puppy nipping

Hi all im just after some advice or atleast checking if im doing it right. ....boycie is nearly 9 weeks old and most of the time a little darling but when he's excited he will growl and nip at your feet or trousers or hands ect resulting in my girls having their trousers pulled down as they leave a room ect...and he growls as he does it...tail wagging still though. ..so far I have been saying a firm deep NO! and removing him from our clothing ect and if he doesnt stop I give him a short time out but usually he will come back in and do the same thing. ..I was just wondering how long it will last and if there is anything else I can do..he has.lots chew toys ect and whilst command training he wont do this growling ect he concentratea very well. ...thanks for reading xx

Sounds to me like your doing everything right, firm no and time out if needed, it does get better I promise it just takes time, patience and perseverance to be honest I can't really remember how long training took just that it worked

Thanks for the reply xx

Totally normal, just takes training, also the reason I would only rescue an older dog! You will get pass the puppy stage Xx

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

Honestly, they all do it and it's all in play. Keep repeating the firm but kind No and redirecting the puppy's interest to something that he can chew and bite at and he will gradually learn. Be aware though he will go through teething when his chewing at things may step up a gear!

Don't worry about the growling - it's play growling!

Yeah im prepared for the teething stage its not the chewing its the biting/ nipping thing....chewing is ok as I have lots of chew toys ect and kong pull ropes xx

How old are your girls?

Oh god I thought I was alone with this ! Tiring lol. Good luck!

My girls are 3 and 4 x

Totally normal. Just stick with what you're doing. It'll get better and you'll look back and laugh about it. My daughter and my grandson came to visit when Bacchus was 10 weeks old. I went to the shops and came back to find them on the settee with their feet tucked under to get away from him.    

Yes we have that now lol thanks x

Boycies_mum wrote:My girls are 3 and 4 x

You could probably include them with the training. At their age they can understand what needs to be done, and it'll bring them closer together!

Boycies_mum wrote:My girls are 3 and 4 x

that does make it a bit more difficult, as the little girls might find it hard to understand that the pup means them no harm and get frightened, especially if the pup's teeth make inadvertent contact.

In your place, I would explain calmly to the girls (when they are away from the pup) that Boycie is still a little baby boy and gets excited and wants to play with them. He loves them and doesn't mean to scare them, but as he is such a little baby he still needs to learn, and will learn as he gets bigger. Please ask them to try not to shriek and run if he chases them or nips at their clothes but to stand still and tell Boycie NO, and tbh if you are within easy distance I would scoop Boycie up telling him NO (in a firm but low pitched voice) and set him down again away from the girl/s (who should go about whatever they wanted to do) and distract Boycie from them by taking him onto your lap if necessary and giving him quieting strokes. Be careful that your voice to Boycie is low and calm, so that your girls don't receive the impression that you are scared of him!

Calmness and firmness are the key - he will learn!

Thank you for your advice. ..I have explained to the girls about boycie being a baby and he needs to learn about playing nicely and he doesnt understand that biting hurts yet but he will soon...they are quite calm and will say no to him and stand still whilst doing it..they are also training him with his clicker commands too thanks all xx

It's always good to get the children involved. I think it helps the dog & them!

Sounds as if you are all doing just fine - keep up the good work!