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Posted by 4kidpsych on January 30, 2003 at 02:15:53:
In Reply to: Re: Puppy Help! posted by kareval on January 27, 2003 at 16:00:52:
::1st time owner seeking advice on how to stop our 11 week old yellow lab's biting of our two year old daughter. He is already in obedience class...but the instructions I received in class do not seem the most productive...they said to firmly grasp the puppy's mouth and give a strong "no" But more discipline I give...seems to trigger more aggressiveness. I don't want any attempt to curb this behavior to turn against me or be counterproductive. Any advise on how I can be trained better to help my dog??
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:Gee 11 weeks seems too young for obedience class. My instructor won't take them until they are 6 months....The only think I can tell you is to keep telling him NO firmly, and replace a toy with what ever the pup is biting on. Please don't forget that this pup is just a baby..a very small baby, and needs a lot of patience and love. If you are consistant, he will get it...and you will be very happy. It is normal for them to bite on things at this age.
Obedience class is for owners...not pets. It is a place to learn how to handle and properly train your dog, as I can see you know. The biting is most likely playful and not aggressive. Labs (like most dogs) are pack animals and your little guy is likely trying to establish a playful relationship with your daughter in the only way he knows how (dogs speak a much different verbal and nonverbal language). First, don't act scared because your daughter will pick up on it and might become frightened of normal puppy stuff. Secondly, as the intelligent writer before me noted, have lots of treats on hand and toys to distract the pup when he does this. He might be trying to establish dominance in the "pack." Most likely he is playing with his same aged peer. Don't misunderstand play for aggression. And if he seems to become more playful (or aggressive, as you say) when you scold him...you are playing inot his game. Teach him to hone his play to his toys instead of your daughter. No doubt that in 2 years they'll be the best of friends for many years to come!!