Scudsmum Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 Puppy preschools are held inside vet surgeries on clean floors. They are designed for puppies from 8 weeks onwards You can take him now if you like. You can start taking your dog out to proper obedience lessons in a grassed environment with other dogs after their 12 week vaccination. (many of us start showing our pups at that age too). That is good to know actually! I had been previously told he should be around other dogs until his 3rd shot at 16weeks. Cheers for that! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blacklabrador Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 Yep a few people do say that. There are a teeny 3% of puppies who aren't immune after the second injection which is why the 3rd injection exists. It's entirely possible that those 3% will never become immune at all, even after the 3rd injection. Certainly with human injections there is a small percentage of the population who won't gain immunity through vaccination. Some people don't bother with the 3rd injection at all. It's entirely your decision about when your pup is socialised but there are hundreds of indoors vet clinic based puppy schools operating and there are thousands of exhibitors who show their pups from 12 weeks onwards and outdoor obedience classes starting at 12 weeks. I doubt this would be happening if the risk was significant. What is significant is that a pup who isn't taken through these steps misses out on vital socialisation with other pups from the age of 8 weeks until 16 weeks. That's a very important period of social development that a puppy spends on it's own . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KitKat Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 I'd probably work on the giving him something else to chew on idea - eg say no, take your hand out of his mouth then give him a toy and tell him he is a good boy. Depending on what you want to do with him in the future you don't want to chase out all desire to hold stuff in his mouth - and doing so would stress him as Labs loooove to retrieve stuff...toys, socks, undies, you, etc ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainey Posted September 11, 2007 Author Share Posted September 11, 2007 (edited) Hehe, yes we've already learnt the retrieving part... he doesn't miss much if it falls on the floor the little bugger! ;) So anti-bitey training is going really well over the last couple of nights. The moment his gob opens up on a piece of skin or clothing I just shout a loud, gruff 'NO!' and then walk away from him and occupy myself elsewhere (instead of just turning around and standing still). This seems to work really well as all attention has gone from him. I have not been bitten since the day I created this thread. He's been getting lots of rewards for sitting still and letting me stroke his head, jowls, shoulders and front legs and he seems to understand this. I've also been trying some of the domination techniques to establish my position as head of the pack (thanks Blossom for the detailed advice here) by towering over Scud, holding eye contact, and rolling him onto his back and gently holding him there while I rub his tummy. This thread has been very valuable so far and I appreciate all the comments. Just to back up scudsmum from the comment by BlackLabrador, yes we expect this behavior for some time and are completely aware that Labrador's require a huge amount of dedication and time to shape them into a well behaved companion. This is what we were looking forward to. The purpose of this thread was to learn some of the most effective techniques to curb biting behavior, things that have proven to work by others, we are not particularly concerned that he is biting as he is just a puppy afterall, we just want to get on top of the situation from day naught. Edited September 11, 2007 by Rainey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KitKat Posted September 11, 2007 Share Posted September 11, 2007 I'm not sure that BL was targetting you with that info....but it's good for people to read. And a lot of people do read these threads without ever becoming a member of DOL - and it's great info for them to come across. I've spoken to oodles of people about dog choices...and so many of them say Lab - until i tell them about Labs ;) (I grew up with them). And usually the response is "but they are supposed to be well behaved easy dogs" - i usually reply that they can be...with effort from the owners I love labs...and they are seriously wonderful dogs...but there is a reason why i have GSD's now Perceptions of dogs are amazing...eg Greyhounds must have lots of excersise - not so true, Labs are guide dogs so they must all be calm and well behaved - also not so true I'm glad that you went into the purchase of a Lab with your eyes open and knowledge of what you are in for (so many don't - lets face it...Lab pups are amongst the cutest in the world!)