Is it common for a dog to bite kids in a family?

Question

My lab is just 4 months and my son 6 years old. He obeys me but while playing with my son invariably bites him, same case with my wife. Will that stop once he matures or something needs to be done? We have him since he was 5 weeks old. Generally if anyone's hand goes in lab's mouth, he waits for us to say "No" or "Ouch" to let go of the hand.

Answer 1

First of all, you got your puppy when he was much too young. He therefore missed the weeks of play with his litter mates and mother which are crucial in teaching a puppy things like bite inhibition.

But since there's nothing to be done about that now, you have to work on getting him to respect the other members of your family. Yes, you need to stop this now - he won't stop when he matures unless he's taught.

At 4 months he's just starting to teethe so his gums are very sore - making a puppy bite even more. Make sure he's got lots of toys of varying degrees of hardness to chew on. Give him an old washcloth which has been wet and frozen - that's soothing to the gums.

When he bites, saying "ouch" in a very excited, high-pitched tone of voice is good. Everyone has to do this every time. The other thing to do is turn your back on him - he wants your attention and by turning your back he doesn't get what he wants. If he's extreme, leave the room for a few minutes, leaving him by himself.

Teach him sit. Use lots of praise and treats. Then, when he bites, once he's stopped by you either saying ouch or turning your back, have him sit and give him praise and treats.

He'll learn that he gets the things he wants when he behaves, and gets ignored when he bites.

Puppies all outgrow this stage but they do have to be taught - with patience and consistency.

Answer 2

I do not know how common it's. But have been you there when the canine bit the boy? Do you know what happened? Repeatedly younger youngsters do not know the best way to play with puppies, and he may have accidentally hurt the canine by way of pulling his tail, or ears or some thing. Youngsters must under no circumstances be left unsupervised with a canine for any purpose. I am sorry this occurred, and i know you have to make numerous selections now. However letting it slide, and saying 'oh, it used to be an accident, the canine failed to imply it' will get you no where. You have to deal with the quandary, and discover what the dogs set off was. I feel you must both take the dog back to obedience training, and make sure the dog did not quite chew for no intent. Or i'd consider re-homeing the dog. Due to the fact your son is so younger, it is scary to take any chances with the sort of significant canine who has bit another little one. He might be higher fitted to a loved ones who both would not have any youngsters, or who has older youngsters. I hope this helps.

Answer 3

It is sometimes common, but should not be allowed to continue. It sounds as if the puppy has deemed you the alpha in your "pack" it might be a good idea to have your puppy go to puppy kindergarten as soon as it is of age. Your puppy was separated from its mother to soon they learn how hard or soft that they can play from their litter mates and their parents. The minimum age that a puppy should go into its prospective home is 7-8 weeks. Along with the puppy kindergarten class you should try and put your wife and son in a dominant pack role. If you are free feeding your puppy try not to free feed and have your wife and son feed them that way your puppy associates them with the dominant role, the no or ouch thing is the puppy trying to show dominance over them so the feeding thing should hopefully work. If it still doesn't learn how hard to bite or not to bite tell them to take the lips of the puppy and hold them under the teeth and when the puppy bites down it will bite itself, and it will eventually learn not to bite. Also, if the puppy bites its litter mates or mother to hard or much they will get up and walk away and ignore the puppy the same also works with the human pack if the puppy bites to hard immediately stop the playing and put the puppy in a time out or put it in its kennel and give it a chance to calm down.

Answer 4

NO WAY will he grow out of this stage if you continue to let him do it. No offense but if you let this keep happening he'll attack your son when their both older! BUT DONT GET rid of the pup. First you need to watch your son when he's around the dog at all times, if the dog starts biting take him(dog) away. There is a method that works: practice this alone, u and the dog. When the dog bites you gently stick your fingers in the mouth and GENTLY pull his lower mouth(jaw) down and frimly say"NO BITE" do this everytime he bites or tries to bite someone. You can do this even when others are around. But PLEASE be carful. hope it helps

Answer 5

biting is a common habit of some dogs, often signs of stress, or sometimes dominance. I would say let the dog mature. however is this persists as he gets older I hope this advice helps.

Dogs Takes Attention as Encouragement, so basically ignoring your dog is the worst thing you can do, however ignoring can discourage them from bad habits. So maybe saying no or ouch may be telling the dog to do it again later. However young dogs usually has the habit of biting due to their playfulness as pups. So give it time and I'm sure your dog will give it a rest.

Answer 6

NEVER leave your child alone with any dog unsupervised. Young children often don't realize that they are behaving in a manner that will incite a dog to bite.

All Retriever breeds are typically very "mouthy" (especially pups). They were bred to pick up and carry game in their mouths. Don't confuse mouthiness with a bite.

Answer 7

b/c they're young and teething, provide it plenty of toys to teeth on. to give it the message that biting is NOT acceptable, buy some spray at a pet store for dog training. everytime he bites, spray some in his mouth. they spray tastes bad, and he'll soon catch on. also biting shows that HE'S DOMINANT. You have to show that you're the leader. never let him walk before you. have him come to you when you call. don't walk to him. YOU call HIM. not the other way around.

Answer 8

Well, it's good that he knows that you don't like it, but don't let it keep escalating. If it only happens when he's playing, then it can be fixed - simply stop playing until he behaves. Teach him now that biting is not okay. It will pay off later.

Good luck!

Answer 9

I had a lab puppy too, and that will fade away once he matures. Mean while, just deal with the little bites.

Answer 10

I'd recommend you enroll your puppy in obedience training. It sounds like he considers you 'top-dog' but doesn't think the same of your wife and son.