I just got a Pit Bull/Boxer mix pup. He was 6 weeks old. I have had him for about 3-4 weeks now and his aggression and biting is getting to be too much, especially with my 5 year old son. I have tried smacking his mouth, giving him a firm NO, newspaper against my hand to make loud noise to stop him, putting him in his cage after disciplining him, he just doesn't stop. He goes right back at it. He also gets spiteful when you yell at him for the biting and put him in his cage. He goes in and pees. Any suggestion how to calm his aggression?
By Mimi from east coast
Pit bulls need a really firm hand. I honestly think they need to be in households with men or very strong women. You don't mention if you have a man in your household. I have no real suggestions, other than to suggest that if you don't get a grip on the problem soon to find him another home before you are eventually sorry (it doesn't sound as though he is behaving like he thinks you are in charge). My son has 2 and they cower when he is gets on to them or punishes them....but he has trained them with an iron fist! And he loves them equally as strongly, don't get me wrong, they are not mistreated in any way.
You have a very strong willed dog, something Boxer and American Staffordshire Terrier (AST) dogs are bred for; unfortunately the combination of Boxer and AST has created what sounds like an exceptionally strong willed dog in yours. Using the wrong training (as in TOO firm a hand) will yield a very difficult dog.
I've raised AKC Boxers all of my life (I'm 55), my cousin raises ASTs, I've seen exactly what you are describing over the years. The last thing you want to do is use fear to train this kind of dog, it will backfire on you.
Boxers and ASTs are very high energy dogs who don't reach physical or mental maturity until around aged three years (although they can breed from about age seven months); they require a very structured environment that includes tonnes of play and exercise periods of up to at least two hours a day. This is a high maintenance dog.
They can chew concrete and bricks, so you'll want to be sure to provide lots of safe chewing material (consult your vet for the best and safest products), and keep that crate handy because a Boxer-AST mix should learn to go uncomplainingly into the crate on command.
They are also prodigious digger-escape artists, and you should be VERY careful about your Boxer-AST because there are several American, Canadian, and British locales in the process of declaring both breeds and any combination thereof to be 'dangerous dogs'-banned from rentals, neighbourhoods, parks, etc. Any damage he does to person or property will be your legal responsibility if it is determined that he wasn't kept under proper control.
Your best bet with this little guy is to get him into an obedience training group right away. I know he's very young but there are classes out there that will take you and your puppy at this age. You also need to be constantly in 'training' mode with him-don't let him extend play times to the point where he is over excited, and you should maintain a structured environment at all times where YOU are the one in charge.
Scheduled walks to use up his extreme energy are going to be a lifesaver for you with him-get him on a harness and out there walking every day for five minutes, then ten, then 20. You want to work him up to at least two walks on a lead of about 30 minutes twice a day; you should also schedule play periods in your fenced yard where he can be supervised off-lead.
The urination after scolding is actually him expressing his combination of fear, shame, and yes, his strong will, think three year old telling you "You're not the boss of me!". But he wants you to be, so he's scared, and ashamed he's failed, hence the piddling.
There are humane muzzles available that you can put him into if he gets too bitey during play time; you want to have a firm yet patient and calm manner as you strap him into it. Do this after telling him "Time to calm down" in a firm voice. Give him a few seconds to try to calm down, then strap him into the muzzle, and try to get him to sit while petting him as a reward for calming down.
Whatever you do, don't use food as a reward with a dog like this because he'll always expect food and won't be satisfied with verbal praise and petting, just food.
If you find he is simply more dog than you realised, I hope you will find a rescue group to find him a furever home that can cope with his needs.
To be honest with you, although my cousin and I both bred beautiful, healthy, and well adjusted dogs, we also took very great care that we didn't have any Boxer-AST mix litters as experience with rescues taught us combining these two breeds is one of the worst ideas in dog breeding.
Please consider having your puppy neutered by seven months old; it will keep him calmer, and will keep him healthier-Boxers and AST dogs have a tendency toward cryptorchidism, and cancer:
The above link is a good one for more info on all things Boxer.
You can either decide to keep them separated or you can rehome the pup. Either way would work. I would probably get used to having to separate a dog from a young child no matter the breed of the dog.
Keeping them separated is the way to work with him but not just give him run of the house. I never give my dogs run of the house if there is a child around, until they have totally proven themselves.
I would like to give you a lot of links to start your research, once the child and the dog are happily separated from each other. Lets start with the no free lunch program.
www.pbrc.net/
Pits or AFT's are my favorites because of their intelligence and character.
