Labrador puppies DO bite a lot and hard too.

_Jules_ · Last edited by _Jules_ on Sun Jan 04, 2009 7:13 am; edited 1 time in total

I have found that with many newbies to Labs, their biggest concern is how much and how hard their puppies bite.

Now I reckon Labrador puppies are probably one of the worse offenders for acting like Crocodiles...Not only do they mouth everything but they bite hands, feet, clothes, faces, infact anything they can lay their teeth into.....and this is ALL perfectly normal. Wink

They bite hard enough to break skin, they also growl, pounce, attack and do numerous other "undesirable" things which you NEVER see the Andrex puppy doing Laughing

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So please if you have a concern about your pups biting, have a read up about Bite Inhibition.....There is a lot about it if you google and there is a lot about it here too. It is VERY important that your pup learns to control it's mouth....but it is also VERY important that the pup isn't stopped from biting too young.

I think along with other advise breeders give out, they really should give out information about just how much Lab pups DO bite, especially to people with children. As I'm sure many a person has thought they have bought a viscious pup that is going to eat their children alive.

Finally....as you are reading this anyway and you may not have already got your Lab pup .....

In short....If you don't want a pup that chews everything.....hangs onto your trouser legs...bites your ankles, hands, arms (leaving broken skin and scratches)....growls, pounces, lunges at your face when excited.....plays faarrr TOOO rough for most children under 10 to play with......then you really should rethink getting a Labrador Puppy...as that is just what they are like. Wink

_Mary_ · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:06 pm Post subject:

Well said Jules and oh so true but once past that biting stage they are an absolute joy to have (I won`t say own), I agree with you about having them with under 10`s too although many here do have kiddies under that age and have managed well Smile

sheens · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:11 pm Post subject:

Well said Jules..although we got Fudge when Lewis was 8 he found the croc a bit difficult for quite a while until he learned how to stop her and to do some training......they are the best of pals now though Very Happy

_Nicky_ · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:16 pm Post subject:

Brill post Jules.

Have to add my bunch are all under 10, but then they are tough little blighters!

_Jules_ · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:19 pm Post subject:

Oh yes..... There are plenty of children that have great relationships with their Labbie friends in the end and there are plenty of children that have been bought up with lots of dogs and are not worried about having the odd chunk taken out of them.....but similarly, there are a lot of young children that have no dog experience and then this much longed for Lab puppy must seem like a terrifying Devil Dog to them.....And if the parents aren't confident/dog aware enough to tell the kids that the pup WILL grow out of this and it WILL get better, then it must be a miserable time for all concerned.

LouLou · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:23 pm Post subject:

All too true!

skatty · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:29 pm Post subject:

I had to explain to my nieghbours son on several ,why he should not make a growling noise whilst pouncing towards Midas Rolling Eyes

Then he runs around the garden screaming because midas thinks its an invitation for a game and gives chase Rolling Eyes

Midas still mouths on an odd occasion when he forgets himself ,although now its usually a crafty nibble of a jumper sleeve or today it was the backside of my sons jeans Laughing

Really think people should reseach a dog a lot more before getting one ,when we got Midas it took us several years of planning to get him before commiting and is a second dog in the household too

_Vicky_ · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:43 pm Post subject:

So very true - having Ruby lab my first dog I though it was standard but Lily is nowhere near as bad! Ruby shredded hands, feet dressing gowns the whole thing

I found comfort in this article when Ruby was teeny http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1/bitestop.htm

-Pat- · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:54 pm Post subject:

So glad you have said that Jules, cos at 7 months Tarka still bites me at times when he is excited. I have sometimes wondered what is lurking behind that angelic face and trusting brown eyes, does he hate me? Is he viscious? I have been near to tears with it, but then realize all that you have said is true. He IS a lovely dog, but this comes with the territory.

Carley · Posted: Tue May 13, 2008 4:57 pm Post subject:

A well written much needed post Jules!