My puppy attacked me today. Play or aggression?
I have never posted on Reddit before, so please be kind. About 3 weeks ago I got a new lab puppy. For the last few weeks it has been the typical puppy frustrations...nipping, house and crate training, but today totally shocked me. Like literally, the incident floored me to the point I cannot remember what actually happened. For context, my boy just hit 12 wk this Biting has been a constant struggle, but today I felt like maybe he actually attacked me out of aggression.
His biting has gotten to the point where I cannot redirect him to any toys, he is just constant until I cannot take it anymore and place him in a playpen. Please don't tell me to just ignore, because that isn't working. I can turn around and walk away to him biting my heels to the point they bleed.
Anyways, today we were in the yard and I laid down beside him and he starts his usual and trys to lay on top of me and bite me. I assume he is thinking I am a littermate at this point. I get frustrated with the bites and hold my fingers down on his tongue for him to release me. Not ideal I know, but at that point it is painful and he needs to let go. After he lets go, I get up and move on to another part of the yard.
Here is where I don't all remember, bit I will give you what I can...I am sitting in another spot in the yard and all of a sudden he gets the zoomies and starts running around. Next thing I recall he is literally running at me growling and starts attacking my arm to the point i am bleeding and have some good puncture bites and teeth scratches that are bleeding. I was able to get a hold of him and put him in his crate, but it scares the sh*t out of me. I know I shouldn't use the crate as a place for punishment, but I was acting on instinct at that point and needed him away from me.
My hope is that in some way this was play and that it was a one time issue, but I would appreciate any thoughts. He is in puppy classes and we try following all positive reinforcements...but I obviously am doing something wrong. I cannot continue to have my boy bite the living crap out of me and at this point, I have been scared to interact with him the whole rest of the night. I love my boy and don't want to give up...but dang, something needs to give.
Thanks for the help+