I recently purchased a Yellow Lab. She is 4 months today. ...

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Question by Meg
Submitted on 12/17/2003
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I recently purchased a Yellow Lab. She is 4 months today. I am having a real hard time getting her to not bite. I've followed the recommendations in books such as Mother Knows Best. I am consistant in not allowing her to bite me if for no other reason then in really hurts. My 7 year old daughter is afraid to go near her because of the nipping/biting problem. I have to crate her more than I would because she gets very wild and scares my daughter. I've enrolled in a 6 week puppy basic course which will start in mid January. I'm hoping the trainer can show me how to better train my dog. My questions are: Is the typical behaviour for the lab, and will she out grow this?

Answer by Sbirrrell
Submitted on 6/7/2004
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I don't have a question just wanted to let people know that we are proud owners of 5, yes 5 dogs all of which range from the age of 10wks to 3 yrs.old. We have a 2 yr.old black lab and now have a 10 wk. old yellow lab, a German short haired pointer 1yr.old and a terrier mix 3yrs.old along with a 6 month old Germain shepard and doberman pincher mix I am a 48 yr.old that is blessed with being able to stay home. I am proud to say these where all saves from some not very good situations. They are the best and most well behaved animals I have every seen although there are mine. But being able to stay home have a big yard and keep them well exercised makes for a well balanced dog. They all get along beautiful and I keep saying no more but when I see a animal in need I just can't say no. We also have 2 cats. Your labs will get better I think having lots of things for them to chew on and keep them well exercised is really a great thing to know when trying to keep your dogs in control they all sleep in our bedroom at night with only 2 that feel the need to be in bed with us. Enjoy all animals are truly a blessing from God.Along with the love and companinship they give us. Hang in there new puppy owners it gets better. Susan from London Ohio.

Answer by JD
Submitted on 9/30/2004
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I have a 4 month old yellow lab. I got him when he was just 6 1/2 weeks old. He used to bite me and my friends all the time. But with persistent, percieverance, and patience. He is turning out well. I just noticed 3 weeks ago, the he stopped biting, which is a good thing. We go to puppy class every week, and apply the lessons we learned in class at home. Puppy class is more for the owner, I think. I am surprised on what he has learned so far at his young age. In addition, squirt bottles are good. When they start barking, bouncing, biting, and whatever unwanted behavior, you can just use squirt bottle. It's an alternative way to punish/reprimand the pup without physically punishing them. Bring them to dog parks and the river, they will be mellow by the time you get home, and they will sleep all day. (Make sure the pup has his/her shots).

Answer by doggy luver!
Submitted on 3/31/2005
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i just got a 7 week old puppy i know what your going thru! she bites hard to i found out that sometimes works is fill a can with a few pennies and when he/she does something they're not supposed too shake it a couple time and firmly say no!! I'vehad my chocolate lab puppy now for a week and so far my can and firmly no mix has been working she hasn'tbiting me that much since . But if you use my suggestion please make sure you never hit or come close to hitting your new friend with the can or anything because it leads to not trusting you any more and you will never get that life long bond with your new family member! :) Also when you use the can method make sure you say I'm going to go get the can so they can reconize the word and know when you say that they've done something wrong if you would like to reply i would love to her what you have to say and think about my no biting or anything it works on! method. Sincerely:), doggy luver!!!

Answer by Amy
Submitted on 1/29/2006
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"I have an 18 month old yellow who will go to the batroom in my house at night when we are sleeping. When we crate her she cries throughout the night. We are moving into a new home and do not want her to ruin my new rugs. HELP" I know that this was posted some time ago, however, it's a common problem that most new puppy owners have. We have 2 8 wk old labs. One chocolate, one black. The black one whined a lot the first couple nights we had them. Through research on the internet, I found a solution that has worked like a charm. We put the box they sleep in along with food, water and a puppy pad because they will have an "accident" at night into the bathroom. I then leave the light on and turn a radio on and close the door. They have slept through the night, or at least dont whine to get out until the morning. The radio makes them think someone is around and helps with the lonliness. Also, be sure to play with them plenty throughout the day and they will be assured that they are loved and you will come back for them. I hope this helps any new puppy owners who come across this. If anyone wants anymore tips you can email me at davega7@yahoo.com

Answer by LCorona
Submitted on 2/28/2006
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THIS IS FOR GINA: I know I don't have a Lab, I do however have a German Shepherd and we were able to house break him in about two weeks. You should consider crate training. Some people are hesitant to lock up their dogs in a crate because they think it's cruel, but in fact it is the opposite. Dogs, especially puppies, like having a cozy spot all there own, and if you choose the correct size for your dog, they will NOT pee or poop in that space because dogs will not potty in the same place they sleep. it's instinct. The crate should be just big enough for your dog to able to stand up and turn around in. Any bigger and he may still have accidents. Trust me, we used this method with our dog and have NEVER had a night time mishap. Plus, by not allowing him anywhere to pee at night, he has learned to hold it until he is let out which has saved our floors. Like I said, crate training eliminated accidents in about two weeks and that was with him being a puppy, an older dog will learn faster. Good Luck!!

