My pup only bites me not my partner?!

SuzyM

SuzyM

Location
East Sussex
I have been reading posts about how Layla's biting and barking is normal, however the worst thing for me is that she doesn't do the same to my partner. I can't work out why, as we do feeding walking, wake up/bed time routines etc equally. The only thing I do more of is training. Its making my puppy blues feel even worse - I feel very alone as we are not in the same boat together... Feels like I am doing something "wrong".
 
kateincornwall

kateincornwall

Location
Cornwall , UK
Oh the dreaded crocapup stage ! I think most Lab pups go through this , mine certainly did :facepalm: You arent to blame and not doing anything wrong at all . They do tend to do this more out of excitement , with the person who is closest to them , the ones who do more with them . Unfortunately it is normal but it does get better, keep the faith :nod: I remember looking at my legs and thinking it looked like I had been walking through thick brambles , it isnt aggression , it is just what some of them do, it will stop, honestly x
 
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MellowYellow

MellowYellow

What Kate said... We have all been there, labrador puppies are terrible little biters! But the good news is the worst is usually over by around 16 weeks, so not much longer to go now. As I remember, once they lose their needle-sharp puppy teeth, the terrible biting largely stops. Hang in there!
 
SwampDonkey

SwampDonkey

You aren't doing anything wrong, if she's biting you it's because she's little and she trusts you and spends most time with you. She maybe over tired and so over excited, do you make sure she get naps regularly? Sometimes if they need a rest they can be very nippy. Always have a toy to divert the teeth it's hard but its normal some are worst than others but it really does pass. You are tired too I should imagine pups are hard work it will get better. It's how they treat their brothers and sisters they have to learn and it's not ok with humans. Move away if they nip, redirect with a toy or some other game. Don't squeal wave a finger say no or get annoyed. Squeaking gets them more excited a finger is a moving target and no's pointless because they didn't not understand it. I'm on my fourth now and one the third was a bitey devil. They are just testing everything with their teeth not being mean it will be ok.
 
Atemas

Atemas

UK Tour Guide
Location
North Cambridgeshire
SuzyM said:
The only thing I do more of is training. Its making my puppy blues feel even worse - I feel very alone as we are not in the same boat together... Feels like I am doing something "wrong".
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You are doing nothing wrong. Hard as it may seem at the moment, you will reap the rewards of the training you are doing. I found the early part of puppy life very very hard but it did pass and we are having the best time. This forum is hugely supportive and whatever you are feeling, many of us have been there so post as often as you want to
 
Stacia

Stacia

Location
Malvern Worcestershire
I hadn't seen this post when I wrote the one welcoming you. It can be hell at times, but it isn't personal, they get overtired sometimes and then they are worse. Biting is how pups communicate like babies do with their mouths. I found the first 6 months their worst (not the nipping that goes fairly quickly) but that they always want to play in the evening when you just want to sit down and relax! Every difficult time at this age is worth the pleasure she will give you in the years to come x
 
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SuzyM

SuzyM

Location
East Sussex
kateincornwall said:
Oh the dreaded crocopup stage ! I think most Lab pups go through this , mine certainly did :facepalm: You arent to blame and not doing anything wrong at all . They do tend to do this more out of excitement , with the person who is closest to them , the ones who do more with them . Unfortunately it is normal but it does get better, keep the faith :nod: I remember looking at my legs and thinking it looked like I had been walking through thick brambles , it isnt aggression , it is just what some of them do, it will stop, honestly x
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Thank you. That is very reassuring!
 
