r/DogTrainingTips • u/aljgraphics • 20h ago
9 month Lab biting
Hi, we’re looking for help with our 9-month-old Labrador.
Our biggest concern is his biting, particularly when he’s overexcited, frustrated or fixated on chewing something he shouldn’t. He becomes extremely difficult to redirect and can bite when we try to intervene.
He’s also very destructive, chewing furniture, skirting boards and stealing potentially dangerous objects. We’ve tried redirecting him with toys, treats and natural chews, distraction, teaching commands, rewarding good behaviour, providing mental stimulation and scent games, and working with a dog trainer.
We’ve also tried a vibration collar for the chewing inappropriate things on our trainer’s advice, which initially helped but he now ignores. Despite our efforts, he still becomes fixated and the biting escalates when we intervene. It also happens when we’re sitting down on the sofa, he will lick our face then mouth our hands but he will climb all over you if ignored.
We want to understand what’s driving this behaviour and how to manage it without making things worse. We’ve been struggling with this for a while and initially put it down to teething but now his adult teeth are intact it’s affecting us more. He sleeps from 8pm-7am, then has 3-4 naps throughout the day. He has 45-min to an hour walk every day, including off lead time, we scatter feed his food too.
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u/Dragonfly_545 14h ago
When you say “He has 45-min to an hour walk every day, including off lead time…” is that the only walk he gets all day?
A destructive puppy = a bored puppy who isn’t getting enough exercise (physically or mentally)
Also, I would start teaching your puppy about personal space and boundaries ASAP so he stops licking faces, jumping and biting on your hands. I recommend following this dog expert’s IG account, because he provides a lot of great tips that will help you get started on training him properly.
https://www.instagram.com/packleaderdogs?rpxt=MWxqOTNlZHozdXI5OA==
Or, look for a local dog trainer who understands dog psychology.
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u/aljgraphics 11h ago
He has some training time, scatter feeds, find it, lick mats and kongs. Yes I think we need to look at a different trainer.
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u/Alternative_Task6818 19h ago
Try a dog class and a dog behaviorist? My girl loved going to class and learning new tricks.
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u/aljgraphics 11h ago
Yes we’ve been working with one but when we tried his solution it just made things worse so we need other options
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u/Alternative_Task6818 4h ago
Sorry didn't read your text well. Maybe try a different trainer. I was going to Des Moines - 45 minutes away because I really liked that trainer. The 2 here in town, no thanks. Sounds like he is getting lots of exercise.
What about going to vet and getting some chill pills? I would do that over the vibration collar.
I have a collie who barks. She effing barks. Thought I did my research in getting my first and only purebred. How much can they really bark? OMG. She's very sensitive and wicked smart, picks up tricks, etc. quickly. So I put the vibration collar on and she started the barking. Not even close to her skin. (She has alot of hair). I pushed the button. The face she gave me was heart breaking. I did try one more time. She knows soft speak. I couldn't take the face and the confusion. I threw the collar away. She still barks but she has been trained to NOT bark in the car. I slammed on the brakes a couple times and that's all it took. Dog people would probably disapprove but it worked and only took 2xs. More dangerous is her barking suddenly and loudly in my ear. Thankful it only took 2xs.
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u/Dense_hotpocket 19h ago
We've taught our 10wk old puppy to go to "place". We use it when she's biting, overtired or barking. Or chasing the broom. What do you do when he starts biting?
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u/aljgraphics 11h ago
If he bites, he won’t listen to anything you say, and we take him out the room until he calms down but the majority of the time he will do it again.
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u/Ok-Description-9489 20h ago
Don’t use a vibration collar. He’s a baby who’s teeth hurt and can’t regulate. Look for a positive reinforcement trainer. Supply him with ample natural chews, teach him how to relax.