Older puppy biting?

Question

I adopted my approx. 5-month old female lab from the city pound five days ago. She bites constantly. I'm trying to be calm, have given her lots of toys and exercise, but she prefers my hands, arms, ankles, backside, face, etc. If I'd gotten her at a younger age, it would have been easier to teach her, but I know she'll figure it out eventually. I just need some advice because it's very painful, and time-out doesn't work, neither does saying "no" loudly--I'm at a loss. Please help!

Answer 1

I work at an animal hospital and when we have puppies come in that like to bite we take the time to let the owners know some good techniques as to how to stop this behavior. Especially when you are dealing with a larger breed dog like a lab who could be 80 lbs someday. The toys and exercise are great ideas! However, since she needs more help... What we do is when the puppy bites on our fingers or clothes we simply stick out finger deeper into the dog's mouth and cause a gag reflex. It doesn't hurt the puppy at all and they stop biting and back away. If you are consistent with this tactic the dog will eventually associate that gag reflex with having someone's hand in her mouth and she'll stop. As far as biting clothes and legs you can gently push in on her cheaks so that when she bites down she is actually biting the inside of her cheak which will have the same response as the other method.
Again these tactics DO NOT hurt the puppy, remember they are (if left with their sibblings) contsantly being bitten and chewed on so don't be timid just use reasonable means. Depending on how aggressive you think she may be (and don't be fooled biting from a puppy is an aggressive act even though it is adorable) you may want to do some submission exercises with her. This means you need to always be alpha. Dogs want to know their place in the household and it should never be #1. All of this biting can potentially be her trying to establish some dominance over you. What you can do when she bites you is to pick her up like a human baby and craddle her in your arms(if her size is too big to do this you can roll her over onto her back on the floor it has the same effect) this is a very volnerable position for her. If you do this you must not let her go until she relaxes (i.e. submites) to you. This will help you establish some dominance/control over her. Games like tug-of-war are out until you know that she understands who is boss. Every game of war that a puppy wins is a victory in their minds and again means "I'm dominate, I won the toy, I am the leader." I do encourage all kinds of games, however, make sure they come at the right time in her life when she really understands her place. Also jumping on the couch, sleeping in bed with you. Things like that elevate her status to be on the same level with you. So keep her on the floor if you're not already, again until you feel as though the time is right.
I'm sure she is a great puppy, have fun with her and good luck!!!

Answer 2

When the average pet owner gets a new dog the owner's first goal is to show the dog how much he likes the dog. This is the absolute opposite of how dogs think. When a dog meets another dog they will always establish their rank with each other before they become friends and play (or fight) with the new dog.
When pups first move into a human environment it takes a period of time, usually a week or so for them to recognize their human family as their new pack.

When that happens many pups will bite, chew-on and chase family members just like they did with their littermates. That’s why pups bite hands, socks, ankles and kids. They are playing just like they did with littermates.

When you stop and think about it there is no reason for the pup to act differently. This was how it has lived and play with littermates so why would it live differently with humans that it likes.
This misunderstanding is where trouble starts with new pet owners. The pup is playing and the humans think the puppy is being aggressive. The fact is the pup is simply displaying prey drive.
Prey drive is the genetic instinct to chase. Some dogs have a higher level of prey than others. These are the ones that seem obsessed with chasing and chewing.

SOLUTION:
CALMLY grab the pup by the cheeks and lift his feet of the ground, stare him right in the eye and tell him in a low voice to knock it off. Hold him until he submits by relaxing and he looks away.

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Answer 3

i have a female lab who is now almost 1 year old. i've been blessed that she doesn't eat furniture(my last one did), but occasionally she still tries to gnaw (gently) on me. her trainer told me she is still teething and continue to try as long as she is teething. she needs to be re-focused on toys and rawhides..put pennies in a soda can and shake it hard when she bites. the noise should scare her and she will put the two together and figure out biting is not allowed. this also works with other bad habits she picks up.

also, she is not an alpha (my last one was) but she is very hyper..labs are infamous for this trait from chocolate being the worst to yellow more mellow..i had to be a lot louder and firmer with my last lab because he was very dominant, but was told to discipline and praise in a steadier, quieter manner. when i raise my voice, she feeds into that and gets even more hyper. it took her forever to understand NO because i always yelled it. she is very smart and i started having better results after i learned all of this.

Answer 4

get a muzzle. this is not cruel. You do not leave the muzzle on. it is basically like putting a child in time out. when the dog bites you say no bite now you get the muzzle and put it on her for 5 minutes. It will take less then a month and she will learn that when she bites she gets the muzzle. 5 minutes should be long enough to train her, and she needs to know the name of it. If still biteing after a week without thinking first increase the time to 10 minutes. really does work. what do you have to loose if you have tried everything else.

Answer 5

Obviously she was never taught by her previous owners to stop nipping.If saying no loudly doesn't work then i suggest using a empty bottle with stones,or water in,every time she nips shake the bottle or spray the water in her face.This should take her by surprise and stop her nipping.You have to be consistent and patient.Make sure she is getting plenty of exercise and that she has enough toys to play with to eliminate boredom.Keep telling her no play biting doesn't stop over night so keep doing what your doing with consistency.Good luck.

Answer 6

I solved this problem by using a couple of different methods,
one was to place my thumb in her mouth and on her tongue with my finger under her chin, she stops biting straight away. I also would roll her on her back and hold her there until she calmed down, another method was to bite her ear, don't worry I didn't take chunks out of her ear, just enough to let her feel it, she eventually stoped biting and became submissive when I took hold of her ear.

It is very frustrating, but hang in there, it will be worth it.

Answer 7

when we got our dog we got him from the pound to and was about 4mos old he did the same thing yours is doing, our vet told us that he was teething and that he want something to knaw on so get him some toys and some raw hide bones but if he wants to try to "bite" you or anyone in the house you should take his mouth the flap that is towards the back part of his teeth and wrap it under his teeth hold it there for a few seconds so he bites him self in a few weeks he'll stop wanting to bite you

Answer 8

biscuit tin, hit it when she does bad (biting) after a while she'll always think 'if i bite that scary noise will come'

biting is a form of puppy play, where they work out their dominance over their brothers and sisters, detatching the puppy from you and pushing them to the ground (until they get scared and calm down), showing you are dominant is also another good way to show whos in charge once and for all

Answer 9

Along with the toys, it is essential to always provide them with large rawhide bones to chew on. Good luck

Answer 10

A simple method is to tap the dog firmly on the nose and shout no. She or he will soon take the hint.