Feeling deflated :(

Hello, now I know I'm probably going to get abit of abuse for this post but hopefully I'll get the advice I need too.

Reggie- we for him at 6 weeks old as his mum had rejected the litter from 3 weeks old. We have a 21 month old toddler too by the way.
So Reggie settled in really well with house training & we had his own room which was the same purpose as a crate really. He did get used to being in there at nights but we went away to visit in laws for 3 days & Reggie was left with my parents who have a 3 year old lab. While there they let him sleep upstairs & they had no problems at all so he now sleeps up with us- he's had afew accidents but is no trouble at all.

I've posted on here before about his snapping/biting. We have had so many conflicting advice guides that I ended up going to the local vet/dog trainer to ask. She said a sharp, high pitched 'Ahhh' give him 2 chances & then remove him from the room. She said for 20 mins but I thought that was a tad extreme so we do it for about 5 mins.
When we open the door we ignore him for awhile too.

He is still snapping, jumping up & the most frustrating thing is when my son is eating; He has his own little table & chair & we try sending Reggie to his bed while Mason is eating. He starts off well but is sneaky & then he will rub right over & under the table & chair. This sometimes spooks my son & he gets himself so worked up he doesn't want to sit at his table or finish his meal. Half the time Reggie ends up going into his room & being shut away which I'd prefer not too.
He doesn't bat an eyelid when we're eating though, he usually just goes to sleep!

He's also been jumping up & on my son lately, especially when Masons back is turned & he's sitting on the floor. Reggie will run & jump on his back, trying to nip his ears. He's already broken the skin once.

I'm feeling quite upset & deflated by it all at the minute as although I'm trying to do some training Reggie just gets over hyper & worked up. He's just had his second lot of jabs so is allowed out for walks as of Saturday- hoping this will help.
My hubby is at work all day & I'm left with both pup & toddler so when my hubby gets home I've lost my patience with it all & am in a foul mood with him & everything :(

Now before anyone says it- I KNOW HE'S STILL JUST A PUPPY!x

He is a puppy and therefore playfull, learning bite inhibition and testing boundaries. He sees your child and anyone else on the floor as a playmate. Be sure to supervise him around your son at all times and here a link that should help

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

I can emphasize with your frustration! I got a puppy for the first time ever last year. I've always had adult rescue dogs, I just fancied a challenge. It really is a challenge!

The only thing to bare in mind is that it does get easier with time. If you try and concentrate on how things are getting better (even if only slightly) it will lower your frustration and in turn this will rub off on your dog.

Pups nip...constantly. It's a nightmare, but it is just how they learn. At a time I had a thought "I'll never be able to have guests again". There are a lot of different opinions on how to deal with it but only certain things work with certain dogs. The loud "AHHH" just makes Logan MORE excited.

I found the only way to deal with the excitement (nipping, jumping, barking) was to find him another outlet to release his frustration. He loves destroying an empty plastic bottle of coke, and loves his teddies. So when dinner time comes before I bring the food in I will give him a bottle, or one of his teddies and leave him to it.

If your pup has a certain toy, or favourite thing (I moan on about how much a filled Kong really helps) try to divert his attention from you with it. Try keeping that toy in the cupboard and only giving it to him at meal times, to keep him interested in it. He will learn eventually "Ok, at meal times I'm expected to clear off and give space".

pups are difficult and i can feel your frustration. my pup has in all honesty been an absolute nightmare at times. i've tried every trick in the book and he's destroyed so many things it's not funny. most recently, i had 2 pairs of glasses, he destroyed them both. so i had to replace them, i bought 2 new pairs. i had them 3 days and 1 pair already destroyed.

I bought a new lamp for the lounge, had it 11 hours before it was destroyed. he's pulled down curtains and with it the wall fittings, destroyed bed side cabinets, you name it, he's had a go at it.

i even said to myself enoughs enough, if he destroys one more thing that's it he's going. i don't want to start resenting him. the thing is, the thought of someone else having him or even giving him up is worse than anything i've felt to now. think of the bigger picture, they will improve and calm down with age.

Thank you for the link, it really helped :)

And thank you for understanding my frustration. It is hard, especially with a toddler aswell.

With the mealtimes we do try & give him a kong but he gets really excited & bounds round the room, eventually ending up under Masons table or jumping up at the table/chair. Do you think I should maybe put him in his own room with the stair gate on for mealtimes, with his toys? We did try giving him a chew/Hyde bone thing for just Masons mealtimes but he's sort of lost interest in it.

