I need help my puppy as you know from past post is now 10wks old her nipping was driving us insane and it seems to be getting worse she is just biting anything and everything that she can and HARD constantly barking at us if we tell her no and lunging at our feet as soon as we enter the room any suggestions cant take her to puppy classes until 14th july as we have to wait a week after her last jab she has got the rest of it ie; sleeping on her own in crate and doing her buisness outside most of the time with a few accidents but the nipping is painful and cant seem to get it through to her not to bite us? :)

How long have you had her?

I remember well the ankle biting stages of puppies,they would be like little foot guided missiles every time we walked into the room. She's only 10 weeks old,sounds pretty normal to me??

However if it is really bothering you, when she launches let off a high squeal and walk away and ignore her for a few minutes. I wouldnt yell at her or give her any type of attention,i find that ignoring my dogs for even 5 minutes is the worst punishment in their eyes.

Only two weeks she is a staffy with razors for teeth:) We have done the walk away thing that doesnt seem to do the trick either plus the kids cant do that as they end up in tears a majority of the time as she hurts so bad:(

Forgot to ask. Does she have any chew toys?
I found big marrow bones diverted my dogs attention,they put their energy into "killing" the bone instead of my hands and feet.

Bones are not only nutritious they allow the dog to let of steam and gives them mental and physical excercise :)

Yes she has lots to chew but somehow prefers human flesh :)

I dont know what else to advise,the walking away trick worked for us.Perhaps you just have to persist a bit longer,maybe your dog is just super stubborn and it may take longer for it to sink in.

Try to avoid wearing loose flapping clothes or shoes with long laces,these things tend to be too tempting.When you see the pup coming at you toss a ball(which must be your constant companion) along the floor in the opposite direction.
Do not  play tug of war while she is going through this stage. Try and teach her the "sit stay" command and utilise this when she's playing up,make sure to give off a very high pitched squeal when she nips you,similar to her litter mates.Punishing your pup for biting will only increase the aggression of a bold puppy and make a fearful pup more timid,Make sure your kids always walk past the pup in a calm,slow manner,NO running and screaming around the place as this will no doubt serve as an invitation to your pup.

How old are your kids?

The children are 5 and 9 the 9year old is ok its just my boy he cant help but scream when she nips i can understand as it hurts me too she seems very aggressive

I would suggest that if your youngest child screams then make sure that the child & the puppy are never together without an adult & that way you will see if things are getting out if hand & remove the puppy before things get to the nipping stage( BTW I personally would not expect a five year old to scream a yell or a cry but scream ? & for how long ?)

This is one of the inconsistencies everyone else walks away or ignores & the child screams encouraging the puppy to "play"harder to get a more reaction out of the child QED(ie  you have found your answer)you are not all being consistent are you ?

My friend and her family are going through something similar with their golden retriever puppy. She is adorable in every way accept she bites, and seems to get aggressive when playing. Her biting is very hard and consistant, which is particularly hurtful to my friend's mother, who is not particularly mobile. The only thing that seems to be sorting it out is that on top of puppy classes, they also have a trainer come to the class for private lessons, and I am not sure if it is the fact that the extra lessons help to keep her mind occupied, or whether the obedience she is being taught is sinking in, but the biting is abating slightly. The trainer gave the same advice to her as people on here are giving - to 'yelp' when biting occurs, to ignore bad behaviour, to provide chew toys, and to keep play well away from anything that allows the puppy to dominate (one thing she was doing is waiting until people's backs were turned during playtime and then jumping on them to try and pin them down. I thinkit is just a case of persistence, and I know that doesn't help when you are living it everyday but I really hope it sorts itself out.

"The trainer gave the same advice to her as people on here are giving - to 'yelp' when biting occurs, to ignore bad behaviour, to provide chews"

Funny you should say that NannyOgg!  I frequently hear the same problem from puppy owners when they're in the grooming parlour.  I give the same advice as has been given on this board - they say it isn't working.  So I refer them to our local behaviourist.  She always reports back "I've told them exactly the same as you, but they've paid me money to say it, so they'll listen and do it!!"
Ain't human nature funny??

