Thank you all so much. I feel much better. She has been v good today but yesterday aaaahhhh she was on the prowl all evening. We couldn't even watch tele for an hour before bed. My daughter is 7 and scared of Betty and won't walk in the kitchen when she not sleeping or in crate. My son 10 is ok but she goes for his legs too! I was definitely not prepared. I mentioned it to the vet last week (at 2nd jab) and he looked surprised which made me concerned... I actually cried as I left! This was probably not helped by the fact Betty had eaten through her fabric crate and escaped in to the car boot on the way to the vet and I was stressing about how to get her home safely! Anyway... great to know that this is all normal and thank you all again! Oh and when does it stop?!
Dare we hope ?
- Thread starter kateincornwall
- Start date
Rory had colitis and was on steroids I think this contributed to his bitey phase. My old lab hardly bit at all at my middle never did. They are all very different. I don't think vets are too aware of the lab pup mouthing and tend to misunderstand what's really happening. Just remember it will pass you are doing everything to help her throught this phase and if you are worried ask us here we have loads of experience between us all and can help and support you. We've all been there and understand. I'm getting a new pup next year and am investing in my police riot gear now. Labs are the nicest dogs but their puppyhoods can be interesting.
That’s really tough when the children are being chewed - boundaries are probably the best way for managing that but it’s tricky to help them understand it’s not personal, just Betty testing her gnashers... exactly as Swampy says, do keep sharing on here, you’re among sympathetic friends!
Also Kipper ate through his fabric crate within days. It was such a good idea at the time...
Also Kipper ate through his fabric crate within days. It was such a good idea at the time...
Nooooooooo!!!
Do not worry they will be teething soon.
- Location
- Andorra and Spain
It really does vary and you’re absolutely not alone! I thought Willow was a croc; I looked like inhad been dragged through barbed wire with all the cuts up my arms and hands! But reading what other people had to deal with, I realised I actually had it pretty easy with her, despite the blood loss 
Willow had stopped by 14 weeks. We picked Shadow up at 14 weeks, and he never bit except for the odd nip at clothing when he was over-excited (such as if I’d start running).
Luna (Squidge) took it up a beat or two and was a proper Labrashark. She would grab and hold on, and sometimes do that delightful death shake which really rips nicely at the flesh. Bites to the calf - argh! So sore! And it went on far (far) longer than 14 weeks! But she’s generally slow to mature all round. She’s two now and still very puppyish - although, thankfully, the biting has long gone!
It’s just a matter of time, allowing them to grow up and through it and wearing Kevlar in the meantime
Willow had stopped by 14 weeks. We picked Shadow up at 14 weeks, and he never bit except for the odd nip at clothing when he was over-excited (such as if I’d start running).
Luna (Squidge) took it up a beat or two and was a proper Labrashark. She would grab and hold on, and sometimes do that delightful death shake which really rips nicely at the flesh. Bites to the calf - argh! So sore! And it went on far (far) longer than 14 weeks! But she’s generally slow to mature all round. She’s two now and still very puppyish - although, thankfully, the biting has long gone!
It’s just a matter of time, allowing them to grow up and through it and wearing Kevlar in the meantime
Atemas
UK Tour Guide
- Location
- North Cambridgeshire
Well it does stop but it’s grim whilst it lasts. Our first dog Sky was 5 months when we got her and she had grown out of the biting stage so I was not prepared when we got 8 week old Red. Her biting was awful and DH and I had horrible bite marks - her little teeth were razor sharp and her claws were sharp too. I had to control her interactions with our grandchildren. Now she is so gentle (she body wags around everyone when she’s excited). As everyone told me ‘This will pass’ and it did.
Their teeth hurt their mouths can bleed and they like to grind their sore mouths on hard objects. Frozen carrots knotted wet frozen tea towels really help. If you've got kids you know how the pressure of teething hurts them and pups have the same wanting to massage their gums to relieve the pressure.They can be very vigorous. My oldest had a set of jaws like a mantrap and teethed on a radiator. He's long gone but I never painted the radiator I loved that old boy.