Answer by riverdiverr
Submitted on 11/11/2006
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I have two Labs, One Choc. who is going on 8 years old and One yellow lab who is now 9 WEEKS old! My older lab is the best dog I have ever had and he was so good to train! Everyone in the home has to do the samething. I give the puppy all the love in the world but when he nipps or bites I do the loud "OUCH" and take my hands away! and don't give him even one little look of love! just walk away! But when he is playing nice and not nipping I give him 100% of me. and play that he loves! I have two kids 7 and 9 and they do the same and so far our puppy is learning very well!! not perfect yet but learning! The older lab IS PERFECT!! don't give up! Labs love people and Positive feedback!! When they do something you do not want then to correct them right then and there! puppies only rembember very short time! 2 min. later he has forgot all about it! then we start over till they learn! Keep working with them!! they are the best dogs you could ever want! and they do learn very fast.

Answer by gurl
Submitted on 1/7/2007
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i LOVE dogs....i am 13 and 2 summers ago i my brother got a dog from one of his friends and we kept it...i fell in love with the dog...the summer went on...then bout late June Pepper,(the dog) wasn't eating much, so we took her to the vet and it ended up the she had a whole in her heart....my dad had to put her down... my heart was broken it had a whole in it....i loved that dog so much, i cried for bout 2 weeks...life went on, but now my dad will not get another dog, and i am also afraid of getting a dog because i don't want another empty spot in my heart and to through that again...how can i get over that feeling and how can i convise my dad into getting another??????...HELP!!!!

Answer by Rachel
Submitted on 6/24/2007
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I have a Yellow Lab, 5 mos old. Reading all of these comments helps me by reassuring that it will get better and he's not really the Psycho Puppy he seems to be. Having plenty of chew toys seems to be key. Telling him "No Bite" also seems to be working. At 3 mos, my son wanted to take him back and claimed to hate the dog. I've noticed that these dogs really do want to please their people and the chewing is due to pain from teething and normal puppy learning process. He does seem obsessed and crazy at times, leading us to name him Mr. Buck Wild. I know this will pass and I also know that purchasing chew toys in bulk is less expensive than new furniture. Try to pet & cuddle them more when they are sleepy and less likely to want to chew and it will help them know not to bite you when awake. They have to learn hands are for petting.

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Answer by Tanisha
Submitted on 1/4/2004
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I don't think dogs grow out of this. If you haven'talready tried this you can. When she comes up and bites you say "OW"!!! in a very loud and pain filled voice. Puppies never mean to hurt people. If she won't stop biting in your consistency on training I have two theories. 1. If she gets away with it even once out of thirty times she will continue. 2. It is possible the punishment is not severe enough to put a second thought in the pups mind. just something to think about. Hope this helps! Tanisha

Answer by ibc
Submitted on 1/19/2004
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I also have a lab puppy that does the same thing. The vet told me to always have a chew toy ready for her. Also, if you place your hand firmly on her chest (without hurting her) it will teach her that you are in charge. I always tell her NO BITE. She is about 3 months old now and she is starting to get the picture. Good Luck. It worked for me.

Answer by Golden Retriever Owner
Submitted on 1/24/2004
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You can go two ways. The first being let them learn to lick instead of bite. Use Peanut Butter or Canned Cheese Spread and put it on your hand. They learn to lick instead of bite. Other method is to use Chili Powder and wipe it on your hands. They will stop biting or licking. Just beware if you brush around your eyes they will end up burning.

Answer by Yellow Lab Owner
Submitted on 1/31/2004
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My Lab is 18 months old. When he was enrolled in obedience class we were told that if he or any dog gets mouthy we should imediatlly close our hands over his snout and tell him to "Leave it",say it with authourity. There was a Beagle in the class that you could not go near, he would snap, By the end of 10 sessions, using the above teqnique he wasn't snapping anymore.

Answer by Schuyler
Submitted on 2/4/2004
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Here is a website I have found with tips on how to get them to quit biting...I hadn't seen this suggested yet, so here's the website. Hope this helps. http://www.ohyellowdog.com/tips_bite.php

Answer by Diane
Submitted on 2/15/2004
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My yellow lab is now 2 years old. When she was a puppy she would mouth and bite constantly. She was reprimanded and punished and she eventually stopped. They are probably one of the toughest breeds to get through the puppy stage. Hang in there they are wonderful animals.

