Dear Forum Members,
I’ve just bought myself a female American Staffordshire terrier who seems to be impossible at times. She has been with me for just over two weeks and is Ten weeks old. She comes from a respected breeder, and she was not the dominant pup of the litter. The problem is that she is mouthing/biting quite hard (hard enough to hurt) and when I correct her, she just gets angry and bites again. I don’t seem to be able to stop her. It’s not a 24-7 problem, and she does have a loving side 80% of the time. But the other 20% of the time she gets hyper and looses control. I feel like I’ve tried every method I know of and she doesn’t seem to stop. At the start I just tried to correct her be saying “no” in a firm voice, and my finger pointing at her, but her response to this is to bite my finger (or my legs if my finger was not in reach) hard with a bit of a winging grow (high pitched grumble). So then I tried time outs in her crate for 5 to 10 minutes after a firm “no”, but that would only make her settle for the first 10 minutes or so. Then she would be out of control again. I also tried using a toy to distract her from problem behaviour but that wouldn’t last for long until she would be biting again. So I searched the internet for new answers, and the only thing I could find that I had not tried was shaking the scruff of her neck (firm, but not overboard) whilst saying no in a firm voice, but still her response was to get angry and bite. This method worked better than the others (she didn’t bite “as” hard), but it didn’t stop the problem. I just feel lost. It’s not like I have no idea. I’ve successfully trained quite a few dogs (staffs & apbt) in my time, but this one seems to be different. It’s more than just puppy mouthing. Her response seems to be a “don’t you dare do that to me”. Her will is extremely strong and she doesn’t seem to want to budge. If anyone has any ideas, it would help me immensely.
Thanks for all your time
Mr Amstaff.

As you're an experienced owner, you'll have tried giving her a toy to bite on when she starts getting too hard for you. If that hasn't worked, and you've done the usual trick of keeping your hands still and saying "No" loudly (only works if you don't usually shout, though), you'll have to discover if there are particular events that lead up to the biting. If it happens when a game gets out of hand, stop the game before it reaches that stage.

Puppies usually grow out of this without too much trouble, but your breed sadly has a bad reputation and so must be seen to be extra-specially well-behaved. Good luck.

There's actually another thread on this board with exactly the same subject, just different breed of dog :)
Its under "wild child" have a look there as well!

Dear Jeangenie & Wolfwitch,

Thanks for such fast replies :) . It is much appreciated. As far as saying "no" loud, I've got quite a gruff voice and have been saying/shouting the command loud (but maybe not loud enough so I'll notch it up a bit). Discovering the particular events that lead up to the biting is an excellent point which I shall look into when she starts up again ,but I can't think of anything that sets her off besides hyperactivity. Still, there is probably something I'm missing. I've also tried the water spray bottle, but she seems to fear it immensely (she runs behind the couch and hides for long amount of time) so I was hoping to find an alternate way so I could keep it for a last resort. Well, when she wakes I'll try seeing is there is a trigger for her behaviour, I'll notch up my voice, and hopefully be back with some positive results. If nothing comes of this, I'll resort to the spray bottle the day after next and see how we go. Until then, thank you for all your help.

Mr Amstaff.

Have you tried saying "OW" in as high pitched voice as you can manage, then turning your back on puppy, this is supposed to be the reaction puppy would get from his litter mates, so teaching him not to bite too hard. It worked with our Springer

Robert

What's important here is to establish a sound relationship with your pup based on a mutual respect. She sounds fearful of certain situations and making her afraid of you is not where you want to be right now. Are you correcting her by getting angry? - pointing your finger at her is just presenting her with a target to chew! You can't blame her for taking you up on your offer :)
Try the 'OUCH' thing again but this time instead of an *angry gruff* 'ouch' try a loud *in pain high pitched*'ouch' and flinch away from her - see if there is any difference if you pretend she's really hurt you. Then leave the room!
Some people swear by distraction by dropping a can of pebbles/training discs etc.. behind or next to the dog to stop bad behaviour. I've never used this method but it works for some!
Lara

Update on situation, and good news,
I have tried saying "ouch", and I've even tyred mimicking a yelp with minimal response on her behalf but today I tyred turning my back (thanks for the ides Robert) on most biting situations (added with the correction), and it seemed to help, I have also turned to the spray bottle with good results (not perfect, but that's to be expected). I made sure that after I sprayed her I said "sit" and praised her the moment she responded positively. after a couple of hours of this I have noticed that she realises that the bottle is only a correction tool and wasn't so frightened of it (but still, she doesn¡'t like it. She¡'s just not so frightened). Also She would come and sit at my feet and wait for pats :) (typical puppy, just want to please :)). Also my problem was not too much fear, but more that she shows no response/fear to verbal commands (when I write "fear", I don't mean that I'm trying to make her scared, I mean that she just doesn't seem to respond to the louder tones much). A good example of this is when she is with my 4 year old apbt, he will grow (just to say "back off") at her when she gets overbearing, and she will keep pushing a point. It's not a problem, they normally are good friends. It's just that she can get a bit pushy with him at times. Also to clarify thing with Lara (with no animosity), I definitely do "not" get angry when I correct her, I realise the repercussions of this and have made a point of not doing it. If anything, I'm too much of a softie with her. But thanks for the advice anyway :) .
Thank for the helpful responses once again,
Mr Amstaff.

