Please tell me it gets better...

Bruno is doing really well and I'm very proud of him BUT...

There is one thing I want to ask your advice on. He gets really bitey sometimes when I play with him. Squealing and pulling away doesn't work it just seems to rile him up even more. He'll back away and then do a run up and clamp onto my arm so I have to prise him off and it blimmin hurts!
Is this normal puppy behaviour or do I need to be worried? I don't want him to end up being an aggressive dog.

We're Squealing and moving away at the moment, and there have been times when he's been so mad I just put him in his crate to calm down. When he gets my partner badly, he gives him a tap on the nose but I really don't like him doing that. Should I tell him not to? I don't want Bruno thinking we're going to hurt him and he needs to fight back.

Perseverance is the key I know... It's just the madness I worry about!

Firstly a puppy can not be aggressive, secondly it is very very normal, pups communicate by mouthing, and to answer you questions yes it is very normal and yes it does get better.

Try turning you back on him arms crossed, and also you could try excluding him from the room for a couple of mins when he bites. He will not like being excluded from play and will soon learn.

Yes it's very normal !! Please do tell your partner not to tap him. Also don't put him in his crate as a punishment, it needs to be his safe place. Have you seen this about biting?

http://staffy-bull-terrier.com/stop_your_staffy_puppy_biting

Rosie3 wrote: He gets really bitey sometimes when I play with him. Squealing and pulling away doesn't work it just seems to rile him up even more. He'll back away and then do a run up and clamp onto my arm so I have to prise him off and it blimmin hurts!
Is this normal puppy behaviour or do I need to be worried?  I don't want him to end up being an aggressive dog.

We're Squealing and moving away at the moment, and there have been times when he's been so mad I just put him in his crate to calm down. When he gets my partner badly, he gives him a tap on the nose but I really don't like him doing that. Should I tell him not to? I don't want Bruno thinking we're going to hurt him and he needs to fight back.

It's so normal! 

I've never done the yelping/squealing because it always seems to excite them! I tend to say "No!" and then stop all play/fuss. Just turn away & don't even make eye contact until they're calm again.

Please ask your oh not to tap his nose - he could end up being head shy, and there's nothing worse than seeing a dog shy away from somebody wo has raised a hand near them!

P.S. It really does get better! 

It really does get better I promise. Darcy was a demon biter at Brunos age but now at 12 months she only bites during play & I allow this, if she goes a rough I say enough and she stops. stick with it you'll get there

Rosie you are doing great, enjoy all these phases (even if they are a pain!).

Thanks guys!

I can't wait til he starts going on walks and doing training classes so he has something to tire him out. I do a little bit of training with him each day but it gets him overexcited after a short while and he starts snapping at my hands so I stop.

I'll just keep on keeping on. It's reassuring to hear this is just normal puppy behaviour! Thanks again!

You will be amazed by walking and getting into a routine will change everything Xx

It most definitely gets better. When Caley was young and used to do this I would shut her in the downstairs toilets for a few minutes and this would work wonder, I never used her crate as a punishment as that is their sanctuary. Now we don't need to bother, a firm no and she slobbers all over you instead lol.

I've started leaving the room and ignoring him instead of putting him in his crate. he hasn't had a very bitey day today. I think his pedigree treats make him hyper with all the crap they put in them so they're going in the bin and we'll be using little bits of chicken as treats now.
Training classes start on Monday, I can't wait!
I can't be the only puppy mummy that is trying to teach him some stuff before hand so he's not the bottom of the class... LOL!

Your doing fine do follow advice above and all will be great.
Yes I am afraid I was one who trained a lot before puppy classes but it did pay off. Apart from Vinnie wanting to run around like a loon, when tasks were taking place he defo was the best behaved!  

It really does get better. Instead of getting worse as they grow, they begin to realise their own strength and become more gentle as they become more coordinated.
Pleeeeaaaase don't use the crate for punishment, it has to be his safe place.
At home training prior to going to training classes definitely gives them a head start. Even a simple "sit" and "puppy" recalls which involves calling his name excitedly while backing away from him.

Sounds like your doing a great job. Just keep up with what you are doing it will all start to fall into place.
I did just what you are doing now and I have two great soft mouthed dogs.
I used to look like a self harmer lol but playing rough with marley last night no matter how excited he got he never applied pressure when he got my hand or arm just gave me a look of "dad your slacking" most times he holds and slurps his tongue against my arm or hand. dont give in it will get better.
Yet when he is playing with laska they are grabbing and twisting necks and legs etc.

How's things today with Bruno?

He's good. Slept from 11pm to almost 7am again... Third night in a row! I'm spoilt!

He still gets bitey but we've stopped the squealing now in case that's exciting him more and now we're ignoring and putting him out of the room. Seems to work after a few goes so we're going to persevere with that.

He's being a really good boy today, we're just chilling out and watching some telly. He was very interested in my bacon sarnie but after a stern word he just sat next to me and ignored it!

All the advice I've had has been great. I love him so much I just want the best for him!

Aww he sounds like he's right on track, beautiful boy any more pics?

I'll get some more today my phone is full of Bruno haha, my friends think I'm mad. I think I'm normal!!

We're going out for a pub lunch tomorrow so I'll take some photos of that too. He is so well behaved when we're out and about.

Glad he's making such great progress. Post as many pics as you like on here, we're all mad too. Your friends just don't understand that you have the most fantastic dog in the world:x  .........with the exception of my dog of course....oh and all the other dogs on here.   

I'm glad he is doing so well. Hope you guys have lots of fun this outing. We got the best breeds in the world.

Hiya my bilbo is 19 wks old tomorrow and he is no where near as bad for biting now.in fact he has just played ball and tug with us and never bit once.he's becoming very gentle not perfect mind as he's still a baby and gets excited but a firm no works for ours..

Ahem ahem... Big announcement.

I slept in my own bed last night!!!

Bruno went from 10.30 to 7am when my partners alarm went off and had no accidents. It feels so good to be back in a normal bed... My back will thank me for it!

Thanks for all your advice as always. His biting is also getting better (slowly). He only really gets massively bitey when he's too excited so he gets a time out!

Things are looking up