4 month old bull terrier bitting/nipping

Blackr6

Me and my soon to be fiance recently purchased a bull terrier. We have another small dauschund/terrier mix who is two now. The puppy is very playful. The two of the go back and forth tails wagging and nipping each other. The EBT never barks in aggression never seems to become tense but always looks like she is playing. Today, my girlfriend was fooling with some items on the ground and the EBT came up and nipped her on the face. She drew small amounts of blood on her lower lip, leaving two small punctures. As you can imagine she is not very happy concerning the matter. I have tried using a scare tactic, a firm no and putting her in her kennel as a punishment, tried rawhides to help with the teething. What givers? any tips? I am at the point of paying for an obedience class as first and foremost I do not want to lose my relationship over a puppy but on the flip side I want to make sure I am giving the dog a fair chance to grow threw the young adolescents of being a puppy. TIA -Kyle 

philsergeant

Kyle,
EBT nipping goes with the territory of all young pups. If you are firm at controlling it you may work it all out by the time she is 7 or 8 months. First thing to know is, to her, it's just playing, nothing malicious at all. They are boisterous dogs. Second all EBT puppies need an hour of serious exercise every day to discharge the highly charged battery. With a lower energy level you will be able to constantly reprimand (VERY STERNLY) the dog every time she nips and jumps and is unruly.  If you reprimand when bad and praise when good (in her greetings / interactions with others) EVERY TIME... she'll grow out of it. But, it's not an overnight thing and she needs to KNOW you're in charge/... if she mentally thinks she can dominate you, she'll keep nipping.

Blackr6

My thoughts exactly. I know she's a pup (just gotta convince the queen of the house she is) I stay on the same regiment with her. Usually 20 min yard time with our other dog. They play keep away with the tennis ball and chase. In for breakfast before info to work and my gf lets em out again when she wakes up. We're on opposite schedules so it works out good. Then when I get home around 1600 they both go outside for a little over an hour then when it cools down around 2100-2200 I take them both for about a 2 mile walk or until there both dragging tongues. Head inside for a peanit butter stuffed bone and they leave each other alone.

Would you suggest a stern NO for bad behavior then kennel her? Or a stern NO and go back to our business?

apollosmama

Blackr6, I agree with everything Phil says. Our Apollo, now 4 months, had a nipping issue when he came home. Nipping at exactly 1 ear, 2 toes and 1 nose. At least those where the nips hard enough to draw blood. I think your EBT is testing the waters. When Apollo nipped, I held him down on the floor by his neck. Not in a death grip, but enough that he couldn't move while I said NO into his neck in my biggest, deepest scary voice. By me holding him down like I was the pack alpha dog, he unwilling submitted to me. I proved my status. He also learned when he nips moms mad and playtime is over. Ignoring them hurts their feelings more than anything. I have found you have to put your foot down from day 1. If your fiance is willing to try this the next time puppy nips, it just may help. It takes a few times though because they will still test you. But, even with my other dogs I never ever used their crates as punishment. Even if you are putting them in there for a timeout, never make it seem like a negative place. I hope it all works out. This is the best place to voice questions because there are so many GREAT people who are willing to lend an ear and their advice. Then you have more options!!!!! God luck!

Blackr6

Well I've been lurking for quite some time picking up on hints and tips and using them. I've pinned her down telling her no and I usually let this go on until she has three "hissy fits" then she relaxes and I let her go before she gets tensed up again. I will continue doing so. I have noticed her getting better but fiancé is VERY particular to our other small dog, she's very meal and mild and doesn't like being an alpha by showing aggression but also doesn't want to let the EBT-Mia rules the land either. Now you put down a chicken breast and Daisy, our terrier will show Mia Whose queen B---H! I love em to death. It's exciting to go home and see the excitement they display when seeing you.

Leslie

Loyalty at its best!!!!!

