Vivienne

Hi just some advice if possible. My 3 year old boy not good with other dogs at all

I have just got a little girls she is 5 weeks old and I have to say I'm astounded by my boys reaction instant protection and checking on her.
But here is my problem ,,, my little bitch is very aggressive in my eyes. She is snapping at mine and partners faces growling and really trying to go for it with my boy but when crated all she does is scream for him .. Thought maybe some playmate time with my daughters puppy ( staffy 7 weeks old and beautiful temperament ) and Vivienne my pup went in to my daughters house played for no more than 5 minutes then got so aggressive to the point I had to jump in to stop her from hurting little jake. Iv found now for 2 days I'm harnessing her and using the lead to control her. And night times last night was the 3 night she sleeps for 3 hrs tnext to my bed in a crate so she can see my boy the wakes up jumping at the gage door screaming like a banshee trying to get out. I did do the tough love and let her scream for 2 hrs as she had wet food dry food loads of water mixed with goats milk toys. Plz help as my boy as a puppy never did any of this.

At 5 weeks old this is normal behaviour but the problem is that she has been taken away from her mum and litter mates much too early. Puppies should not leave their mum until they are at least 8 weeks old as it is the mum who shows the puppies what is acceptable and what isn't by light nips and barks at her pups. The litter mates also help to keep each other in check so that at 8 weeks when they leave they are aware of what is good behaviour and what is bad, as your pup hasn't had this time she doesn't know what she should and shouldn't be doing. It may be worth getting some advice from a dog behaviourist as it is going to take a lot of work to teach her right from wrong without her mum around at this age x

She's 5 weeks old? There is no way a puppy should be away from it's mother at that age. I'm not impressed by the breeder.

This is the age when puppies start to learn about interacting with others, about how far they can go play fighting and how far is too far. Normally, litter mates will teach each other. What you are describing sounds normal behaviour. I appreciate that we are not there to see exactly but it is extremely, extremely rare for puppies to have any genuine aggression whatsoever. As I say, play fighting is normal, it's not aggression.

This is also something that puppies need to do and stopping her will be more likely to lead to genuine dog on dog problems at a later stage. I would let her be with your other dog and hopefully he'll teach her some boundaries. I would also talk to your vet to ask about puppy parties/puppy classes as soon as she is old enough.

I'm afraid I don't agree that putting a puppy in a crate and letting them get distressed is tough love, it's just plain tough. There are ways to teach a puppy to accept a crate if you need to. I would also be concerned that depriving her of what she so badly needs - constant canine contact with your other dog - will cause her problems now and down the line. For now, this little baby dog needs her big brother. Let her sleep with your lad, it'll probably calm her and make her more settled.

With respect to interactions with you, I'd suggest you need to discuss as a family how you are going to work with her and make sure you are all doing the same thing. If she tends to go for faces, then keep your interactions with her to such that she can't reach them. At that age, she won't be able to reach your faces unless you allow her to. She'll probably start using her mouth on hands/clothing. There are so many threads in this section, you'll see it's very, very common. There's a thread at the moment that covers is.

https://staffy-bull-terrier.niceboard.com/t64163-correcting-puppy

As Linzi-Jo says, it might be worth contacting a good behavioural trainer to get you started. This is such a vital time in their lives, what they learn now sticks with them forever. It really is worth then time and investment to get it right.

Sorry if the above all sounds a bit harsh. I'm cross with the breeder for selling a puppy so young.

Thank you. No I don't think your harsh I to think it's way way to young to leave mum. She has a vet appointment this afternoon I like to know she has had full check over thank you for the advice

You're welcome. Do come back if you need (or anyway!)

Hi lizp. Could I ask some advice. My little Madame is making my boy bleed he has some really bad sore bits on his body of her biting him. But he doesn't seam bothered ?? Just an update on the screaming night times. She slept all the way through finally and the bond between my boy and viv is outstanding he is always checking on her and only chestized twice and that's for trying to drag my grandson. I'm a proud mam

It's a shame he's being so good in a way, as him telling her she's gone too far is what she needs. How bad are the sore bits, enough to worry about? If not, then I'd probably leave them to it. If it is bad enough that you'd take him to the vet, for example, you maybe need to look at breaking them up when she goes too far, and giving them separate chill out areas when she can calm down before they get back together again.

Great news about the general progress, though. It sounds like you have every reason to be proud.

