Rehoming puppy

[Hellin301]

Please help me.

My puppy is 8 weeks (golden retriever) and I’ve came home today after family were minding him. He was calm enough with them but perhaps overly tired. I was just sitting on the floor beside him - not playing. He came running over and bit the side of my chest; hard. I was in a lot of pain and shouted at him to leave. I wouldn’t have shouted at him if it wasn’t really bloody painful. He wouldn’t listen, I then went to stand up and he grabbed my arm. Again, biting very hard. Harder than he has done before.

I’m covered in bites, which are actually bleeding. I have been working on telling him to leave which he can do, with shoes and clothes but for some reason if he gets a hold of an arm, foot, hand or another body part he will bite very hard and refuses to listen when I tell him to leave.

Someone please help me as that biting is beyond what should be tolerated. I can’t have a puppy that is actively and in my opinion aggressively chewing me to bits. I wouldn’t be so worried if I thought it was play but I actually thought it was aggression as he was growling so loudly.

If this is going to continue to happen I think I need to hold my hands up and say I’m not the right owner for him which will break my heart

We have an nearly 12 week old lab and he is bitey at times but only with my kids (teens).

This is because they (teens) get down on his level and don't put in the boundaries. He sees them as littermates. I've told them to remove them selves as soon as it happens.

He does NOT do it to me or dh so he knows
it's nit allowed really.

I would pop him in a crate as soon as he does it Reward nice play with treats.

Also my pup sleeps tonnes!!! I'm not complaining. Does your pup get enough sleep?

You’ve not researched how puppies bebahve now your dog suffers. Puppies go through a biting stage and you would know this if you had researched.

I too have a 9 week old lab. I am following a Labrador specific group on Facebook as well as the following group :

www.facebook.com/groups/374160792599484/?ref=share

I got totally overwhelmed by day 3 (last Monday) with the different training techniques but now I'm picking and chosing what works for us from a few different places (with the same train of thought - Force Free, Fear Free)

I see some people advising you put him in his crate when he's naughty, that's not great advice. The crate should be a calm, cosy, nice place for him to relax and in occasion have a few minutes to calm down. The linked group has units on how to achieve crate training, step by step.

It also has a thorough guide on what to expect with a puppy, as you are hands on. Some of it will require you to go back to basic but he's still very young so is able to adapt.

At 8 weeks old he has the same emotional needs and understanding as an 8 week old human baby.

Keep reinforcing chew toys, mix it up with games that focus on the toys (hide and seek, fetch, chase, tug) allow him different textures to chew and paper to rip apart (controlled by you - he can't help himself to Grandad's newspaper but the sheet of crinkly tissue paper or the cardboard roll from the kitchen roll, stuffed with some treats - sure!). Make sure you're doing basic training - sit command is easiest to teach, then up/down, obviously "no" and "leave". He needs mental stimulation as well as physical. As others have said they act up when over stimulated and over tired - same as a toddler!

check what food he's on. Is it meeting his needs, if not find one that does and research how to change his food from one to the other. This is an excellent site for nutrition and cost info :

www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk

I have owned a pup before and have lots of dogs in my life (even volunteer dog walked for a time at local RSPCA kennels!) I truly thought that although it will be tough I could handle it.... still had a huge panic attack on Monday about what the fuck I have done. Things have settled down a tiny bit though.

@Undergrad20

You’ve not researched how puppies bebahve now your dog suffers. Puppies go through a biting stage and you would know this if you had researched.

All the research in the world does not prepare you for just how bitey a puppy is. It’s a massive shock.

Yea I think you should re home him before the poor thing gets attached to your family.

You clearly didn’t do any research or have any kind of understanding of what looking after a puppy entails.

I’m aware I’m being very judgmental but quite honestly can’t stand people like this.

It will get better, OP. We used timeouts when our dog went through his bitey phase. Yelping and turning my back on him made it worse. We would say firmly ‘no biting’ then put him in his playpen for a couple of minutes. This really worked for us.
Biting peaked at 12 weeks. He was a terror. My kids rarely sat on the floor with him when he was at his worst. It was all worth it though because he has grown up to be the best dog.

He is 8 WEEKS OLD for god’s sake!!! He has spent those 8 weeks with his littermates biting and playing. It is up to you to be the boss and make sure he knows it’s wrong.

