Lab biting

Question
I have a black lab that is now 9 months old.  We can not get him to stop biting.  I've tried the "yelping" thing as if we were another puppy, then the yelping and ignoring, telling him "no biting" very stern, pinching his lip, and nothing seems to work.  He does this when he gets really rambunctious.  Today he bit my wife (he was playing) but hurt her and really upset her.  What's our next step?  We're really getting frustrated!

Answer
This is a very natural behavior.  Labs may be even worse than some other breeds. If you are consistent about what you say you have been doing it will solve the problem most of the time.  There are Labs that are very strong willed and difficult to train out of negative behaviors.  Absolute consistency is extremely important.  None of the family or friends can ever tolerate it if you are going to break him of it.  At 9 months, it is going to be harder yet.   

Having a good pack structure reduces such problems.  The dogs see all the
people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in
the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members
outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by
reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class
or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with
a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/

With somebody the right age in the family, 4-H dog training is a great idea.
In my area, clubs form soon after the first of the year.  Even many urban
areas have 4-H.  For info look in your phone book under government listings
for extension or cooperative extension offices.  Ask specifically about a dog
or canine club.

If you have had zero tolerance for biting right along, obedience training alone will not solve the problem.  Neuter him if not already.  It is not a cure all, can can make him easier to handle.  You may need stronger corrections.  
If you are able, when it misbehaves, throw it on its back, and growl "Bad
dog!" right in its face.  Hold it down until it lifts one back leg to show
submission.  You may need forearm across the windpipe  to control the dog. If
you can't do that, try the squirt bottle.  Fill it with water and a little
vinegar or lemon juice.  Give it a squirt in the face as soon as it
misbehaves.  Dogs hate that.