The nipping thing with the 'Ahh' does the same with Reggie- makes him more excited, he scrambles around, running about & snapping, barking, showing his teeth at us. That's when we put him in his room.

I do get upset about it & I really hope it gets easier xx

I feel your pain... I really do. Stick with it as best you can, it will get easier. The first couple of weeks are a real shock.

In many ways its like rasing a child. You can't expcect instant miracles everything just takes time. What you should know is that any training you're doing now is life long, you won't just have to train for a few weeks a then you will have a perfect dog. So try not to get stressed over it, just keep persevering.

I think that because your puppy never got the social skills normal ones do it probably doesn't know that the high pitched squeal means stop, so I would go about it slightly different and when he snaps hold your palm up to get his attention and give a sit command and if he snaps again then remove.

Personally I feel putting the dog in the next room doesn't solve the problem. It will prevent the hassle at that time, but it will never go away.

Would it be possible for you to have Reggie on his lead for when Mason is eating, in the same room? You can then show him he can be here but he has to give Mason his space. I had to do this when Logan was really young and I started having visitors. A few of my friends are scared of him and I didn't want him jumping up to play because it understandably annoyed them.

The main thing for me was to just sit down calmly (easier said than done I know) with the lead and have Logan sit beside me on the floor. He whinned and cried to get over to my friends but after repeating this for the next while he EVENTUALLY realised "ok if I'm calm he will let me go". He is still a terror at times but on a whole it's about 95% better.

With all puppy problem persistance is the key. You just have to repeat over and over until they get the picture. If you try and look at it from Reggie's position he probably just doesn't know what he should be doing and is trying to find out.

I hope it starts to improve for you soon! Keep us updated

I sympathise, but you've already said it - he's still a puppy, and a very young one at that. You're having problems that others wouldn't have quite so badly because he didn't have the benefit of his siblings around him for that extra 2 weeks. But, all is not lost, it will get better and as long as you're patient (God help us we all known that's a hard one!) and consistent he'll come through it to be a fantastic dog!

MatLogan wrote:If your pup has a certain toy, or favourite thing (I moan on about how much a filled Kong really helps) try to divert his attention from you with it. Try keeping that toy in the cupboard and only giving it to him at meal times, to keep him interested in it. He will learn eventually "Ok, at meal times I'm expected to clear off and give space".

That's good advice. Save something that really interests him for only those occasions when you need him to be quieter!

mrscams wrote: The nipping thing with the 'Ahh' does the same with Reggie- makes him more excited, he scrambles around, running about & snapping, barking, showing his teeth at us. That's when we put him in his room.

I do get upset about it & I really hope it gets easier xx

I've never found the high pitched yelp to be at all helpful! All the dogs I've had have just got thoroughly over excited by it! I've always stuck with a firm & deep "No!" and then turn away & ignore totally, no touching, no eye contact. If the pup still carries on, then it's time out either in another room for a minute or in a crate. And no, a crate & another room are not the same! With a crate the pup can still see what's going on & still feel a part of it all, with another room the pup is shut away & can't see or be part of the goings on.

In don't suppose you had a playpen for your son when he was a little younger? If not, it might be worth buying a 2nd hand one for the pup! That way he can be in the same room, but kept away from your son when necessary.

It's all so confusing! Everyone has their own opinions & when I went to the vet she said his own room was fine as we have a stairgate on so he can still see what's going on. We just ignore him, he usually goes & lays down in his bed.
She said the whole point of removing him from the room was to make him feel isolated & that being out of his 'pack' is what he will hate the most so he will learn the things that remove him & hopefully do them less.
She also runs a puppy training class.

Yesterday I felt like I was putting him in there every 1/2 hour!

mrscams wrote:It's all so confusing! Everyone has their own opinions & when I went to the vet she said his own room was fine as we have a stairgate on so he can still see what's going on. We just ignore him, he usually goes & lays down in his bed.
She said the whole point of removing him from the room was to make him feel isolated & that being out of his 'pack' is what he will hate the most so he will learn the things that remove him & hopefully do them less.
She also runs a puppy training class.

Yesterday I felt like I was putting him in there every 1/2 hour!

Jeez. I normally say do what the vet says but in this case I don't know if it's a good idea. In my opinion an isolated pup will only be nervous and will struggle with trust. It's important for him to be part of the family, he's just needs to know how to act. What Hayley said about Reggie not getting enough early socialisation is totally correct! The mummy dog teaches the pups manors, she is the ultimate dog trainer. That doesn't mean you are beaten before you started though.

