Puppy Troubles

[chigibub]

HI , I OWN A 2 YEAR OLD BULL TERRIER X STAFFY AND A 5 MONTH OLD RED NOSE AMERICAN STAFFY IM JUST WONDERING IF ANY ONE CAN HELP ME . MY PUPPY ALWAYS BITES MY BULL TERRIERS FACE . I HAVE TO GROWL AT HIM TO GET HIM TO STOP . WHEN I WALK THEM HE STILL TRIES TO BITE HER. IM WORRIED HE WILL KEEP DOING IT WHEN HE GETS BIGGER . I HAVE NO IDEA HOW TO STOP HIM . HELPPPP

[LilyW]

I am no expert on this, but from experience my sister has two dogs - an Amercian Bulldog and a Staffy x Maltese, she got the Staffy x when the Bulldog was 12 months and for the first few months all the Staffy would do is bite at the Bulldogs face but now it isn't a problem, she grew out of it. I took my pup over there a couple of months ago and all she did was bite at the bulldogs face and mouth, he didn't seem to mind at all. I just assumed it was a normal thing for pups to do....???, just playing for them. But i could be wrong and usually am on this forum. As long as they are not being aggressive about it, or doing the same to humans i believe they grow out of it.

[chigibub]

ok i hope he grows out of it , my other dog doesnt seem to mind but im scared he might cut her face one day coz his teeth are sharp being puppy teeth

[caffiend42]

g'day there, how does the two yr old react to the youngster? Does she put up with it, or does she get narky at him?

If it's not major, perhaps let the dogs work it out for themselves, or try distracting him with training or toys.

[chigibub]

MY BULL TERRIER CROSS SKITTLES WAS JUST UNDER 2 WHEN I GOT MY AMERICAN PIT BULL , THEY ARE GREAT FRIENDS AND SHE DEFINENTLY TOLERATES HIM . BUT IM JUST WORRIED HE MAY CUT HER FACE , OR NOT GROW OUT OF IT . MY AMERICAN PIT BULL WAS 4 WEEKS WHEN I GOT HIM HE IS NOW 4MONTHS HE KNOW HOW TO GIVE HI FIVE , SIT , STAY , DROP , ROLL OVER , HE IS SO CLEVER , BUT IM NOT SURE HOW TO SNAP HIM OUT OF HIS PROBLEM OF BITING SKITTLES FACE

[caffiend42]

Hey Chigibub, can you not type in capitals next time? It's like shouting

OK, does your little one interact with any other dogs, or is his only contact with your 2 year old? Has anyone suggested to you to get him into some socialisation and obedience at puppy classes? That is REALLY important if you got him at only 4 weeks He needs the interaction with other puppies and dogs to learn the things he's missed out from his litter mates and mum.

This is also REALLY important as well, given his breed. What state do you live in?

It's unlikely he'll cut her face, even with puppy teeth - she will let him know when enough is enough.

Slightly off topic, but do you know what breed specific legislation is? If not, I suggest you do a search and what it means for your boy.

ETA, just saw you live in Adelaide - check out some puppy schools/obedience, and definitely read up on BSL

Edited January 19, 2007 by caffiend42

[Nekhbet]

If you got him so young he has a tainted idea on how to act around other dogs (how the HECK did you get such a young pup!) Eventually the other dog will have to say something but she's probably acting like a mum to him and tolerating his antics until he gets older.

she tolerates it so he keeps going. Bully breeds are pretty tolerant of that behaviour and one day she will give him what for. But from you, when he does it grab him by the scruff and stick him in a time out for a whil until he settles down. Dont smack or growl too much, just put him somewhere where he can have some alone time and think about what he has done wrong.

[chigibub]

oops sorry about the capitals , yes well he gets to interact with other dogs , my neighbour takes her dog for a walk with my two . also i let my friends bring there dogs over to play with my two . so he does get to interact with other dogs . when i got him i had to wean him . i reacon he was to young to leave his mum . he has a beautiful nature . i am going to start taking him to obediance training . when he was really little he used to bite faces and anything pretty much but he has stpped that . thakfully .

even when i walk him and skittles . he cant be seperated from her or he cries and when they are together he is constantly licking her face and biting her face and mouth . im so lost

[spoilt lab lives here]

In the wild, lower dogs in the pack lick the pack leaders face in a sign of submissiveness. The puppies lick the mother face so she can feed them.

Your pup may just be playing. Im sure if your other dog is tolerating it so far she will definitly let the pup know when she has had enough. Ramses drags and pulls at Sasha's neck. Sasha is an Aussie terrier X JRT and is the size Ramses was at 8 wks old. She gets her own back at the end of the day and she is 11. Your puppy is only 4 months and as it matures the play between your 2 dogs is only going to get rougher So as long as you keep an eye on the play all should be good. Sometimes it better not to interfere

[dougie]

puppies do a lot of biting....when the older dog has had enough it will let the puppy know.

at least you know you have a pitbull so you know the problems you face down the track complying with bsl laws.

good luck.

[chigibub]

thank you . he is a lovely dog and i give him lots of love and socialise him . i hope for the best aswell . it upsets me when ya get people critisizing the breed . 9 times outta ten i believe its the owners fault when a dog becomes nasty . im thinking my pit bull is licking and biting my other dogs face coz she gets excited , its almost as if she looks to my other dog for guidence ? im not sure .