I have a 4 month Black Lab and he bites a lot, he goes after my daughter and I am concered. Any advice?

Answer 1

This could become a HUGE problem. You probably are giving your dog too much love and attention and not acting like "the leader of the pack". You need to assert your authority over the dog and let him know that the new baby is also "his pack leader." Watch The Dog Whisperer show on National Geographic or read Cesar Milan's new book called Cesar's Way. I've used his techniques on my dogs and they really work wonders!!!! One of my dogs used to attack people, but no more!!!!

Answer 2

It's a puppy - puppies bite. The whole family MUST be involved in training him. Even your daughter (depending on her age). At 4 months, he's starting teething and it will drive him and you nuts. By the same token, DO NOT when he bites, just re-direct him to a favourite toy - you're rewarding him. Be firm, let him know you're boss - Do not hit him. Remove him from the area, basically a 'time-out' (which works great with labs as they're so people oriented and it's a punishment), then once you feel he's ready he can join the family. It's very similar to coping with toddlers who act out as well - just they have really, really sharp teeth.

Consistency is the key, the same routine every time, no deviation, by all members of the family. It will take time though, as he's very young, he'll have the attention span of a gnat.

Favourite puppy training book: "The Art of Raising a Puppy" the Monks of New Skete.

Answer 3

I think you better look into obedient school for your dogs. Puppies nip when they play but it's good if you can get this problem under control now before you have problem dog. Most people don't know anything about dogs or how to handle them. They think what they are getting is some animal who is a cute baby. That's why there are so many problems dogs it is not their fault they get into trouble but the owners. Why do think there are a lot of breeds being banned in cities because of irresponsible owners. A dog is big responsiblity and I hope you get this problem corrected. Sorry to be sharp with you but I use to deliver newspaper for a living and I had to get up early to deal with pit bulls and rotties roaming the streets because their owners let them out for a run or these same dogs jump the fence because they aren't getting enough attention and exercise. Where I live the the dog pound where I live is totally useless.

Answer 4

I have a 4 mth old Aussie. She is a nipper and a biter. What we do is there is a appetite deterrent at pet smart, any of them except bitter apple is good. You can spray it anywhere and it doesn't effect skin. Do this a few times and they will learn that has a bad taste and wont go after it. Or when Mia bites what we do is we stick our hand in her mouth, thumb out of the right side rest out of the left go all the way back and clamp down hold the bottom of her jaw and say NO BITING in a firm voice. Hold it for a few seconds and she starts to lick instead of bite. It will take a few times of that before she gets it fully though. But they work

Answer 5

An animal of any age should never bite. Make sure that you always scold him when this happens. Some may not like this, but I always smack (not hard) mine on the end of the nose, it's sensitive there, and it gets their attention, and firmly tell him no. Also, hold his snout firmly in your hand, and make him look at you when you do this. Right now, he's a pup and he thinks it's all fun and games. Hands and toes should never be part of a chewing game to a puppy. He doesn't realize the difference between the fingers of a child and an adult. If you are consistant with him, and very firm with him, he will figure it out. He's also teething, so make sure he has plenty of things he can chew on. But always, biting is a no.

Answer 6

You either need to commit to training this dog properly or you need to give it to someone who will spend the necessary time. All these people who are saying to just get rid of it and this is a sign of things to come are idiots. Dogs, like children, need to be trained. Would you just throw away your daughter because she hits someone? Why not? It's a sign of things to come.

My best guess is that you don't have the time to spend training this animal. You also don't seem to have a lot of experience. I say this because you are asking this question about a 4 month old puppy. This is what they will do if not corrected. Perhaps the best thing to do is to have a lab rescue take the animal and they will find a proper home for it. Please do not take it to the shelter - that is a death sentence for an innocent animal.

Answer 7

This is a puppy and unless he has been treated with abuse, he would not be biting - he is puppy playing. Think about how puppies play w/ each other - throughnipping. It is not meant to be hurtful, that is just the way they play. You should find a Positive, Reward based trainer to work with. Join the yahoo group Clicker Solutions to learn about clicker training. Buy Dr. Ian Dunbar's book Everything you need to know before and after you get your puppy. Do not hit or yell at your puppy, he won't understand and will learn to distrust you, which will make him at that point aggressive. Learn the correct ways to teach him not to use his teeth on people.

Answer 8

He's playing. Labs are dogs which require massive amounts of exercise. They are also bred to be retrievers, which means they use their mouth a lot. If you do not have lots of open space for the dog to run in, the pooch will become an increasing problem.

You should be concerned, depending on how old your daughter is. If your daughter is small and young, she could be hurt. If you daughter is old enough and large enough to defend herself, she should do this. The dog needs to be rapped smartly (not brutally) on the nose.

Answer 9

True he is playing but , this can turn into a serious problem because your puppy already feels that he is the dominant one in the household , you need some minor obedience training if you love your dog this is the best thing to do for the both of you especially w/ a male dog basically when he realizes who is boss that behavior will stop , but don't delay because it will get worse .

Answer 10

The dog is a puppy and is teething. Make sure you have available a chew toy at all times. When the dog is caught biting or chewing on anything inappropriate scold it and give it the chew toy teaching him that it is ok to chew on the toy but nothing else.