5 month old puppy won't listen - keeps biting and jumping on us! Help!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bett]

too young for jogging.
needs training and a class.
consistent training, from everyone in the house.
do you have a crate and use it , appropriately?
i'm not a believer of swatting and i'd bet that pee was fear.you don't want him afraid of you.
and i also don't believe dogs do stuff out of spite.
that's left for us humans.

[i2Bwitchy]

Thank you so much everyone for the advice! I had no idea that running with a puppy would be bad for their joints - I'll let my husband know! I think we do need to invest in some obedience classes for him, cause he simply just doesn't listen. He's very stubborn lol. Thanks everyone!

[CaesarsMom]

To be frank & I am not trying to be mean.From what I read your dog does not respect you and he listens to husband ( in your words) out of fear not respect.At this point he is taking on the alpha role because there is none. I agree with all the above have said & would add just because he does a trick/command sometimes does not mean he understands it yet.Please do go to obedience class so you can enjoy your puppy & keep in mind classes are more to teach you then the pup.He wont come out perfectly trained but you will know how to train him with a jumpstart

[dweck]

Be very clear with your commands. As has been cited above, NO is waaaaay too general, especially for a pup. If you're using DOWN as in "go lie down over there" and also DOWN as "get your paws off my shoulders," that's a mixed message.

Use DOWN as to lie down.

And OFF as to get you 4 paws back on the floor.

And the PRAISE using the same words. Good off! Good down!

As for biting, the secret there is to re-direct. So train him that although it's bad to BITE you, it's okay to KISS you. And that's done also by correcting the bad behavior: NO BITING! And praising the good behavior: Good kiss!

Also in the area of re-directing biting: Train him that although it's bad to bite SKIN, it's okay to bite TOYS! So take the behavior in another direction, and if he's chewing on your fingers, substitute a Kong or something and then praise-praise-praise.

Really, Labs are bred to WANT to please you. It's just a matter of finding the right triggers to get the behavior you want.

[dogmom]

Organized obedience classes.

A tired dog is a good dog, he needs much more exercise - not jogging.

Dogs are not spiteful, stubborn, etc. Those are human emotions and reactions. They simply react on a base level to YOUR emotions and reactions. He most likely urinated on the floor out of a fear response to being swatted.

When he is jumping on you, biting your hands and generally behaving poorly and you keep telling him no, down, stop, whatever you are saying to him translates to "blah,blah,blah,blah if the command is not consistent, it needs to be a command that has been taught (and practiced religiously) and given immediately at the time of the behavior. I never tell my dogs to stay if I don't expect them to do exactly that, STAY, in whatever position they were in at the time of the command and am ready to enforce the stay. Never give a command you can not or will not enforce.

More exercise, more exercise, more exercise.

Crates are a great tool, used correctly. No reason he should not be resting in the crate when you are not able to have your eye on him. He is still a baby and most likely can not be trusted simply loose in the house when there is not immediate supervision. It only takes a second for him to empty a trash can or steal something off the counter. Surgery to remove trash, a sock, a dish towel can cost many thousands of dollars and can cost even more, your dogs life.

More exercise and organized obedience.

Take a deep breath and remember, he will mature in another 3 or 4 years.

[Nopups4meyet]

Oh my. My BF is getting a puppy in a few weeks...I was excited...but this thread now has me scared to death. She won't be living at my house thankfully, but she'll be spending a lot of time there...enough that I'm now worried about her tearing my house up!

[Tanya]

Oh my. My BF is getting a puppy in a few weeks...I was excited...but this thread now has me scared to death. She won't be living at my house thankfully, but she'll be spending a lot of time there...enough that I'm now worried about her tearing my house up!

Lab puppies are ALOT of work and require plenty of training, attention, exercise, training, exercise, training...well you get the idea. THey are not all monsters but they are generally a handful. If you work with a reputable breeder that breeds for temperament and health the odds will be more on your side for a more pleasant experience. But puppies are a full time job!

Doing your research to find a good breeder is half the battle. One that proves their dogs and does all the clearances on both parents. One that makes temperament an important quality when deciding to breed. One that asks you a lot of questions (your boyfriend) about lifestyle and what they want in a dog so that they can make the right match.

