Sophie's biting is out of control at 12 weeks now to the point where I can barely interact with her or train her without her biting me. I can't exercise her because all she does is bite me. Distractions, not working, Can't walk away with a dog latched onto my skin. She's now biting and PULLING with her teeth on my arm or hand. My sister has a border colllie who was a terrible biter when she was a puppy. They used a muzzle for a few weeks and it helped. She keeps encouraging me to use one. I'm afraid with a retriever, I'd be blocking them from doing what they were bred to do and I'm afraid a)it will hurt my relationship with her and b)it will make her aggressive. Has anyone used one successfully for a while and their pup grew up fine? @pippa@labforumHQ any input here from an expert?
Hi Annamarie, I'm not an expert, just a fellow lab owner (my girl is 2 years old now) but someone who remember that biting stage very very well !! Believe me, it is completely normal and just your pup learning to investigate the world - it does pass though as I'm sure lots of other people on this forum will tell you! Personally, I would be really concerned about using a muzzle - the logic in my head says that might prevent her from biting in the short term but it won't train her not to bite or to learn bite inhibition. All I can pass on is some tips I learned from when Cassie was going through that stage. The best thing that worked for me was to distract her with training - sit, stay, down, basically whatever you can think of to get her mind occupied. Also have a chew toy handy and put that in her mouth so she learns what's acceptable to chew and what isn't. Also, have you got a playpen or somewhere close you can put her for a little bit of "time out" so you can interact with her but she can't get to you to bite? that might also help. There is a pinned article from Pippa at the top of this forum which has lots of tips on puppy biting if you haven't seen it already, here: https://thelabradorforum.com/threads/biting-puppies-help-for-new-puppy-parents.24782/ Hopefully some others will be along soon with some more suggestions. I now it feels like it will be never ending now, but genuinely this phase will pass so quickly and you'll struggle to remember how bad it was ! Good luck,
I agree puppy biting can be very challenging but also I've never heard it suggested that you use a muzzle on this situation. Give them other things to chew avoid playing when tired or overexcited and maybe a brief time in crate or pen when you really need a break. See the Labrador Site for great information on puppy biting. It will end eventually!!
Are pups going through that stage. Like a baby they explore the world through the mouth. My hands are covered in small nicks. Mostly it happens when he's over stimulated or over tired. I'm learning to read the signs. when I muck up and don't see in time I separate my self and let things calm down. They wine and yap, while I try to ignore them. When calm again I return and do a bit of nose hand work with treats and toys. Don't know if that's right but it seems to be working.
