[zeek]

My absolutely beautiful yellow lab puppy is 5 months old. I love him to death but he is driving me crazy. I know it will take a great deal of time and patience and EXERCISE but its wearing thin these days! I can't even let him into the family room yet becasue he just grabs everything insight and trys to eat it. He jumps on the kitchen counters and table and grabs food. He has me in literal tears most mornings by 9am. I read all the tips anywhere I can find them . But more is always appreciated and just some encouragement to get me through this stage (how much longer?) Thanks!

 

[MidwestGirl]

3-4yrs...good luck!!

 

[Samson]

No advice except to say that with patience and a little bit of guidance from you that pup will develope into the sweetest most clever little pup in the world. It's all about patience and learning how to cope with them ! They will teach you never to leave food on the counter, to leave the rubbish bin out of reach, to hide the TV controls and anything else that will fit in a Labs mouth.

More important that any of that rubbish they will teach you the meaning of true love ! Don't comtemplate giving up now will you ?

 

[PhoebeJeebies]

Yeah it's definitely a hard age but it will get better. Do you have him enrolled in a training class? That will probably help as well...with keeping his mind active and also with learning commands so you can teach him to get off the counter and not to pick everything up.

 

[Bob Pr.]

Keep all food and interesting trash out of reach, under lock and key if needed. The rewards will more than make up for it.

 

[vickig]

Keep it up, they're so worth it. Ditto to what the others said. I assume you're working on the "grabbing everthing in sight". Taking things which aren't his and giving him one of his toys, etc. Lots of training, in little bits, exercise, as you said. Time in his crate if you can't be with him at every moment. You'll be so happy with him when he grows up. (my "little guy" is still a bit of a pup at 20 months, but very well behaved inside).

 

[Belles mom]

... to hide the TV controls and anything else that will fit in a Labs mouth.

More important that any of that rubbish they will teach you the meaning of true love ! Don't comtemplate giving up now will you ?

More than one remote control has bite the big one at my house!

Hang in there eventually it will get better. Remember, labs were bred to have things in their mouths, they are just living up to their heritage!

 

[nellies mom]

Have you started any kind of obedience classes? That is very important in training you in how to deal with your pup. LOL. I rescued my Nellie when she was about 8-10 months. She was crated whenever I went out because she ate half my house. I crated her until she was 2 then baby gated her in the kitchen for another 6 months. she now has run of the house 24/7. If you can't watch your pup crate him or put a leash on him and attach it to your waist. And, exercise, exercise, exercise. A tired dog is a good dog.

Don't give up. They are well worth it. He will be the love of your life but give it about 2 years. LOL And have a sense of humor.

 

[sandyriver]

A training class would be good because then they can teach you how to handle your exhuberant pup and also will find some classmates to co-miserate with. They do get better but not without training.....this is where the hard work comes in and patience...patience... more patience.

Don't give up it will get better. A trained lab is such a joy to be around and you build a great bond together....just takes some time getting there.

However, if after putting in all the effort or deciding that it requires too much than what you can give then there is no shame in finding a new home for the pup if you decide in the end that a lab was not the breed for you....this would only be a last resort.

What your going through is normal....just need to find some structure and routine for the pup. Crate train, exercise, training, to keep the pup out of trouble yet stimulated. Labs are like toddlers when they are young and require a lot of supervision and energy.

 

[cinderbay]

sounds to me like your pup lacks structure and consistency as well as just basic house manners. you need to get to a puppy class ASAP. Pick up Puppy Raising & Training Diary for Dummies.
TRAIN TRAIN TRAIN. Be consistent. If you cannot have that pup in your sight as all times you need to crate it. Tether the pup to you with a leash so they cannot wonder off and get into trouble. Keep TONS of chewies for them so they know how to understand what is and is not acceptable to chew on.
Use lots of praise praise praise!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Mama3tikes]

No advise but please know that your not alone! I have a 4 month old who put's me in tears daily, that said I love him to bits and know that with (always) more training and time he (and I) will get better.

 

[dweck]

Keep a leash on the dog at all times. Be ready to correct bad behavior the SECOND it occurrs. Yes, you'll need eyes in the back of your head at this stage. Go by this general rule: If things are quiet for more than two-tenths of a second, you can correctly assume that Mr Pooch is in trouble.

Work on LEAVE IT. And OFF. A good SITSTAY/DOWNSTAY will be handy, too.

 

[Di]

This place is great for advice and encouragement. I was so glad to have found this site when I first got Sammi, it helped ALOT!!! Hang in there, Sammi is now 3 and the best friend and co-pilot a mom could ask for, I'm sure your pup will grow to be the same!

