just hang on for a little longer - this ghastly biting stage WILL end!!!!
Re: Desperately Need the Biting to Stop My silver bullet is age, she is still so little. Our Kailey drew blood on my husband at that age quite a few times because she was playing and getting over excited. Hannah isn't attacking, it is during playing correct? She just needs to learn her boundaries. We would discontinue play and if needed give a crate time out if Kailey was a little over the top. She is now almost 6 month and has her adult teeth coming in. They are so less painful ;D! She also isn't biting nearly as much, hardly at all actually, and we really haven't changed anything. I would just let all family members and visitors know of the issue and if you notice her getting worked up (which is usually before the harder biting starts) I would try and cut her off and switch her out to a bone or chew toy as a trade. Good luck, this too shall pass has been my experience. biorus P.S. My husband has just suggested investing in a good suite of armor
Re: Desperately Need the Biting to Stop Hi and welcome. Everything you have said is very familiar and the advice given is spot on! If you look at my post "over excited puppy" you'll see I was having the same problem! http://www.thelabradorforum.com/index.php?topic=5693.0 The biting did better and now at nearly 5 months old Maisie is very calm and the biting has stopped. I found turning away, saying ouch, ignoring her helped to calm the situation down and I also had a large supply of rice bones to give her when I knew a problem was brewing!! Be able to get out about helped a lot too.