Its ok for people to say we are not consistant its very hard asking your child to try not to scream ouch when a staff is on the other end of your skin he is trying to not shout when she bites him but he is scratched and cut all over where she has a go at him poor little sod feel for him but will keep trying thanks for the advice:)

I know that it's difficult trackie29 but it's one of the reasons that I won't home puppies in homes with very young children.  Little ones move faster than adults and have higher pitched voices, which excite a puppy. 
I would suggest only letting them together when you are there to 100% supervise and as soon as the pup begins to get excited, then you intervere, before the little one gets hurt and screams.  It will get better if the whole family are consistant - it's still very early days.

Thankyou val for the help

Trackie have you read my post where I suggested keeping a lead on teh pup?  Always supervising with kids and never allowing kids to play games with pups that involve running about or any excitement?

I know where you are coming from trackie29, I would have given my dog away any time in the first month because she was such a horror.  At one point myself and a friend were in the room with her 6yr old daughter and my dog bit her ear.  the wee girl stood up trying not to cry and said to me 'aunty ali missy is biting my ear' - the dog was still swinging from her ear!!  We can all laugh about it now as demon pup has gone and with lots of perseverence and consistency has been replaced with (fairly) well trained staffy who is a joy to have around.  I would wish you good luck but unfortunately it takes more than luck to get through it.

Thanks at least you are being gentle with your reply not rude like some are :)

" try not to scream ouch when a staff is on the other end of your skin he is trying to not shout when she bites"

This is the comments I was talking about in your other thread. To me you seem hell bent on convincing yourself you have a savage dog..  You talk about the puppy like it is an adult dog trying to savage someone. IT isn't honestly. It probably loves you all to bits. She doesn't understand at this time.

Think of you children how do the learn not to touch things, how to the learn to toliet in the toliet not in their pants.

Ditto Val thats why I advise not leaving the puppy & youngest without adult supervision at any time

Have you considered having a trainer into help you on a one to one basis if you have got to wait another month to go to classes?
It shouldn't cost too much and you will get help from a professional who is actually seeing your dog.
Puppies do nip I am afraid and it usually gets worse before it gets better.  The walking away is Ok but you may need something more direct to help you with your problem.  I favour (as a trainer) a loud yelp as the teeth touch the skin and then walk away.  Puppies playing together will let each other know when they are being too rough by yelping and then ending the play.

Trackie this is yet another thread on biting. You've had the pup 2 weeks and imo dont seem to really be listening to what you are being told you just seem to keep finding excuses for every piece of info you receive. If your youngest can't not scream when the puppy bites KEEP HIM AWAY FROM HIM especially if you cannot supervise them 100%. All thats happening is every thread you open you get the same advice over and over again...doesn't this tell you something??? You have to stick with it and it can take MONTHS not days!! The ppl who are giving you advice on this and other threads are some of the most experienced and imo have some of the best advice on CD and to disregard it because it isn't what you want to hear to me is just plain silly. Everyone here has been very supportive and reasuring up to now but I think its starting to wear a little thin tbh :(

Put your son in wellies!

There is no need for you to be like this i know its wearing thin but this is what this site is for help and advice i am taking into consideration everyones great help and suggestions i am as i said just a worrier sorry to annoy you but if you are fed up with me dont bother to read my posts :)

As a last resort spray your hands with bitter apple (its tastes and smells vile) but the dog shouldn't like it (the odd one does).
Or put a dog toy in their mouth as a substitue for hands.
You are in very early days yet have a little patience.

Sorry - but to use Bitter Apple spray would just encourage a pup like this to bite somewhere else - possibly a face :(

Margot

Why on earth would it do that? as far as its aware it tasted your hand why shouldnt the rest of the body taste like this?
Dogs do not think like us.

Would you like to test that theory out on a child?  I certainly wouldn't!    I concur with the suggestion to get the child to wear wellies - but other than that, the pup HAS to learn NO!

I have concerns that to suggest using a bitter apple spray on a child may give anyone reading this forum (not necessarily the poster) is a "quick/easy solution" to a biting puppy.   It isn't.    The only solution is solid, patient, training.   With puppy and child kept apart in the meantime.

Puppies don't "mean" to hurt.   But they do.   Children - mostly - don't "mean" to tease.  But they do.