Soapskid

The nipping use to be a lot for Spud from 3-4 months but firm no's with loud ouches it was just all patience from there. I'm not totally confident about his chewing yet but he now about to turn 6 months and he doesn't chew on everything in site anymore. I had to do the puppy obedience because I wanted to educate myself since I never really had a puppy.

At four months it was 1-2 walks a day totaling 1 hour. By the end of four months he finally got to play at a dog park. At 5 months he's now walking in the morning followed by dog park after and maybe in the afternoon.

Good luck.

Blackr6

The kids.
Daisy:


 Daisy wore out:
 

 Checkin each other out:


 Mia with some sad eyes:


 
Hangin out with the life jacket, were going kayaking tomorrow:
 

Blackr6

Can't get them to post directly on page from iPhone. Image option isn't working in the toolbar. If anybody can post em up feel free to do so.

apollosmama

When I post on here, it's from my Kindle. It won let me log in from my phone so if I upload pics, I have to log onto the computer. Is your photobucket private? Maybe that's why we can't see them.

philsergeant

She sure is a beauty and it will take time for Daisy to find out who's boss... But I don't think Mia's going to stop trying to prove her place.... Apollosmama's right... A good stern pin down at the neck a loud NO! I never find the crate helps every five minutes... Only if she runs crazy in the house and you intend to leave her there for a half hour or so. Oh! And a big kiss and treat every time she's gentle with someone / some encounter new.

BulliesofNC

Great photos! (I fixed them so they'd show up).

PS - You can attach photos easily by simply clicking the "Attach a file" link to the left of the "Post Comment" button.

apollosmama

Oh I'm so glad the pics are up!!! She is so beautiful!!!!!!

Blackr6

Thanks. I didn't even check the attach a file button since I am on my iphone. But it instantly pulls up the take a photo option or photo album. Me and the fiancé spoke and agreed to keep her on a strict regiment and use the same punishment techniques. Ill keep you guys posted.

DianeWright

I had a similar problem with my female bully.  We also us the 'pin down' method and firm 'No' until she relaxed. Made her stay there for awhile, then let her up.  We also seperated her from our other dogs.  So, we choose when they can get together and play.  We also are careful, no food or toys when she is in.  We were at our wits end.  Then we realized she needed appraisal & love, and not always scolding.  I was showing tension and she was picking up on it.  I had to change also.  Now she is 'born again", and we love her even more having been through this with her.  Good luck...it will get better!

Stoeger

Mia sure is a doll. Please keep us posted on how she progresses!!

Soapskid

Spud says hi to Mia. Looks like they are related.

BONC_Jacksonville

Mia looks great.  Nipping and biting does come with the territory as EBT puppies.  Playing with a 6-8 week old litter can be trying on your pants and socks.  We try to instill the Harsh NO while holding down through thier temper tantrums.  Izzabell I had to do a little more and hold her Muzzel at same to get her to listen.  Now with just a firm NO she is responding very well.  This has taken @ 5 months to accomplish.  Patience is a virtue with EBT puppies.  Some respond allot quicker, and some are just a little more hard headed.  The key is to be consistant with your method and to make sure all in the house do the same for the EBT puppy will remember who is Gullible and who is not.  

Blackr6

Mia is slowly progressing. The more we let them run free the more they are getting use to each other and learning their limits. They now can go outside and go seperate ways and not annoy each other.

philsergeant

Terrific, day by day, step by step... Bullies are quick learners but slow conceders.

Daisy

I enjoyed your pictures!  I have only raised 2 Bullies from puppies, but my 2 don't know their own strength and have to learn how to be gentle.  It just takes time, patience, and consistency.  Even now when they are very excited, I have to remind them.

philsergeant

How old are they now Daisy?

Daisy

Snoopy just turned 4, and Daisy is 1 1/2.

DianeWright

My litter started growling & fighting at the age of 6 weeks.  Play pen got real small fast!  Couldn't wait to find homes for them, and now we miss them sooo much.