Hi all my pup is now 18weeks old and still this blasted nipping persists we have been doing everything consistantly i.e standing still ignoring ect leving the room but she still carries on the biting is harder than ever now as her jaws are getting stronger by the day we have had her from the tender age of 8 weeks and we all love her to bits but its a rare occasion when we can actually get a cuddle ect if she gets told off she barks at us it can be quite frightening at times too. I am at the end of my tether as never with any of my other dogs did it stay this bad for this long she is a staffie so anyone whos had or having the same problems please help me as she does not listen to anything

i've not got staffies, but iyr oldest lab behaved similarly when she was a pup. We tried the ignoring, turning our back etc, but the only thing that stopped her (the main problem was her charging at hubbys feet and snapping at his toes, incessant (sp?) barking etc), was to put her out of the room as soon as she did it. After a few mins, she'd be let back in, and ignored. As soon as she did it again, out she went again. I think hubby only had to do it 5 or 6 times then she just settled on the floor and went to sleep. Might be worth a try?

i'm sure you'll be getting loads of advice soon. She's still a baby bless her. Less us know how you get on x

nicola

Do you ever attempt to show/encourage her to interact with you in an alternative way?  Most staffies love a ragger toy, put something like this in her mouth and show her how to have fun that way........  As soon as her teeth touch your skin, the game stops ;)

Yes i have been doing that thanks for the advice also been putting her out the room so she can still see us but not get to us but as soon as she is let in off we go again

Putting her out of the room shows her that the game has ended because of what she has done. BUT it is a further bit of interaction with her.......  I would be more inclined to leave the area myself for a few seconds.  You also need to teach her what she CAN do instead of biting you ;)

Yep been there!

I have a Staffie and he went through a phase, at about 18 weeks, of launching himself at us! His lip would curl and he would really bite. Not just fingers and the normal stuff but faces arms and everything! Id be covered in scratches and bites and youre right it can be quite scary as it feels like they really dont like you.

Rest assured they do grow out of it in time. You must be consistent in whatever you do. I always started with a firm NO and then if he persisted I would put him out of the room for about 5 minutes. Behind a gate is best as they can see you enjoying yourself and they really want to join you. Id then find myself repeating this 4 or 5 times a night and one day he just seemed to stop. It is hard and it takes a few weeks but they are such sociable creatures that they soon learn that if they want to be with you they must behave. Distraction is another great way of stopping them too. The first time she does it, give a firm no, pop her down on the floor and try rolling a ball about or playing with a ragga toy. If she persists put her in another room.

Most staffies I have come accross are really keen to please and thrive on praise so remember to tell her shes a good girl when she starts playing nicely. If you tell her off and she starts barking, try folding your arms as when you point at them it seems to exagerate the problem.

I would lay money on the fact that in about 6 weeks she will be a little love.

Feel free to PM me if you need to chat as I know its hard and can really get you down!
Good Luck x

Also remember at 18 weeks, most dogs are teething and they may simply be seeking an appropriate way of relieving teething pain - Bongela can help, as can soaking a ragger or tea towel in water and freezing it - this can then be given to the dog, much as a chilled teething ring can sooth a childs teething pain.

I have exactly the same problem with my 5month old Rottie - we are trying to be consistent with everything we are doing and we are tending to walk out of the room if she continues after the ingnoring her doesnt work. We were putting her outside but this turned into a game of chase before hand as she know she was going to get put out as she was being naughty she used to run and hide under the table. Removing ourselves from the room instead seems to be working better. She is still nipping at whatever she can and I have some incredible bruises on my thigh - i am just hoping as you are she will grow out of it as it is very frustrating and scarey at times!!!

My staffy was the same untill she got her adult teeth then she learnt how to mouth gently still catches us occasionally but we say ow and she backs off looking upset. She's 7 months now so still learning.
Lorna