My lab puppy is a year old next week. My god what a year. I did so much research, we thought about getting a puppy for years,it's wasn't a rushed decision. I knew he'd be bitey but the reality was so hard. When he was younger, the biting didn't hurt, but he did rip so many clothes and had dd aged 10 in tears. We yellped at that age and it helped a bit. When he started teething his biting had me in tears, (I wore 2 dressing gowns and toyed with the idea of wearing wellies!) When I look at photos of him I can see his mouth was swollen and he must have been so sore. He also had his adult teeth growing in before his baby teeth fell out. This biting went on for months. I read everything I could (we couldn't get a trainer or classes because of lockdown) He was definitely worse when he was tired. Every single time he went to bite, we interrupted him,and put a toy or chew in his mouth, then moved on to saying to him Get a toy, he did and we still do this. He slowly improved. He occasionally bites during play but we've repeated Gentle, he leaned to be gentle when taking treats too. I look be him so much and he's part of the family, but if I'd known how had this first year would be I don't think we'd have ever got a lab. He's lying next to me snoring away right now. I've never known a dog like him before. Most of his litter mates were bad bitters too, the first lot from his mum were diggers. Good luck. If you really want this dog and put in the work, you will get there and it will be worth it. Join some Facebook groups too.

I don't know what happened to my paragraphs there

The first four weeks with my beagle boy were really hard. But he’s five months old now and we love him so, so much. It will get better. My arms and hands were a mass of cuts, and those puppy teeth really hurt.

Practical stuff:

Do you have a crate and/or a playpen for him? As soon as the biting starts, he goes in the pen.

Your boy is just a baby. He’s probably not getting enough sleep, and will be worse when he is overtired. Try to get him into a routine of regular naps - whether or not you are using a crate. He really should be sleeping most of the time.

I found it easier to distract him from the biting with a plush toy, rather than one of his chew toys. We have got through three Kong Cozie doggies so far!

Make the most of his quiet moments. When I got up in the night to take him to the toilet I’d lie on the sofa afterwards with him and let him fall asleep on my chest before putting him back to bed.

Trust me, these early days can be a real shock, particularly if it is your first puppy. It doesn’t matter how much you read and prepare in advance - the discovery that your super cute ball of fluff is a biting monster is really tough! But in a month things will be SO MUCH BETTER.

Good luck.

Why are you leaving an 8 week old puppy with strangers? Poor thing will be bewildered, overwhelmed and tired. You need to build up your bond with your pup and be calm and consistent. When he’s biting remove him from the room to his safe place - crate/ pen or somewhere safe he can calm down.

I have a 10 month old GR and it was bloody hard work for the first 3 months. Your puppy has only just left mum and litter mates. Have you asked the breeder for advice?

Oh god the puppy witching hour. It hurts and it feels like it’s all too much - I absolutely remember.

My advice is: walk away (go to another room and have a cry if you need to) then get support from a trainer. Also join the puppy support group here, I found it really helpful at the time.

It gets better - but it takes time and a lot of effort!

Puppies are bitey, most grow out of it. I would be concerned if he was 8 months old not 8 weeks. We used to yelp like they do when something hurts

@Dandelionflower

My lab puppy is a year old next week. My god what a year. I did so much research, we thought about getting a puppy for years,it's wasn't a rushed decision. I knew he'd be bitey but the reality was so hard. When he was younger, the biting didn't hurt, but he did rip so many clothes and had dd aged 10 in tears. We yellped at that age and it helped a bit. When he started teething his biting had me in tears, (I wore 2 dressing gowns and toyed with the idea of wearing wellies!) When I look at photos of him I can see his mouth was swollen and he must have been so sore. He also had his adult teeth growing in before his baby teeth fell out. This biting went on for months. I read everything I could (we couldn't get a trainer or classes because of lockdown) He was definitely worse when he was tired. Every single time he went to bite, we interrupted him,and put a toy or chew in his mouth, then moved on to saying to him Get a toy, he did and we still do this. He slowly improved. He occasionally bites during play but we've repeated Gentle, he leaned to be gentle when taking treats too. I look be him so much and he's part of the family, but if I'd known how had this first year would be I don't think we'd have ever got a lab. He's lying next to me snoring away right now. I've never known a dog like him before. Most of his litter mates were bad bitters too, the first lot from his mum were diggers. Good luck. If you really want this dog and put in the work, you will get there and it will be worth it. Join some Facebook groups too.

Ha ha - I was seriously considering getting some of those big, reinforced gloves that falcon handlers wear. I think we got off quite lightly compared to you though.

