Golden Retreiever Puppy

Question
Hi, I've read some of your responses and found them quite helpful so hence why I'm asking you direct!

I have a 10 week old Golden Retriever, I've had her just over 2 weeks. Sometimes she's an angel. Other times I could swear she is the devil incarnate! She mouths so much. I can't wear a dressing gown (my extra fluffy one) as she chases me around the house with it, pulling and biting it when she grabs it. Also she likes my hands as chew toys (in fact, not just mine - she seems to target them!) At first her bite seemed quite playful but now it's getting harder and no amount of no's or tapped noses will get the message across to her. She occasionally humps as well. I think this is down to over excitement as she only seems to do it after playing with the said dressing gown for 5 minutes or so. I have tried to teach her the 'leave it' command but she seems to stop and will restart quite quickly after (the chasing of clothes that is). The breeder and vet say that she will out grow this. However, the numerous books I have read say that she won't?! She has lots of chew toys which I have tried replacing my hand with but she much prefers my hand? What's your best advice?
I love her to bits but she confuses me so much. When I put her in her crate at night she will settle down quite quickly but during the day she will whine and whine, even if she's been to the loo before going in there. I give her treats for going in there (as was advised by some training books but to no avail). I have taught her to come to (providing I can get her attention) and to sit so she isn't completely wayward?
I probably sound absolutely demented. I feel like a bad parent, but I know i'm doing my damn hardest and providing her with as much stimulation as anyone could!
Thanks

Answer
While some seem to have been born knowing everything about dogs, I too was much lower on the learning curve as recently as 1991.  18 puppies later, I still struggle at times.  Anybody that suggests they have easy answers lacks wide experience with dogs.  Some dogs are much easier than others.  We are struggling with number 18.  A few years ago, I knew a lady struggling with the 19'th one she raised for a different dog guide school.  

Young Labs, which I know best, and other puppies tend to very bad about biting. You see a litter of them, and all the ones that are awake are biting another one or themselves. I am not even sure they realize that when they are alone, if they quit biting, they would quit being bitten. At 3 to 4 months they are getting their adult teeth, and it seems they spend every waking moment biting or chewing. One thing you can do at that stage is to knot and wet a piece of cloth. Then freeze it. The cooling will soothe the gums. Only let the puppy have it when you are there to watch it. I maintain a Lab's favorite chew toy is another Lab. Otherwise they settle for any person they can. They keep hoping to find one that won't yelp, jerk their hand away, and leave.

You just have to keep on correcting them, hundreds of times, not dozens. Provide sturdy, safe toys such as Kongs and Nylabones. Avoid things they can chew pieces off and choke on them. Keep them away from electrical cords. Crates are essential for most young Labs and other dogs.

The pet stores are full of toys that many dogs will quickly chew up into pieces they could choke on or cause intestinal blockages. If you are not there to watch, stick to sturdy stuff such as Nylabones and Kongs. Keep a close eye on chew toys and quickly discard anything that is coming apart in pieces. Rawhide is especially bad because it swells after being swallowed. I don't trust any of the consumable chews. The dogs just gnaw them down to a dangerous size too quickly. These problems are the worst with, but not limited to, large, aggressive chewers such as Labs.

The books are right, you must teach her not to bite, and denying her your attention eventually works.  I would start obedience too.  She is much too young for a class, but work out of your books.  Their attention span is short at this time, so only do a few repetitions at a time.  

I don't crate puppies much when I am around.  Sometimes you have to if you are going to get anything done.  Perhaps my night time technique would work.  I have never had much luck with the old clock or radio tricks. What I do is lay down by the crate like I was going to sleep there. Usually a puppy may fuss a little, but then settle down and go to sleep. Once it is asleep, you can get up and go to bed.

It that doesn't work, you may just have to endure it.  If you let a whining puppy out of the crate, it will never stay quietly.