terrible time

Hey guys.
So im having a terrible time with pup, but mostly with my mum.
Im trying to find my own place but its a nightmare.
Puppy is very bitey with my mum and has now on 3 occasions badly mouthed and clamped on. Twice leg once hand. Prob is i havent had this its just my mum and she says she tried to leave room but she kept goin for her etc. She has now said its either gotta stop or were not keeping her bla bla bla.
I can understand her concern but i have only seen mouthing and biting in play and a couple of snarly moments wen shes decided she wants to bite your feet. Iv tried loads.
Please help

Have you read http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/stop_your_staffy_puppy_biting ?

If not, please do so as it gives lots of helpful information which I won't repeat here.

How old is Puppy? And do you leave her with your mum whilst you go to work? Is your mum used to dogs/puppies, or is this her first experience?

It is normal for a pup to mouth/bite, it's really important to teach them bite inhibition which the link Lynda posted should help with.

Yeah iv read tht and weve been doing that sorta thing.
Im usually with the pup who is now 12 and a half weeks old as i only work part time and my mum is the same but im able to take her to work occasionally too. Could being the only pup in litter be affecting this as she is taking a while to realise biting is bad?

It's possible as they would naturally learn it from their mom and siblings, it's your job now though, it will take time, patience and consistancy but youll get there

I hope so. This isnt the first dog weve had but none previous mouthed this bad

I agree with Sazzle.

Puppy is still only a baby, don't despair. Puppies explore and play with their mouths and the yelping/turning away/stopping playing process is the way to go, but remember that none of this is aggressive! It won't happen overnight, but she will learn.

Just read your last - my previous pups weren't Staffies (in fact they were Dobermanns!) and they too didn't mouth "this bad" as my Kuchar. He's a lot better now (at nearly 18 months) but his teeth are still in evidence when he wants to play and gets excited, although it's still not aggressive. By this age a firm "NO" stops him.

Not having siblings would definately affect how quickly she understands bite inhibition.. Normally pups learn from siblings and mum, they bite too hard or too much they get told off etc and their game stops etc... I know at times it seems like they are never gonna work it out but believe me, they do eventually, I used the "yelp" technique, every time my girl mouthed or nipped I would make a high pitched yelp, stop play immediately and ignore her completely, no eye contact etc until she calmed down.. Be consistent and it will get better

She is still very much a baby, if you use the above method consistently, you and your mum the she'll learn not to do it, it's takes time & patience, but you will start to notice it getting better and one day you'll realise it's been ages since she did it it will get better i promise

Thanks all. Its just a nightmare with my mum as im really trying and iv got her doing a few obedience tasks done but this has been a nightmare with her attacking my mums legs etc it doesnt matter what you say she just lunges n snaps at her. I put her on her bed and walk away. She is obsessed with feet and legs.
Il try the frozen tea towel n carrot technique to see.
I feel im getting the blame from my mum but i keep saying like shes a puppy so its not going to be overnight. I get the feeling had it been a different breed she wouldnt be like this :-( i love the pup i just need this to biting to lessen. I never even thought how affecting it would be not having litter mates

Rico, I'm sure Puppy will get better as times goes - just keep following the tips in the link.  Some things take longer to sink in than others, depending on the pup - my nearly 18 month old will still go after my feet when I put on my fluffy slippers; it's not aggression just playfulness - I think maybe they look like little furry animals to him, especially when I walk away from him!

I'm guessing from your posts that your mum is having problems in accepting Puppy's behaviour and that this is the main difficulty.  If I'm wrong then please forgive my presumption and I won't pursue any further on the subject.

hi lynda yeah its defo adjustment issues with my mum . we are both very comited but she is defo frightene of the behaviour

Ok, thanks. 

it's good to know that your mum is committed to Puppy as well - I'm guessing by this that your mum loves Puppy too but is frightened by the exuberant behaviour.

You say you've had puppies previously so you both will know what hard work puppies are, how playful they can be, and how mouthing/chasing/chewing is a normal part of puppy development, especially when they start teething.

If none of your previous puppies were Staffies (and mine weren't either)  then it can come as surprise as to how exuberant, full of fun, up for anything and yes, boisterous, a Staffy puppy can be (and usually is).

If your mum is worried about Staffy reputation, then please try to reassure her that Puppy is just a baby, and like any baby won't have any aggression in her bones; on the contrary Staffies are the most loving dogs you will ever come across. 

Hope this helps ><

thanks, iv been saying that to her and i think after a bad mouth she just kinda goes off on one saying we cant have her with this goin on etc.
i dnt get bad nips off her the worst i get is when im out walking she decides the lead is a toy and spins around making lots of scary noise.
im sooooo fed up with remarks being made n people saying oh its a staff, i guess shel grow into her ugliness, soooo sad these dogs have a bad name i have never met a nasty one.
i was researching single puppy litters and they app take longer to learn bite inhibition, some had said because they dont have movement around them with other pups they become touch sensitive which gladly shes not.
i never even thought how different a single puppy would be. and the puppy socialisation is a riot as shes the biggest dog and she flattens them, she needs a dog to put her in her place!

Just an update really.
We r doin better with the biting :-) however she has mental half hours where she just wants to attack ur arms or feet and she sounds like a dragon!! We r just continuing

Glad to hear that things are going better, Rico. Puppy is still, well a puppy, and puppies can be very excitable. But it will get better gradually over time, I promise. Just let her know where her boundaries are and it will gradually sink in.

As Lynda says things will definitely get better and they do I promise, Darcy was a terrible bitter/nipper I was covered it cuts & bruises but she's 10 months now and doesn't do it at all, even if she gets a little excited during play and may forget her self I only have to say enough and she stops. She will learn soon enough

Patience will win you the rewards you desire we all go through stages like this , Tilly used to be a terror for chasing feet in the garden when she was a pup , even now she will get on occasion over excited and go for your shoes , last time was a big snowball fight when we were visiting family with my nephews and Tilly thought it was a great idea to bit the legs of my wellies , ouch but just stop , no and remove her from the scene , all takes time

All great advice above cant add anything more except patience and consistency

Thanks again all.
This weekend and today she has been particularly bad she really goes for my mum even when she firmly says no or walks away she snarls n nips her. I thonk its just play but why does she sound soooo viscious. I was suggested to try pet cirrector but she loves the noise lol!!!

Like everyone said, consistancy and patience. staffys can sounds quiet vocal when they play and get excited. i remember the first time marley vocalized when she was about 13 weeks, sounded like an old man or tazmanian devil it was weird lol, but hey, she is a noise make when she gets into the fun and games.

I'm glad things are going a little better! They do try so hard to test our patience some days don't they? It sounds like you are doing the right thing and just continuing to be firm, patient, and consistent! It will get better!

Glad there is improvement! Rocky has his mad moments too sometimes but all in the name of fun Consistency is the key with letting them know when they go overboard!

Thanks,
Yeah she is really testing at the moment. Lol yeah i saod the other day shes like a tazmanian devil possessed!!!! Shes fab other than the biteyness! Shes so affectionate and wants to curl up next to u all the time.
The problem is just purely the biting, also wen on walks she goes for whoevers with mes feet wen off lead but on lead she bites lead,snarls n spins around. Thats her 3 n a half months now but just workin away with her.
Shes super smart too she sits, stays, lie down n recently i get her to sit stay and put a treat on the floor then tell her to get it. I think all these wee things help to stimulate her.
Thanks again its good knowing im doing the right thing, really never thought of the issues of getting a pup frm a single pup litter.
Im going to have a chat with my mum after her work and discuss whats happenin so we r both doin the exact same things