At my wits end!!!!!

[linda giorgi]

I am at my wits end. Morgan has turned so mean since she was spayed. We could be watching tv and playing with her and for no reason she will start to bite us hard. She squeezes my husband so hard it makes blood. We tell her no, put a toy she likes in her mouth and if she still bites we put her in the crate. First we have to catch her.It's not fun. She is 7 months old.I know she is trying to be the pack leader but there isn;t anything my husband I do that phases her. I do not know what happened to her. We still love her to death but this is unacceptable; Any suggestions before we call a trainer. There are times she is so sweet. She does sleep with us. Maybe we should stop this. 

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

You sort of answered your own question ... call a trainer.  Or at least get signed up for some classes.  You could also look into Doggie Dan the online dog trainer.  He is recommended here on DK.  He will teach you how to be the Pack Leader.  There are 5 easy steps that you need to follow.  His site is great.  Lots of videos and you can join for as long as you need to and then cancel your subscription.  It really isn't the spay but more the timing.  She is a teenager now and she is testing you.  When you chase her, she wins ... she thinks it is a game.  You have got to do some things to really exercise her.  Get rid of all that puppy energy.  The good news is if they aren't already, the puppy teeth should be just about gone.  Those are the ones that hurt so bad.  We have all been there.  Keep toys handy for her to chew.  Get some really good smelly treats that you use to entice her when you want her to come to you.  DON"T CHASE HER.  That is what she wants you to do ... it is fun (just like you said).    I think if you get some training (for both you and your husband as well as the puppy) you will see some major changes.  If you haven't joined the Puppy Madness Group here on DK, do that as well.  You will see lots of people who have felt just like you do right now.  It passes trust me ... Otherwise none of us would have two Doodles.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I think this is such great advice, and I'm also a fan of the Doggy Dan program.  She is at an age where she does need lots of exercise, training, and consistent expectations and follow-through.  She is challenging and you need to show her that you are the leader...not her.  Most of all do not let her "practice" this highly excited biting.  If you are letting her on the furniture with you, for now I would stop it.  As Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom said, don't chase her....track her down CALMLY.  Just follow her...walking not running until she stops and then take her collar and crate her.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Maybe have a leash on her so that you can stop her before you have to chase her.
Also, when Gracie used to get riled up and would not settle, I would stand up, and grab a hold of her collar so that I was standing the same direction she was. I would be standing beside her. My palm was facing up and fingers curled over the collar. I would stand there with my head down until her body relaxed. It was a tip that I was told here and it really worked.
I took her to training when she was about 7 months old too. It really helped because I would practice everything I learned all week long. It really works their brain.
Does Morgan get walked? Play fetch? They say a good dog is a tired dog. Depending on the dog, you just might have to have more tiring sessions!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

The underhand grab on the collar is a Doggie Dan suggested calming technique.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

That's good to know. I know someone here told me about the technique and it works.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

I don't think she is trying to be a pack leader, I think, she is still a  biting - Mouthing Puppy

Of course, at this age, even an experienced dog owner should be already in a training class   :) 

You will get through this and I think it is ' normal' but of course, not acceptable

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Hi Linda ~ Morgan is still very much a puppy and the first year can be a difficult time.  You did not mention formal training classes, so I am assuming she is 7 months old and no formal obedience.  I so agree with others in that training is imperative. Check for basic AKC obedience courses in your area and sign up for one asap.  They generally run 6 to 8 weeks long and the class is only one hour a week and then you work on that lesson every day for two 10 minutes sessions. You will be amazed what a different it will make.  It would be so great if you and your husband could attend, that way everyone is on the same page and Morgan will know what to expect. Puppies on a whole want to please their owners, but they need kind guidance to learn how to to act like a good puppy.  I am a firm believer that a dog is only as good as its trainer (that be you or me or ??) and in my opinion sleeping arrangements have nothing to do with it.  Good luck to you.  Morgan is a beautiful doodle.

[Jessica, Loki and Moose]

Moose was very mouthy and still sort of is, it's getting better. I think part of it is these dogs have parents that were breed to be retrieving dogs, both labs and poodles are breed to retrieve and therefore think everything should go in their mouths.A trainer had told me that some dog breeds, like retrieving breeds are typically more mouthy that other breeds which to me makes sense. When watching a friends Portuguese Water Dogs, it's almost like they say hi with their wide open mouths rather than sniffing. Not sure if others would agree with that but it seemed to make sense to me.  In addition to that she is probably still doing some of the puppy nipping/chewing. With Moose what seemed to work when he was really going crazy with the mouthing/chewing on people (around 6months) was keeping him tethered to me on a leash and as soon as his teeth even touched skin, whether it hurt or not, I yelped and took him into his crate. The tethering so that I was able to take him to his crate right away without chasing him. I'm pretty sure if I ever chased Moose it would make his day and completely defeat the point of discipline.  He is now 9 months and no were near as nippy but sometimes he forgets so he is crated. It worked really well for us, good luck with your baby!