Beyond that, getting a puppy at 8 weeks or more that has had a good base (socialization and time with litter mates to learn dog) is also helpful.

Then stuff like, crate training and getting into puppy kindergarden ASAP helps a great deal.

Great ready for house training (which means a lot of running outside with the puppy every few hours, lots of praise and reward, a crate, and being diligent about supervising the puppy)

Get ready for puppy teeth.

As the puppy gets older, get ready for DAILY exercise. Walks are not exercise, puppies need to run and play.

[Nopups4meyet]

Lab puppies are ALOT of work and require plenty of training, attention, exercise, training, exercise, training...well you get the idea. THey are not all monsters but they are generally a handful. If you work with a reputable breeder that breeds for temperament and health the odds will be more on your side for a more pleasant experience. But puppies are a full time job!.

As much as I adore puppies, that is exactly why I never have had one. I don't have enough time (I've had cats...but no pets at all now...and I am enjoying the freedom - I love to travel and am on the go a LOT!). My BF is the one that will be raising/training him, and he is definitely a dog person...but he hasn't had a puppy in 14 years...so it will be an experience for him as well, I'm sure.

Doing your research to find a good breeder is half the battle. One that proves their dogs and does all the clearances on both parents. One that makes temperament an important quality when deciding to breed. One that asks you a lot of questions (your boyfriend) about lifestyle and what they want in a dog so that they can make the right match..

He already found the pup - the breeder is actually less than a mile from my house, and we'll be going over to see the puppy again tonight - she is 19 days old today. We've met 2 dogs from the previous litter, a male and a female, and both dogs are absolutely adorable, sweet-tempered, and just a pleasure to be around. The mom is also a really sweet dog.

Beyond that, getting a puppy at 8 weeks or more that has had a good base (socialization and time with litter mates to learn dog) is also helpful.

Then stuff like, crate training and getting into puppy kindergarden ASAP helps a great deal.

Great ready for house training (which means a lot of running outside with the puppy every few hours, lots of praise and reward, a crate, and being diligent about supervising the puppy)

Get ready for puppy teeth.

As the puppy gets older, get ready for DAILY exercise. Walks are not exercise, puppies need to run and play.

I will have a crate at my house for those times when BF is there with her...I think it would be nuts to leave the pup home, overnight, at least not until she is much older - besides...I do want to spend time with her and I suppose I need to learn how to deal with her in my house! For what it's worth, I have never EVER been a "dog in the house" person. I have a thing about doggie smells...and pet hair (another reason I am "pet free" now)...I have always thought that one day, when I had a large place out in the country (wishful thinking!!) , I'd have a dog that would come and go into "pet-designated" areas of the house...but of course that has never come to fruition. But, I've been in enough houses now, that have dogs, that had NO pet odors, so I know it is possible...so I am really trying to think positively. :-) My BF is probably not as picky about "dog smells" as I am, so I may become an expert at giving dog baths - ha. Puppy kindergarten will not be an option...he would never spend money on that - I know him too well. But like I said...he's a dog person, and has had 5 puppies in his lifetime, so I'm sure he'll do okay. I guess I'm just worried about my ability to deal with a puppy on an ongoing basis...it will be interesting, to say the least!

[Tanya]

I will say it is important for the parents of the litter to have all their clerances - read the health section for sad posts from people with dogs that have elbow or hip displasia among other issues common in the lab breed. While temperment is VERY important it isn't the only important thing.

If you want the dog to listen to you - you will have to participate in the training. it is ok for the boyfriend to take lead and do most of the heavy lifting here - but if you don't take the time to establish a "working relationship" with the puppy they won't listen to you.

A dog generally has a very light "smell" but if you clean the house and the dog is healthy they shoudl not stink (or smell strong).

