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10 month old suddenly play-biting

aidaaida
in Bull Terrier Training & Obedience
My 10 month old puppy is all of a sudden starting to bite. She had puppy nibbles when we first got her around 2 months but we got her out of it; this past month it's been crazy. Whenever she's playing or whatever it is that she is doing, she is biting. She's not aggressive at all, but her play bites are leaving marks and bruises because she has big girl teeth of course. We've tried spanking, pinning to the ground, saying NO, putting her in another room, but she doesn't stop during any of those "punishments". Where is this coming from??? And how do we get rid of it???
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  • philsergeantphilsergeant Palm City, Florida, USA
    It is strange that she should suddenly start at this age. Perhaps she is suddenly looking for attention and you've been busier than normal recently and she is trying to stir up trouble? Pinning and NO should work as long as you do it every time and immediately.... Putting her in another room is just going to create more demand for attention. Is someone "play-fighting" with her and thus giving her praise for being "bad"? If there are no side influences and she has just suddenly decided to be a Little Shit, then you are going to need be a bigger shit back and get serious (while loving and confident) about her disciplining.
    In the beginning God created English Bull Terriers, in the image of EBT's, God created all other breeds.
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  • QuinnofheartsQuinnofhearts
    She's a teenager! She will continue to test you until after 1 year.

    I have used the timeout technique and didn't have any issues with it. Bull Terriers want to be with their humans, so being put alone is not a good thing most of the time. Consider other factors that may have changed in your life that could have started this. You also need to make sure she understand that this is 100% unacceptable! You have to stay firm, and she'll come around.
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  • aidaaida
    Someone is usually home at all times, but I have started working more so that could be part of it. And we do play fight with her but only with toys. I sometimes feel bad for my staffy mix because we give our EBT so much attention. Hopefully she will grow out of it, and I will continue pinning her even though it's so tough to do to such a cute little sweetheart. Do you think play-biting could lead to aggressive behavior? I don't see an aggressive ounce in her, but biting could be dangerous.
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  • philsergeantphilsergeant Palm City, Florida, USA
    Only you can make the judgement as to whether the behaviour is an extension of play, or whether she is trying to control you by showing aggression. Either way you have to teach her that both possibilities are wrong. She is young and can learn. The insecurity can be heightening the activity but you should be able to correct her within a month or so.
    In the beginning God created English Bull Terriers, in the image of EBT's, God created all other breeds.
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  • QuinnofheartsQuinnofhearts
    I think play is play, but the problem with play biting with dogs is that she could bite the wrong dog and it could make that dog mad and lead to a fight. And of course your dog will be blamed. Play biting with humans is a problem because we're more sensitive, and again if she does it to the wrong person and they don't understand, they could think your dog is vicious. So regardless, you just have to draw the line somewhere. I think she'll be able to learn, she's still a baby. Don't worry!
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