I have to disagree mat, i don't think vets generally know a lot of about behaviour but in this case they are right. The dog will want to be with the family so will learn what behaviours will get it removed. A lot of dog trainers use this method. If a dog is in a hyper-excited state then nothing else but some down time will calm it really.

Hayley wrote:I have to disagree mat, i don't think vets generally know a lot of about behaviour but in this case they are right. The dog will want to be with the family so will learn what behaviours will get it removed. A lot of dog trainers use this method. If a dog is in a hyper-excited state then nothing else but some down time will calm it really.

I can see what you mean. I was told to put Logan outside or in another room when he was very young and bonkers, but for me it really didn't work. He would have been shaking by the time I was able to let him back in, and then as soon as got in he would have ran under the coffee table/stairs and barked. It was just too much drama for him. He is one of those dogs that REALLY couldn't be left alone for even a short period of time. I am by no means a dog trainer however. It was just a matter of trial an error for me.

Yeah it won't work for all dogs. Staffords are annoyingly shy sometimes eh! They really do sulk

Thanks Hayley, glad I got some reassurance there :)

It does seem to work with Reggie- sometimes.

I've just been making myself some brunch & Reggie came in from the garden in a hyper mood, he was running picking up my sons toys, snatching toys off him, jumping up & generally uncontrollable. So when I went over to take a toy from him & distract him with his own he snapped, snarled & barked at me. I told him firmly 'No' and took him to his room. Left him in there for about 2 mins & when I let him out he beans calmer. I gave him a Hyde bone to chew while I ate- as my so would be eating off my plate too & Reggie hasn't moved from his bed :)

Well done. You may have found your method! Just persist and you'll get there.

Loki was like that for ages. Some dogs take longer to pick it up than others. Just because you're not seeing any results yet, doesn't mean it isn't working. You have to be consistent with the training, but it's not a quick fix. Imagine it from your point of view: biting and jumping are the only ways of playing and letting your family know you want to play. Then they're all telling you not to do it and ignoring you when you do it. It takes a while for them to work it out and make the connection. It's instinct for puppies to bite and mouth and jump up, it's how they interact and explore, so it takes a while to get them to realise it isn't allowed. Keep up with what you're doing, it will work, just stay on it every time he does it. Try not to get upset about it, he'll get there in the end. If my little demon can do it, so will Reggie

That sounds promising!

It's a matter of finding what works (within reason) & being consistent with it.

You'll get there! ><

Huge set back :( Was sat on the floor with both Reggie & my son. Mason was just finishing off a chocolate biscuit sat on the fireplace harth- where he loves to sit. So I was sat with Reggie beside me trying to distract him & play with him. He got quite worked up trying to get to Mason, so I calmly said sit and blocked him from getting to Mason.
Reggie kept trying to jump up, determined to get to him. He ran round the other side of me, when I put my hand up & said 'No' in a firm tone he snarled, showing his teeth, growled, snapped barked & ran away. Was rubbing round the room crazy. He ran past my son & snapped at him missing his face by inches.
I took him straight to his room & left him there for awhile. I got really upset, in tears :(

Just keep persevering. He's just pushing the boundaries to see how far he can go.

he just being a pup!! you wait till your kid is pushing boundaries it's going be 1000 time worse!!

He sounds really hyperactive. I'm pretty sure you've already answered this, but I can't find the answer - what are you feeding him?

i think hes was on bakers at the age of 3 week old

Yes he was but I think she changed it to something better but not sure.

We're feeding him Wainwrights puppy food x

Try something else if he's hyper... have you reserched the BARF diet. we put ours on it and it setteled him down loads. We have since moved to pet food bought from our local butcher. Might be worth a go... http://www.ukbarfclub.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewDoc&docId=28

Also have a look for a breeder locally who has a bitch that is between litters, ask if your pup can spend some supervised time with her. We paid for this through a dog trainer to help Monty understand how to communicate. Remember though yours is very young... It5 will get better when you can walk him.

I find the wainwrights fine but that's not to say other dogs don't react differentl;y . Perseverance is the key. Tommy has been a nightmare since he was a pup , then when we got him calmer he became a teenager and now we're coming through the other side They do test you very much but I would never have it any other way.

I am in the same sort of situation as you, first puppy and young children (though my youngest is 3).
We bought one of these for Oswald when I need to do chores in the house or when the kids want to play with something on the floor like Lego. It is full of toys and bedding he will either play or have a snooze.