Margot

I have done it on many occasions to a very satisfactory outcome.
I would NOT allow my dogs to nibble/nip/bite my daughter! a short outcome? if it got the desired effect what difference does it make? Its like putting that horrible stuff on your nails to stop you biting them ohh but in your eyes thats the easy option is it? rather than willpower alone! Give me a break!

Lets all go back to cooking in ovens, microwaves are the devil reincarnated!

Sorry mygirl, you are misunderstanding me!

I'm not saying that it won't work - only that it is a temporary solution- not a full-blown solution to the problem of a biting puppy.   People can type in "biting puppy" on google, and come up with one of our threads!

In my experience, when we used Bitter Apple Spray on the cushions of the settee, the puppy chewed the arms instead :(

Margot

Bitter apple would more than likely get absorbed and spread into any material like sofas and the like and so dilute it to such a degree it wouldn't be effective.

(Have you not spilt a cup of tea on a sofa and patting your hand on it seems touch dry but sit on it and you have a wet bum)
I have only used it myself on varnished wood and yes hands and it has been very effective same as using TCP.

Margot, JG, Voors - Have the words "banging head off a brick wall" popped into your train of thought at all? 

Teri ;)

And your point is? i don't consider a thread concerning children something you feel the need to butt in and patronise why not add something constructive instead?

a) My reply wasn't addressed to you; b) I've already offered this OP a multitude of constructive advice on this issue spanning his/her seven separate threads on the subject;  c) just so my point isn't lost on you entirely, I think you'll find by using the search facility that the complete folly of using bitter apple to protect a child from being bitten rather than train the dog appropriately has also been covered extensively in the aforementioned threads.

Since I've been actively involved with attempting to assist the OP from the beginning, it would appear if anyone is "butting in" (your offensive choice of phrase - I'd have gone with "joining in" personally) it's you - but then of course being an open forum it's your prerogative to do so  ;)

Regards, Teri :)

:rolleyes:

*EDIT* why do my posts never appear where i want em 2?? lol

>Dogs do not think like us.

Exactly? Why would they assume that a face tastes the same as a hand?

It's just the same as having to teach them that 'Sit!' means the same in the training class, and in the sitting room, and in the garden, and in the street, and in the park ....

Jeangenie why would they not?
They do not sit there and think logically like us and think ahhhh the hand didnt work lets try the face, it is an instant reaction to a dog and if they are getting the NO it is having the desired effect they are getting the attention they require.
I would personally say walk away but in a child who doesn't comprehend the responsibility to do this then maybe squirt a little bit of bitter apple on their hands to make them an undesirable subject.

>They do not sit there and think logically like us

My point exactly.
:)

Does your dog have the run of the house? Can't you keep it in a separate room, like the kitchen, and keep the kid away from the dog!? Surely until you have it under control you could do this? Mine are here with me in the dining room/kitchen all day and most of the night and we removed the dining room door, the one that leads into the hall, and replaced it with a high gate. That way if one of the kids wanted anything, when the pups were going through that nipping stage, I could quite easily get it for them. Also at meal times I would put the dogs outside. They are better behaved now around the kids but the gate that separates the kitchen from the dining room still serves as a barrier for guests until the pup has calmed down and even then I dont let the dogs pester people for too long ;) And I'm sure the dogs appreciate their own space away from the children sometimes. Could you not try something like that?

Trackie you are not on your own i too have a staffie puppy aged 14 weeks who is exactly the same. She only goes for my 2 yr old daughter and i to am at my wits end i am just hopeing she out grows it. It is hard to teach a child to walk away when they have a dog hanging off them.  I now make sure they are never together alone and any misbeaving while i am around she has time out in her crate till she calms down. It's the only thing i can do to protect my child. Perhaps you could get your child to feed the dog and help holding the lead so your dog knows where he is in the pecking order! worth a try. good luck.

Trackie, whereabouts do you live?