Hi Mr Amstaff,
You seem to be going down the correct road but your method is probably insufficient to startle your dog and show it you do not wish to play this game. Normally just get up and ignore the dog and rejection works a treat. Sprying water can turn into a game and resulting in a loss of effect. For a quick and simple answer may I suggest you contact Roger Mugford www.companyofanimals.co.uk and order a can of airspray called Pet Persuader. Your local Pet shop may in fact stock it and it is quite harmless. I think it is about £9 and next time your dog plays this game give your firm no or better use your control command of sit and if no response spray the air pointing it in the directon of your dog but not too close to his head. When he sits give loads of praise.If he goes for your hands again repeat. I doubt he will try for a third time and have everyone in your family use the same method.
This is a cheaper method than having to purchase the Master Plus remote collar which I am certain would stop this but I would try the Pet Persuader first. It will probably put you back in control and the other minor problems will settle too.

Hi Mr amstaff

I have a very fiery bitch ISBT and also had a very Fiery bitch APBT. When mines would get excited to the point of biting and not stopping when pups I would get hold of the dog by the loose skin on either side of its face(cant bite you like this) and I would keep saying NO! quite sharp and gruff until the pup stopped being aggressive then I would send to bed and act as if I am not happy with the pup. 10 to 20 minutes in bed is plenty. I wouldnt scruff the dog until it is older and knows what it is doing is wrong. You shouldnt have to scruff them if you get them trained young.
I dont have any experience of professional dog training, and some of these people can do wonders. I have had many years experience of bull terriers of all types and find that they respond better to a fairly strict regime as they are a dominant breed No matter what command I give them they have to obey, there are no alternatives or middle ground my command to the dogs is law. I also have my dogs with me for most of my day as my work doesnt stop me from having them with me.

Regards Mick

i agree when working with breeds like this its either all or nothing no inbetween.eg if they dont lie down after your command you should make them lie down.

yes you must make them obey. I give the command twice and physically make them do it on the third command. They now know that on the second command they should obey. for young dogs my two are extremely good. The effort when young paid off.

hello all,
just when i thought i had it all under controll, it all blowes up in my face! for the past couple of days, between firm corrections, the water spray bottle, and alot of "no's", she had basicley started mouthing soft. that is, untill she decided to bite my face and drew blood! it was only a small cut, but that isn't the point. all i was doing was leaning down, takeing off her lead, when she jumped up and bit me. but this isnt the end of it. i was just talking to my other half, and she said that she was also bitten on the face picking her up this morning! i was so happy with her untill this, now im just pissed! if anyone has some creative advice, PLEASE feel free to give it to me. i,m incredible lost with what to do.
thanks for any advice,
Mr Amstaff.

Hi amstaff

All pups are prone to biting noses in particular. The best way to stop this is to be ready for it coming, catch the dog by the muzzle, and push its face away from yours with the NO! or BAD! command. Another thing is never let the dog see that you are afraid of its teeth/jaw. a lot of people say sharp cry as if in pain works. I would only agree if the dog you have is not a dominant type. If you have a very dominant dog you may find that this could reinforce its dominance by letting it know it can hurt you.
I have had dealings with a lot of mental APBTs that were brought up by the wrong types. These dogs would bully anyone they thought they could get away with doing it to. They never tried to bully me much as I would bully them right back. I have to admit to having bit an APBT on the top of its head until it squealed. It was having a go at me at the time. Im not proud of this, and didnt enjoy doing it, the dog was going to attack me and it was an adult bitch about 3 years old. That dog was reholmed and lived to 13 and never went for anyone again, andbecame good friends with me. Keep control of the dogs head as I said earlier, by holding it by each side of the face until it stops struggling. If you are holding the dog like this and its trying to back away but wont calm down then back it against something while maintaining your grip on the dog. When it realises it cant get away, the only alternative is to calm down.

regards Mick

Ps you can e mail me if you need. Just click on my name above for the address.

Mr Amstaff,

My Cairn loved to bite as well, still does .. but now at four months old she mostly groans from the frustration of holding herself back instead. :-) In the course of training her not to bite my husband suffered two lovely, deep gashes to the tip of his nose. Human noses are an attractive target to young puppies, sort of like the center of the dart board I suppose.

Be patient. Screech really loud and sharply when she nips. Don't be afraid of alarming the neighbors! If they cannot hear you next door you are probably not screeching loud enough. Grap her jaw in your hand, squeeze firmly, and say NO BITE like you mean it. Above all, do not show her that you are afraid of her and her sharp teeth.

If you are playing with her and she starts to bite then say NO BITE and immediately substitute a toy for your hand or clothing.

She will get the message eventually. It may take weeks or a couple of months. I know it was a good long while until I could lay on the floor to play with my puppy and not get frightened to death when she ran straight at me.

Stacey

Dear Mick & Stacey

thanks for shedding some more light on the situation, i will be sure to try both of your tactics in the morning. she is a bit of a dominant type, so i think its best not to give her any upper hand (as you were saying mick). so i'll allways have a toy on hand, say "no bite", and be ready to grab the sides of her face or bottom of her jaw at all biting times :) .
i'll write back tomorrow night to fill youse in on how we are going.

best regards
Mr Amstaff

p.s. thanks for the e-mail offer mick, i'll be sure to take you up on that if i ever get stuck :)