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mmatchett
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31-01-2009, 02:14 AM

normal puppy behaviour? (Play biting)

Hi
i'm the owner of a 6 month old chocolate labrador, we have one problem with him!
He goes crazy almost everyday now, nipping jumping pulling at our clothing, if we try to cacth him he will dash under the stairts barking sometimes growling at myself and my husband, is this normal puppy behaviour? he is walked twice daily. apart from this he is the perfect dog.
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DanishPastry
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31-01-2009, 02:17 AM
it might be play growling?

sounds like he has reached the kevin stage and needs dog training classes
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mmatchett
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31-01-2009, 02:22 AM
he has been to puppy training, he is great with everything else just not sure how to deal with it!
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DanishPastry
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31-01-2009, 02:34 AM
how long ago was the training and have you been praticing it all ever since?

he might now be going thru his now going thru his 'teenage stage', which most young dogs do. which is when they often forget all their previous training and need reminding?
.
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Vicki
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31-01-2009, 07:34 AM
Don't try to catch him - you're turning it into a game if you do.

The best thing, I think, is to ignore this bad behaviour. If he jumps up to nip you, turn away - leave the room if necessary. Don't give him any kind of "reward" or he'll think he's doing the right thing.

Good luck x
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Pita
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31-01-2009, 07:45 AM
Have to agree with Vicky, the last thing to do is join in his game. Don't Chase, turn your back, walk away, leave the room, ignore him as totally as you can, Being ignored is not reward and he will soon decide you are not going to play that game anymore and settle for something more to your tastes.

This bout of energy is normal in a pup and if you can it is best to arrange for some structured exercise to take place at this time, a walk, training or a game that you would find less stressful like hide and seek or fetch the ball.

For a 6 month old gundog two walks a day is not enough entertainment, it is plenty walking but he need about four more sessions of play or training a day to keep the mind active.
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Meg
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31-01-2009, 08:46 AM
Originally Posted by mmatchett View Post
Hi
i'm the owner of a 6 month old chocolate labrador, we have one problem with him!
He goes crazy almost everyday now, nipping jumping pulling at our clothing, if we try to cacth him he will dash under the stairts barking sometimes growling at myself and my husband, is this normal puppy behaviour? he is walked twice daily. apart from this he is the perfect dog.
Hi Shell and welcome to Dogsey your puppy is trying to instigate play just as he would with his litter mates or another dog.
How long have you had your puppy, at six months old this kind of behaviour should really have been addressed with training.
As the others say when your puppy jumps up don't reward it with your attention, instead fold your arms and turn your back on the puppy, no word no eye contact until it is calm and the moment it is ask it to sit and praise the calm behaviour.

Biting really is normal behaviour in puppies, if a puppy doesn't bite there is something wrong with it . Puppies bite for a number of reasons, to explore the world around them/during play/and when teething.

The biting and nipping of your family which you describe is 'play biting' .Play biting is best curbed and channelled in the right direction when the puppy is small, he should be encouraged to bite ever more gently until no pressure is exerted at all . The best way to do this is to teach bite inhibition so that as the puppy grows up and develops powerful jaws, should he bite for any reason (like if he is in in pain/at the vets being treated /gets accidentally hurt) he will have been taught never to sink his teeth into human skin.
Bite inhibition, learning to developer a 'soft mouth' is one of the most important lessons you can teach your puppy.


Teaching a puppy bite inhibition takes time and patience and won't be achieved in just a few days also everyone in the household needs to adopt the same approach.

Link to teaching bite inhibition ..
click here

Your puppy also needs mental stimulation, playing games eg hiding toys, retrieving , hide and seek is good too making sure the puppy sits for praise /a treat when it finds you rather than allowing it to jump up .
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mmatchett
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01-02-2009, 09:29 PM
Thank you to everyone, who gave there advice on our problem with archie.
we have done what you all suggested ingnore him, and it's worked wonders thank you so much xxx
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Pita
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02-02-2009, 08:14 AM
So pleased you are beginning to have success with your puppy. Once you have managed to look at things from the dogs point of view it is easy to understand that what you were doing was joining in the puppy's fun by chasing him. As you and he continue your life together there will be lots of occasions when this approach will help, remembering that dogs do not speak English and can only do as you wish if they know what that is will help you all a good deal.
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