New biting puppy

[Jennsatori]

Hi, I'm a newbie. I have a 12 week old bulldog named Happy. I've had him for 4 weeks now. I have to say it's been a lot more difficult than I thought having a puppy would be. He's really bity. He's like a piranha on legs. Can anyone else tell me if they went through this with their puppy and what they did and if the dog eventually stopped biting so much. Play biting of course. Pant legs, hands etc. I shove a toy in his mouth when he does it but there are times when he gets in a really good bite and it really hurts! He's also been difficult to house train. He will just sit down and pee inside. I decided that when I have him out of the crate that I will take him out about every hour or so since that seems to be the limit when he's out of the crate. Inside the crate he's gone all night without peeing before. But does anyone have any advice?

 

[RazrRila99]

I am only passing on what Ive read here:

Biting - make sure to have something that is good for him to bite and swap your arm/hand for it. I do that and say, Good Bite. One time Colossus bit too hard and I "yelped" that caught his attention. When Ive done it before, was almost like he knew I was trying to "play" him, but that time it worked.

Potty training - every hour is where you should start. Colossus is 16-17 weeks and we are going every 90 minutes or so. He makes it all night (sleeping) and through the day in his kennel without messing. Im going to start next week with him in the basement, if he does good he will get reign of the living room while Im at work.

This is my first time with a puppy (let alone an indoor dog), and its going fairly smooth. Its not easy, its a lot patience. I lost it once with him, and immediately caught myself. Hes teaching me as much as I am teaching him. Keep your cool, be stern when needed, LOTS of praise when he does good.

 

[Leatherneck]

I didn't have my guys when they were that young, but I went through the biting issues. I use my thumb and forefinger and "pinch" them when they are doing it and after awhile they stopped. I also try and use the pinching to stop them from biting anything they shouldn't, which is easy to do when they are inside but out doors is a different subject. As for the peeing, I am just now letting them spend he entire day and night out of their crates. I take them out after they wake up, or about every hour. So far so good. Gomer has had accidents (7 I think since in 9 months or so I had them) but he has also had bladder issues. And if I see them walk near or look at the door I take them. They don't give me any clues they need to go so I try to read their mind!

 

[LariP]

Amelia is just 8 weeks, and we just picked her up yesterday afternoon and she has already earned the nickname Little Miss Sharkie!

 

[Rural mystic]

I am going to repost here what I posted on another thread before because this is very common.

It's the puppy stage and he is teething. But now is a good time to teach him limits on the biting. A stern NO, and redirect to a chew toy. Another device you can use is a can or bottle with some pennies in it that you can shake when he is nipping. This is perfectly normal puppy behavior. It would be abnormal if he didn't do this, as pups explore with their mouth. Every one in this forum, almost if not entirely without exception have experienced the same thing with the pups. Those puppy teeth are sharp as razors and I have had numerous forearm marks to prove it. But it improves fairly rapidly. Be consistent with the No and redirect and the shaking of the can if you need it. Its a wonderful privilege and joy to have a bulldog, they are quite special in all regards.

 

[xsubsailor]

I am going to repost here what I posted on another thread before because this is very common.

It's the puppy stage and he is teething. But now is a good time to teach him limits on the biting. A stern NO, and redirect to a chew toy. Another device you can use is a can or bottle with some pennies in it that you can shake when he is nipping. This is perfectly normal puppy behavior. It would be abnormal if he didn't do this, as pups explore with their mouth. Every one in this forum, almost if not entirely without exception have experienced the same thing with the pups. Those puppy teeth are sharp as razors and I have had numerous forearm marks to prove it. But it improves fairly rapidly. Be consistent with the No and redirect and the shaking of the can if you need it. Its a wonderful privilege and joy to have a bulldog, they are quite special in all regards.

I used to wear my leather motorcycle gloves when I play with her because of those crazy sharp shark teeth. She has learned to calm down but she is also teething so I give her frozen apple slices or greenbeans to help her out. I also keep a variety of different toys of different materials so she has a choice of chewing on the material that feels good at that time.

It takes time but potty training wasn't that bad. Pickle uses a litter box when I'm at work but she prefers the back yard when I am home. Treats and time, they will have accidents but EB are pretty smart and learn quickly when food is involved.

 

[mer55]

Ahhhhhh, the BITING!!! Bulldog pup, shark teeth, and bullheadedness= A FRUSTRATED, bruised and battered pup mommy and daddy!! I had so many teeth marks on my arms and legs, I swear I oozed fluid when I drank from all the holes !!
First: take a deep breath and remember that you are in charge. Find what works for you: redirection ( this worked only sometimes) I found that when Bogey was over tired or over stimulated, the biting got worse. Water spray bottle: he LOVED it- he thought it was a game. Shake can ( coins in a soda can) this got his attention for the first few times we used it, then the noise didn't phase him. Putting him in a submissive position ( back or side) made his aggression worse! We did find that putting him in his crate settled him down immediately. He hates being away from us. There are some who advised me not to use the crate for punishment, but it was working and we were so desperate. I was fearful that we had an aggressive dog, but the wise members here assured me that the biting would resolve as the pup got older as long as I stayed firm, consistent and never aggressive myself. It was hard, and sometimes I had to really regroup, but they were right. Bogey is now 7 months and is for the most part, a perfect gentleman. Again, he gets a little mouthy when he is overtired, but is NOTHING like he was at 12-20 weeks. So, hang in there, find what works or you, keep your a rms and legs overhead to minimize scarring(lol!) and love him with all your heart- that will prevail in the end! Good luck!!

 

[BruceP]

to EBN........ When we picked up Amelia the day before yesterday I was bleeding before we got out the door!! lol... she is just 8 weeks.
I am glad you joined but we need way more pix of that little darling!! Enjoy the site and please participate in the discussions.

 

[2BullyMama]

The gang has you covered with some good advice/info..... jsut stopping by to say

 

[Baconator]

Welcome to EBN, I recommend a trip to the local pharmacy and stocking up on bandaids and peroxide, it takes time but will eventually pass.

 

[ChrisRN]

It sounds like Happy is just exploring her little world. You got some great advice on here. I remember the biting stage well with other puppies I have had. It passes!

 

[KarenP]

Hi there & welcome ! I'm new too! Great question, as I have the same issue with our now 10 weekl old Mia. I have been doing most of these things and they work - temporarily. I got two teethmarks above my lip last night - with blood! my fault as I went in for kisses but got teeth - you also need to be wary of their moods! She was overtired - to the kennel she went for 30 minutes and she totally calmed down! I didn't look at as punishment but as a time out
I will be trying the pennies in the jar!