I have just acquired an eight week old chocolate labrador, she is very playful as you can imagine but we are trying to find an effect way to stop her nipping and also with the toilet training.

If anyone could recommend some good puppy training classes in Hampshire as well that would be appreciated

http://www.apdt.co.uk/trainers_area.asp?area=Hampshire

Hi Thumper,
How I envy you.  You have just taken on a bundle of delight and tears.  I am sure that you will be a great parent to your pup.  Just remember that is just what she is, a pup.  Babies learn by touch with their hands, wikewise a pup learns with its mouth.  This is where the "NO" word is usually the first lesson.  As you have probably already found out, puppy teeth are like tiny needles.  So every time the puppy gets over boistrous and nips a bit too hard, a sharp "NO" command and stop all play with the pup.  All pups love to play and will soon learn that if she bites too hard the game stops. 
A basic rule for 'ALL' training is to praise when she is being good, and a NO command and ignore, when she does something wrong.

As for toilet training, the pup can't talk to tell you that it wants to go 'toilet', so you have to watch for the signs that she wants to go.  Good practice is to put the pup out in the garden after meals, and at hourly intervals in between.  (stay out there with her to give plenty of praise when she does her 'business').
If the pup makes a mistake and go's indoors, please don't scold her, or worse hit her.  Just pick her up and take her outside to show her where you want her to go.  By hitting the dog you could be creating more problems for yourself.  The dog could then accociate going to the toilet with a beating.  Far better to clean up the area fouled and say nothing.

Good luck, and remember, the love and kindness you spend now will be repaid with love and kindness for years to come.
:)   ;)
Harry C

Hi, there is a lady on here who runs a Scallywags near Wickham, perhaps she will be along, sorry can't remember her name. It is even more important for you to find a good training class that will take your girl early because she was hand reared and will have missed out on learning from her siblings and mother.

where abouts in hampshire are you?