American bulldog puppies, like virtually all puppies, nip and bite as a natural, normal part of their development. They first begin to learn bite inhibition--or controlling the force of their bite--by roughhousing with their litter mates. From the reactions of the other puppies, they begin to learn what is inappropriately rough. It is up to you to continue teaching your puppy bite inhibition, leading eventually to no biting at all. Because your bulldog, with her massive jaws and powerful muscles, could give a powerful bite when grown, this is a very important lesson to teach. American bulldogs are devoted, loyal dogs but this independent-minded breed can also be willful and obstinate. You will need to be patient, firm, gentle and consistent as you teach your puppy not to bite.
Things You'll Need
- Processed cheese food or peanut butter
- Chew toys
- Ice cubes (optional)
- Soda can filled with pennies
Instructions
Adopt your puppy after the age of ten weeks old in order to give her time to learn vital social and bite inhibition skills from hers mother and litter mates.
Squeal or yelp sharply when your puppy bites you. This mimics the protests of her litter mates that are so important in teaching a puppy what is appropriate.
Grab the scruff of her neck firmly but gently and say, "No bite!" in a deep, commanding voice immediately after you yelp.
Turn your back on the puppy, walk away and ignore her for a while.
Put processed cheese food or peanut butter on your fingers. The easiest way for the puppy to get it is to lick it off; this will automatically reward her for her restraint.
Invite as many people as possible to your house to meet the puppy and promote socialization, a vital factor in preventing biting. According to the animal behavior specialist Dr. Ian Dunbar of the Doggone Safe website, your puppy should meet 100 people before she is three months old. Invite as many types of people as you can, including children and men.
Offer a chew toy as a substitute for your skin whenever your puppy nips. The puppy will learn that there are pleasant alternatives to nipping at hands. If your puppy is teething, offering her an ice cube is a good way to not only distract her but soothe her discomfort.
Hand feed the puppy; if she nips, close your hand and calmly stand up. Making the treat unavailable shows her a negative consequence for biting, while getting a lot taller than the puppy makes you more dominant and may cause her to reconsider your function as a chew toy.
Offer the treat again. Reward the puppy with the treat and words of praise when she sniffs at your hand but does not bite it.
Use a soda can filled with pennies as a shake can; rattle it in her face when she bites. Most puppies find this noise startling and disconcerting. Some puppies are clever enough not to bite when they see the can nearby. Have several, stashed in strategic locations around the house and yard, that you can get to quickly.