Puppy play or aggression help please!

Hi we are new to the forum and were just looking for some help and advice from experienced staffy owners as we are new to having a staff too we rehomed our gorgeous puppy when he was 17 weeks old and he is now 8 months old. He has been such a good boy and is amazing with my 2 young daughters but recently we have noticed him getting a bit mouthy when we are all in the garden. He will bark and jump at us (not the children) and when I turned my back on him for barking at me (as advised by a friend) he bit my back then.my hand. My husband and I are really unsure how best to handle.his behaviour? He is absolutely fine in the house, he never barks at us or tries to bite or nip while we are inside its just in our back garden? Any help and advice would be wonderful thank you

Hi and welcome to the forum. This sounds like excited play. He is young and won't really know what aggression is yet. If this happens do as you were advised, make no eye contact, completely ignore and ensure hands, arms, leg or torso are well out the way. If the mouthing continues replace said body part with a toy.

Going a step further, if he jumps up do the same as above but wait untill all 4 paws are on the floor, then praise and reward. He will soon learn what gets praise and what gets a no and your back turned on him. They are extremely sociably dogs so will learn this fast.

When you get a min, do pop along to the link below and say hi :-
https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/f7-new-member-introductions

can only echo great advice above bentley looks a right cheeky chap

Hi Ian thank you so much for your wonderful advice, we didn't think he was being aggressive as he was a still wagging his tail and didn't look like he was trying to be nasty and like you said he is still very young. Mia thank you for your comment he is stunning but so cheeky lol he tries to get away with murder but he is so good I just worry I'm not doing anything right with him as he is our first dog <3 thanks so much again xxx

We are here for any questions you have, there's vast experience on the forum so do ask away

Agree with Ian and here are some links that will help.

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

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

The 2nd link is in the basics for new owners section and has a ton of great info for first time owners

Thanks so much for all the advice and helpful links everyone we are very grateful x