Lab/Golden puppy mix, agression issues?

Ok, I will try not to make this a long story lol.

We got a lab/golden puppy mix from a rescue when she was 5.5 weeks old. I know this is really young (and I am sure part of the reason for the problem) but her mom died right after she had the litter so she was bottle fed and the rescue lady was forced to move and rehome the puppies at a young age. She is constantly biting and nothing works to stop her (I know this part is normal and getting really hard to deal with lol). When she starts biting us a lot of times, she does NOT want a toy she wants skin.

I pick her up to calm her down or to put her in crate for time out and she goes CRAZY on me! Snarling, growling, trying to really bite me hard. She's now 9 weeks. She has also done this to my kids if they try to touch her when she's in this mood. This does not seem normal to me and I keep working with her and it's gotten a tiny bit better but not much.

The rescue lady is now moved and able to take her back. I don't want to give up on her if this is all normal, but sometimes I think it's totally not normal and it really worries me with 4 kids.

I know her mom would have taught her things by now that would have helped but she never had mom. I have tried putting her on her back in my arms, on the floor, holding her down while on her belly, she finally gives up, but let me tell you it has gotten scary a few times.

We have now started time outs but when we get her out, she just starts it all over again.




Hi
It sounds as though you're definitely having some challenges with this puppy. A lot of what you describe could be attributed to the problems she had in her first few weeks. Not having a momma, upheaval and stress related to an early move to her new home and so on. Excessive biting, fear or aggression, these can be the result of this kind of situation.

However, it could also be that she is not genetically of sound temperament. If a pup has a mom or dad who are fearful or aggressive by nature, they can inherit those tendencies. Who knows, perhaps your puppy is experiencing a combination of both factors, poor baby.

From what you tell me, it seems you are doing things correctly overall. You might find my Puppy Biting page helpful as it has other tips and advice on dealing with this annoying (and painful!) puppy behavior. I wouldn't recommend being too forceful with this puppy, it may well escalate the emotion in the situation. Calm but firm is what you're aiming for.

Someone who is experienced in raising puppies would probably be able to deal with the issues you're facing, even though it will likely take time to overcome her problems. However, in your situation, with 4 children and I'm sure a busy life, you may not be the best home for her and she may not be the best puppy for you.

Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers are generally excellent family dogs, but all breeds have bloodlines that have temperament issues, or individual puppies who do not behave in the way you would expect.

I wouldn't generally recommend 'giving up' on a puppy, or rehoming one just because of behavior problems. But, as the lady you got this puppy from is in a situation to take her back, and is probably well versed in taking care of this sort of behavior, that may well be your best option - in my personal opinion. Obviously the decision is yours to make.

I wish you the best of luck with whatever decision you make and hope that it all works out well, for everyone.