In Desperate need of help!

misszeng

hey everyone i am in some need of some pointers asap! i am having so much trouble with Coach he is now 6 months and is terrible!! he chews everything he can get a hold of bites and hurts my two year old twins, doesn't listen and barks constantly! oh and his ears still wont stand! i have tried so much i tried a bark collar i tried putting him on his back a smack on the butt and just recently got a prong collar which has helped for walking. im tearing my hair out!! i cant even have him in the same room as my twins while they are eating he jumps onto their trays and eats there food but when i put him anywhere else he barks constantly! he also pees anytime someone comes over! i don't know what to do anymore i love him and need to jump this speed bump, i have never experienced any of this with any of my other bully breeds. please please please help!! ~X(

exiled

Can you give a little more background, like if you've had him since 8 weeks?  What is his exercise schedule?  Does he stay mostly inside except for potty breaks?  What's his diet, snacks, etc?  I'm so sad reading your post.  I can sense how difficult and trying this is, and also how much you love him and want this to work. 

Off the top of my head, sounds like he needs A LOT of exercise and constructive chew toys.  There's people here with much, much more experience that will expand upon the topic more.  I know some dog parks and doggy day cares don't allow puppies younger than six months and they must be spayed/neutered, so that might not be an option for exercise.  Will look forward to following this thread and hearing from others.  Hang in there, though, this stage is fleeting but he needs pretty consistent discipline and schedules while he matures. 

There's always hope, even for the little monsters that puppies can be.

BulliesofNC

There must be about 20 different discussions on this Forum with VERY similar problems that you are experiencing with your Bull Terrier. I encourage you to read through some of them because they contain a lot of good information that will be helpful for you.

One thing for sure, you're not alone. MANY Bull Terriers go through a very hyper and destructive phase and it's always between the ages of 5 months - 14 months. It can be a very difficult time unless STRICT disciple and training is provided. A slap on the butt won't cut it. The Pin Method is very affective and I encourage you to try it. You need to be forceful with him and he knows you are in control and his bad behavior will NOT be tolerated.

Based on how you've described his actions it sounds as though he is either spending too much time in a crate/kennel or isn't be provided enough exercise to blow off steam. Peeing when people come over is usually a sign of him being over excited. By this time in his life he should be well used to seeing people come over and getting attention where the excitement isn't at the level where he losses bladder control.

My best advice would be to utilize the Pin Method on him when it's warranted and wear him out with exercise during the day. On a positive note, this behavior is a phase that will pass with maturity. However, with training and proper techniques you can get him to calm down and listen much better. Just understand his energy at his current age is at the highest level possible and it's up to you to allow him to exert it in a proper and acceptable way.

philsergeant

Okay, some very sound advise in the first two responses and, as Steve says, plenty of similar advise in dozens of other discussions. Before you start reading all those, the very first thing you MUST do, is CALM DOWN! This said very lovingly but we must be honest if we are going to help you.  He will sense every stitch of panic in you and believe he has you under control rather than Visa Versa.  Stick to the basics.
• Exercise, much of it.
• Discipline (pin method), instantly, every time, and forcefully.  (smacks on the butt are only for when he knows what you mean and respects you... obviously he does neither right now.)
• Reserve his crate time to times when you need him out of the way, like when the real kids need feeding... that will avoid the confrontation you mention.
• If you know someone's coming over take him out for long pees first... This will pass, it's a phase.
• Biting is not tolerated and he doesn't understand "tsk, tsk, naughty boy"... your reaction should literally make him shyte himself if he ever bites at anyone. ... He has to know who's boss.

Lastly accept that all pups, mostly EBT pups, take A LOT of work at this age ... if you don't have 3 to4 hours a day to devote absolutely to him, then you better start making another plan.

misszeng

Thanks guys this past weekend we have been working a lot n some things are getting better. With fall coming it will start to cool off so we can spend more time outside. I will keep you up dated in the next few weeks I really appreciate the support!

philsergeant

He truly is a beautiful boy, and he definitely has that " naughty" face... He'll take a little bit of extra work for sure.. Be sure to keep him out of confined spaces.... With the twins or anyone else.. Down here we have to go outside before 7 or after 7 so it does make it tougher to get them the required amount of workout... But a good hard run at 7 and I can be sitting down to a peaceful evening by 8.

philsergeant

Oh Yes.  What with everything else I am sure it's not easy finding time to work on those ears, but the sooner, the less hard it will be to achieve.

dawn

My boy tonka is exactly the same he is 9 months old iv done training but found unless he wants to do things he will not do them but I clikker train and he is getting better

philsergeant

@Dawn  YES!!! He is a beautiful but naughty little boy! I know that look well... he is saying::  "I am so smart I am going to see how much mischief I can get up to before I get my tail whacked".  You should tape his ears before it's too late.

