new 6 month old puppy questions

Hi everyone i have a few questions regarding my new 6 month old puppy.

Firstly he has been biting quite a bit, hes not aggresive just pure exitment, we have a one year old so this is ovb not acceptible, whats the best wat to dicapline a puppy of this age? Hes went for arms, my fiancees face, arms and hands.

Hes normally v cuddley and just goes through 'fazes' of this.

Another is he seems to be really nervious when we take him out a walk, hes alot more comfortable if my fiancee is there with the buggy, he somtimes just haults, and wont move and i have to go back the way we came, there is a bridge we go over that he cant stand and runs over it.
I know his history in the past with the previous owner and that he never got took out walks.

This could be totally normal but hes also having a few accidents in the house (pee and poo) is there a good way to teach him no? so far we have been taking him out to the garden roughley every 15 mins or when he gets up and moving around, when he has an accident we just have been saying no and taking him outside straight away.

We will be going to dog classes on Wed for the first time so he gets interaction, we have managed to train him how to sit, paw and no (When he listens! lol) He gets out for walks in total for around 2 hours (This is spread out over a few smaller walks) Hes on 2 meals a day - raw food in the morning and complete at supper time.

Thanks for any tips and info!!

Take a look at the basics for new owners here

http://staffy-bull-terrier.co.uk/

That will have advice on all your issues. With the biting he is seeking attnetion and turining your back and ingoring him will help. They explore the world with their mouts as well just like babies.

Always remember to supervise any interaction with your young child. Your pup may see your child as a playmate since they are small

You just need to go back to basics.

Use negative punishment (taking away what he wants, like your attention when he nips) NOT positive punishment (adding something like an aversive) as positive punishment will only make him more nervy and you need to build his confidence.

Teach what you want him to do (an alternitive behaviour like chewing on a toy) rather than telling him off for what you don't want him to do.

Toilet training, just make sure you're taking him out frequently and praise/treat when he does it in the right place like you would with a younger pup.

With him being nervous when out, just take things slowly, don't force him into doing something he doesn't want to do. You need to watch his body language and when he starts showing signs that he's uncomfortable, just stop for a minute and let him take in his surroundings, preferably before he stops himself then distract him with a toy or treat, (don't feel sorry for him or fuss over him when he's displaying nervousness as that will only reinforce the behaviour) reward him for relaxing and/or focusing on you.

ETA: He's a beaut BTW!

Just give him time to settle, he will come round.

Maska, our 11 month old, still bites on occasion (since we got our new pup - maybe he thinks its cute). We do what Jstaff suggested. We stand up and completely ignore him, and this usually stops it. There are times when ignoring him does not to the trick, but we use a clicker to "snap him out of it", and then he gets praise if he stops. You must just find a way that works for you.

The mistakes in the house might just be him getting used to his new surroundings, being a bit nervous. Don't get angry at him for doing this, just clean it up. When he does it outside, give him lots of praise. With time and patience he will learn that doing it in the house gives him no reaction, while doing it outside gets him praise. He also doesn't really need to go out every 15 minutes, at his age, they can manage a few hours. Do it after eating, sleeping and playing. You will get to know his tell tale signs of wanting to go outside.

With regards to your walks, be patient. If the previous owner never walked him, he was only used to the place he lived. The world outside is big, with lots of smels and sounds etc and this can be overwhelming. Be patient, take is slowly, maybe start by only taking him up and down your own road until he is comfortable and more relaxed. You don't want to force it, because this can make him anxious and fearful. Take it at his pace, but I'm sure going to dog classes will be helpful, because here he will socialise with other dogs and maybe become more confident.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Thanks i have read the basics and going to try these out today.
One more question though, If when i turn around to ignore his behaviour, what if he then starts jumping and biting on my back to i just yelp and move away and keep doing this until he leaves me alone?

Steven wrote:Thanks i have read the basics and going to try these out today.
One more question though, If when i turn around to ignore his behaviour, what if he then starts jumping and biting on my back to i just yelp and move away and keep doing this until he leaves me alone?

If he doesn't stop when you ignore him, say "no" and turn away again. If he then carries on, pick him up (if you can) and put him out of the room & shut the door on him for a couple of minutes. Once he's calm again you can let him back in.

It sounds like he didn't get much attention/training/walks from his previous owners, so he must feel like all his christmasses have come at once & he'll get quite excited and/or nervous with various situations. As long as you stay calm, don't sympathise with his nervousness, and stay consistent with his training you'll find that he'll start to respond quite quickly.

Re: the messing in the house. Don't say "no" when he does it, just take him straight outside and if he pees/poos out there give him loads of fuss. Clear up any accidents quietly & without a fuss with a non-amonia cleaner (a solution of biological washing liquid does the job well & is really cheap to use!).

It sounds like he's starting to settle in with you?

Sounds like a typical teenager !

He will push boundaries until he's settled, all above advise is good so can't really add anything other than u need to stay calm but assertive at all times.

The walking will improve, I had similar issues with walking my girl, had to go thru a lot to get her to even walk 5 meters ! Persistence us key x

Hi my boy was the same and still stops if we don't go out with our other staff
He now walks ok on his own but it has taken time
If he stops when out we wait and not walk back the way we came after a little wait he moves forward and we give lots of praise and treat
At first just to walk down the road it would take 10-20 mins but they do learn there is something good if they walk
Hope this helps

Caryll wrote:Clear up any accidents quietly & without a fuss with a non-amonia cleaner (a solution of biological washing liquid does the job well & is really cheap to use!).

Ooh this sounds interesting how is the solution made up please? I bought some of that stuff from pets at home and that doesn't seem to be working