I've adopted a male French Bulldog x Australian Shepherd cross.
He's biting a lot despite having all the toys he needs.
When he bites, I give him a toy to redirect him to play, but he prefers grabbing my arm, clothes, blankets, etc. I give him a firm "no", but he just gets even more hyper and bites harder. So I tried the "ouch" technique; I was also told to try grabbing his muzzle or the scruff of his neck. These "physical" techniques really bother me as I'm not a violent person, but just saying "no" or "ouch" hasn't been enough so far.
Today, even though I take him out 4 or 5 times for about 10-15 mins each time to let off steam (he doesn't move much outside, even though I try to encourage him), he's been biting constantly. I was on the sofa and he bit my arm hard. I grabbed his muzzle, but once I let go, he tried to go for my face by jumping at me. After that, I tried scruffing him, but it was the same thing—he got even more aggressive and nearly bit my mouth.
The third time, he was super aggressive again. In between these episodes, I put him on the floor to let him do his own thing because I didn't want him near me while he was behaving like that.
I don't know what to do. I'm starting to panic because I'm a woman living alone, and he's a little male with a lot of character whose mother was apparently a bit aggressive too. I'm worried I won't be able to cope or that I'll fail at training him... I don't know if this behaviour is normal at his age (8 weeks and 1 day old). I'm dreading Christmas because he'll be around children... I'm scared for my nieces and nephews who are aged between 1 and 5. I don't want him to nip or hurt them, especially as he's already leaving quite bad tooth marks on me.
Sorry for the long post.
Tomorrow he'll be around an adult female dog. Maybe she'll keep him in line during play and he'll understand?
Thanks,
Mot22
Translated from French
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Unbelievable, a former member already... that lady won't be back. It’s always the same; people just won't listen to things they don't want to hear. Like all those who move house and get told it's no excuse for giving up a pet, then take offence and say it’s none of our business. Or those who can’t cope with high-energy breeds when they don’t have the time to let them burn off that energy, and then get told they should’ve thought twice before adopting a dog that didn’t suit their lifestyle – for the sake of everyone involved. People just do what they want sometimes; they want a tiny "teacup" puppy without looking into the negative consequences for everyone, or a stunning dog chosen purely for its looks when they'll never be able to help it thrive. In the end, you're left with a dog with behavioural issues, exhausted owners who are put off dogs for life, a predictable abandonment, and a traumatised dog that’s difficult to rehome...
It’s soul-destroying sometimes...
So your puppy is 7 weeks old; even though the legal age for rehoming is 8 weeks, all is not lost. From 5 weeks onwards, a puppy that has stayed with its littermates will fully understand canine social cues and bite inhibition. They also know that they belong to the dog world. During the first 48 hours after birth, puppies drink a thick, yellowish fluid called colostrum. This fluid provides all the antibodies necessary for the puppies' survival. A puppy that hasn't had this colostrum has very little chance of survival. Consequently, your puppy will have some initial immunity. You can get your puppy vaccinated and microchipped as soon as they have been weaned for 8 days (meaning they haven't had their mother's milk for 8 days). Just so you know, a puppy can be weaned at 5 weeks and then vaccinated and microchipped at 6 weeks. If the mother is aggressive and the father is also problematic, there’s a good chance your puppy will be naturally anxious. This isn't a problem, provided you train them properly using techniques for anxious dogs. If your puppy is biting and snapping at your face, you need to understand that this is just play; there is no aggression in this behaviour. Aggression in a puppy only starts to appear from 3 months onwards, when they enter the "aversion" or fear phase. Saying "ouch" and "no" won't do anything until your puppy understands what they mean.
When your puppy is with this adult female, provided she is well-balanced, you shouldn't interfere at all, regardless of how the dogs interact. Your nieces and nephews will be an integral part of their socialisation; you’ll need to supervise them, but above all, never punish your puppy for doing something wrong. A bad experience during the socialisation phase will stay with your dog for the rest of its life and risks them becoming aggressive towards children as an adult. Your puppy’s future behaviour depends entirely on the quality of socialisation you give them up until they are three months old; it’s your responsibility. NEVER FORGET THAT A 100% SOCIALISED DOG WILL NEVER HAVE INSURMOUNTABLE BEHAVIOURAL ISSUES. CONVERSELY, A POORLY SOCIALISED DOG, NO MATTER HOW WELL TRAINED THEY ARE, WILL HAVE BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS THAT ARE SOMETIMES VERY DIFFICULT TO RESOLVE.