...and looking forward to it as well - bodes well for your future happy doggy fun filled life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainey Posted September 11, 2007 Author Share Posted September 11, 2007 Absolutely agree KitKat, and nothing can be more rewarding than seeing your Lab following your commands and listening to your every word. I know Scud understands, I can almost hear his little brain ticking over when he's watching me. He's going to get into a fair bit of mischief when he's bigger but I am really proud of his progress so far. Something in particular that has impressed me is his ability to distinguish his own toys from the household items now, I know this may not stick, but at the moment he will go and get his ball or chew toys and is almost completely ignoring other 'tempters' laying around the house. As far as I am concerned, he is our child and we are willing to put in every minute we can to giving him the best puppy education possible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 About treats between meals- deduct these from the overall amount of food you give. Labs love their food, but a fat lab might be happy, but not healthy . Especially as a pup, being overweight sets them up for bone problems and ill health. Plus, it's easier to avoid in the first place, rather than get them to lose weight ;) . It's not too early to teach "sit". Lots of vids on YouTube for this kind of thing, though, I'd only use it for the basics. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blacklabrador Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 I'm not sure that BL was targetting you with that info....but it's good for people to read. Thanks Kitkat. No I wasn't targetting anyone in particular. Just looked like a good opportunity to say what I wanted to say ;). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riley'n'Mia Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 "I love labs...and they are seriously wonderful dogs...but there is a reason why i have GSD's now ;) " Have been reading this topic with much interest as I have the same problem with my 11 week old GS puppy, he's totally adorable but it's got to the point where I am too scared to wear no shoes anywhere near him as he's going to take off a toe soon With reference to KitKat's above comment how did you stop your GSD's doing this or didn't they ? I have tried all the things Rainey has tried, growling, yelping, ignorning, sin bin, giving him a toy instead, holding his mouth closed, pulling him away by the scruff of his neck (although I don't like doing this but on occasion will in desperation) and he just seems to get more excited when I growl or yell, brings the toy over to my feet then drops it and attacks my feet again, if I sin bin him as soon as I let him out within ten mins it's on again and if I ignore him he just keep persisting on chasing me and attacking my feet, if I stand perfectly still he then either continues to attack my stationary feet or humps my leg !!!!!!!!! He started puppy school last week and they told me to continue with all of the above any other suggestions anyone ???????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KitKat Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 (edited) My GSD's want my attention above all else - what i did with the biting was if they bit me or my clothes i would immediately stop what i was doing - eg playing with them/paying them attention. I'd then get something appropriate for them to chew on and give them that ...if they took it lots of praise - if they went to bite me again i would ignore them for a smidge then offer the toy - again lots of praise if they took it and then we would play again. My older boy Bronx was more receptive to it...Sabre would wait for his chance and nip my butt Unfortunately i couldn't help but laugh which encouraged the behaviour But i got him out of doing that to me...now it's a matter of him not doing it to my OH and others ;) Sabre is much more play focused then Bronx is...Bronx is food focused instead ETA - all dogs are different...but the trick is being consistant...firm but fair and all that With him getting more excited...then stand up and ignore him - no eye contact, no noise no nothing...or get up and walk away which ever is easier for you - take away from him what he is after - your attention. GSD's are more people orientated then many think they are...but removingtheir persons attention because of the dogs actions is a very effective 'punishment' for them - and they learn quickly. Unless you have a dog like my Sabre who then chucks a tantie - mind you i ignore those as well Edited September 12, 2007 by KitKat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rainey Posted September 12, 2007 Author Share Posted September 12, 2007 BlackLab - No probs, you did provide some good advice for others reading the thread. ;) Riley, have you tried (as scary as the thought may be) the technique of grabbing the tongue and bottom jaw until pup starts to spit you out? Scud hated this but sometimes it made him bite more... Others have suggested that this worked for their pup though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KitKat Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 No one training technique will work for every single dog...much depends on why your pup is biting, what they get out of it, and what they have gotten out of it in the past. Find what works for you and the pup and be consistant ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riley'n'Mia Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 BlackLab - No probs, you did provide some good advice for others reading the thread. ;)Riley, have you tried (as scary as the thought may be) the technique of grabbing the tongue and bottom jaw until pup starts to spit you out? Scud hated this but sometimes it made him bite more... Others have suggested that this worked for their pup though. No Rainey I have not but will give that a go as well one more thing I have read somewhere that I haven't tried is spraying