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I have just bought a 10 week old staffordshire bull terrier. I have never owned a dog before and made the mistake of buying something without reading about it first.
The problem is that he bites everything like fingers and as taken a big bite at my face.
I have 8 month old twins and am really scared that it may do this to them. Is this just a puppy thing ? will he grow out of it ? or is this a sign that he maybe aggressive when he is a adult.

2007-03-01 04:37:55 · 19 answers · asked by stanegg0 1 in Pets Dogs

19 answers

this is absolutely a puppy thing. don't listen to the people who are going to tell you otherwise. this is called mouthing. to curb this behavior, you need to IGNORE it completely. i assume it is happening when you are petting or playing with the pup. from now on, when those teeth hit your skin say "OUCH!!" loud enough, and high pitched enough, to startle the pup a little. then immediately get up and walk away. you can also hand the pup an appropriate chew toy after saying ouch and before you walk away. you want to teach the pup that teeth on people means playtime/attention is OVER. leave him for a minute or two (thats long enough for a pup that age to understand) and then resume playing or petting. if you are consistent with this, the mouthing behavior will go away quickly. i would suggest keeping the puppy far from the babies until this behavior goes away, but this does not mean your pup is aggressive or will be in the future. staffies make wonderful family dogs, and can tolerate the abuse that kids usually dole out.

2007-03-01 04:45:53 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 4 2

H won't grow out of it if he's not trained to stop, whic he needs to learn now. Especially since you have young children. When he bites make a loud yelping sound then stop playing with the pup. If he continues, the best way to get through to puppies is to grab the scruff of the neck and gently shake while saying NO. This is not cruel as it's how the mother would have stopped the pups from doing something she didn't want them to do. If it still continues after that, remove the pup to a different area confined from the rest of the family, not the crate though as that's a safe place, not a punishment place. Leave the pup confined for 10 mintues, then let him out. And repeat that until he understands that he's not to bite anymore.

2007-03-01 04:56:32 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

oYes most pups have a tendency to "mouth" fingers and just about everything at that age. Don't worry he will grow out of it. My staff grew out of it after a few months. But just be very careful especially round the children.
To me it doesn't sound like an aggressive dog as my dog did this and she is now the biggest softie you could ever meet. You need to get the dog some training though, I took my pup to puppy classes, mainly to get her socialised with other pups and to learn some good manners. Most areas hold classes ask you vet for a list of local puppy training classes.

2007-03-01 10:02:21 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Its normal puppy behaviour,but he wont just grow out of it,you need to train them out of it,otherwise you have a adult dog who's nipping with adult teeth.You have seriesly got your hands full with twins and a pup and i hope you can provide the nessacary training and exercise for your dog throughout its life.When your pup starts getting over excited and starts nipping,imediatly stop all play,say no loudly and firmly and ignore him for 5-10 mins.Let out a little yelp aswell,his littermates would have reacted this way and then play stops.Be consistent and he will soon stop.Make sure he has chew toys to chew on.Remember as your babies and dog grow up together always supervise them,never leave a dog alone with any child no matter how well they know each other.Good luck.

2007-03-01 05:07:05 · answer #4 · answered by Heavenly20 4 · 1 0

It is a puppy thing but needs to be nipped in the bud asap.

If he bites, let out a sharp "yelp". Pups learn from being in the litter, he thinks of you as a fellow dog, so act like one, he'll think he's hurt you and after a few times should stop for good

2007-03-01 06:23:58 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

you like a accepted good, nicely info is suited approximately one component the standards weren't used for vermin looking, which may be the interest of the mini's. the standards have been bred for struggling with applications, and look after artwork. i don't think of you will discover any breeders of working bull terriers, they'll all be tutor. Now that would not advise you are able to not practice to artwork. they does not be fat if there proprietors did not over feed them. All terriers have instinctual tension.

2016-10-17 00:42:42 · answer #6 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

Yes it is a puppy thing,but you do need to put a stop to it now,especially if he's snapping at faces,otherwise he will think its acceptable behaviour,regardless of what a lot of people say staffs are excellent dogs to have round children,they are not great with other dogs though.If you set him strict boundaries from the start he will grow out of it.Good luck.

2007-03-01 05:08:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

It is a normal, natural puppy thing - and yes, your pup will grow out of it, especially if you teach him that puppy nipping on human skin is not OK. No need to alpha roll or punish the dog physically. Scream "YIPE!!!" and leave the room whenever he nips you. You need to be fast and decisive about this, otherwise your pup will continue the game.
Here's some help:
http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1/bitestop.htm

2007-03-01 04:50:43 · answer #8 · answered by Misa M 6 · 1 1

He won't grow out of it if you just ignore the problem. If he starts to bite you, stand up and turn your back on him and just ignore him. Ask your vet for advice on local training schools. If you let it get worse and then decide to give him up it will make it harder to rehome him.

2007-03-01 04:42:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

he needs to know who the boss is you need to be firm with him ,I have an 8 month old staff he is so lovely now but when he was a pup he was always biting .whenever he tries to bite your hands say NOOOOO really firm and end all gameplay and ignore him he will soon learn that the word NO is not fun and understand he should'nt do it ..........

2007-03-01 04:50:40 · answer #10 · answered by ? 4 · 1 0

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