Hi thank you. Loads of people are saying I'm just over reacting over my boy but I don't like seeing him sore. Viv I have to say very good at commands she will sit , also knows the word NO !! And the snapping at the face has stopped. I did notice that when I first got her she had a flea now my boy and cat have front line on but didn't know if with her now being 6 weeks old enough for me to put it on her. I have been using tee tree oil diluted in warm water and it seams to have done the trick. Dexter is a running dog and has done many charity hill running and a 26 mile marathon run just I feel terrible that he wants to go out running but within a hr he is trying to drag me home. Sorry if I sound dumb and not picking fault with viv she was the best decision for D I can't wait to get her out running maybe it will sort her out a bit

Dumb? That just sounds caring to me

Rather than relyin on 'no', I'd teach them both 'enough', in other words 'stop playing now'. You do it by pairing the word with treats to the point that they hear 'enough' and come for a treat. You can then start to use it to break up play when you feel they need to take a break. If they go back to playing, just call 'enough' again, and again if needed. They will learn that 'enough' means stop playing and settle down. It can take a bit of repetition to start off with but it's worth the effort.

Sensible decision on the flea treatment. I'm not sure what the age guideline is, maybe check with your vet, but I'd always err on the side of caution when it comes to chemicals and puppies.

I'm sure you know, be patient with the running for her. Dexter will get back out soon and they'll both learn that they can be apart. It's very early days and it's great that you are separating them already rather than have them super glued forever more. Build up her walking gradually when she's old enough and then add a little running from time to time. It'll be worth waiting for, having the two of them powering along with you!

Thank you so much I don't really know what I would do without this forum xx

Hi all. Could anyone help me out here. Vivienne got her first injections yesterday and when the vet weighed her she put 38kg on her sheet now that sounds al lot she is 6 weeks 2 days

Definitely think that's wrong. Maybe she meant 38lbs? Or 3.8?kg? My Bonnie is just under 6 months and she weighs 11.5 kg so yours would be certainly less.

38kg? That's a fully grown American Bulldog!

I thought so. Could she of ment 38 grams

No, 38g is a bag of crisps. It must be 3.8kg.

Awe right thank you !! I'm old school so lbs and stone are more my thing. Thank you again.

38g = 1.3 ounces, 38kg = nearly 6 stone!!!

Hi liz. My daughter has a 10 week staffy pup and he is so hyper biting jumping to be honest I've never seen a puppy so hyper he has lots an lots of attention a she never leaves him more toys than pets at home but just will not do or listen to anyone he has just had his first injection so can't go out yet any advice I could give her

What food is she giving him ?

This could be a blue smartie thing

Food could well be a factor, depending on what he's getting. It could also be that he's getting so much attention, so many toys, that he's not learned that he's a bit spoilt, and is just demanding more, more, more.

Do either of these ring a possible bell?

He is on pedigree chum wet and dry food. I know that the girl who has his mam and dad never once give the pups any human attention never cuddled or picked them up they were left to play with litter mates and mum.

Yes it doesn't matter how much he gets he just wants more and more I took Vivienne over for puppy time and she wasn't happy because he just didn't stop pestering her

The first thing to try is a change of diet. Pedigree chum is not a good quality food and there are some dogs that react to that. If you have a look on this comparison site, you'll see how low it scores

http://www.allaboutdogfood.co.uk/the-dog-food-directory

I'd move him onto a better quality food, maybe a wheat free one, and see if he's any better. Maybe try something like Millie's Wolfheart, which not only is good quality, no cereal, no added sugar, no artificial additives, it's also quite good on price.

https://www.millieswolfheart.co.uk/

I'm not brilliant on processed dog food - mine are fed raw - so maybe someone else can add other ideas.

If that doesn't work, then let's talk about other options, but I'd try one thing at a time or you won't know what's worked.

Quick update Vivienne was rushed to emergency vets Friday with a bleeding eye after Dexter chastised her for trying to take food out of his mouth she was very lucky her eye was only punctured just underneath. Iv got to say Dexter did growl at her twice before he nipped her. The vet did say not to punish him as he was only letting her know that he won't except that behaviour. Yet these two are still inseparable

I think your vet is right. Some pups don't take the warnings and the older dog does need to show that he means it. Hopefully one of these incidents will be enough for her to learn from.

You don't need any more to worry about at the moment, do you?!

Hi Liz. I know this might sound crazy but on a walk with Dexter yesterday I seen the woman who I got Vivienne from walking her bitch who I'm assuming is VIVIENNEs mam as you could still see her boobies haha. now I never seen her when I went to visit or pick up my little dinamite, as the woman said she was a little aggressive with strangers. Now to me the look the posture the ears the head the build of this dog she looks like an American pitbull. I also know through Dexter that STAFFY pups can come in any shape or form hence Dexters head was that huge he couldn't walk without toppiling over ( he is now 23.8 kegs and all in proportion and bloody handsome as ever ) it makes no difference to me if she is pit or staffy I'm just a little worried someone try's to take her. Like I said sounds a little crazy