Do Labradors Bite Humans?

Labradors (or labs as they are often affectionately called) are some of the funniest pets you could have around your house. They are not only energetic, fast, and fun to watch, but they’re also sweet, affectionate dogs that bond quickly with just about every member of the family. However, many people have asked whether this sweet breed can ever produce biters, and if so, what can be done about it?

Labradors can bite humans but they rarely do so. The only circumstances under which a lab might bite is if they have had an abusive upbringing or if somebody was threatening their owner. They also might nip a little as puppies or while playing, but otherwise, they are sweet and pretty harmless.

If you have been worried before about whether a lab will bite or not, you can put most of your worries to rest on the subject because Labradors are one of the friendliest breeds on the planet. Biting is technically a risk with just about any dog, but the likelihood of your lab doing so often is minimal. There are, however, other things you’ll need to “worry about” and be sure to do when you’re a lab owner, so read on if you’d like to know more!

Breaking Biting Behavior

As mentioned earlier, labs are easygoing and pretty safe to have around the house (especially for families). They are not natural biters. Of course, during puppyhood, they will be nippy (just like any other dog) and sometimes if they get too rambunctious they might nip then too, but these tend to be pretty harmless. However, you may find that one day your dog is suddenly biting you out of the blue for no apparent reason. Here are some possible reasons why.

Your lab is likely going to be a biter if they had an abusive upbringing before they came to you. This means they will be constantly on the defensive and they may feel threatened in normally safe situations. It is also possible that they are not feeling well. Dogs get cranky when they’re sick, just like humans can.

Another possibility is that they’re just not getting the attention they need or want. This is, of course, no excuse for them to bite, but it could be indicative of them needing some extra TLC. Plus, your dog may not know how else to get your attention. If you start to notice this becoming a habit, however, you will need to break them of it quickly.

Really, the best thing you can do is start by giving your pup some extra attention. This is one of the easiest solutions out there so take advantage of it! An extra walk or hour of play every day could make all the difference in your dog’s life and who knows? It could make all the difference in yours as well.

If you try this and it fails to work, you might consider taking your dog to the vet. Labs are happy, energetic, and friendly when they are in good health. If you have started to notice not only biting but lethargy and lack of enthusiasm as well, that’s probably indicative of a problem with your lab. Take them to the vet and have them checked out.

You can learn more about stopping biting at RetrieverAdvice.com!

Labradors: The Pros and Cons

Labs sound pretty great, don’t they? The truth is, they are great, and any household would be lucky to have such a sweet dog under their roof. However, they also have their fair share of problems and quirks as well, and those should be explored before you decide to buy one. So without further ado, here are some pros and cons!

Pros

As you already know/have seen, labs are sweet, affectionate, and fun. They love to romp around and play with people. This not only makes them an entertaining dog to have but one that is great for young kids. A lab will wear your kids out and keep them busy during the day for sure.

Labs are also extremely friendly. While they can and will protect their owners when it comes down to it, these extraverted dogs are pretty trusting and friendly when you need them to be. They love to meet new people and tend to be very patient and safe to be around. First and foremost, however, they will be loyal to their families.

Labs are prone to certain health concerns such as bloating and a couple of other things, but on the whole, they are generally really healthy dogs. Not only does this mean you won’t have to pay vet bills very often, but it also means you’re going to have your furry friend around for quite a while. We all dread the day when we’ll finally have to say goodbye to our pets. That day will be a long way off if you choose to adopt a lab.

Cons

Labs are very high-energy dogs. This might not be a problem for you if you love to run every day, play sports, or are otherwise athletic. However, even if you do love to be active, you’ll have to spend quite a bit of time entertaining and exercising a Labrador. This means they are not great dogs for busy people. Just make sure you keep your schedule in mind before investing.

One of the biggest downsides to having a lab is the price. Some can cost as much as $1,500, though most are a bit closer to $800. While this is no object for some, it can be a real pain in the neck for other people. If you have the money then go right ahead, but if your budget is a little tighter at the moment, consider buying a dog from a shelter or just a different breed altogether.

You should also know that labs are shedders! There are a lot of dog breeds and most of them shed, but labs tend to shed a lot. Like a LOT. If you don’t fancy having to vacuum hair out of your carpet, brush it off your clothes, and wash it off of your furniture, then maybe getting a lab is not the best idea.