- Location
- The Hague, The Netherlands
@lilliput I hear you on being worried about aggression but it is just their way. Looking back he was just over tired and they do talk with their mouths. Hunter was a Labrasharky until about 16 weeks... I actually used to say ouch and walk away/turn my back to show him I did not like it. As he got older the cold shoulder treatment really worked as our bond got stronger and he just wants to be liked! He seemed to like chew me the most and yes distraction is required to let him chew a toy instead of fingers.
It does get better as everybody says and will soon be forgotten.
I froze broth in the Kong during teething and he also liked a nice raw lamb shoulder bone to chew on!
It does get better as everybody says and will soon be forgotten.
I froze broth in the Kong during teething and he also liked a nice raw lamb shoulder bone to chew on!
Labradors are evil little creatures as puppies. Stanley would pounce as soon as you were near 
that’s why they have to be the cutest puppies and the best dogs - no one would want them otherwise.
When my friend got her whippet pup her and her boyfriend brought her over to meet Stanley when she was about 14 weeks. She had opened toed sandals on and he had shorts on.
Me and OH were like
when Stanley was that age we had to be completely covered up because if he could see if - he was biting it!
that’s why they have to be the cutest puppies and the best dogs - no one would want them otherwise.When my friend got her whippet pup her and her boyfriend brought her over to meet Stanley when she was about 14 weeks. She had opened toed sandals on and he had shorts on.
Me and OH were like
when Stanley was that age we had to be completely covered up because if he could see if - he was biting it!
- Location
- The Hague, The Netherlands
- Location
- Wellington, NZ
@lilliput my daughter was 8 when we got Xena, and Xena made her cry at least once a day until she was..17.5 weeks? I remember that feeling of utter relief when she jumped on the sofa one night and simply...settled down. NO BITING. My daughter resented Xena so much during those early months, and like most first-time Lab owners we were completely unprepared for the reality of the crocopup and in hindsight managed it terribly. So hang in there, it will start to peter off very soon, hopefully sooner rather than later
- Location
- Sydney, Australia
@lilliput Maxx was so bad that my hubby and I one morning, at 4.00am sitting on our back porch almost exactly one year ago, decided to take him back to the breeder. We thought we were the worst puppy parents ever and we sat there with our bleeding hands/arms watching 9 week old Maxx run amok destroying outdoor plants and furniture amongst so many other things. Thank goodness I found these incredible people on this forum as they assured me it was normal and would soon pass.
We had a lab many years before and we don't remember the same issues; but we suspect we may have forgotten. You do forget as soon you have the most incredible, loyal and loving companion and family member you can ever hope for.
Maxx is 13 months and we still have some struggles with recall and stuff but every single day, many times, he comes and gives us so much love and joy that I simply can't have a bad day anymore.
Hang in there!
We had a lab many years before and we don't remember the same issues; but we suspect we may have forgotten. You do forget as soon you have the most incredible, loyal and loving companion and family member you can ever hope for.
Maxx is 13 months and we still have some struggles with recall and stuff but every single day, many times, he comes and gives us so much love and joy that I simply can't have a bad day anymore.
Hang in there!
Should I tell you about Ripple? He should have been enough to put me off Labradors for life, biting well into his second year. Unable to contain his excitement, ripping clothes, giving me bite mark shape bruises through 4 layers of clothes. Even into his third year he would still end a zoomie by launching himself into the unfortunate person walking him and ripping at their clothes. No toys, ignoring or any other strategy seemed to work . He was my third lab but I'd never dealt with anything like this before.
I found the forum, they kept me sane.
Then I decided to get Toffee, a really gentle boy. We put loads of strategies in place to deal with extreme biting but it never materialised. Compared to Ripple his first six months have been a dream, we have cuddles and kisses, something I could never do with Ripple. I'm glad I got another puppy, every one is unique, just some are more unique than others
.
