I have an 8 month old American Bulldog that has a problem with biting and nipping. He jumps up and will bite my hands, legs, ankles, or grab and bite clothing. He seems to get over excited and suddenly became a little beast. I took him to training at a local pet store, but it hasn't helped. He understands basic commands, sit, down, and I am sure he understands when I say no, but he continues to bite and nip at me. The dog is wonderful with my 4 year old nephew, but he is sometimes uncontrollable with adults. I had him neutered in November, and am hoping he will calm down soon. Any advice?
Hi there, you really want to make sure that your dog knows not to bite you, even if he thinks it's all fun and games.
You will need to teach him that this behavior is absolutely unacceptable. Perhaps he was very young when he was taken from his litter mates and mother? When dogs they are little and they play with their siblings they will bite each other. If one puppy bites to hard the other will squeak and stop playing. That way a puppy learns not to bite hard. You will find that puppies that have been taken away from their mother and siblings to soon are likely to have more problems with biting as they haven;t learned when it is appropriate and when it is not.
You could use a water pistol and squirt him with water as soon as he starts to nip you. You will need to wait for the right situation and be prepared. Say "no" in a very confident and dominant voice or growl at him with a loud "gggrrr". As soon as he stops you will need to teach him an acceptable alternative to deal with his energy. Give him a toy that he can play rough with. He will learn that biting is not okay, but playing with a toy is. If he doesn't stop nipping you you might have to put him in a time out as well. As son as he starts again, say "no" and growl at him, then grab him and put him in a room where he is safe for a time out. Let him out after 10 minutes, but only if he is calm. Once you have done that a few times he will learn that it is not acceptable to initiate play with biting.
