Puppies and Nipping

[SarahJinx]

Evening ladies

Our Chocolate Lab Leah is 13 week. We've not had the best start with her, I was hospitalised for a week just after getting her so all of our early plans went out the window. Anyway, she's been a nipper since day one which we expected. The kids have reacted pretty badly though so for now we're keeping her separate from them in order to build their confidence with her and to try to avoid getting her over excited. However, her nipping is constant now, when petting her or if she's following me, or jumping up and nipping at the kids. Its getting worse not better and I am getting to the end of my tether because it bloody hurts and its so stressful. Can anyone offer any advice? We're going to start training in the next few weeks.

They should have insisted you returned her, even temporarily. They don't sound very responsible breeders at all - how did you find them?

Hideous ? Seriously, thanks to people with advice about the nipping and mouthing. I'm going to take on board everything that's been said and look into a way to break her day up more when we go to work now.

Absolutely

SarahJinx - from the outset of this thread it has seemed as though being a puppy owner is much more than you were expecting. Is that fair to say?

Will the breeder take the big back if you change your mind? Is this something you would consider?

The younger a pup is rehomed the better for the dogs welkbeing. So if this is something you could consider, try to make a decision sooner rather than later.

Yea definitely fate that's fair to say. Honesty if I thought that I couldn't change things enough to make this work for her then of course I would consider that. We love her and I only want to do what's best, hence the post. I've said I've got some things wrong, but for the right reasons and have acted on what I thought was good advice.

Regarding working and owning a dog

While it is better to be at home with a dog (I'm SAHM now) when my last cocker spaniel (born 2003, died 2015) was a puppy both DH and I were working.

The breeder kept the pup until 13 weeks old for us, because of our wedding and honeymoon. So she was slightly older when we got her. But pretty much straight away she was home alone 7.30am-4.30pm Mon-Fri. we had a dog flap and a secure back garden, but that was it.

Many will berate you for leaving a dog, but honestly not a big deal for ours. However I wouldnt leave a dog, especially not a puppy, outside. Pups need warm, dry, snuggly cosiness with acesss to play space inside and out, lots to do and places to relax.

In my view you working is not the biggest issue here.

Not having the dog as part of the family is a bigger problem. The dog living outside exasperated this issue.

Also your apparent inexperience and unrwalustic expectations

I think the op is feeling very jumped on. Personally I think a lot of people get dogs when is not the best time but feel afraid to ask advice because they will be judged.

I don't think the op set out to do anything wrong.

Op the general advice I found was that a dog is meant have (roughly) 5 minds of walking per month of their age. So in your case about 15 mins a day. It causes lots of problems down the line if puppies are over exercises. It also impacts their behaviour now. Over tiredness can bring on bad behaviour.

The puppy should be with you most of the time. Yes people who work full time and have dogs. But it cause a lot of behavioural problems and is quite unfair on the dogs.

I have been without a dog for 4 years because both me and dh worked mon-fri. Only now that we are home based did we feel it was fair.

Dpup (5 months) is never left more than 2 hours. Above that she goes to doggy day care.

Labs need a lot of human interaction, from what I understand.

Having a puppy can take people by surprise not matter how much you think you are prepared.

The vets I know, wouldn't tell you not to leave your dog for long periods. It not classed as neglectful so try keep out. However it's not ideal.

And some breeders aren't that fussed about what happens to the dogs they breed, on a day to day basis after they leave.

An adult dog may be ok and et used to it. But a puppy will have lots of issues with it.
I really think you need to start again from scratch. She needs more time with the family, less walks and training.

I wish you luck, whatever happens X

We love her and I only want to do what's best

That's a good place to start ☺

The next thing I think you need to explore is why you are keeping puppy and children seperate. You for does not sound dangerous to those children. Your dog sounds like a normal puppy, it's just you weren't ready for the biting and mouthing.

So thinking you need to keep the dog seperate from family life because the dog is being a dog. Well that is worrying.

A dog needs his space. Especially so with young children in the house. But that space is for the dogs benefit, not yours. Your pup needs a quiet, comfy space (crate would work) to escape to and sleep. But not forced separation as a punishment.

The mouthing, your dog might be doing this for another year. Set your expectations realistically here. You can't punish or seperate the dog just for being a dog.

Your lab needs to be part of your family.

We got 2 of our dogs from Labrador Rescue. They do a home visit and will not let a Labrador go to a home where it will be left alone more than 4 hours a day. It's horrendous to suggest leaving such a young dog alone for so long. And also that you aren't able to make her properly part of the family. Sadly too many people buy dogs without doing their research properly - and that's breed specific research not just dogs in general. Yes, some people have dogs and leave them alone all day while they go to work. That doesn't make it right though does it?

The breeder doesn't sound very responsible. If they've been supportive you've obviously been in touch with them. When a similar thing happened to a friend of mine the breeder offered to take her puppy back until she was better.

Did your vet not tell you about not over walking/ exercising a puppy until they are fully developed?

Bad enough leaving her alone most of the day - but outside? Even when you're at home realistically how much time and attention will you be able to give her when you have 2 small children.

Poor girl. Small children and out at work all day is not an environment to bring a puppy into - however many people you know who do similar.

