I'm very close to rehoming our puppy. :(

Caroline_a

I have never had a puppy before

Here's the root of your problems. Everybody thinks that getting a pup will be all fun and games, sweetness and light... that's like saying when you have a baby it will be all picnics and bedtime stories! You are now going through what I called with mine that ASBO stage. I did over 8 months of formalised training with my Shepherd and then carried it on at home, so it is, like bringing up children, damn hard work!

However... when your dog gets to be about 2 you will start to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know it seems a long way away, but it will be worth it. Again, like children, you get back what you put in.

MurphytheLabrador

Thanks for your replies.

Don't think you are being mean at all. I know I'm probably not coming across too well, I really do not want to have to be someone who has to rehome their dog at such a young age too. It wouldn't usually cross my mind, but we have tried several training methods with him and the biting is not improving, that's my problem more than anything.

But, we did take him on and he is ours, so we will arrange to take him along ASAP and hopefully get some kind of results.

Caroline_a

Can I second this

The training classes are to train YOU, not him!

If you watch any of the dog training programmes on tv, whoever it may be and whether you agree with their methods or not, it is all about changing the way that the owner handles the dog and their attitudes to the dog.

MurphytheLabrador

That probably is our problem! I knew it would be hard, but I was clearly not aware of just how hard it would be. I do feel that we have tired our best, kids included, but hopefully training classes will get us on the right track,

Rochelle

MurphytheLabrador

Thank you.

I feel bad if we have been doing something wrong, I really thought that we were doing okay with him to be honest. Fingers crossed for the training classes!

Rochelle

Person_one

MurphytheLabrador wrote: »

Thank you.

I feel bad if we have been doing something wrong, I really thought that we were doing okay with him to be honest. Fingers crossed for the training classes!

Rochelle

Don't feel guilty, nobody knows how to get it exactly right with their first puppy!

The important thing is that you're acknowledging that you haven't got it quite right, you're asking for help and you aren't taking the easy way out.

Wellyboots6

Training classes are definitely worth it!

I have had Tyson, a rescue GSD for just over a year now, and when I look back at my posts on here he has been a right pain in the bum! He has also made HUGE improvements.

He has just stopped one of the training classes I take him to, so now only attends 2 classes a week instead of 3.

They have been well worth going to, to socialise him with other dogs and to help point out to me when I am developing bad habits with his training.

His recall is still awful, although we are now up to about 20% success rate with recall! The classes have helped with this as all the other dogs provide such a distraction that if he can do a successful recall there then he must know what I want him to do!

I know this is a different situation to yours as he is an adult dog and so arrived with a whole bag full of issues.

I do not think he was taught not to mouth as a puppy however, and so still goes through phases of it now. I have to go right back to basics training when he does this just to remind him.

3 classes a week may be a bit overkill, but it really has helped keep me sane. Mainly because I can go and talk things through with people and hear that they are struggling too, keeps me sane!

Oh, and just so you know, training is for life They do have a knack for forgetting their training when it suits them!

~Chameleon~

Person_one wrote: »

Don't feel guilty, nobody knows how to get it exactly right with their first puppy!

The important thing is that you're acknowledging that you haven't got it quite right, you're asking for help and you aren't taking the easy way out.

I echo this, and is why it's so important to attend training classes run by an approved trainer, especially when it's your first pup. None of us are born experts but we learn and are trained by others.

When we have babies we (mostly) attend pre-natal and ante-natal classes with input from both midwives and health visitors, amongst others. We're not expected to become perfect parents overnight and it's no different in learning how to train a puppy and develop them into a well-rounded family pet

kj*daisy

Some labs are significantly more wilful and naughty than others and need much firmer training than others, sounds like u might have one like that. They are very clever dogs so need a lot of mental stimulation. The training is worth trying but I would get him neutered too. They do eventually grow up into lovely dogs, we have had a lot of labs in the family but I would never now get a pup as I know how difficult some of them can be. Best of luck with him.

zaksmum

When I first got my Labrador/Whippet cross he was a nightmare. I didn't know what hit me. My old dog had passed away at nearly 13 so I was used to a sedate old dog, sleeping most of the day.

The puppy wore me out. Chewed the house to bits, weed everywhere, dug holes so big in my lawn they looked like bomb craters, shredded the mail, ate the car seatbelts, even discovered the wires under the car seat leading to the airbag and scoffed them too.

He took some training, I can tell you.

Now he's 4 and the most calm, laid back dog you could hope to meet.

OP, if you persevere, you'll be rewarded by a good family dog in just a few more months. It'll all be worth it in the end.