Answer by Amy
Submitted on 3/11/2004
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I have a 2 year old Lab but when he was small he had the same problem so when he started to bite me I would take my hands behind my back and say no to show that [s]he's not suppose to do that and that pretty much worked.

Answer by BETH
Submitted on 3/29/2004
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THIS WAS IN THE NEWSPAPER / THIS OWNER PUT THERE 4 MONTH OLD 30 LBS MALE LAB DOG IN A 36" X 24" X 24 " CAGE WITH NO FOOD . WHEN WOULD THE DOGS RIBS START TO SHOW ?

Answer by Mellody
Submitted on 4/12/2004
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I have a 3 month old yellow lab, he loves to bite but it is only in play, what I do is say in a stern voice, NO BITE!!! He stops immediately and i have no problem with him biting others only me, I believe that is because I am the closest one to him. He is only show his affection.

Answer by Bre
Submitted on 5/5/2004
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I have a yellow lab too. She loves to have fun with my husban and my two kids. but she is always a big bear when it comes to going to sleep. she always comes into my room and takes up the whole bed. But i love her just the same.

Answer by nikki
Submitted on 5/7/2004
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if he keeps biteing yeelp as the mother would or you could growl or hold on the back of the neck for about 20 sec

Answer by becky boo
Submitted on 5/23/2004
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no, this is not typical lab behavior. but all puppies like to chew. the dog is just going through teething probably. she should grow out of it soon. keep a lot of hard toys around, and try this: pour low sodium chicken soup in an ice cube tray, freeze, and give the cubes to her. it will sooth her mouth, and she wont feel the need to bite.

Answer by Sean
Submitted on 7/4/2004
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I seem to have the same problem with my yellow lab who was given to me by a friend. I have noticed she often does this when she is bored and wants someone to play with, I believe that she does not see me as a human but as another young dog in which that is a typical way of getting their attention(much as a human would tap someone on a shoulder).

Answer by Gina
Submitted on 7/15/2004
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I have an 18 month old yellow who will go to the batroom in my house at night when we are sleeping. When we crate her she cries throughout the night. We are moving into a new home and do not want her to ruin my new rugs. HELP

Answer by Lynne
Submitted on 7/16/2004
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Labs and all puppies are like little babies. They love the feel of things in their mouths. That's how they experience the world and learn its texture. However, they may learn your hand's texture (and that of your furniture) to your great chagrin. Therefore, a good squeeze on the nose is an eventual cure, and also a treat whenever he goes toward and chews on his bone, toy, sock, kong rubber toy, ball, etc. Labs LOVE food and will do anything to get more of it!!!!!

Answer by Chuck
Submitted on 7/17/2004
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We lost our beloved ten year old yellow lab Simon. He was probabley no he was my best friend. We have a second yellow lab a female that is also ten years old. Simon was a special he was the type of dog if he could talk he would. I remember all the training when both where pups. Some times it was hell. But stay with it treat them stern by kind and you will have a wonderful companion.

Answer by Angie
Submitted on 8/31/2004
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I have a 8 wk old yellow lab (female) and she is the best thing to have ever come into my life! We are crate training her during the day while we are at work and taking our lunches to run home and let her out to go to the bathroom. The first week of having her was rough. There was an accident in her crate every time we came home. But now this week she has made a big jump in progress. She can hold things longer now. We too are working on the biting issue by telling her a firm "NO!". But I will take the advice about putting my hands around her snout and then telling her no. We'll see what happens.

Answer by tina
Submitted on 10/11/2004
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i have a 6 month old yellow lab. she tends to chew up alot of things to but every time she bites something or her family members we tell her NO BITE in a strong voice and it is finally starting to work. to tell everybody the truth i just think it is a puppy stage, they r loosing there teeth and every puppy u get they ARE gonna chew or bite, u just have to hang in there for about a year and they will stop chewing up things,u eventually. HANG IN THERE. I'm in that same place!!!!it does suck but it is worth it to me at-least!!!! and should be to everybody else that has a lab or pup.

Answer by monica
Submitted on 11/29/2004
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In my school a yellow lab died because the wokers didint give him al lot of food. Maybe he died because he didnt get any love from other people.

