How do I stop a new puppy with bad habits (revised)?

Question

My six week old female lab puppy came from a home where her mother was very sick. She had to be removed from her mother and she was allowed to play with children who let her run after and nip their feet and ankles. I'm well aware of the fact that she is six weeks old and this will all take time. I have had several lab puppies. I love the breed dearly but I have never had one who nipped and bit and ran under your feet as this one does. It is imperative that I get this tendency (I won't call it habit) under control. My husband has had three spinal surgeries, is not very steady on his feet, and these actions of hers could lead to disaster for him, her, or both. I was raised on a farm. I've worked with animals all my life. I basically know I can stop this behavior in time but I was hoping someone might have an idea of how to expedite the matter a bit quicker than the normal methods. I want her to be the happiest, healthiest, most loved companion for us yet. Thank you.

Answer 1

every time she nips you. Yelp in a high pitched voice and shake her by the scruff of the neck. Then ignore her for 5 minutes. This works on my golden retriever puppy.

Answer 2

ask your vet, but if you need this fixed now I'd try keeping the dog on a leash inside. this way you can control where she is when you're walking and hold her away from you. You can also try a muzzle - the cage ones allow the dog to breathe and pant like normal - they may look inhumane but they are not - and I was at the vet's today reading something about them. I just got a choc lab for Christmas and he's very bad for that - he's already torn two pairs of my pants, and the muzzle is going to be the next step. You can also get a puppy kong and encourage her to carry that in her mouth - at least she won't be nipping!

Good luck!

Answer 3

The more consistent you are, the more quickly she will understand that this is banned behaviour.
You are an experienced dog owner and she is very young so it really won't take very long for you to correct her behaviour.
Say NO! and stand still - its the chase that she finds exciting. You can challenge this energy into teaching her to retrieve at an early age - she'll probably be really good at it and it will be a very useful skill when she is older!
Remember that she is nipping and chasing in fun and so don't get angry with her as she will find it hard to understand and may learn to fear playing with you. I recommend that you stop and stand still and wait for her to calm down a bit before starting to move again. Avoid wearing flapping trousers that will entice her!
Have lots of fun!

Answer 4

think u should hav considered all these problems before taking on a 6 week puppy. She will be in puppyhood playful and active for at least two years. Good sensible training with love and kindness is the only way to promote good behaviour in a dog.

Answer 5

i think you should put a muzzle on her and every time you take it off if she trys to bite hold her at arms length and when she does not try biting i would reward her with a treat and also a stroke also i would suggest trying to keep her in one place in the house and that you could have a run in the back garden so she is not under you or your partners feet i would also like to say i have a dog when he was a puppy he was just the same but we managed to calm him down and he is the perfect dog for us but he isn't a labrador puppy

Answer 6

what worked with a friends dog was work along and when he nips slowly tip water on him continuing as if nothing is happening, after about 2/3 times he will know. Obviously best done outdoors.

Answer 7

doggies crave interest and that's precisely what she is getting once you end, bend down, grab her and confer together with her. even nonetheless you're supposedly correcting her she thinks it is great relaxing and could make this an extremely uncomplicated interest in case you proceed that. in case you end lifeless on your tracks then merely stand there. Or, extra useful, the 2d she grabs onto you or your outfits yell out like she injury you, "Owwwwwww!" Then stomp out of the room promptly and close a door in her face. You bypass to a minimum of one room she is close out sitting on my own on the different part of the door. this could instruct the domestic dog that when you do this habit it makes me go away, and go away promptly and annoyed--the worst thank you to go away a domestic dog! She'll seize on actual speedy in case you're able to try this *each time* she does this. in spite of the undeniable fact that, in case you won't be in a position to be consistent and do it each time she'll worsen and worse and you will boost into very annoyed. Lab doggies are very, very energetic. I propose which you get some one on one practise as she is merely too youthful to undertaking right into a domestic dog classification yet no longer too youthful to get some practise. a private canine coach can provide help to the main, no longer in uncomplicated terms the canine. stable success. Labs are great canine yet you're able to initiate practise asap!

Answer 8

My puppy was really bad for rough play biting too, i was told to yelp loudly and then refuse to play and turn away as this is what they would do in a pack to learn bite inhibition, it worked surprisingly quickly! although he still mouths hands and things he is never rough and never gets under feet.
He is probably acting like this as he was removed quite young and did not get the usual learning through play with his brothers and sisters to understand what is acceptable.
Good luck!

Answer 9

hi there well i have 2 staff bull terriers and they were a night mare but training them wasn that much of a prob stop them jumping up wen i new people were coming round keep them on lead every time they tried to jump i would pull them back i done that a few times it stopped them nipping try a shack bottle to distract them! keep trying i thought there was no hope my dosgs are are brilliant!!!!!hope this helps!!!xx

Answer 10

Just say 'NO!' everytime the dog does it (loudly enough, without terrorising the little thing though) and show your dog you are very upset with him.