I love them and have fostered some, and they were each the same, over loving, over jumping, over biting, and it took lots of dedication to get them under control.
They really don't mean to be so much trouble but they have this heavy jaw and a need to express their love and to chew and they see their mom didn't get hurt when they bit her so why should you mind? You must always holler out in pain when they mouth too hard and then get up and go away after they have done the over hard playing. They go behind the gate or in to their kennel.
Some I have had to get around the scruff and shake them a little, while lifting their front feet off the ground but not their back feet. This is a mommy thing; it is not done violently or two hard. Holding them this way is not fun for them.
It is their love of life and their playing and teething behavior that makes them handfuls as pups.
They could easily break the skin when you had your back turned IF YOU DONT KEEP THEM APART.
If you feel you are able to put as much energy into training and working with the dog as you do with your child, I think you will find the results worth it....and will not have to re-home the dog.
I like to spend a lot of time at leerburg.com. Ed spends his time training German shepherds..for the show and for police work. His philosophy on dog training ebook is great I read it through.
People often have to separate forever two dogs in the house from interacting and it is usually because they love them both and the two dogs cannot be trusted with each other.
Look at the info on leerburg.com about clicker training.
You might also appreciate the videos on how to teach a dog to be happy in his kennel..... (hint: throw in treats all the time....) However much you put into this that is how much you will get out.
If your heart is not in it, then find the dog another home, if you are ready to move forward and keep the dog and the child separated until they are both older and more able to be predictable in their behavior, than that will work out too.
Remember pits have a strong desire to mouth. Give it milk jugs that have bee washed, and lots of coke bottles without lids on them and with the ring removed.
Lots of chew toys, nylabones, etc. Get the really good treats or buy hot dogs to train with. Don't use treats the dog doesn't care about. When you are working with your dog, when he gets mouthy put a toy in his mouth to redirect his behavior.
You will approach the care and training the same way a friend of mine did when two of her favorite show dogs would not get along. her schnauzer kept on harassing the lab until the lab attacked and almost killed the schnauzer. The schnauzer would be in a kennel when the lab was out, and they never got to play with each other.
Many multiple pit bullie houses have to separated. It is simply their nature....when they are dominant and such, it works out better for all concerned usually.
Here are some links. Also remember you can make a clicking sound with your tongue, and I start all my pups out with holding my hand out and calling their name or making a noise. When they come up and their nose accidentally touches my palm, then I click with my mouth, and then praise and pat and then wait a while and do it again.
Here is the part of research that is most fun...reading positive info from people who have been there, Here you go and have fun and give the child and the dog a hug from me.
PitBulls.org: www.pitbulls.org/
The Proper Pit Bull
www.the-proper-pitbull.com/
For The Love of Pitbulls
www.pitbullsontheweb.com/
Training, etc.
No Free Lunch Program
www.pbrc.net/
Blessings, Robyn
How do I get my American Pitbull five week old puppy to stop biting my two year old when she tries to play with it?
By sally martinez from Austin, TX
First of all, a 5 week old puppy should still be with it's mother who will let it know when it's biting her too hard. Second, a two year old child should not be unsupervised around any dog. A child that young has no idea when it's being too rough with an animal, and a dog will respond the only way it can when it's being hurt - it will bite.
If there is no mother dog in the picture, you should do some research on training, or better yet, consult a trainer who can tell you the best way to handle the problem. All puppies bite, especially when they're teething, but you do need to deal with it when they're young, otherwise you will have real problems.
I TOTALLY agree with suescats. Our behaviorist says pups should be with the mother until at least 12 weeks regardless of wether or not they can eat dry food. The mother's training as far as play biting goes should last until the pups are weaned.
The Humane society, aspca, and most rescues don't want to place pups and small dogs in families with children 5 and under. Little ones, especially a two year old, cannot comprehend what their actions mean to the puppy. Something as simple as a quick movement of the arm can entice the pup to bite.
Keep in mind: THIS IS NOT THE PUPPY'S FAULT! It is a poor situation for both the pup that you want to work out and the child that you ultimately want to not fear dogs. Is there someone who can do the initial rasing of the dog until it can be trusted with your family?
Puppies, no matter the breed, will "bite". It is a teething action. You need to correct the action, and redirect it to something that it can chew on. My Aunt had a great idea that I used with my dog, when she was a pup. Take your dry dog food, and a can of wet dog food (preferably the same brand name), mix it, and stuff it into a kong (for pups, use the puppy kongs). Then, place the kong into the freezer for a couple of hours. This is a great teething toy for your puppy! I kept about 3 kongs on hand, and rotated them from the freezer. Just make sure that the portions you give in the kong, is added to the total amount of food you are feeding in a day. You don't want to over feed.