Labs don't need baths - it strips their coat of the oils that protects their skin - unles they rolled in somethign stinky. bathing a lab too often is bad for the health of their skin. I have an indoor dog (I liev in an apt) and he gets a bath maybe MAYBE once a year - sometimes not that often)

I don't see how he could ever leave her at his house alone overnight even when she is older, that's so sad. Hopefully you keep the crate at your place and have her there. Do note that if he isn't crating her at his place but crates her at your place (at night) that will become an issue.

Labs shed year round - so you'll need to vaccum often if hair bothers you. Twice a year the "change" coats and shed very very very badly.

I am VERY VERY sad to hear he likely won't spend money to train his dog. Having had 5 dogs does not make you master traininer. Plus, puppy kindergarden is about SOCIALISATION. A SAFE place for the puppy to play with other dogs, go to a new environents, practice training with controlled distractions, etc. Socialization is HUGELY important. However, until a puppy has had all their shots it can be dangerous to bring them anywhere as they can catch deadly dieses. They should no go to a dog park or area highly frequented by other dogs until at least a week after all their shots (usually after 12 weeks of age). But during that time they also need socialization in a safe way.

[Nopups4meyet]

I will say it is important for the parents of the litter to have all their clerances - read the health section for sad posts from people with dogs that have elbow or hip displasia among other issues common in the lab breed. While temperment is VERY important it isn't the only important thing.

If you want the dog to listen to you - you will have to participate in the training. it is ok for the boyfriend to take lead and do most of the heavy lifting here - but if you don't take the time to establish a "working relationship" with the puppy they won't listen to you.

A dog generally has a very light "smell" but if you clean the house and the dog is healthy they shoudl not stink (or smell strong).

Labs don't need baths - it strips their coat of the oils that protects their skin - unles they rolled in somethign stinky. bathing a lab too often is bad for the health of their skin. I have an indoor dog (I liev in an apt) and he gets a bath maybe MAYBE once a year - sometimes not that often)

Yes I understand about me participating in the training...but I'll only be with the dog so much...it won't be MY dog...but I do expect to spend enough time with her for us to "learn" each other. As far as the smell...his dogs frequently rolled in "something"...he lives in the boonies and they have a huge place, and woods, to run free. So yes...smell is OFTEN a problem - they are outdoors a LOT. If she comes to my house...she will be clean, or she'll have a bath. :-) Truly, I'd not be able to let my house start smelling like a dog...I wouldn't be happy, and I guess that is something that we'll have to discuss if it becomes an issue...but I don't think it will.

I don't see how he could ever leave her at his house alone overnight even when she is older, that's so sad. Hopefully you keep the crate at your place and have her there. Do note that if he isn't crating her at his place but crates her at your place (at night) that will become an issue.

Not sad at all. :-) If you have a life that requires you to be gone overnight, frequently, and you have provided a safe place for the dogs to stay (with someone to look in on them) then it's perfectly fine to leave them. I know many people that do this, and the dogs are happy, and well-adjusted. Not trying to be disagreeable...just noting that people can have a dog, and not be with them 24/7. (But I know they do require a lot of time...as I stated earlier - that is why I currently don't own a dog.) Yes, we both will have crates...definitely.

Labs shed year round - so you'll need to vaccum often if hair bothers you. Twice a year the "change" coats and shed very very very badly.

Ugh. Not looking forward to that!! Hopefully brushing will help?

I am VERY VERY sad to hear he likely won't spend money to train his dog. Having had 5 dogs does not make you master traininer. Plus, puppy kindergarden is about SOCIALISATION. A SAFE place for the puppy to play with other dogs, go to a new environents, practice training with controlled distractions, etc. Socialization is HUGELY important. However, until a puppy has had all their shots it can be dangerous to bring them anywhere as they can catch deadly dieses. They should no go to a dog park or area highly frequented by other dogs until at least a week after all their shots (usually after 12 weeks of age). But during that time they also need socialization in a safe way.

Well I'm not saying that he is a master trainer, LOL! But he is pretty good with dogs. I absolutely think the kindergarten thing would be excellent...but I know it's just not something he would do. :-( For what it's worth, he has a couple of friends with labs, and they are very well-behaved dogs. I'll have to ask them if they went to training classes.

Thanks very much for all your advice - it's greatly appreciated!