Question:

Hi,     My friend has a 8 week black lab and it likes to chew on people’s fingers.  He was wondering if this is a temporary behavior pattern that he can grow out of or should he tell him to stop immediately everytime.  Any thoughts on this subject is very welcomed.  Thanks to all who share their experiences. Regards

Response:

>Hi, >My friend has a 8 week black lab and it likes to chew on people’s fingers.  He was >wondering if this is a temporary behavior pattern that he can grow out of or >should he tell him to stop immediately everytime.  Any thoughts on this subject >is very welcomed.  Thanks to all who share their experiences.

Hi there, I work with many owners who have adult  dogs whose mouthiness and "biting" is out of control because they allowed the puppy to nibble on their fingers as your friend is doing . It quickly becomes a habit, the nibbling gets harder, especially when the pup gets excited. It’s easy to prevent bad habits from forming with an impressionable 8 wk old pup. The biting should be stopped asap. But the pup needs to bite, so be sure your friend provides an alternative, such as toys and another doggy playmate. Gwen Perfect Paws, Inc.  Dog Behavior & Training Center  San Francisco URL:  http://www.perfectpaws.com "…and having created the dog, on the seventh day God rested."

Response:

Hi,    It’s best puppy not be encouraged to do this. Recommended reading:Mother Knows Best by Carol Benjamin(howell Book House).    It would be a good idea to contact vet about local puppy trainers.                                                           Bob Maida

Response:

In my experiences, I’ve found that finger chewing is a good way for puppies to bond with their people.  However, it can be painful, annoying, etc. — so it’s important to get the puppy used to the concept of "no" before engaging in a chewing session to establish that there are limits, and that you are in charge. Todd

Response: