Biting does not mean you have an aggressive puppy
Biting is a big problem for many new puppy owners. The power of a Labrador puppy’s bite can be a real shock if you have never had a puppy before.
The good news is that your puppy is perfectly normal, but the bad news is that he is going to keep on biting for a while. All small puppies bite. They bite hard. And it hurts. If your tiny eight week old bundle has not started biting – he will. Just as soon as he settles in and feels at home.
A puppy biting hard is always upsetting. Many Labrador puppies are a bit subdued for the first few days in their new home.
Once they have their feet under the table, the biting starts in earnest. I want to emphasize again that very hard puppy biting is totally normal You do not need to worry that your little pup is becoming savage.
Pain induced aggression occurs when a person attempts to touch a painful area or when injections are given.
Dog to human aggression occurs as the result of intimidation or physical intervention by people, your and old, adult and child.
Fear induced aggression occurs when when the dog senses that it is cornered or trapped and cannot escape. A fearful dog is often the victim of an owner uses severe punishment common. Active and unpredictable children may induce this type of aggression. Never allow small children to have unsupervised access to any dog no matter how passive the dog may appear. Children and adults should avoid interacting with dogs that are eating. They should never tease or hurt dogs. Keep your dog confined when unfamiliar children are present
Labradors are not usually an aggressive variety. However, there are several factors which may contribute to aggression in labradors. Personality and genetic disposition are not usually the main influences. The early life experience of pups in the first fear imprint period,… 8 – 16 weeks of age is the single biggest contributing factor. Aggression against the pup by family members or other household pets is highly influential to the way that a dog will respond throughout its life. The secondary influences include sex, age, size, hormonal variation during pregnancy and anxiety. Anxiety in pups must be placated with secure affection and positive discipline. Socialisation from 8 weeks of age is also critical for the healthy development.
– Territorial aggression is directed toward other animals and people outside of the pack. Dominant dogs will defend their pack area including a home, room or yard. Dogs will defend their master / owner and fellow pack member if they sense that they are weak or vulnerable. House and feed your dogs separately if they are fighting with each other. Remove contentious objects like bones and toys. Gender aggression particularly between adult males involves territorial and dominance disputes. Inter-female aggression occurs most frequently between adult females living in the same household. This will be apparent if one female is pregnant.
Spay or neuter your Lab prior to six months of age, the age at which most pups reach sexual maturity. Labs grow very quickly, and become large dogs by four months of age, according to Veterinary Partner. These pups grow into a 55- to 80-pound adult within the first year, an imposing and potentially dangerous size if your dog is aggressive. The sex hormones present in an intact male dog — a dog who hasnt been fixed — increase his aggressive tendencies and dominant behaviors.
Dogs who guard their food dish can snap at you or family members unexpectedly during feeding. Have other family members feed the puppy as well to get your dog used to being submissive to everyone in the home. Slip a treat into your pups bowl while he eats to also help discourage food aggression from developing.
Play with your Lab puppy using chew toys, not your fingers or hands. If your Lab nips your hand during play, loudly say “Ouch!” to startle your pup and immediately stop play and ignore him for 30 to 60 seconds, recommends the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Do this each time your dog nips or bites you until your dog learns that nipping leads to something unpleasant: an abrupt end to the fun and attention. Reward proper behavior that doesnt involve biting with a tasty treat and praise.
Take your Lab pup out for a brisk walk or jog on a leash and play engaging games like fetch and hide-the-toy with your little furball. Tug-of-war games are discouraged for any dog with any hint of aggressive tendencies. Labradors are a high-energy breed that needs lots of exercise to burn off their extra energy. They love to swim, which may work well if you have a pool — but dont forget a doggie life jacket for safety.
Spray a taste deterrent on your hands or ankles, depending on which body parts are the target of your Labrador pup. These sprays taste bitter and unpleasant to your dog, and when biting or nipping at you results in this yucky taste, it will deter him from nipping at you in the future. Continue to spray your limbs and clothing for two weeks until your pup ceases his attempts to nip or bite you.
How to Stop a Labrador Puppy’s Aggressive Behavior (5 Effective Steps You Can Try)
A growl here, a bite there, aggression everywhere! Is this what you have been experiencing in your home lately with your Lab? Your concern should not go unattended. Anyone who owns a lab knows best when to allow it to settle down or caution strongly against such behavior.
According to a recently published journal, different breeds have different aggression levels. However, Labrador retrievers are generally not aggressive. It is not in their natural temperament to be so. They are friendly, warm, and welcoming dogs who get attached to their owners. Yet some will bite and harm at times. Having established that this is unlike them, read on to find out why they can be aggressive. As cherry to the cake, you’ll find out the golden tips on how to deal with an aggressive one.