| If you're new to owning a Labrador retriever then you | | | | been known to growl or swat at the puppies when it |
| may be in for a shock. Labs were bred using their | | | | becomes too much -- this shows the puppy when |
| mouths for hunting and retrieving, so you may notice | | | | biting is okay and when to just knock it off. |
| some battle scars appear on your hands. | | | | There are 4 main reasons why any dog breed would |
| Don't get me wrong, I own a black lab and I love her | | | | bite and they are: |
| like crazy, but training and preventing your lab from | | | | - Playful |
| biting and mouthing is a hard, but important, challenge. | | | | - Fear biting |
| Do not think you are alone if your lab likes to bite or | | | | - Territorial |
| mouth you! This is a natural instinct for your lab - and | | | | - Aggressive |
| as his owner it's your job to show him that it is not | | | | Most puppies will not show aggressive behaviors at a |
| acceptable behavior. | | | | young age. Puppies usually bite out of play, teething, or |
| Biting and mouthing is common in young lab puppies. | | | | they just need something in their mouth. |
| They've used it as a form of play from the beginning | | | | Make sure to buy appropriate teething toys for your |
| with their brothers and sisters. Don't discourage this | | | | lab and train him when he is young that biting you is |
| behavior when they're with their littermates -- it's a | | | | unacceptable behavior. |
| healthy beginning for puppies. The mother dog has | | | | |