Candy

Candy

Biscuit Tin Guardian
Location
West Yorkshire, UK
Just to add to what everyone else has said, my sweet little Joy drew blood from me on a daily basis! I was the only one wearing gardening gloves at puppy classes! However she has grown to be totally my dog. As long as she's with me, she's absolutely fine and really well behaved. I have also recently left her with a dog sitter for two weeks who has said that she has never before looked after such a polite and lovely dog. So although the puppy stage was really hard and I despaired at times, in the great scheme of things it didn't last that long. By the time she was just 15 months I took her on a train journey from Yorkshire to Norfolk with no problem and now we do just about everything together and she is my dearest and best companion. I look back at those puppy days and difficult as they were at the time, they fade into insignificance next to the sweet girl lying at my feet now, who loves me unconditionally (reciprocated) and who I can take anywhere. Just hang on in there and the rewards will easily make up for all the rest!
Pee Ess (as our dogs say) please continue to come here for advice, reassurance, letting off steam, ranting, whatever you need to do......we've all been there!xxx
 
Lab_adore

Lab_adore

Moderator
Staff member
Location
Sydney, Australia
Oh maaaan, the crocopup! Master destroyer of flesh, furniture, plants and whatever else those teeth can find. We nearly took Maxx back to the breeder as we thought we were doing something terribly wrong but just in time I found this fantastic bunch of people - now friends. Maxx will never be a calm, sedate dog but considering how far he has come in almost 5 years shows what patience and rewards can do.

We are all hear to listen so vent away!
 
SuzyM

SuzyM

Location
East Sussex
Candy said:
Just to add to what everyone else has said, my sweet little Joy drew blood from me on a daily basis! I was the only one wearing gardening gloves at puppy classes! However she has grown to be totally my dog. As long as she's with me, she's absolutely fine and really well behaved. I have also recently left her with a dog sitter for two weeks who has said that she has never before looked after such a polite and lovely dog. So although the puppy stage was really hard and I despaired at times, in the great scheme of things it didn't last that long. By the time she was just 15 months I took her on a train journey from Yorkshire to Norfolk with no problem and now we do just about everything together and she is my dearest and best companion. I look back at those puppy days and difficult as they were at the time, they fade into insignificance next to the sweet girl lying at my feet now, who loves me unconditionally (reciprocated) and who I can take anywhere. Just hang on in there and the rewards will easily make up for all the rest!
Pee Ess (as our dogs say) please continue to come here for advice, reassurance, letting off steam, ranting, whatever you need to do......we've all been there!xxx
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Thank you. All these replies have given me the confidence and hope that I AM doing ok with her, and that an amazing dog will come out the other end!
 
SuzyM

SuzyM

Location
East Sussex
Lab_adore said:
Oh maaaan, the crocopup! Master destroyer of flesh, furniture, plants and whatever else those teeth can find. We nearly took Maxx back to the breeder as we thought we were doing something terribly wrong but just in time I found this fantastic bunch of people - now friends. Maxx will never be a calm, sedate dog but considering how far he has come in almost 5 years shows what patience and rewards can do.

We are all hear to listen so vent away!
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I have had a couple of the "I can't do this" moments but luckily the next day is always a better day. This forum has literally saved me from. dispair. Thank you to the lovely lady I met on a walk yesterday who recommended the forum!
 
Mrs UB

Mrs UB

Moderator
Staff member
What everyone else says, but I just wanted to add that out of me and @UncleBob it was always me that was the one that Harvey bit. We brought it up with our dog trainer at the time, she said “oh, you’re the squeaky toy”. It seems they can just pick one person and that’s it. It’s nothing that you or your partner are doing or not doing. Harv is the best dog now, he loves everyone and never, ever bites (or even nibbles).
 
SuzyM

SuzyM

Location
East Sussex
SwampDonkey said:
There's lots of things which you will learn as you raise your pup, stuff that no one really mentions. They are not tiny and bitey for long. Just enjoy your tiny girl as much as you can and try to relax and not be too hard on yourself.
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I guess the big shock was that my previous lab Ruby didn't even bark until 6 months old, and never at me! Similar with biting - my injuries were only if she misjudged biting a toy.....
 
Jacqui-S

Jacqui-S

Moderator
Location
Fife, Scotland
We have often reflected on why labradors have such a reputations as good family dogs when they are often a challenge at the crocapup stage, are always the troublemakers at puppy classes, have a reputation as teenage hooligans, and a sad proportion are rehomed between 6 and 18months.
But.......They are the best, and settle down tobe the most wonderful faithful clever companions with true character.
Our mantra here is "this too shall pass".
:inlove:
 
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