Hi was wondering if anyone could help I have 9 wk male black lab !! Had him for 2 wks has been very good crate trained paper trained !! In 2 wks have learnt him sit , down , shake a paw which he picked up very easy !! I messed with his food whilst eating and also take it of him with no probs at all same with toys !! But twice now when have tried stop him biting people or having stuff he shouldn't have he growls at me and jumps at me bite me and keeps coming back do it again I have held his muzzle together and tried pinning him to floor like the mom would do but he growls and snarls soon as I let him go and tries bite again !! Has anyone had this with a young pup as I'm worried he going be nasty !! X
Hello there, and a very warm welcome! If we had £1 for every post we've had from a new puppy owner, who has a biting puppy, worried s/he is going to be aggressive, we'd be very rich indeed! He is playing, he is a baby, and doesn't know how to behave. Please don't hold his muzzle, or pin him to the floor. It is this type of treatment that will make him scared of you and aggressive because he is trying to defend himself. I know you may have read about these techniques online or in (older) books, but they are totally flawed, will create problems for you and your dog, and have no place in modern dog training. Here is an article that might help you: http://www.thelabradorsite.com/labrador-puppies-biting/
Hello and welcome to the forum . What you describe is very typical young puppy behaviour . You must have had your puppy at seven weeks which is a little earlier than now recommended , the reason being that in those final weeks with Mum , they learn an awful lot . Please please don't hold his muzzle or pin him down , this is an old fashioned and frankly outdated mode of training called the dominance method , and it truly isn't effective , all it will do is produce either a very nervous or reactive dog . I doubt very much that your puppy is showing aggression , it is most rare in pups of his age , I know it can sound dreadful to hear growls and be on the receiving end of biting, but this is simply what young puppies do , until they grow out of it ! The best thing to do is to distract him with a toy , try not to react angrily . I have just noticed that Julie has replied as I was writing my reply , please read the article she has linked for you , it will help a lot , and I wish you good luck with your puppy , it sounds like you are doing great with his training .
Sorry, just to add....don't take your puppy's food away. By all means approach him while he is eating, and ADD lovely things to his bowl, so he thinks people approaching his food is a good thing, but don't take it away in order to show him who is boss or anything like that. If the reason you are taking his food away is because of 'dominance' theories, these are also completely dangerous old hat, and here is an article that might help: http://www.thelabradorsite.com/should-you-show-your-labrador-puppy-who-is-boss/
Thank you for your reply and appreciate ur advice!! I know all puppy's bite nip etc and I expect this as he only young I don't mind that but have never experienced the snarling and what appears quite nasty !! And totally agree with not pinning him down now As have been reading up and yes is old practise and won't be doing it again just at time as he was trying bite my young niece!! We start puppy classes in few wks so hoping will help to !! Never had it with my previous lab so was just little concerned X
Thank you yes I did have him at 7 wks and he was already away from mom !! And totally agree won't be holding him down again as like u said have read and it very old style !! It was just quite worrying how nasty he sounded and it was around my young niece and he kept jumping up towards my face to nip!! Feel awful now for doing it and hope haven't made things worse as he lovely lovely pup ! As said previously never experienced it with my previous lab so was really unsure what do but have read link and we start puppy training soon !! He is very clever and loves learning so sure won't take him long !!thanks for help
Hi and welcome, Julie has given you great advice, it does work, I came through that stage only a few months ago using the advice from Julie and many others on this forum. There is a bright light at the end of the dark tunnel of the crocopup stage.
Really good to hear, @Kelhump - have a look round the site, loads of helpful training tips, and let us know how you get on with your lovely pup. If you like, pop over to introductions, and tell us more about yourself - and we'd love a picture of your pup (you have to store photos on something like flickr or dropbox and post a link).
Thank you all so much for help I feel so bad now for pinning him down def def won't do it again !! I will try post pic his name is Murphy he a very handsome boy X
Don't feel bad, @Kelhump, you had a problem, went looking for a solution, and found something that means you and your pup will have happier lives. That's good. It's the people that keep doing these punishment/dominance based things, throughout the dog's puppyhood and life, that have problems and damage their dogs. I'm sure your pup will be fine.
[GALLERY=][/GALLERY] thankyou so much only been on this site 30 mins and everyone helped loads !! I do feel awful but better knowing it won't never happen again on my behalf !! Have bought pippas book to just hope my pup forgets it with lots love and right technique!! Thanks everyone for support and advice I was worried earlier but nice know it all normal puppy behaviour X
Hi and welcome, some great advice already given. All I would add I that Murphy is a very young puppy and can not differentiate between you and your young niece when it comes to playing. It's best to closely monitor young children and puppies and be aware that puppies can find children's voices and body movements very exciting.
Hi there. Your puppy is just acting normally and isn't showing a aggression. By closing his jaws and pinning him down you are just going to encourage him. Best thing to do is to ignore your puppy turn away and stop giving any attention. Sometimes they do this if overtired and need some "Time out". There is lots of information about this on the forum....check out the puppy boards. Hopefully someone can link to the right info as I am on my phone and can't do that right now. Hope you find something that helps.
Don't feel bad about holding your pup down. Not so long ago it was considered the right way to train a dog, happily we know better now.