dawn

We have been trying to but he keeps taking it off just seen somthing on here about taping ears thanks for advise

LokiLostCoast

Loki is 8 months old now and is a typical bull terrier. He also went through an excited peeing phase that is mostly over now but he still does it on occasion and only a little. He is extremely stubborn! I just started taking him to foundation puppy class and he's been very frustrating but I've told myself I'm not giving up. It's not that he doesn't know what I'm asking of him it's that he just doesn't want to do what I'm asking! I know he will get better but it's just going to take time sand lots of work. He's also very sneaky and will tear up paper, toilet paper rolls and any other type of paper he can get his mouth on. He's also tore up my vacuum filter. But these days I don give him a chance to tear stuff up. He's either outside in his kennel or inside in his crate when we aren't here. It's for his safety.

Gypsy123

I blame myself for these mishaps,something's are just too tempting for a young bull terrier

Gypsy123

philsergeant

Yeah, Bullies love paper.... leave it around and they will chew it... no matter the age... But if it's on a table they typically won't touch it... on the floor or couch, forget about it.

LokiLostCoast

Loki is a sneak... He stops chewing on whatever it is he's chewing on that he's not supposed to be chewing on when I look at him. He will just hold it in his mouth and act like he doesn't have anything. He's smart and knows he's not supposed to have it in his mouth! Same with paper towels in the trash I've seen him sneak it out of the bin ever so slowly with his ears back trying to be super quiet. Little shit!

philsergeant

Yes, they are really little shits! & sneaks... they know exactly what is right and wrong... and when my friends and neighbors say, "hey! why is he doing that, haven't you taught him that it's wrong"??? I can only answer;
"Yes, he knows it's wrong, he knows it pisses me off, but the trouble is that he also knows that I love him so much he can get away with it!".
He fully realizes that even if he gets a whack on his butt (that'll hurt me more than it will hurt him) he will be getting smothered with kisses in half an hour.

bully

Lol....bully is a year old now he tried the oh ima eat anything wood phase these guys are def right u need to let lil man know who runs that joint..ima twin so luv u for being a twin mom and he is cute he is just trying to be boss pin his ass on a new york second hold him till he calms down I wasnt down with that plan either at first...but I had to teach bully hell no ur not...and smacking him would kill me it doesnt hurt him it taught him respect i ALWAYS ended the pin with petting him saying good boy I hate giving u sum get right....lol true tho I did now when bully thinks he is going to act out I say real firm bully??? I give him that im not playin look I say u want some get right??? ...I have no idea why but he stops like right now...then when he knows im not mad he walks over all looken at me like scopen the sceen to see if its cool... he comes to me will get on my legs and kiss and hug me like im sorry mommmmy....cute lil shits I have told him also a few times bully ur cute shit isnt gunna work hands on hips...lol...smh ...oh these guys are way to cute tho...I agree also with the exercise....we walk him in the morning and right after dinner we also play alot with him chase him make him just burn energy a tired bully is a good bully...lol fetch is awesome hide and seek...hang in there he will get it hopen sooner then later

dawn

This is tonka he eats everything and anything, from books to walls he knows its wrong but does not care

philsergeant

Yeah, he has the face that reads "who gives a crap"... You'll have to reprimand him each and every time, promptly. Let him know you are upset and eventually he will take pity on you,.

kirsten

Hi..I'm new to this forum..but am I glad you are all here with your experiences..I have a rescue bully who I have had for a few weeks...and yes wood seems to be his choice of chew toy...nipping and snapping at faces is now being dealt with..thanks to you all .. I found out about pinning him down..and it seems to be working...he is 3 mnths..he was left in an abandoned house with his sister..his name is Stan...

philsergeant

Oh Man! What a face!!!! That's like a Muhammad Ali look saying, "don't mess with me!".... Great... looks like his ears might require a bit of help.

BulliesofNC

Who in their right mind who abandon that cute Bullie! He's adorable!

Seon

Who in their right mind who abandon that cute Bullie! He's adorable!

My thoughts exactly. 

BulliesofNC

Sometimes you can't help to wonder if a pure bred Bull Terrier like this was left in abandoned house by criminals that could have stolen him and stashed him there along with another one of his sibling. A young Bull Terrier puppy like that would have no problems finding a home without the need to abandon them. 

I wonder what ever happened to this Bull Terrier puppy:

philsergeant

Well,  The (original) Bullie's owner should not have relied upon the CCTV of his (distant) neighbour.... He should have put some in himself that would deter the low life scum... (to quote John McCain)....It's not as if CCTV costs that much these days. [Especially if they have the run of the yard so close to the street]   If he was on a budget he could have invested in a $20 sign that read, (big)... "Bull Terrier thieves will be shot in the balls~ at a minimum".