Answer by lablover09
Submitted on 1/4/2005
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i just got my little female yellow lab exactly two weeks ago, she is almost 3 months old. she must be teething, because she bites everything including me and my family members.i kiss her alot but she is not very affectionate...does she not like me? Also my puppy has a disgusting desire to eat her own poop.of course i never let her but it is so disgusting is this normal? we love her very much i just want to know when she will grow out of the constant biting. we tell her no! but that seems to get her more hyper sometimes. does anyone have any advice...she has plenty of chew toys she just loves to bite her leash and your pants when you run with her....HELP!:)

Answer by abercrombie123
Submitted on 1/31/2005
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if you have your dog or pupy that is biting you must be sure that the dog isnt just tething if it is i suggest chew toys! If the dog really bites you corrct it right away you stand up tall make the dog sit and show it whos boss good luck e-mail me at dolphimay@charter.net

Answer by trent
Submitted on 2/10/2005
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When your puppy mouths or bites your hand, use what ever fingers are in the pups mouth. Firmly press on the dogs toung. This should be done so the dog is very uncomfortable but let go as the dog releases your hand. MOST IMPORTANT part of this technique is to be loving on the dog at the same time. They dont realize you are creating the painful experience, they only associate biting your hands an undesirable activity.

Answer by l3igDog
Submitted on 3/23/2005
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I have a 3 month old lab. The best way is to say "NO" very loudly only when pressure is applied to the jaws on your hand. Doing it 99 out of 100 will not work, it has to be 100.

Answer by josh
Submitted on 5/27/2005
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I suggest if she doesn't stop biteing and stuff like that to like take away something she really likes to play with or take away privileges so she might get the picture on what you want if you gradually give her stuff back if she gets better. If you have anymore questions that you need help with feel free to email me at josh_vanderveen687@hotmail.com.

Answer by kallisue
Submitted on 7/25/2005
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yes they do. i have a yellow lab and i have had her since she was two and a half months old. when she was little she chewed everything!! she is now three years old and does not chew anything but her toys. but there's one catch to that. we trained her to not bite and chew certain things and if we saw her biting or chewing something we would tell her no and take it away from her but if she did it again she would go in her kennel. that way she new that there were consequences to Odin what she was not suppose to. your puppy will grow out of it if train it the right way.

Answer by Ken B.
Submitted on 10/24/2005
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I have a yellow lab that stands 24" high at the shoulder and is 70 lbs. He Is 6.5 months old . How big will he get?

Answer by Michael
Submitted on 11/20/2005
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My lab is 7 months old, and he used to bite all the time. I know they say hitting your dog doesn't work, but I have definatly found that it does. He no longer bites me, but he still loves to play as long as I start it, and when we do play he knows never to bite or snap. He'll put his arm or hand in his mouth but he won't close it...just letting me know that he got me. So I would recommend that you punish your dog, but make sure the punishment matches the crime...don't go overboard.

Answer by
Submitted on 12/14/2005
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sandy My lab wont quit biting!! and i havent found any info on that in this website...if you can help leave a message and i will check back regulary! thank you krista

Answer by candy
Submitted on 12/14/2005
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My dog is popping all over the house.

Answer by Krista
Submitted on 12/14/2005
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first my lab wouldn't stop biting and now it wont stop pooping on the furniture!! even when we put it outside it doesn't go until we let it back in and then it runs back to the couch and takes a poop! help! i don't want to get rid of our dog but i don't wanna keep washing the couches and buying new ones! HELP PLEASE!!!

Answer by toneleudy
Submitted on 12/19/2005
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i have a 5 month old yellow lab. i am going through the same thing but it is getting better. i found that by putting my hand around her mouth and holding firmly but not as to hurt her is reall making a differance. the only problem is my 7 year old does not have big enough hands to do this herself. the dog never nips at my kids when myself or my wife is near. when the smaller kids are around its another story. i have faith that she will comearound.

Answer by Laura
Submitted on 1/23/2006
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None of the techniques to stop puppy biting worked on my lab puppy, so the best thing to do was to take a break and just leave the dog alone. Labs love attention, and when they figure out their biting leaves them alone, they will stop. The biting doesn't last forever, so you just have to get through it for the first few months.

Answer by Yellow lab pup in SF
Submitted on 1/28/2006
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Buy your puppy a flossy they are at most pet stores and give it to her - she will spend all of her time chewing this and not your hands.

Answer by cookie monster
Submitted on 2/1/2006
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tell them to shut up and lock them in the celler for a few days and they'll behave more

Answer by Blake
Submitted on 2/28/2006
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This is common with most pups, and you need to make sure that the puppy knows the biting hurts. One good way to show the dog is letting them play play rough with another dog even if it is older. they will learn fast how rough is to rough. don't be afraid to put them in a time out if it persists