How to wean an amstaff puppy from biting?

You brought home a puppy from a breeder at the age of about 2.5 months. This is a very cute creature with charming eyes. And suddenly, during the game, he bites you ...

To begin with, you must understand that puppies do not have hands and fingers, so teeth are almost the only available tool for understanding the world around them. Puppies, like small children, try everything “by the tooth”.

While the puppy is small, before the change of teeth, he has very sharp milk teeth. And, of course, this causes discomfort for the owners. And when the puppy is excited, then he adds front paws with sharp claws to his teeth - which is also unpleasant.

Marcellus Strider in Diversity

What to do?

Use a few simple rules.

Do not play with your puppy with bare hands, but play with a toy. There should always be a toy between your hands and your puppy's teeth.

It is advisable to have several different toys. It is good to have a soft toy that is pleasant to bite. It is good when the toy makes some kind of sound to further interest the puppy and attract his attention.

How to get a puppy interested in a toy?

The Staffordshire Terrier is a dog, and dogs are former predators, so you need to turn on the “hunting instinct”. Make the toy "run away" from the hunter. The puppy will be interested in hunting for "prey". In the end, let your Stafford still take possession of the toy, because if the “prey” is always at hand or, on the contrary, is always unavailable, he will lose interest in it.

Coral Strider in Diversity

If your puppy starts growling at you, what should you do?

To show him with all his appearance that such behavior is not acceptable. That in your house you need to play by your rules. Amstaffs feel very well the strong hand of the owner.

You can firmly take the puppy by the withers (this is the highest part of the back and the place where the shoulder blades converge - for this place the mother bites the puppies when she brings them up). And strictly tell him the forbidding command.

Then release the puppy and observe his behavior. If the puppy has calmed down, offer him a toy and play with him for a while.

If the puppy continues to growl or tries to bite again, this indicates insufficient power of influence. Repeat all over again with more force.

You can also force the puppy to turn on its back, belly up and pressed to the floor. This is the posture of submission. And again tell him the forbidding command. The puppy must understand his unwanted behavior.

Thus, by regular repetitions and the same requirements, you will form the reaction you need in the puppy.

© Tatyana Lazko, co-owner of the American Staffordshire Terrier kennel "Strider in Diversity"