Hi everyone! I'm sorry but I need to vent. I've had my new boy for only a week and I'm finding being a first time puppy parent very trying I know all of the things are normal puppy behavior but I think I just need reassurance that it gets better lol. He is just 8 weeks old and gets very nasty while playing. He has ripped clothing and lunges at me without stopping until I hold him down on his side! I feel bad doing that but he doesn't give up. Taking him outside is a nightmare. Once he has relieved himself the only thing that interests him is eating rocks, grass, plants everything! I'm scared he'll swallow something and harm himself. He's not fully vaccinated so I can't take him anywhere besides the yard. He won't listen or even look at me lol. Any advice would be welcome!
Re: frustrated with new puppy! First of all, your puppy is totally normal - and so is your reaction to all his puppy antics The ferocious biting is just his puppy way of playing (believe it or not) and it definitely will get better. Gently holding him down is fine, but when he gets feral also try popping him in a safe room like the bathroom or laundry for 20 seconds. If crazy biting consistently results in you taking away the opportunity to play he will become more gentle in his playing (eventually.....it will take time to sink in, but persevere ). The tendency to put every object in the universe in his mouth is normal but over time that should reduce too. Make sure he always has access to a basket of toys that he is allowed to chew and destroy. If he grabs something he shouldn't give him one of the 'legal' toys instead. Are you in the habit of using treats to reward him for good behaviour? Are you doing any 'training' with him like running away and calling him and giving him a treat for coming to you? Doing that kind of thing will start to build up your ability to get his attention. Just give him treats for anything good that you want him to keep doing Have a look around in your area to see if any vets or trainers are running 'puppy parties' where unvaccinated puppies can get together in a safe environment and play. That's great for socialization, re-directing biting to someone other than you, and wearing your puppy out a bit Hang in there!!!!
Re: frustrated with new puppy! Thank you! It's my very first dog so I'm so overwhelmed. I'm sure me being anxious isn't helping matters any. :'(
Re: frustrated with new puppy! No, I'm sure that makes everything seen much more challenging. But I would say that it's totally the case that every new puppy owner feels overwhelmed and wonders if they have done the right thing in getting a puppy. It's like a little whirlwind (with teeth) has landed in your life and it's a big change. It's normal to think "What have I done!!!!!!???". But every little, biting, cheeky, sock-stealing, trouser munching puppy whirlwind does eventually become a calm, lovable, cuddly, entertaining and delightful grown up dog who you wonder how you ever did without Anytime you do feel overwhelmed, just come here and tell us about it There are lots of people who are in exactly the same boat as you right now and they know just how you feel (and just how sharp those teeth are).
Re: frustrated with new puppy! Lol its nice to be reassured by people who have gone through it. I have started to try and reward his good behavior but how many treats can I possibly give him?
Re: frustrated with new puppy! Do you feed him kibble? If you like you can use all his kibble as treats. He doesn't need to have it in his bowl. Or you can cut down on his kibble a bit and use other things as treats like roast chicken or ham or little bits of sausage. Go for soft, tasty things in pieces about as big as the nail on your little finger.
Re: frustrated with new puppy! Firstly Congrats on ur new pup . Its all normal . As Racheal mentioned try enticing him with treats . Our little fellow still eats grass dunno who , but i cannot let him not , but i have read that is one of the things they do when they r bored . Trying playing with him , may be running around or playing fetch . Dont give up , Trust me this is all worth it at the end . Cheers
Re: frustrated with new puppy! Hello! Don't worry - he's not being nasty at all, he's just being a puppy Don't hold him down, that will simply confuse him. I would rush off and get a copy of The Happy Puppy Handbook - it tells you all you need to know. Meanwhile have a look here - http://www.thelabradorsite.com/how-to-cope-with-an-overexcited-labrador-puppy/ and here http://www.thelabradorsite.com/labrador-puppies-when-biting-gets-out-of-hand/ Tatze was a crazy crocodile when she was little. Fear not, it gets much, much better - then you start to miss the puppy stage and want another!
Re: frustrated with new puppy! Hi and welcome. Yes you have a very normal lovely lab puppy there, he will be so much fun. I totally agree with the previous post about getting Pippa's book as its great to realise all this behaviour is normal puppy development and he is not really ignoring you or being naughty. He is just learning. Also do get him out and about, just be super careful where you take him. My vet really encouraged this as it is really important for his socialisation (and your sanity). Take him out in the care, carry him somewhere (I know that wont last long) for a look and a sniff. You can take him to houses where there are vaccinated dogs (or no dogs) with property that is enclosed. Also read all the old threads on here, it really makes you realise you are not alone. Have fun, Emma and Meg (16 weeks).
