We got our fantastic Chocolate boy 2 weeks ago, he is now 13/14 weeks old and we love him. He is very well behaved for the most part but does like to chew on peoples hands, I am trying to stop this by putting one of his toys in mouth when he starts, is this the way to go? Also he has only been safe to go out since thursday, and has been very tired and lazy since, I am not walking him very far and I suppose I am just being paranoid. He is bound to be tired with not being used to walks and all that fresh air?? He needs a shove to get him to move from one room to the next, suppose its all that growing he is doing. He seems to be of good temprement , over friendly if anything, thinks everyone is his friend and should be stroking him. He does jump up when out on the lead, not at us but at strangers he meets, something I would be gratefull on some advice for? He is good with kids and mostly fine with other dogs, if a little wary of large adults. He is also much to my liking, very good off the lead on the beach, never going more than about 20 feet from me. He is now almost totally house trained too. All In all we are so chuffed with the new member of the family and look forward to many happy years with him

He sounds lovely!
My dog, Ben, loved to play-bite.I instigated a game where I knew he would do this, and as soon as he bit my hand I yelled "ow!" and turned my back on him,ending the game for a few moments. Each time, the pressure from his teeth got less and less, and within about a half-hour play session he had given up biting. He needed a rare reminder but it hasn't really been a problem since.
Much as he still jumps (my 6'3" husband gets a lick on the nose from a standing start!) I found a good, solid sit is the best bet. It's difficult to jump when your bum's on the ground!
Good luck with him!
LynnT

HI Ruth

YOur dog does sound lovely, don't worry about the play biting, distracting is a good method because you are showing what he should be doing instead.

Some pups do respond very well to an "Ouch" but i have also discovered having had a pup recently myself that many also start to treat their owner as a squeaky toy!!! If this happens, then it is best to calmly leave the room for up to say, 2 minutes. Then calmly return and carry on as normal. We have had to do this many, many times but our girl did get the message.

I notice you say that your pup is very tired and that you have to move him from room to room - pups do sleep a lot and that is normal, and especiallyif he is being played with a lot and perhpas has started small walks. HOwever if you feel he is unusually tired have a chat with your vet.

As for jumping up, just turn away from him and avoid speaking, all contact, then when he has 4 feet on the ground, praise. Also try to make sure all family members and visitors do the same!!

Key to good puppy training is consistency and kindness, and also fun and games as they can be trainng too!! You sound as if you are really enjoying your chocolate boy, lots of luck.

The jumping up is obviously attention seeking so any attention he gets is reward for jumping. The answer is, as Lindsay say, only take notice of him when his feet are firmly planted on the ground. Puppies spend a very large part of their time sleeping, it goes round in cycles, play, eat, sleep, play, eat, sleep. This is normal and nothing to worry about. Keep the exercise to a minimum at the moment. The only real reason for going out at the moment is not for exercise, enough of that can be had playing in the garden, the real reason is to socialise your puppy! Allow him to see the things he will meet up with when older! People, cars, other animals, in fact, if it were only possible, everything! So he grows up knowing that these strange things which make funny noises are not to be frightened of. Try to plan your outings to take in different things, people one day, a trip to a busy road another, somewhere where he can see farm animals on yet another day.

No need to tell you that Labradors grow into big strong dogs! So don’t allow ANYTHING that you are going to have to train out later. Puppies really pull on the lead the first time out but as they get more confident they start to lead the way! Don’t allow it to happen! It’s easy to control a 14 week old puppy but a totally different kettle of fish controlling a 2 year old! The puppy who only goes a few feet away today will be bolder and more adventurous tomorrow! Be ready for it so when it happens you know just how to tackle it.

Most of all, have fun!

Regards, John :)

I always say to new puppy owners that what is funny when they are puppies is not so funny when they weigh about four/five stone ie jumping up etc..if you bear that in mind and the other good advice here you should do ok. good luck.

Welcome to the forum Ruth :-) Leigh

We have a chocy girl called Moose who is 14 weeks old as well ! The one advantage we have is two older Labs who are doing the training for us ! (well almost all!) She is a bundle of total joy and has brought life back to the house after having two old girls whose life revolved around sleeping and eating !! It is now none stop in our house with constant playing with the occasional snack and snooze !! She also likes a good chew but is starting to stop when she is told shortly and sharply 'NO'.The one thing I find so difficult though is how quickly they grow up ! She is almost too big to pick up now !! The vet did say what a big girl she was !!

What part of the country did you get your pup from?

We got chip from Garstang, Lancs. He is coming on great. Less chewing of hands. He is soooooo lazy though. He does like a play but likes snoozing by the fire more.

He sounds like a typical Lab.

We had to take my eldest girl Mars to the vets last night with a rather nasty lump on her backleg. She is in this morning having an operation to remove it. Stuart our vet has said she is in very good health has had all the blood tests and all seems well. You can't help but worry though. I have got to wait til 2.00pm this afternoon to ring............

Keep your chin up !! It'll soon be time to call and check on her. Amazing how much you worry isn't it - I don't think non pet owners realise just how attached we are to our furry creatures !!! :) Sara

When you have had them for so long they become part of the family! My daughter would be so upset if anything happened to her. She lost her 6 year old neice (from my ex husbands side) a couple of days ago from a severe eplilitic fit and so is very sad at the moment.It always happens at this time of the year.

Hi LJS, I hope you have had good news from the vets about Mars :D.
It sounds like the last week has not been too good for the family. The loss of your daughters neice is bound to have had an effect and is especially saddening at this time of year - anytime is hard but somehow around Christmas when it is time for family gatherings and children it somehow makes it feel worse.
I hope Mars recovers soon from her op. Sara

Thanks for that.

Mars has made an excellent recovery. She ended up having three lumps removed. She is like a spring chicken again !It ended up that Jo Inglis who is at our vets did the operation. In very good hands !

Hi, If we are talking Joe of the vet brothers I'd be like a spring chicken if he had laid his healing hands on me too :D
Glad all is well, Sara

Phwoah! Make that 3 of us ;)

Isn't he Emmas ex? As in Emma the vet. He's the Blue Peter vet as well.

Fiona

Yes he is ! I always say to my husband that I had better put some lipstick on before I take the girls ! He is a lot nicer in person than on the telly !!

Ah ha - good point I was picturing the right one but confusing him with the Leonard brothers. It is Emma's ex I was thinking of though - I always wanted a go on his hill board thing he designed except it's flat in Lincolnshire where I am so I wouldn't get much pace up ( Maybe safest that way mind !! ) :D

I am in Lincolnshire too ...depends where you are in Lincs as to the flatness ... I have 3 words for you ..steep hill Lincoln

:)

"Steep Hill Lincoln" - that's the one I've never managed to walk up :D
I'm near the Wash although the Wolds are not that far away. I'm only used to walking on the flat and when we go on holiday (very rare !) I really struggle with hills and find muscles that I never knew I had