I found the forum, they kept me sane.
Then I decided to get Toffee, a really gentle boy. We put loads of strategies in place to deal with extreme biting but it never materialised. Compared to Ripple his first six months have been a dream, we have cuddles and kisses, something I could never do with Ripple. I'm glad I got another puppy, every one is unique, just some are more unique than others
.
He truly is unique
- Location
- Cornwall , UK
@lilliput Just a little story for you, re this biting manic stage ! My grandson lives over the lane from us and so is a regular visitor .
We lost our very much loved six year old Labrador Sam to cancer a year ago , he and my grandson Silas had been the very best of friends , they had a special close bond indeed and so Silas suffered the loss of his pal , it hit him hard as it did all of us, but for a then nine year old, it was horrible as they had grown up together . When we got Reuben a few weeks ago , Silas was thrilled but this changed , I`m not saying he dislikes Reuben, but more a complete indifference to him , due to the biting . Sam hadn't ever done the biting , was gentle from day one and so this from Reuben came as a shock to the little lad , who is autistic and simply cant understand and so he choses to stay away . Silas hasn't seen Reuben for almost two weeks now which upsets me , we cant enforce a visit as the little lad is very wary of Reuben , it has to be in his own time , when he feels ready to face the foe ! However , what I am sure of is that, once this difficult period has passed , things will get better , they will become firm friends , maybe never the same bond as he had with Sam as that was special, but a bond all the same . Labradors are wonderful dogs , they must be otherwise we wouldn't keep putting ourselves through this , but in order to reach the wonderful dog , we first have to run the gauntlet of the frankly manic period of the puppyhood , the time of pure woe , of self doubt and all because this demon has joined us ! Hang on in there , they aren't pups for long , enjoy the good and the bad will become a dim and distant memory xxx
We lost our very much loved six year old Labrador Sam to cancer a year ago , he and my grandson Silas had been the very best of friends , they had a special close bond indeed and so Silas suffered the loss of his pal , it hit him hard as it did all of us, but for a then nine year old, it was horrible as they had grown up together . When we got Reuben a few weeks ago , Silas was thrilled but this changed , I`m not saying he dislikes Reuben, but more a complete indifference to him , due to the biting . Sam hadn't ever done the biting , was gentle from day one and so this from Reuben came as a shock to the little lad , who is autistic and simply cant understand and so he choses to stay away . Silas hasn't seen Reuben for almost two weeks now which upsets me , we cant enforce a visit as the little lad is very wary of Reuben , it has to be in his own time , when he feels ready to face the foe ! However , what I am sure of is that, once this difficult period has passed , things will get better , they will become firm friends , maybe never the same bond as he had with Sam as that was special, but a bond all the same . Labradors are wonderful dogs , they must be otherwise we wouldn't keep putting ourselves through this , but in order to reach the wonderful dog , we first have to run the gauntlet of the frankly manic period of the puppyhood , the time of pure woe , of self doubt and all because this demon has joined us ! Hang on in there , they aren't pups for long , enjoy the good and the bad will become a dim and distant memory xxx
- Location
- Herefordshire, UK
@lilliput , I think everyone has given you sound advice but I think Kate has wrapped it up perfectly above.
I too joined the Forum by tapping in "Labrador puppy biting" one night! I@d had puppies before, but never a Lab and I was totally unprepared for the little terror she was!
But follow the advice from others and you will get through this stage. For the kids to ride this storm, with help, is a wonderful life lesson -- stick with these difficult times and when maturity comes you will have the best of friends!
It is tough, because we all associate puppies with fun, and well, sometimes they are just not!
Thank you Kate for your story - very sad to hear about Sam and very hopeful that Silas and Reuben become friends soon. My two children, like Silas, are indifferent to Betty but as you say there are good things about puppies (they are super cute when not biting) and I know they will warm to her as time goes on xx