Biscuit, is our 4.5 month old yellow lab, who is gentle with my 7 year old daughter. Once every two days or so, she might growl at my husband, but with me, almost everyday, there is at least 5 minutes where she just leaps, snarls and comes at me...Yesterday, it was a tension-packed 15 minute stretch where I could not leash her, and she was at me, barking, leaping and growling, and trying to nip, when I tried to leash her. She is teething, and had a tummy upset. My husband mostly feeds Biscuit, I play with her and take her for walks, and she hangs out in my office since I work from home. She was good with me when my husband and daughter went on vacation for two weeks, and it was just the two of us. Now that they are back...the behavior has started. Not sure, why she has the extra aggressive behavior with me...I dont rough-house with her or anything..I do try to cuddle, on occasion, when she is pleasant. The border collie-shepherd I raised never behaved this way. With Biscuit growing as rapidly as she is, I cant hep but feel a little intimidated. Any advice?
It sounds pretty normal puppy behaviour to me. When she starts leaping and snarling I would stand up put my hands in a loose fist and fold my arms tucking my hands underneath my arm pits if necessary turn my back as well. When Biscuit has calmed down show her attention, this may take a while and will have to be repeated. Remember the one thing puppies love is attention not getting it will eliminate the behaviour you don't want. Another point to bear in mind always be consistent. The other tactic I used with my puppy was to place her in her crate with a treat. I've always seen the crate as my girls den a place she can be safe and secure, certainly not punishment. It's amazing how calm puppies can be after a couple of minutes time out. Some puppies do suffer while they are teething mine did terribly. I bought some teething gel and rubbed it on some of her teething chew toys. There was no way she would have allowed me to gentle rub it on her gums as the instructions said she was so wriggly. That seemed to work a treat. I can understand you feeling intimidated my husband was terrified for a while as he had never been through the puppy stage but I'd grown up with pets. Despite warning him of this little cuddly crocopup he didn't quite believe it until it happened. Please don't worry, try and stay calm and keep using the forum. There's so much good advice. I would really recommend Pippa's Happy Puppy Handbook. I found it absolutely invaluable so much brilliant advice. Good luck.
Lots of good advice here - http://www.thelabradorsite.com/how-t...abrador-puppy/ It is very normal Lab puppy behaviour, not aggression at all. But it would help if you relax as her over-excited behaviour will increase with your tension. .
My Cornelia gets the same way. Follow the advise above and try to remain calm and patient.. LOL Hard to do when they are biting and growling at you, I know. It will get better
Does she do it at a particular time of day? Molly used to have her "terrible time" at about 6.00pm and she would display all the behaviours you mention. She is 22 months now and she does things around 6.00pm that she doesn't during the rest of the day, mad dash round the garden, pinching things off tables etc. My solution is to pop her on the lead and go out for a walk.
Ugh, 6pm. I remember the 6pm terrors very well. Before Willow had her jabs, I learnt that I had to be ready to take her out for a carry around the village at 6pm because otherwise she'd go completely loopy and wouldn't settle for anything. I could set the clock by her
A very sensible solution If you get them to use their brains - and a carry round does that really well - they are too tired for much in the way of zoomies! Of course, at 4.5 months, a walk round the block, with plenty of sniffs, or a training session will have the same effect.
She does not do it at a particular time of the day. We take her for a 2 mile walk everyday...will add a half mile or so multiple times when possible She has a round of fetching..outdoors - toss a few balls and she fetches them... We repeat the same things indoors..and down the stairs.. We feed her in a Kong so she works for the food...advice from trainer.. Will try making her sniff for treats...
Hello and welcome You already have good advice above. I'd try adding more bits of training, rather than more exercise. You don't want a 4.5month old pup doing too much, and maybe reconsider the fetch inside (unless on very safe non slip floors) and maybe not on the stairs.... How about using a clicker and teaching some tricks and things like that instead?
Hmmmm ... that sounds like a LOT for 4.5 months. I'm thinking she may be over tired? I would definitely avoid the stairs entirely - see this article - http://www.thelabradorsite.com/labrador-puppy-exercise-how-much-is-too-much/
Over tired puppies are like over tired children. HYPER The rule of thumb for exercise is 5 minutes per day for each month of life.
2 miles at 4.5 months does seem an awful lot on a daily basis together with running around and retrieving. Is the 2 mile walk on lead or off lead? We don't do as much as that with Juno at 13 months on a daily basis.
Gosh, did not research how much to exercise the pup...started the 2 mile walks after she turned 4 months. Its not a brisk walk..its a walk for her..and she sniffs and takes breaks whenever she needs it. Will reduce it. Thanks Boogie for the advice on the stairs. Glad I joined this forum.