I realise you don't want to take your pup out to classes yet, (have you booked her in? Good classes get booked up very quickly :) ) but, if you contact a good trainer, they can usually come out to you and see you in your home (it won't cost an arm and a leg) and see what we can't see on here  - the layout of the house, reactions of puppy, reactions of the humans, body language and so much else. If nothing else, getting a professional around to your own home will help to reassure you and they may then also be able to give you backup as your pup grows into an adolescent, which can also be a trying time ;)

I would try www.puppyschool.co.uk or www.apdt.co.uk for a trainer near you who can help with this :)

Lindsay
x

Voors i think that was a bit harsh. The lady is here to get advice not be critised. This forum is for people who give out good advice and if that person does keep coming back for the same advice and problem, support should be offered not critism. There was no need for this post and upsetting her

when i've already replied to her other 6 posts supporting and reasuring her and she hasn't taken a blind bit of notice of ANY advice given to her from anyone, my patience is now very thin and as its a public message board i'm entitled to say what i like

MAYBE YOU ARE ENTITLED TO SAY WHAT YOU LIKE BUT THIS BOARD IS FOR ADVICE IF YOU HAVENT GOT ANYTHING NICE TO SAY WHY SAY IT. SHES ENTITLED TO ASK AS MANY TIMES AS SHE LIKES THE SAME ADVICE WITHOUT COMMENTS LIKE THAT FROM YOU. THIS SITE IS SUPOSSED TO ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO COME BACK BUT QUITE FRANKLY IF YOU HAD SENT THAT MESSAGE TO ME I WOULDNT COME BACK HERE.

then that is up to you and i'm not deaf theres no need to shout :rolleyes:
I have given her advice on numerous occaisions and been supportive and reasurring to her that this is normal behaviour for a 10 wk old pup that shes only had for 2 weeks as have numerous other ppl and i'm not the only person that is losing patience

Well if shes bothering you that much, Why reply ????? Just ignore the posts then rather than be rude.
This site should be for people who are considerate and willing to help others at all costs, even if it means repeating yourself over and over i know this can be frustrating by doing this but why be rude ?? Theres no need for it. To be quite frank i dont think you should even be a member of this site if you cant have consideration for others

Bulldog, i have no wish to argue with you and my intention was not to be rude. I was pointing out that she has only had the pup for 2 weeks and she's expecting too much. Puppys are damn hard work as i'm sure you know yourself and it does take months not days to train them. On all of trackies posts she has been given very good advice and to me, she doesn't seem to be listening shes getting herself too worked up and missing out on the fun that a puppy can be, plus the state she is getting herself in is not helping the pup who will be picking up on this. This has already been pointed out to her, but again she doesn't appear to have taken any notice the only posts she seems to listen to are the ones that say i'm in the same position and its doing my head in not the ones that are actually tryin to help her. But as you say, I won't be replying or reading anymore of her posts as frankly i see it as a waste of time. Its a shame as she has the makings of a fantastic dog :(
And as for being rude, at least i didn't shout at her or insult her the way you have me over the last couple of posts :rolleyes:

I dont mean to write the message in capital letters im at work and was working in capitals at the time and i typed the text and went to post but realised it was in capitals, i couldnt be bothered to re-type it, so i apologise for that. Yes i know Puppies are damn hard work ours is 15weeks and Bulldog and is soooooooo stubborn. But when posts are sent out likes yours and namy others it really does not send out a good message, to be honest i have a small problem with my puppy but wont ask advice about it on this site as im worried of the response i would get.

Perhaps you should read all the posts BULLDOGOWNER from the OP in two weeks she states she has tried all the suggestions & none work & they are all being consistent, but then reading all the posts how can anyone be consistent after trying so many different ideas in 14 days

Sorry BULLDOGOWNER but they haven't had time to fully try out one suggestion let alone them all & add to this the youngest child is screaming when nipped so they are not being consistent at all  & in fact the youngest child screams will simply encourage the puppy to carry on nipping

I would expect someone to try one suggestion for quite a while & if it did not work then try another for a similar period not a day or a few hours only

I did real all the replies the lady is obviously in a state and it doesnt help everyone being negative towards her, im just pointing out that this form is for people who can give advice not loose there patience, i know she needs to give her puppy more time god ive been given my 8weeks and hes fine now but she obviously is panicing and she comes on her for help. Its not fair that everyone is being unhelpful

Where has anyone been unhelpful ?  I have given the same advice to many people over the last 30 odd years & 99% of people have no problem in grasping the idea of total consistency from all the family something that the OP seems to have a real problem with

Sorry not everyone has been unhelpful but you must understand it hard when you find get a puppy, these sort of sites are great for advice which is what there for, not to be made to feel stupid when the advice doesnt work