Re: frustrated with new puppy! Hello and welcome! As others have said, it will all get better and the biting will seem like a bad dream in a few weeks!!!
Re: frustrated with new puppy! The others have given you such great advice, I just wanted to say hang in there and stick with it, you're doing fine! I definitely second the advice about making sure he always has access to 'legal' things to bite and chew, you can get some great puppy teething toys nowadays. Also the training - it will help occupy his brain so will wear him out and you should get some periods of peace and quiet! The happy puppy handbook is a must read, but if you can't get it definitely go through the articles on the main site as everything you need to know can be found there.
Re: frustrated with new puppy! This was me 5 weeks ago and things will get better. I found taking my pup out, even if I just sat on a bench in town with her, was very tiring for her and she would sleep well afterwards!! Meeting people, dogs, hearing, seeing new sights and sounds will help to wear her out! Taking her out was a pleasure as I didn't get bitten, etc! Up until about 11 weeks Maisie would eat everything in the garden and I seemed to spend all my time trying to fish something out of her mouth, this has now reduced considerably thank goodness When playing, I found stopping things before they got out of hand worked better than trying to control a frenzied pup, it just took me a while to work out the signs! Trying to ignore the frenzied, crocodile behaviour is very difficult, but ignoring it does work! Just make sure you are armed with something to put in her mouth instead of your skin. Things will improve!
Re: frustrated with new puppy! Hello there! Welcome to the forum! I think we have all sat exactly where you are thinking "what have l done?" It will get better. Hang on in there. I highly recommend Pippa's The Happy Puppy Handbook. It really helps you to understand puppy behavior and how to deal with It. if you have time, read the puppy stuff on the main website and the forum. If nothing else it will show you that you are not alone! Jac and 4 yr old black girl Lilly.
Re: frustrated with new puppy! Hi Charvelly and welcome to the forum. Not much to add to the advice you've been given - it does get better as they get older and you become more confidant. Read the books and come back with questions. Are we going to see some pics of your biting monster
Re: frustrated with new puppy! Hi - I felt just the same when I first got Molly. Even though I've had dogs all my life, I'd forgotten what puppy-hood was like. As others have said, it does pass and you will have a gorgeous companion like the rest of us. Have you tried buying rice bones - these are safe and keep those puppy teeth busy for some while (once they get their adult teeth they chomp through them too quickly)? You could carry your pup out for short trips - good for him to meet people and the new sights and sounds will help to tire him out. Chasing the end of the broom in the garden was a good game for Molly. I stood still and moved it in a circle, while she chased it and every so often I let her catch it. (But does have the draw-back that I now have to shut her indoors if I want to sweep up outside!) Good luck!
Re: frustrated with new puppy! Hi, welcome from me and meg 14. Everyone has given you excellent advice so just wanted to say welcome. You'll love it here.
Re: frustrated with new puppy! I agree with everything everyone has said. Those teeth hurt! Only thing I can add is if you have problems with your pup eating everything in the yard, maybe fencing off a small portion so you can keep a little more control of where your pup gets into. Maybe a play pen or something. Time outs in the bathroom or crate worked great here too. Have fun!
Re: frustrated with new puppy! Hi, and welcome from Holly (19 month yellow Lab) and me. It sounds like you have a normal puppy who's trying to explore this exciting new world and learn the rules. Day by day you'll see small improvements, and in a few months you'll wonder what all the fuss was about. Holly was the same 16 months ago and now I love her to bits! I agree with the people who suggest taking her out and sitting on a bench. We did lots of that with Holly and it was great for socialising. You'll be amazed at how many people will want to stop and make a fuss of a new puppy. Just keep the puppy off the deck until the jabs are complete. Puppies seem to find mental activity as tiring than physical play. Short bursts of training can be fun, and games that play to their seeking/retreiving instincts will keep them constructively amused. We used to hide treats around the garden to play "seek" games as this was both fun and tiring. Have you any pictures?
Re: frustrated with new puppy! Hello and welcome from me and my 13 week old pup, Ruby! Great advice already from everyone, so nothing really to add but it is overwhelming when you get your new pup. Ruby is just starting to show signs of being more gentle, but she still gets wound up so I have to watch for the signs and calm things down or pop her in her crate (which usually ends up with her being asleep as I think she gets crazy when she's over tired!). She is rampaging through my garden at the moment digging holes and pouncing on poor unsuspecting bees I have been looking through the training articles on here and found them really helpful - I might introduce a house line to keep her under more control/prevent the unwanted behaviour sometimes (digging, chasing cats, jumping up and nipping my toddlers etc.) It would be lovely to see a pic of your pup - looking forward to hearing more updates x
