Biting

BullyBenson

Hello I have a 4 month old male ebt Benson who is biting a lot, jumping up and won't stop playing rough. I've had him since 8 weeks old. I've tried the pinning method which only makes him very hyper and come straight back at me biting when I let him up. Now I've just been telling him a stern no and ignoring him but he bites me till he brakes skin even ignoring him. All I can do is leave him in the kitchen and shut the Baby gate. The main problem is I have a 3 year old son and Benson knips him and gets over excited by him which means i havev to keep them separated alot . any advice on how on how to stop the biting/jumping up and how to be gentle with my son?? - clear

JParanee

You need to get him in control now before you loose more control

Find a competent trainer in your area and work with them

If your not working basic obedience with him than you should be

A lot of wonderful kind hearted people loose control of dogs so dont take offense to the get some help with training comment

I'm a life long dog handler of some very aggressive dogs and I have been using the same trainer for over 30 years

I like taking them to some puppy classes etc to help get them socialized etc

Training will make you and your dogs relationship that much better also

Good luck

BullyBenson

Thanks. I no he's only biting through playing there's no aggression in it and I socialise him with other dogs on the weekends and he's very good with them no aggression towards them. Just his play biting does hurt with them needle puppy teeth and would actually like him to sit with the family and not bite us all the time and rip our clothes. All my son has to do is run and he gets excited and goes to nip him. He knows basic obedience like sit, paw and in your bed (all for food). Ive looked at trainers in the area past few weeks and they quite expensive but looks like I'll just have to pay it.

philsergeant

Sounds like you have a bouncy one and the only solution is extra "bouncy" discipline ....WITH LOVE.
if he doesn't sense it as a family member teaching how to behave... if you get mad [which is QED] ..THEN HE WE SENSE IT AS AGGRESSION AND NOT LEARN FROM IT.... If you pin him and control him lovingly every time, he will surely learn... he's only 4 months , a real baby. The only thing you have to lose is a few pounds [not suggesting you need to ]

Djammy

@BullyBenson
All of the advice you have received here so far is validated.
There's only one more thing I'd like to add:

While it is important to be consistent from the start and keep up with educating and socializing, people often tend to expect too much too soon from their puppy.
This is absolutely comprehensible, because a lot of effort and thinking goes into the training of the new family member.
However, I can't stress it enough: Patience is a VITAL part when owning a puppy, even more true if it's a Bull Terrier puppy.
They first only follow their instincts and need their time to make mistakes, understand our ways, learn and adapt. And this can only happen through repetition, over and over - which takes time. Nothing can replace or accelerate that process. That's just the way it is.

Many people at some point start thinking that the measures they take and their training are not working, because they do not see results within the desired time frame - and then they make the worst possible decision: They give up.

Yet, it's important to know and understand that just as any other dog, Bull Terriers are absolutely committed to learning and adapting. All they need is consistent and loving guidance - and time.

Transforming into the family member you desire them to be often can take 2-3 years. Don't be scared, the worst part of nipping and jumping will cease much sooner. But the real "settling" will happen around that time frame.
In oder to not get hurt, clothes ripped and the kid scared off all the time, in the meantime IN ADDITION to the training it is often advisable to temporarily "manage" different things and not rely on the dog's understanding of things alone.
That means, for example, either kid not running when the dog is present OR the dog is behind a baby gate (e.g.) where he can see, but not interfere, when the kid is running around.
Some measures can really become a bit laborious and extensive. But it's worth the extra effort and most importantly will save you nerves and prevent injury.
Once removed as a hassle from everyday life, some of the critical things over time will start to vanish, just like kids grow out of suckling at their thumbs at some point. And all of the remaining issues that do not correct on their own - just as the bite inhibition (dogs need to actively learn that) for example - can and SHOULD then be trained under CONTROLLED circumstances and with lots of repetition and patience.

Good luck!

philsergeant

Touché. Djammy!!

BullyBenson

Thanks for the advice really it has helped massively

BullyBenson

Thanks for the advice really it has helped massively. Feel a lot more confident already

philsergeant

Confidence is 85% of the battle

corey90260

The more I read the better I feel
@Djammy I so agree with you ! I am 7 weeks into my mbt puppy she is 6 months old and a rescue. Week 1 thru 3 I was asking myself what have I done I can't handle this puppy but every day/week I see a little progress ,she is so smart and funny and can be so sweet when she isn't being a she-devil :-j I figure with a lot of patience ,training and 2 or 3 years she is going to be amazing

BulliesofNC

For those that have been on this Forum for a while I'm sure you all must be getting used to seeing MANY posts with the exact same concerns from first time Bull Terrier owners concerned about unwarranted aggression during puppy and adolescent stages. There are dozens of posts on this exact same subject and all of them are consist of young Bullies going through their rebellious stages.

They need strict discipline but fear not, they ALL grow out of this stage with maturity and evolve into loyal, lovable companions that you will be very proud of.