Pet Information > ASK Experts > Dogs > Dog Breeds > Labrador Retrievers > black lab play biting

black lab play biting

20 9:48:34

Question
My black lab pup is 12 weeks old. When we bought him he was very timid, now he is very comfortable. Only problem is when he is excited and wants to play, he will bite your hand, shirt, foots, ect. I tell him no but that doesn't normally work. It is becoming a problem as he does this with my 3 year old, knocks her down and it scares her very much. I know he is playing, the biting does not hurt, i just would like this habit to stop. Any advise would be great! thanks!

Answer
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.  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 and jerk their hand away, or growl "Bad dog." and clamp
their mouth shut.  Then offer a chew toy.  They keep trying despite hundreds
of corrections.   Another good technique is to quit playing and go away.   Be
sure to praise them when they are playing nice and not biting.

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.
These problems are the worst with, but not limited to, large, aggressive
chewers such as Labs.

It may be fairly east to train the 3 year old to yell ouch or go away.  Consistancy is very important.  The puppy must be corrected every time it bites.  I am fighting my 15 week old Nita.  She wants to jump up and bite everybody she meets.