him with a water spray maybe that would work although he loves water ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riley'n'Mia Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 My GSD's want my attention above all else - what i did with the biting was if they bit me or my clothes i would immediately stop what i was doing - eg playing with them/paying them attention. I'd then get something appropriate for them to chew on and give them that ...if they took it lots of praise - if they went to bite me again i would ignore them for a smidge then offer the toy - again lots of praise if they took it and then we would play again.My older boy Bronx was more receptive to it...Sabre would wait for his chance and nip my butt Unfortunately i couldn't help but laugh which encouraged the behaviour But i got him out of doing that to me...now it's a matter of him not doing it to my OH and others ;) Sabre is much more play focused then Bronx is...Bronx is food focused instead ETA - all dogs are different...but the trick is being consistant...firm but fair and all that With him getting more excited...then stand up and ignore him - no eye contact, no noise no nothing...or get up and walk away which ever is easier for you - take away from him what he is after - your attention. GSD's are more people orientated then many think they are...but removingtheir persons attention because of the dogs actions is a very effective 'punishment' for them - and they learn quickly. Unless you have a dog like my Sabre who then chucks a tantie - mind you i ignore those as well Thanks KitKat I will keep being consistent and I am sure he'll come around sooner or LATER he is an attention seeking showoff so I believe your theory of doing it for attention is spot on. He does get ALOT of attention but clearly all 24 hours of the day should be dedicated to him in his mind. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KitKat Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 By the sounds of it...he's been demanding 24/7 attention...and perhaps getting it? At least during waking hours? remember any attention is still attention in his mind - good or bad. The only problem with things like water spray etc...is that you have to have it with you - toys can even be a scrap of something, whatever - however your 'attention' is with you always...and can be taken off of the dog easily no matter where you are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riley'n'Mia Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 By the sounds of it...he's been demanding 24/7 attention...and perhaps getting it? At least during waking hours? remember any attention is still attention in his mind - good or bad.The only problem with things like water spray etc...is that you have to have it with you - toys can even be a scrap of something, whatever - however your 'attention' is with you always...and can be taken off of the dog easily no matter where you are. If you include the times myself and OH are telling Riley to stop biting, chewing etctera then yes he does get attention almost all of the waking hours were home and when we aren't he is baby sat by 5 year old female lab who lets him jump all over her and bite her everywhere so that fact she doesn't get cranky at him prob doesn't help he doesn't seem to know when enough is enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GbDb Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 (edited) .... Edited September 25, 2008 by nume Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KitKat Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Looking at your avatar, do you know why Lab puppies are so unbelievably cute?Answer: if they were not, most of them would never survive puppyhood. But you know that already. Best of luck! The same could be said of GSD pups My Sabre came very close to being a nice bathmat a few times Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scudsmum Posted September 12, 2007 Share Posted September 12, 2007 Looking at your avatar, do you know why Lab puppies are so unbelievably cute?Answer: if they were not, most of them would never survive puppyhood. But you know that already. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Archie&C Posted September 13, 2007 Share Posted September 13, 2007 Hi everyone It has been great reading along with this thread... i am having some biting issues with Archie too and have been taking notes on all the techniques to try. When Archie is full of energy he is at his worse with biting - we can tell how tired he is by how hard he's biting - but because he is so little our main problem is with him latching onto the bottom of our pants and feet and not letting go. He has just started growling and tugging when he's got hold of something... attacking (in a playful way) rather than just chewing. We've been trying the gruff NO's, holding his muzzleand the spray bottle and they doesn't seem to faze him. Distracting him with a toy has been best so far but doesn't last too long. We try ignoring him but he keeps tugging and it's a bit difficult to walk away with him attached to our legs - although i have tried this! It doesn't seem to be about the attention - more so a game. I have been using the bitter bite as a bit of a deterrent but i don't think it lasts too long. I know the techniques discussed would possibly work for all dogs, but any specific ones for the little ones? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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