There are several ways to correct the pup, when it tries its teething on you, or your child. If you google puppy training articles, you will find several that will give you ideas on how to stop, and redirect the behavior.
I wanted to adopt a 18 month old Pit Lab mix from a rescue. The dog seems friendly towards people. I was informed by the owner of the rescue that the dog was more than mouthy. He bites and doesn't let go and he jumps all over. He has been in this shelter for a year and hasn't had much training. I certainly appreciated her honesty, but for some reason I really would like to give this dog a chance to live in a home.
However I also have 2 Labs at home, a 12 yr. old and a 10 yr old. I certainly don't want to jeopardize them. Do you think this rescue is a good idea? Do you think this dog could ever be a normal part of a family?By Kathy L
At 18 months old with this behavior and pretty much alienated without enough affection and socializing in a shelter for a year I personally wouldn't risk taking him especially in knowing I have two children and two beloved non-agresssive pets. Most likely there is no way this poor animal will ever safely be able to be part of a normal family. I know it's sad but there are just some circumstances where it's best to walk away.
No dog should be allowed to bite on children, especially not one as strong as a pit bull! That is a recipe for disaster. He may only be playing but a pit is big and strong, and they don't let go. It would only take him getting excited and grabbing hold of a hand, ear, or face to do some serious harm to your children. You don't want him to associate play time with biting or pulling on people. That's not good manners for any dog.
I understand where you're coming from and I'd feel sorry for the pup too, but in your situation I would be reluctant to bring this dog into my home. If you do decide to take him in however make sure he has some proper training with people who know how to handle the breed. Even if he is a mix he will need some special training, for the dog and also for you to know how to handle him.
I am at the end of my rope. This is our second Pit (our first was hit by a car at 1 year). BeBe is 14 weeks old and I can not get her to stop biting my hands, feet, legs, and she pulls on my pants leg. I have tried "NO", I have pushed her away, tried to ignore her, tried to give her chew toys when she tries to bite me or chew on my clothes. She has gotten where she barks at me and is getting to be aggressive toward me. I am the primary caregiver and I love her and want her, but she is really getting to be a handful.
By Bonnie W. from La Grange, NC
My boyfriend and I have had this blue nose Pitbull since he was a baby. Now he is almost 4 years old and he has bitten me twice within the past 2 years. The last bite almost caused me to lose my arm. I still want to be with my boyfriend, but I don't like the dog anymore and he's' still in the house.
His mom lives with him and she spoils the dog like a child and he stays in the house. I cared for him while he was a baby and I don't understand why he bites me when I cared for him more than my boyfriend during his younger years. And I don't understand why the police did not put him down. I want to remain in a relationship with my boyfriend, but I don't want the dog.
By CB
I have this baby Pit Bull and he is about 8 months old now. He is snapping and biting, but only at kids. He use to never do that to the kids as a baby. We have been putting him outside on the chain or in the room when he does and/or spanking him. He has bones and stuffed toys that he plays with.
This is the third time he has done this. I love him dearly and if I can't find a way to help him stop then we will have to get rid of him. I really don't want to cause he is my baby.
My APBT is currently 8 months old and I have had her since she was 6 weeks old. During this time we have moved three times. Initially, we lived in a situation where she got to play with a few different dogs and see various people. While playing with these animals, she would play normally and occasionally act dominant but never aggressively or too rough. She would not jump or nip at people except my 10 year old nephew who would play roughly with her.
Soon after this, we moved in with my parents. My parents spoiled her by not enforcing rules and letting her play roughly with them. After discussing this with them, they stopped for the most part but it seemed the damage was done because she now thought it was okay to jump on people and nip at them.
Since then, we have moved into a complex with a roommate. The complex contains many people and animals. She will listen to me when we are alone with only the occasional challenge. However, when we are walking and she sees a person or another dog, she gets really excited, stops listening to me, and tries to pull to get to the person/dog. On the occasions that she does meet someone new (or old for that matter) she will jump on them and nip at them. She does not do this with me, but she does it with everyone else! It makes me nervous that she may hurt someone because she does not realize she is being so rough. She also now plays too roughly with the dogs she was initially socialized around. I just want her to act more calm around everyone else like she does with me. Any advice?
