new black labrador puppy 4 months old

Hi, my new black lab puppy is 4 months old. Her name is Two Socks, she has two back paws which are white. She came to me from out East, and I live in the Midwest Northern State . I got her when she was eight weeks old, she has done fine. she does have a lot of energy, and tries to chew everything in site. I have tried everything I can think of to prevent this. she jumps from the floor up into the recliner, something I am trying to stop! she get very stress when taken into the vet, or to training class. I need lots of help understanding how to give her the help needed. she chewed through two soft crates so I bought a metal one. she wants to sleep on her pillow with a beating heart pillow under her head. I let her do this but kept a leash connected which I didn't like having to do. she slept all night, I actually only took her outside for potty once. she weighs 26 lbs. any help would be greatly appreciated, there is a two year old grandson around also and I worry about the two of them together.
thank you
puppy mom

 

Hi and welcome to the forum from me and 4 year old girl, Harley in the UK.
I highly recommend The Happy Puppy book by Pippa who set up this forum as it has lots of tips and advice on all of the issues you have stated.
You can also look on the main site for sections of teething which will explain most of the chewing, typical puppy behaviour and how to address this as well and socialisation methods to help them adapt to the world, including vet visits etc.

 

Hi, thank you for replying. I am so in need of learning how to take care of this little girl. she is so sweet and I just know that I can help her if I learn what I am doing wrong. I look forward to helping her have a better life. thank you taking time to reply.
puppy mom

 

It will gradually get easier. Puppies do chew -it's just one of those things -so it's best to keep dangerous and precious things out of reach and provide plenty of chew toys for her to use. My puppies have all liked me to hold something for them to chew too.
With your grandson, I'd suggest keeping him and the puppy apart most of the time -stairgates are great to use in doorways for this. Lab puppies do seem very bitey and you obviously don't want your grandson hurt or frightened. When you're supervising closely, or ideally have another adult with you, playtimes with pup and child in the garden may be the best solution.
If your puppy is stressed / anxious, then stroke her slowly and speak calmly to her as you would with a young child.

I love the name Two Socks. My dog has little white marks on the back of all four paws.

 

Hi, thank you for your advise. yes I plan on keeping two socks and the grandson apart. the grandson loves to run and play and that only gets two socks excited. I ordered a couple of the books by Pippa and hope to get more information from reading the. do you think of using a muzzle when around the grandson? daughter asked me about this and I am not sure. while at the vet I did try talking to her to calm her, she just continued to be stressed. wonder if she senses my frustration of her acting this way.

 

Hi and welcome. I would definitely not use a muzzle on your puppy, that will not help her to learn to use her mouth gently and may in fact have very dangerous results down the line. Puppies - dogs - have to learn bite inhibition, otherwise at a later date they might really bite someone badly. I would keep a lead on your puppy when your grandson is around, and just supervise them constantly. Sounds like you may have a rather nervy little dog there, I know what that is like as my older dog is by nature a nervous character too, but with lots of care and understanding she has become a wonderful, gentle dog, completely reliable around children. Just keep on with the calm treatment and positive training, you will get there.

 

Hi, thanks for the advise. I will not be using a muzzle. I believe you are right, I just need to watch her around the grandson. For the last two nights she has slept on her pillow and slept all night. That is great. I do keep a gate by the door, and a long leash so she won't wonder around. she has been more calm since doing this. I wanted to post a picture, but can't figure out how to do so. would you know how this is done?
thank you again for all your advise.
puppy mom

 

Hi, Well Two Socks has really been testing me. She seems to always be one step ahead of me. I have been trying to teach her not to jump up on furniture. She seems to think it is ok to sit in my chair while I am working on the pc. I just never know what to expect from her. Tonight I fed her, took her outside to play and go potty. She goes potty and looks right at me and proceeds to eat the stuff. I tried to keep her from it and when I did, she played doge me. I don't understand why she would want to eat that !! I have to change out her collar, this one is getting to small, any suggestions on a good walking collar/leash. Do people use any other types of equipment for walking? She is all over the place, and I just know that I am going to fall trying to control her!
Thanks
puppy mom

 

Yes they do test us. Discourage the jumping up on furniture and phrase/reward her when she is sitting/laying down where you want her to - she will soon get the message.

The poo eating is common and there has been a few threads about this recently.

I use a Perfect Fit harness and Halti double ended lead on my puppy - really made a huge difference.

 

Good Morning.
I appreciate the help. May I ask where you got the harness and lead? I will be starting her sept 11th for star puppy classes and would like to get something for that and walking. I never knew there were so many things to know about puppies and sometimes I have to admit I get worried that I am not doing the right thing for her.
thank you so much for your help
puppy mom

 

I am in the U.K. I got the harness from the website Dog Games (google it) and the Halti from a pet shop but I am sure you could get one on Amazon or eBay. I am sure you are doing all the right things but I agree - there is always a lot to learn. This forum is brilliant for asking questions.

 

Hello and welcome to the forum. There is so much wisdom, experience and genuine help here. And everything everyone has said is absolutely true, things do get better and the puppy onslaught changes to adolescent attitude but with positive reinforcement and consistent training and reward your puppy will grow into a dog that you can communicate with and enjoy. They all have their strengths and challenges and are all different but they are awesome. Good luck.

 

Hello and welcome from me and Lilly - hope things are going OK with you guys,
Jac

 

Hi, well Two Socks started her classes and on the first night, the trainer suggested she needed a prong collar, instead of the perfect harness. I was so upset I choose not to return to that class. I have been walking her morning and night. she has started to do better with this. I am having a problem with the harness though. the front neck piece keeps coming loose. I contacted the company and they suggested making it tighter. this weekend I did that , it still works it self loose as we walk. has anyone had this issue with this harness? I am not sure why this is happening. I am trying to correct the problem myself. the company said they would replace it if it still continues. she is quite strong and I am wondering if this might not be the right harness for her.
thank you
puppy mom

 

I used mine on my big strong strapping lab and its never worked loose.if it is maybe its faulty? Good for you for saying no to the prong collar. I would speak to the people at perfect fit again it sounds like something is wrong.

 

I'd definitely send the harness back and try a new one, or a different make.
Walking away from a training class is a brave decision to make . We sign up to classes expecting support and advice but not the kind that would harm our dogs or force us to do things that we feel uncomfortable doing to them.

Using a harness is perfectly acceptable to keep you both safe, her neck safe and your shoulders safe. Homer was a big puller, especially when going to the park and I've damaged my shoulder. Over time he's got a lot better but sometimes depending on where we are going and how I'm feeling I still use his harness from time to time. If dogs were robots we'd all have them walking to heal with a loose lead, but they are individual creatures with their own minds and hearts and so are we.

 

Hello & welcome to you & Two Socks (love the name). Good for you, walking away from the prong collar. I hope you can find a good training course for Two Socks, it would be really helpful for you. I have always skipped the puppy phase and had adult rescue dogs, you're very brave.