Druce

Will do over the next 2 weeks...

If you've already got sit mastered then the solution is right there. Learn what cues your pup gives just before he starts his mouthing (biting). Embed these cues in your brain. EVERY SINGLE TIME he starts showing that the next thing he's going to do is mouth (bite), stop whatever you're doing (even if it's just walking out the door) stand up straight and neutral and tell him to sit. When he sits he gets a treat or just praise, but if you get a sit he leaps up again, instantly back to the neutral position (no waving of hands, stamping feet, random eye contact) and request another sit. He will very quickly learn that thinking about mouthing gets nothing, sitting when he gets excited gets your attention. I think he will partly be doing this because he doesn't know not to, but also because it's exciting and very self rewarding. You have to make it not exciting (by preventing him getting to the stage where the mouthing can even start) and provide something which is more rewarding - your attention. Staffords thrive on the attention of their owner - many don't seem to care all that much if it's positive or negative so long as it's attention. By flapping around and smacking and squealing and getting excited you're fueling his excitement and making it an even better game. It's up to you to teach him a better (less painful, for you! ) way of getting your attention. Ignoring the behaviour won't make it go away now it's quite ingrained. He obviously doesn't know what you want him to do so does what works. What do you do when he approaches you calmly and sensibly and doesn't mouth you - bet you ignore it but that's exactly the behaviour you want to praise like he's given you the winning lotto ticket. Please don't put him on a chain!!!!!!!!!!! Thank you for reply, what you have said does make sense and I have been trying it already with success. I think a mixture of the sit command with a reward and the watter bottle has seemed to take affect already, fingers crossed....

training WILL WORK. No question. Trouble is ,it is YOU who need the training- so then you can teach your dog ;) YOU need to be reading/talking, as you are here, about dog behaviour ...WHAT is the dog doing? WHY is he doing it?HOW do I know what he's thinking? WHEN is the right time to praise/correct.... training is mostly about rewards. dogs are pretty simple- like humans. if we get a reward- if it feels good, or we get food ..we will do it again. and again.... SO your dog needs to get REWARDS for good and calm behaviour .... YOU need to learn how this works - obedience lessons will be useful- but by February ...things may have worsened . NOW, at home ,is when he can learn some better habits , with your help. Thanks for the advice, I will try and walk him a bit more often then what I do. In regards to the training I need, I do agree. I have been training basic commands like sit and down and rewarding with treats, however I still have a long way to go. With the articles you and everybody else have attached I should be heading in the right direction into training an obedient dog.

At what age would you suggest getting him desexed as a last resort if nothing else works ?

How often do you exercise him? What training do you do with him? I would start the TOT program with him straight away. TOT program Have you tried putting him in a time out area, when he does this? That was what worked best for our pup, but of course all pups are different. A water spray bottle may also be a good idea. I take him for a walk at least every second day and take him over two a mates place with a 5 month of staffy once a week for a play. I haven't tried putting him in a time out area, I am going to buy a chain and try this out. I have tried a water bottle and have some success,because this pup absolutely hates getting wet. I have just a had a quick readof the TOT article and will give it a go. I will try both methods above over the next week and see how I go..........

I live in a small regional town with one trainer and that is the next available time slot unfortunately.

I am booked in to dog obedience training in February, that time can't come any sooner, lol.

I have a 5 month old pure bred English Staffordshire Bull Terrier that is full of beans and out of control. Everytime another dog, my girlfriend or I go near him he wants to bite us. Even though these bites are only play, they could potentially turn into something serious down the track if not delt with now. I have tried smacking him on the nose, bottom and saying No firmly, but I get no response and he continues with the biting as if we are playing. Will desexing slow him up a little, changed of diet (currently fed science diet) maybe any other options would be much appreciated becasue this puppy is driving us crazy ?