There are two victims in this story: the puppy, taken away from its mum far too soon and looking poorly to boot (respiratory and back issues). And the woman, living on her own, who must have "romanticised" the idea of a "super cute" puppy... A friend of mine once got a Jack Russell at 6 weeks old (the poor gullible thing believed the lady who told her: "the younger they are, the more they bond with you"); I saw her a month later and her arms were covered in scratches and bite marks... They even had to have a "safety zone" for the kids! Despite neutering and a dog trainer who was at his wits' end 😞 she ended up giving him up (in reality: she just passed the "hot potato" onto someone else).
"Former user" already... We're here to help you, or rather, to do what's best for the dog above all else, because we don't want to see him ending up in a rescue in a few months' time.
You've got a puppy who was taken away too young, so he hasn't had enough "parenting" from his mother or the "breeder". He's a complete random cross (Bulldog x Australian Shepherd) from parents who apparently have behavioural issues—and they’re still breeding them? And then you have a "breeder" who admits there are aggression problems and thinks the only solution is to get rid of the male? (I suppose they can still make a bit of easy cash off the female...)
Anyway, it sounds like a proper scam. For now, keep the puppy away from the children. You need to take his training completely in hand right away to socialise him as much as possible with adult dogs and people, and teach him doggy etiquette, basic commands, etc. You must be firm and consistent every single day: house-train him, teach him what he can and can't chew, how to walk nicely on the lead, and so on. It’s going to be exhausting; it’s like bringing home a second toddler, with all the work that entails. Get a behaviourist to help if you need to, even just for a couple of sessions at the start. It’s not a waste of money; your own attitude and behaviour will be analysed too—because it’s rarely the dog’s fault, it’s usually down to the owners.
And you’re doing the right thing taking him to the vet for a full check-up to make sure he doesn't have any health issues or disabilities.
It’s a shame for her and her dog. I’d say it’s a case of misplaced sensitivity. When you make a mistake, the best thing to do is own it and take advice (and criticism too) on board to move forward.
I hope she looks for advice elsewhere to do the best she can for her dog. Otherwise, it’s looking like it’ll be a real struggle...
For New Year’s Eve, keep the puppy in a separate room; it would be quite irresponsible to leave him with children. Given how he's behaving with you, there’s bound to be trouble with kids.
As for the rest, the others have already explained the steps you need to take.
No, there’s no problem at all doing 10 miles in the car with a puppy or a dog. Even 30 or 300 miles isn't an issue; dogs can be transported by car without any trouble. Just put him in a crate or secure him with a safety harness for his safety and yours.
As for the puppy’s age, that’s just absolute nonsense!
Didn’t you know how old the puppy was when you got him?
That woman just told you what you wanted to hear to get rid of the litter. I don’t see how the transfer could have been above board if the puppy isn't at the minimum legal age...
But anyway, what’s done is done.
You’re really going to have to "pull your finger out" to make up for this mistake. Otherwise, the next 10 or 15 years are likely to be a real struggle.
For walks and dog meetups, there are Facebook groups and specialist sites. I can't remember the names, but other members have already mentioned them here.
That woman was definitely telling you a load of rubbish! 🤪 With parents like that and at only 6 weeks old, you’ve certainly got your work cut out for you! I hope she gave you the proper transfer of ownership papers... He needs to have had his jabs before being around other dogs... Watch out with children, they’ll be drawn to a "little fluffball", but he doesn't have any social cues yet... so... 🙅
NO!
He’s still protected by maternal antibodies.
You just need to avoid areas with dog mess, dodgy puddles, etc.
The likelihood of having a dog with behavioural issues for the rest of its life if it doesn't learn the right social cues during these vital weeks is a thousand times higher than the risk of catching a virus from meeting adult dogs on a walk!!!
