Biting..

Question
For our first puppy [and family dog] we decided on a beautiful chocolate lab girl, named Jewels, from the humane society I volunteer at..We've had her for about a week and a half now, and she is incessantly biting.
I understand labs have a VERY strong, and ongoing teething stage, but she is biting so much its unbelievable. I have gotten her about 7 chew toys, which do occupy her for a little while, but never long enough. She seems to like fingers, feet, and arms much better than any chew toy. I've been practicing with her saying a firm no, holding her mouth for a few moments and then letting go.. but it seems once I let go she goes after my hands even more, and this is a painful bite. I wonder if I should see how this goes on and keep trying to teach her NO and see if she makes any progress, or if there is any advice you have on stopping her from biting so much. I would hate to see this dog be given away, my first dog I've been asking for for years..

thank you,

 Sara

Answer
Sorry, I have to go out of town leaving a bunch of questions unanswered.  May be able to get back Sunday.

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.

Once teething sets in at about 3 months, tie a piece of cloth into knots, wet it, and freeze it.