Also have you started some basic training? Oswald has "sit" and "down" nailed in training sessions and I am using them now when he is being a bit over the top, he is not getting it every time when he is excited of course but he is getting it sometimes which I think is great, means I am making progress. Also are you exercising him? I know he cant go for walks yet either can Oswald but I give him a couple of flat out play sessions a day. I found a 20 mins chase the old broom in our family room is an activity we all enjoy or outside with a ball/toy.

I agree with everyone you just need to persevere. I laugh and joke now about how I reckon I had puppy postnatal depression those first couple of months we had caley, I would cry and wonder what we had done, but we persevered and she is 9 months now and is doing amazing, the biting has stopped she listens and is basically turning into a great dog (although does have her moments lol).

Just keep doing what you are doing, the results will show and you will get there, I thought I never would and people on here reassured me I would and they are right.

Good Luck! Sometimes raising a pup can be really hard. Sometimes you just need advice and to say "today was not so good or what I planned". The most important thing is to keep going. Today is a new day. Consistency, calm, and carry on!!! Wine is always an option after a hard day!!!

It IS hell on earth at times .. I have had all my dogs from a young pup, and Max was horrific .. just about the worse pup I've had for mouthing, stubborness, energy, etc .. if he wasnt sleepin, he was doing summut he shouldnt

Their energy at this age is like a light switch as I'm sure you've realised! and just "being a puppy" isnt enough, they need pretty much constant attention, play, excercise, training, all the time untill they start to be able to get rid of it during outside excercise! .. as others said, this wont last, and things will change once he can thrash around outside etc ..

Persavere ... its soooo worth it in the end ... and your son will have the best freind possible for many years to come

Nothing they do at that age is aggression, even though it may be scary the noises they make or how they act. He can't shout at you to be defiant, so his body language is all he can use to tell you "oh fine, but I don't want to stop playing!" so just keep up with what you're doing. It's so hard and it feels like it'll never get better, but it always does with the right training, and it sounds like you're doing the right training, so it'll pay off.

Thank you for all your replies, it's put alittle bit of faith back into my mind that we are doing the right thing but we will just need to keep at it. Reggie has been good today & has only been in his room twice- he snarled & snapped at my husband & he jumped up at my son while he was eating at his table.

He also went for his first walk today & he did well- seems shattered now though lol!!x

You know, he really isn't snarling! It isn't nasty or aggressive, it's just the way puppies behave with each other - he just hasn't quite learned to control himself yet!

I know it's hard to see at the moment, but it really does get better! ><

Persevere it does get better. We were at our wits end with Tash and we did everything but she did still nip and it always seemed to be at our 4 year old son more than anything. We ignored, put her out of the room, yelped all those things and nothing. So unfortunately when it got really bad we put her in her cage (which i know some people do not like - but it saved my sanity). She did learn and her cage is not something she is scared of and goes to quite happily. Think it stopped or eased around 3 months. When you can walk them it does ease alot and we also have the kongs that are brill if she is still biting and a stag bar which she loves but we find a boomer ball is so distracting for her and she loves it so we give her that if she is annoying us to get to something/somebody and it keeps her amused for ages! Good luck it will ease

mrscams wrote:Thank you for all your replies, it's put alittle bit of faith back into my mind that we are doing the right thing but we will just need to keep at it. Reggie has been good today & has only been in his room twice- he snarled & snapped at my husband & he jumped up at my son while he was eating at his table.

He also went for his first walk today & he did well- seems shattered now though lol!!x

how old is reggie now ?

He would have been 10 weeks yesterday xx

Justr keep at it , you will see a big difference with the walking. Tilly and Tommy were both little nightmares as pups for the jumping and mouthing (lets not call it snapping because it isn't) . Tilly was a quick learner and by 3-4months she had got it , Tommy on the other hand is just settling down now though he still has his moments. I was despairing with Tommy 2 months ago and felt like he had to be kept an eye on constantly and never off the lead as he could be so naughty , he would regularly jump my grandson and nip and also the other kids (my wife was a childminder until 3 months ago) but its all about control and monitoring . A puppy really doesn't understand that nipping is bad as that is how they communicate and you have to teach him that.
He will settle and develop this massive bond with your son , he sees him as a playmate and needs to learn the best behaviour. Both of my dogs go missing through the night now and there is only one place to look , curled up on my daughters bed