I've got a 14 week old chocolate labrador that I've had since he was 8 weeks old.  In most ways he's doing very well, sleeping through the night, sits by the garden door when he wants the toilet so accidents in the house are very rare and he's great in the park playing with other dogs and coming back to me when called.  He loves food so I can get him to do anything for a treat.  The problem is his biting and jumping up tugging at clothes.  I know he's only young and wants to play but it's very difficult when people come into the house and he immediately jumps up either pulling or ripping their clothes or bites their hands usually drawing blood.  At these times he won't listen to any of my commands because I haven't got any treats for him.  Should I give him treats in order to get him to listen?  I was concerned this would be like rewarding bad behaviour.  Everyone says it's because he's a playful puppy and he'll grow out of this behaviour but he's getting bigger and stronger every day and I'm concerned I'll have a large uncontrollable dog on our hands.  Any advice from experienced puppy owners would be greatfully received please.

I would put him in another room when visitors call put him on a lead and introduce him make him sit when he is good give him a treat as he improves make him sit before you open the door to visitors have some treats in a pot by the door and ask visitors to give him a treat when he sits and is well behaved. (easier said than done I know)!

All puppies go through this stage the jumping up at hands and holding onto clothes I always have a small toy on me to put in thier mouths so that they come to learn that it is ok to chew the toy and not me.

when he does hurt shout OW as his mother would yelp to let him know that is not acceptable.

He will soon learn

good luck

Roni

Thanks for the advice and reassurance.

As well as Starryeyes excellent advice, you may find it helpful to read HERE and also useful to print off a few copies for all family members as 100% consistency in reactions etc is essential to successful training :)

best wishes, Teri