 

[amazongold]

Keep a leash on the dog at all times. Be ready to correct bad behavior the SECOND it occurrs. Yes, you'll need eyes in the back of your head at this stage. Go by this general rule: If things are quiet for more than two-tenths of a second, you can correctly assume that Mr Pooch is in trouble.

Work on LEAVE IT. And OFF. A good SITSTAY/DOWNSTAY will be handy, too.

Ditto. Trade one of his toys for whatever it is he's swiped. Sounds like teething time, so try wetting some face cloths (washcloths), tying them in knots, and freezing. Give him one to chew on to soothe his gums and help get the teeth out.

 

[mitziandjudysmom]

You already got some great advice. I just finished a similar conversation with a friend whose 5 month golden retriever is driving her up the wall. You must remember that at first, they have no way of knowing what is off limits. Until they are corrected (and remember) that the remote is not the same as their toy, they will chew it. In time he will learn all the house rules. I always had to remind myself that there is nothing in my house or yard that is more important to me than my dogs.

 

[myfavoritedog]

As others have said, what you are experiencing is normal. It will take work, and lots of it, and patience, but believe me, they are soooo worth it.

Barney was alot worse about counter sufring than Tal ever was, and I tethered him to me so I could correct him as soon as he did anything. More importantly, when he does behavior that you want, reward him! It won't take long for him to realize that good behavior brings rewards!

On the counter surfing, I made sure I was watching them, and if they even looked like they would counter surf, I walked in their direction and they would hop down. I rewarded them with treats and now it is a rare occasion when that happens.

On the chewing, always have a toy handy and keep a sharp eye out. As soon as he goes for something inappropriate to chew, give him the toy, or the frozen washcloth. You can also soak it in chicken broth and freeze it. Both of mine still love that to this day.

Training class is an excellent idea also. I am going to try and enroll Barney and me in one this year, as there were some health concerns with both dogs and my cat last year. Plus it is a good chance to socialize with other dogs.

Again, good luck! Hang in there and you will have a very loyal companion for many years.

 

[zoesmom]

great advice by all

I was ready to give Zoe away @ 4 months.
then we enrolled in puppy class, had one-on-one training at home (expensive, but worth it)

consistency, patience and repetition....3 important words.

toys...lots of toys, and teach him those are the ONLY things he can have w/o asking.

Food comes from you, not from the table or counters. He will learn this.
(see again, the 3 important words)

collar correct if necessary with the sound "ah ah!!! sit!" When he sits, hand him a treat (not the food on the counter) Again, food comes from YOU

it does get better. Some people opt to keep everything out of sight. Zoe was trained to leave anything that is not hers.

We have the trash can out, containers of treats on the counter, cookies, bread, fruits, on the counters;

remotes, glasses, magazines, etc on the coffee table. They go untouched.

the only things not within her reach are medicines and anything that may be toxic to dogs...just in case.

Good luck

 

[justine]

sounds to me like your pup lacks structure and consistency as well as just basic house manners. you need to get to a puppy class ASAP. Pick up Puppy Raising & Training Diary for Dummies.
TRAIN TRAIN TRAIN. Be consistent. If you cannot have that pup in your sight as all times you need to crate it. Tether the pup to you with a leash so they cannot wonder off and get into trouble. Keep TONS of chewies for them so they know how to understand what is and is not acceptable to chew on.
Use lots of praise praise praise!!!!!!!!!!!

+1000. I know it's hard.. been there, done that and it's sooo worth it when you can sit back and see how nicely trained your pup is!

A tired dog is a good dog. Make sure that your pup is getting LOTS of exercise. It will tire them out (at least a little! ) and make them not as bouncy!

 

[Wendy B.]

All good advice given just wanted to send you a good luck and hang in there

 

[BauersMom]

I have a 16 month old, and remember exactly what you are going through now. It is hard, but it gets better. We have learned the things that he really can't resist, and keep those out of reach (paper towels, toilet paper, socks). When he was 5 months old I couldn't imagine ever leaving him unsupervised, and now I don't really think about it very much. The kid's keep their bedroom doors shut (because there are always socks and paper laying around), and we keep the bathroom doors shut. Other than that, he is fine. If I drop a sock on the floor when folding laundry, is he going to take it and play keep away? Absolutely, but it isn't everything all day long anymore. I would say that in the months between 5 and 12, he really matured and a lot. 4 - 6 months was the worst, and then it just got better from there. Exercise, exercise, exercise and training, training, training! There were definitely trials in the beginning, but he is now my constant companion, my brown shadow, my heart dog.