I expect you are not coming back to thread OP but I just wanted to say, a pp posted (on page 2, I think), that you should yelp when your pup bites you and spray him with water. Please, please never do this. He will be terrified of you.

Hi OP

Did you buy him from you would class as a reputable breeder or do you think it was someone cashing in on covid/puppy situation that's been going on

Because if it's a reputable breeder call them and talk to them, they will absolutely help you and have experience and sound advice

It's actually illegal to sell a puppy under 6 months old unless you are the breeder so if you feel you have made a mistake the dog will need to go back to breeder

If it's just a chancer you have got the puppy from they most likely won't help it care they just wanted money

So if you think that is the case your only option will be most likely a rescue where you can hand him over and they will rehome.

I would look for a rescue that deals with this breed as they will prob find a more suitable home

People make mistakes, don't feel bad about it these things happen.

So first port of call try breeder for either support or to return the dog and if not look for rescue that deals with that breed they will absolutely help you out

Good luck

Your puppy is not doing anything out of the ordinary. Puppies bite, and they usually get rougher the more over tired or over excited they are. This behaviour is going to go on for weeks. Don't take it personally. He is not being dominant. He is not trying to attack you. He is trying to play with you. It is your job to teach him how to play nicely, and this will take longer than a week.

I thought we’d got a rogue puppy as the biting was awful. Time out, literally walk out the room and shut the door for 3 seconds, it resets them, they need a lot more sleep than they think as well.

Frozen carrots, bit of training, just sit and stay or wait.

Facebook group dog advice and training.

Kongs, frozen stock in a pot to lick and calm. Stand still when they bite, or turn your back. You need consistency from everyone. Ignore unless all four paws on the floor. Praise the good, including if they are quiet

Happy puppy book is very good.

Puppies are seriously hard work, but it will get better.

I suggest wearing old clothes you are willing to sacrifice (I learned the hard way!) and turning your back and crossing your arms if he jumps or bites. Show him no interest at all.

My golden still has to hold something when we come in, he is beyond excited and can’t contain himself. I always have a soft toy, or even a tea towel for example, to give him. Otherwise it’s my sleeve. He’s not remotely interested in hard chew toys, it’s hit to be ‘cuddly’. They are sacrificial as well though, they don’t last forever.

(Lighthearted - if you do want to rehome him, I’ll have him!)

I have a golden retriever. They are such hard work as puppies. We also did our research and thought we were all Prepared but... Golden retrievers don’t do it like in the books. They are utterly mad.

It’s going to be a rough ride.

I’m worried for OP as, tough though the puppy months were, the teenage months - yikes. Attack mode AND the biting.

I love love love my now 2.5 year old golden retriever, if that helps.

Get as much help as you can OP.

OP did your 8 week old puppy come with papers ? I can't think of any breeder worth mentioning that would let a puppy go before 10 weeks.

It's a baby. I feel so sorry for the little thing. 8 weeks and still taking milk and sold on. What a shower of shit

Our Lab puppy is 19 weeks now and is still a nightmare for biting. My arms are covered in cuts and bruises.
It really was a shock to the system. I was prepared for everything else except the relentless biting.

Nothing works to stop it apart from time out. We try to redirect to a toy and if he doesn't stop he is put in his crate for 5-10 mins. Sometimes he comes out and does it again and again but at least this way it gives us a break.

We try not to make a fuss as that gets him into a frenzy just quietly pop him in the crate and say 'time out' Also really praise any good behaviour.

You can also try putting cream cheese or similar on your hand and when he licks it off praise him 'good boy' 'gentle 'so he knows what gentle means and say it when he starts mouthing.

Pizzle sticks and cows ears have been a life saver for us as it gives us hours of uninterrupted peace while he chews them.

At eight weeks though he should be asleep more than he is awake, he is probably very overtired and this makes the biting worst. I think they are supposed to sleep 22-23 hours at that age.
He will get better when he can go for walks, our puppys behaviour improved then but has gone backwards over the last few weeks with teething.

🤬

Hey, also have a new puppy, she’s lovely but has bitten me a lot (only me!) she’s a bit older than yours but we’ve got to a behaviourist and yelping (which I was told to do by so many people!) was the thing that turned it all into a game. Thankfully since seeing the behaviourist things have massively improved. Good luck to you :)

Looked after my dd’s 8 week old pup for a couple of hours- in the v bitey stage-what worked was clapping hands and no other sounds- it distracted the puppy who stopped the bite and then I introduced something else to chew on.