Molly, who has just turned seven months, has just taken to grabbing me round the wrist or on the hand. She isn't biting because she is not using the full power of her jaws, but it is painful and I REALLY don't like it. It doesn't seem to happen just when she's wound up. She just did it to me as I tried to stop her playing with the doormat. I respond by grabbing her collar and putting her in her crate. I didn't enjoy the mouthing as a young puppy, but she seemed to grow out of it and I have enjoyed being able to stoke her. Perhaps I am unreasonable but I don't want 45+lbs handing off my forearm. I would welcome advice in dealing with this latest behaviour.
Re: Grabbing my wrist I`m no expert Tina, but as you say she did it when you tried to stop her playing with the doormat , do you think its just that, play ? Labs do tend to play rough , its no joke either when you are on the recieiving end of it , can you distract her with one of her own toys , something to replace what she is trying to get at ? Sorry , I`m not much help , its very unlikely to be anything deliberate, just young dog enthusiasm , I would also give her a loud and firm NO , walk away from her but do give her something of her own to occupy her .
Re: Grabbing my wrist Just remembered, she has just been spayed so is not having her usual walks and exercise, this could be the reason ?
Re: Grabbing my wrist Charlie came back from his time in the rehab centre doing this - I'm not very amused either. In Charlie's case it is definitely an attempt to engage us in play, and we reckon he is just so keen to play and burn off some energy, he'll try anything. We are just saying "no" and stopping the interaction for 20 seconds or so.
Re: Grabbing my wrist I can sympathise. Buddy (6.5 months) has just started jumping up to bite at clothing when we are on a walk. He's never done this before and I'm keen to nip it in the bud. I put him on the lead with a firm 'no' when he has done it....I'm thinking he is over excited on his walk, but not really sure!
Re: Grabbing my wrist It's just excitement and play. Deal with it as you would a puppy - instantly withdraw attention, use time outs, and reward lavishly for non-bitey interactions. Just don't do anything to bring further excitement like shouting or pushing or flapping hands. Our dog Obi did this when we got him at 9 months - he had been allowed to lead people round by the wrist and clothing and he grabbed very, very firmly too. He thought it was ok and fun. Withdrawing attention etc worked pretty quickly to extinguish the behaviour. Now he's very careful with his teeth.
