Hi

I have a 13 week old puppy who just won't stop biting. Its not playfull all the time. She really grips my arm and pull and my arms are all cut and scared. I have tried shouting, making sqeeky noises, giving her toys instead. I take her for walks in the morning, afternoon and before bed. She sleeps for a few hours, has a mad moment (on me). I can't even stroke her because she goes for my arm. I love her to bits but the biting has to stop and I don't know what to do. :confused:

I have tried picking her up too, putting her in her room or cage for 10 minutes, then letting her out but instead she runs up and tries to bite. Please can someone give me some advice.

Young Labs, which I know best, and other puppies tend to very bad about
Biting. You see a litter of them, and all the ones that are awake are biting
Another one or themselves. I am not even sure they realize that when they are
Alone, if they quit biting, they would quit being bitten. At 3 to 4 months
They are getting their adult teeth, and it seems they spend every waking
Moment biting or chewing. One thing you can do at that stage is to knot and wet a piece of cloth. Then freeze it. The cooling will soothe the gums. Only let the puppy have it when you are there to watch it. I maintain a Lab's favorite chew toy is another
Lab. Otherwise they settle for any person they can. They keep hoping to find
One that won't yelp, jerk their hand away, and leave.

You just have to keep on correcting them, hundreds of times, not dozens.
Provide sturdy, safe toys such as Kongs and Nylabones. Avoid things they can
Chew pieces off and choke on them. Keep them away from electrical cords.
Crates are essential for most young Labs and other dogs.

The pet stores are full of toys that many dogs will quickly chew up into
Pieces they could choke on or cause intestinal blockages. If you are not
There to watch, stick to sturdy stuff such as Nylabones and Kongs. Keep a
Close eye on chew toys and quickly discard anything that is coming apart in
Pieces. Rawhide is especially bad because it swells after being swallowed.
I don't trust any of the consumable chews. The dogs just gnaw them down to a
Dangerous size too quickly. These problems are the worst with, but not
Limited to, large, aggressive chewers such as Labs.

Ropes from the pets' store quickly turn to hazardous shreds. Ones I made
Lasted much better. Go to a hardware or home center that sells rope by the
Foot. Buy 2' of 3/4" poly rope. Melt the ends, and tie knots in it. Get
Them as tight as possible, put it in a vise and pound it with a hammer. Watch
Carefully, and be ready to discard when it comes apart.

You may want to check the sticky starting at https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/dogs/information-articles-our-dogs-expert-labman-53153.html#post251802

In addition to the great advice labman has posted, you need to provide solid leadership and actively correct the biting. When the puppy bites you, yelp loudly, like a dog would or in a yelping voice say "Ouch", then turn away from the dog and ignore him. That is the way they learn from other pups and dogs that they are biting too hard. Eventually he will get to the point where his bite doesn't hurt or he is just mouthing on you. You still need to keep correcting him in this manner, as if he is hurting you, even if he isn't. That trains him that ANY biting is completely unacceptable behavior. As labman states, this will require hundreds of corrections. It will take time and patience on your part. You can also redirect his behavior after you have corrected him by giving him the cold cloth to satisfy the teething problems or the toys labman mentions. You are training him to bite on only the appropriate things -- his toys.

labman- I just wanted to say thank you for the awesome suggestion about the DIY rope. My Abram will destroy anything given to him in a matter of moments. He literally pops tennis balls, shreds those cheap pet store ropes, and squeaky toys were out of the question around 3 months. The entire edible super sized Nylabones are devoured within minutes whereas Brandy will still be working on her first knuckle by the time he's done. The only thing that can withstand his power jaws of steel are the mega sized kongs made for power chewers. My husband and I joke that we need to start giving him cinder blocks to play with. He gets bored pretty quick with it though since it's his only toy, so I will definitely try the hardware store rope idea.

Try the Souper Size Galileo Nylabones. I have yet to hear of a dog destroying one. I don't like any of the consumable chews. They gnaw down to choking size too quickly.

LOL labman. You are hearing about one now! My dog made mincemeat out of it when she was younger. Gave her a great case of diarrhea. Those nylabones are great for dogs that aren't really aggressive chewers. I created the hardware rope toy close to five years ago, and it has worked great with my fosters, but Ruby... well, let's just say the one I made for her lasted for a day! LOL.

That is why I sent you the recommendation a long time ago regarding Triple Crown's Everlasting Fun Ball. I was so excited to find something that she couldn't destroy and kept her busy for a while. I did have to replace it after a few months but it didn't come apart. The openings just had little tears in it so she was having an easy time getting the treats out. It is the toughest gel material I have ever seen. It collapses in on itself so the dog really gets a workout trying to get the treats out. Here is the link in case anyone is interested: Shop Triple Crown: Everlasting Fun Ball (http://www.triplecrowndogs.com/shop/product.htm?loc=231)
I can't say enough good things about it. I bought additional large ones and use them all the time.

The other thing I found is a fetch toy that is great for exercise. It is made by this company, Ruff Wear Dog Boots, Dog Coats, Dog Bowls, Dog Packs, Dog Toys, Dog Beds, and other Dog Gear For Dogs On The Go. (http://www.ruffwear.com/) If you look under products, then dog toys, the one I bought is called "The Lunker". That is the only fetch toy that she gets really excited over and has not destroyed. The material & stitching are top notch, and everything they make is made to last. We have had it for quite a while and she has yet to tear it in any way.

Are we talking about the same thing here? The Galileos are a tough, hard solid plastic. The Souper Size is about 3'' in diameter and 7 inches long.

YUP!! Maybe I should rephrase it to read, they are great for dogs that don't have the pitbull's jaw! She may have some genetic issues due to poor breeding but that jaw isn't one of them. After that incident, I just stuck to the Super tough kongs (until I found that Fun Ball). AND, I had to replace two of those kongs because they were falling apart! It is why I told you that I don't encourage playing tug with pitbulls and I don't encourage anyone to use the springpole exercise that a lot of these trainers do. There is no need to strengthen that jaw. I like agility training & fetch games to exercise them and tire them out. Now, she doesn't have the strength in her jaw that she had when she was younger because I didn't actively help her build up those muscles. The Fun Ball & Kongs, are all the jaw exercise she gets and needs In my opinion.

Hey thanks guys for all the awesome ideas for Abram the destroyer. I can't complain too much because he leaves everything alone that's not his. If he didn't though, he could certainly chew down my house, I'm fairly sure of this:D Brandy is a normal chewer, thankfully. Thanks again labman and Ruby!