Behaviour assistance required

Hi, I have a 5 month old staffy that I need some help with, he keeps jumping up at my 2 year old grandson and trying to bite him, I know he wants to play but I want to stop it. He is generally good normal staffy behaviour loving one minute and them biting and barking.

When he is naughty I putvhim in the kitchen for a timeout and a few minutes but he just gets frustarted

He is teething and he has lots of toys to play with him and I walk and play with him but he is full on, when people come round I have asked them to ignore him until he stops jumping up but it does get frustrating.

I have had staffies before they have been girls and Zeus is a boy.

Help to stop the jumping and biting.

Many thanks

Denise

Hi Denise & welcome to you and Zeus.

5 months is a difficult time (believe me I know - I have an 11 month old Bull Terrier with the canine equivalent of ADHD!). The hormones are raging, teething is coming towards the end & is painful & they're starting to realise their strength.

I would imagine that he is having trouble controlling his excitement? If that's the case I would pop a harness on him when you have visitors so that you have full control at all times.

Is he food orientated?

Thankyou for your response and yes he does love his food, I have tried treats when he comes round but it works for a few minutes. My grandaughter who isb5vhe is fine with she does play with him. Does sometimes feel like your the only one it's happening to, but he is my baby lol x

You need to find a really tasty treat that he only gets at special times. JR 'sausages' are really good - they smell strongly & are good enough to feed as a main food, so if he gets too many you won't lose out on nutrition.

ALL visitors get handed treats when they come in (including your granddaughter - she's old enough to understand the basics) & Zeus only gets attention when he 'does' something. NILIF. Nothing In Life Is Free. So, in order to get attention he will have to sit, or down, or give a paw etc. He then gets a treat & a gentle fuss.

If he gets excited again, repeat. If he still doesn't get it, EVERYONE walk out of the room and shut the door. Wait 2 minutes & repeat.

It may take a while, but he will eventually get it.

It's also a great way to get your granddaughter involved in dog training at a young age!

Thankyou so much for your response I will try thia

Hi from me & Katy, welcome to our forum Caryll has given great advise all I can add is that you all train him the same way or he will get confused

Jenc wrote:Hi from me & Katy, welcome to our forum  Caryll has given great advise all I can add is that you all train him the same way or he will get confused

Absolutely - everyone must do the same thing!