Thanks Phillip and Fate. Ok so first off, she can absolutely be indoors, I just (again acting on advice) thought outdoor would be better for her. I can change that straight away. And again, I have seen that having her separate isn't best so I will integrate her back with us today, the kids are ready for that to happen and are excited about it. Like I said, I can correct all of this and I can see how a, being vastly under prepared combined with b, being immobile and having to do things we didn't set out to do, has made the situation what it is. I hugely appreciate those of you that have given practical tips and advice that I WILL act on

Fate, she's not dangerous at all, we just were getting nowhere, the kids had started to barricade themselves away from her and shriek anytime she went near so I felt I had to do something to 'help'. What I have done has helped in that way because they have bonded with her and are so much ore confident now. Her four walks, except for her two bigger ones are quick trots around the garden, no more than five minutes because I am aware (breeder pack) about over exercising. We have a big patch of mostly enclosed land where she is for her exercise.

OP, is she getting plenty of socialisation with other dogs and the outside world? The car, men, women, hats, umbrellas, horses, buses, etc. Can you soon take her out and about with you? The socialisation window closes around 16 weeks, and it's a pain at the time, carting a growing puppy around all the time, but SO worth it.

I've got a 3 y/o and a 4 y/o dog. We spent many many hours training them and socialising etc. It was hard work. It's so totally worth in down the line, I promise.

Clicker training is great too, if you You Tube, you will find lots of examples.

What you should have done to 'help' is educate your children, not banish the puppy.

I get it, it's relentless. But puppy needs human handling,guidance and contact. You need to start basic training now and make it a family thing.

the kids had started to barricade themselves away from her and shriek anytime she went near

Your children need the training, not the dog. But not to worry, you weren't to know and are still learning. You can sort this out.

Model correct behaviour with the children. Tell the kids off for screeching. They need to be calm and quiet with the dog.

You didn't know about mouthing and biting, now you do so teach the kids. Don't run away if the dog is snappy, get a toy and play tug or fetch instead.

Physically show the kids that mouthing is harmless. I had to do this with dds friends who get hysterical thinking our dog is biting them. Put your hand in the dogs mouth to show them that it's not trying to hurt you, the dog is not going to bite. This will remove their fear.

(I wouldn't encourage mouthing your hand long term, but physically seeing it happen can help teach the children to understand the difference between mouthing and biting)

Practice with the kids ignoring the dog. The dog doesnt need entertaining at all time. Go about your day - playing with toys, cooking, watching tv, gardening, whatever - with the dog in-toe but not being actively played with Labradors like to just follow you around.

After a while of being part of family life but not over stimulated, for will probably fall asleep. Another lesson for the kids - stay away from a sleeping for. Leave her to sleep.

Then have short bursts of active playing with the dog. Involve he kids in this. For the rest of the time just "be" with the dog.

One practical tip: leggings or shirts are better than flappy trousers (which puppies like to hang off).

My phone keeps autocorrecting "dog" into "for". Sorry for any confusion.

OP, I'm a touch worried about this puppy, with kind intention please understand. Is she getting no contact with the outside world at present? Or other dogs?

This will make the world a very scary place to her. Please assure me she's out and about at every opportunity? Every puppy needs a chance to wee on the floor at Pets at Home.

Who has an independent cocker? Mines a shadow!!

So if you're not going to leave her in the run when you're at work all day, what are you going to do? Leave her in crate all day? Leave her in a room where you don't mind the contents being chewed to pieces out of boredom? Until she was about 1 my first Lab chewed her way through chair legs, plaster walls, shoes etc etc and she was rarely left for more than a couple of hours.

Who has an independent cocker?

I do! 😛

Nearly 8 months old. She's currently asleep at the bottom of the stairs. She comes when she wants a play, buggers off when she's had enough.

Loves being warm - is yours like this? Her fave spot is in front of the tumble dryer when it's on. Her spot at the bottom of the stairs is because there is a hot water pipe under the floor there. She will think all her Christmases have come at once when i start I putting the heating on. ☺

Not sure if you have had this recommended already as haven't read whole thread but a very good book is The Perfect Puppy by Gwen Baily , very easy to follow and down to earth sensible advice .

Also I know you have a lab but the puppy forum on cockersonline.co.uk is full of lots of advice on mouthing and children and puppies etc

I've have 2 spaniels, both follow me (Or DH) everywhere and watch me all the time. They may settle for 10 minutes in a different room but will investigate if I move somewhere else.

Ha, not sure about the heat but both hate being cold!

Had the exact same problem with our chocolate lab.

They're trying to soften their teeth. Give them a toy. Make sure there's always something to chew. Tap their nose if they hurt and say 'no' and have treats for good behaviour. But mostly - it's a phase!

Don't tap their nose ffs

I wouldn't tap their nose either, I just think that's too negative for my liking but not trying to start a bun fight.

No nose tapping!

Right now her bed and crate are in our entrance hall so she can stay there. There's loads of space, tiled floor and an old sofa that she likes to lounge on. The kids get really told off for shrieking around her, they are learning really quickly how to be around her so I am confident that we can fix it all. She has only just had her last vaccinations and the vet said give her two further weeks before taking her out. She likes the car and sees loads of other people though.