Biting Staffy

Hi everyone!

My Staffy Bruce is 7 months old and is still biting a lot.

He only bites when he gets too excited, like after eating or after playing.

I already tried to yelp, to put him in a time out, redirect him for toys or other activities and be firm saying no to him.

Zero results.

I don't Think it's boredom either, since me and my husband are always entertaining him and exercising him.

Also, he never gets alone at home and goes to a dog Daycare once a week.

He is a loving dog and has no other behavior problem.

Has Anyone had this Problem? Any suggestions?

Thanks!

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Hi and welcome from me and mine

This is a very common problem, so don't worry that your lad's got an unusual problem. Young staffies are generally very mouthy and some take longer than others to settle down.

There are 2 things I'd suggest. The first is to use your knowledge of when he tends to nip - over excitement - and work on that rather than on the resulting behaviour of nipping. If you can manage things better to avoid the over excitement it should help avoid the nipping.

So when you're playing, for example, try and keep energy levels a bit lower and stop before they get too high. Keep your energy down, keep things a bit quieter overall, and encourage him to be more moderate too. Work on 'leave it' and 'enough' commands for yummy rewards, so that he will drop tuggy toys and stop playing when you ask. Then find nice things for him to do that are lower energy - so a bone to chew, hidden treats to snuffle out, a treat ball, whatever will lower the energy.

The other thing I always recommend is, instead of sending the dog for time out, you leave the room. Timing is essential in training, a response has to be immediate and preferably quick. The amount of time it takes to send a dog out of a room, into a crate, means the moment is lost. On the other hand, the second you feel teeth on skin or clothing, you can just up and go, quick. If you are absolutely consistent, each and every time no matter what's happening, and bang on with your timing, he should learn that what he is doing (nipping) drives you away, which is the opposite of what he wants.

The other thing to mention, of course, is that it is important to catch any moments that he was going to nip but remembers and doesn't. That should get huge praise and treats.

Hi ya, welcome to the forum from Flo and me

What you describe is not unusual at all, as Liz says, some learn more quickly than others. The advice above is all very good and I would concentrate on getting up and walking away, Staffies are very human orientated and will soon learn what gets the attention and what doesn't.

Above all else, don't get too stressed about it, it will pass and before long you'll have forgotten all about it.

Absolutely agree with everything Liz has suggested. When working with young animals, a calm attitude is essential. That way they learn that calm is the default mood to be in. Of course we can have fun with our pets, but its much easier to call play time quits on a dog that already knows what calm is.

Has anything helped?