How to Train a French Bulldog Puppy to Not Bite

Hello Courtney, Check out the article I have linked below on chewing. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/train-dog-not-to-chew/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Emily, First, at one year of age, this is probably not the type of biting that the puppy article is speaking about. Puppy biting is often done in play, without meaning to harm you. Pup simply lacks bite control and social skills yet, so this needs to be taught gently. Intentional bites that break the skin and are in response to something, like you taking something from pup, petting them when they don't want to be petted, ect...That's aggression and is dealt with more seriously. I would start by introducing a basket muzzle and having pup wear that when not crated. Pup should be crated when not supervised, at night, and while eating their meals in the crate until things start improving. Muzzle introduction video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJTucFnmAbw&list=PLXtcKXk-QWojGYcl1NCg5UA5geEnmpx4a&index=6&t=0s When and why is pup biting right now? To be of more help, I would need a lot more details on pup's bite history, when pup tends to bite, your relationship with pup, and anything else you feel could be related. This is the type of issue, I usually recommend hiring a professional trainer with a lot of experience with aggression to work with you in person for if that's an option financially. You can learn about certain types of aggression on your own by seeing cases of aggression being addressed in different ways, depending on the dog and type of aggression, such as with this trainer. Be sure to start with safety measures like the muzzle though, and get professional help if you can to oversee and guide such training. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLuwNCisD0NiPQlGXtMKf_mfpUAdN9HEq Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Tracy, I recommend teaching the following commands. These will take about a month to train at this age, so try not to get discouraged if you don't see tons of progress the first week. Work on this often daily, for shorter periods of time. Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Jumping: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-australian-shepherds-to-not-jump Out - move away: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ I also recommend crate training - the crate is huge for potty training help, but it's also a good place to send pup with a dog food stuffed chew toy to give a rest period. A lot of puppies will bite more when overtired and need naps every 1-2 hours at this age. Surprise method for crate training: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate Crate Training method for potty training: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-german-shepherd-puppy-to-poop-outside For the chewing, check out this article. You will also find crate training and the Leave It command useful for that behavior, as well as giving dog food stuffed chew toys to encourage toy interest - stuffing them helps a dog learn to like their own toys - it's not automatic for a dog to chew on rubber instead of shoes at first. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/train-dog-not-to-chew/ Finally, check out the free PDF e-book After You Get Your Puppy, which can be downloaded at the link below. www.lifedogtraining.com/freedownloads Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Joanna, First, I recommend desensitizing pup to a basket muzzle so you can train an interact with pup without being bitten and without reacting in a way that would encourage more biting or damage your relationship with pup. A basket muzzle will be more comfortable than a standard one and will allow pup to open their mouth while wearing it still, and keeping a drag leash on pup while you are home to supervise. Muzzle introduction video - for a dog who is new to the muzzle, progress through the process very slowly over several days, at a pace pup can stay relaxed at, rather than doing it in one sitting like the dog who is already comfortable in the video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJTucFnmAbw&list=PLXtcKXk-QWojGYcl1NCg5UA5geEnmpx4a&index=6&t=0s With those safety measures in place, I recommend teaching the following commands, desensitizing pup to being touched and handled, and following the commands from the listening article I have linked below to address respect and boundary needs. If you don't see things improve, feel unsure how to proceed, things get worse, or feel you need additional help I recommend hiring a professional trainer who specializes in behavior issues and will come to your home, like a private trainer, to work with you in person for this. Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Leave It method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite Place command: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Down-Stay: https://www.thelabradorsite.com/train-your-labrador-to-lie-down-and-stay/ Heel- Turns method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-poodle-to-heel Off- section on The Off command: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-train-dog-stay-off-couch/ Listening methods - all three - including Working method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you Step Toward method and Leash method (Leash with guest especially) to address jumping: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-australian-shepherds-to-not-jump To work on getting pup used to touch and handling use pup's daily meal kibble to do this. Gently touch an area of pup's body while feeding a piece of food. Touch an ear and give a treat. Touch a paw and give a treat. Hold their collar and give a treat. Touch their tail gently and give a treat. Touch their belly, their other paws, their chest, shoulder, muzzle and every other area very gently and give a treat each time. Keep these times calm and fun for pup. Depending on the details of pup's behavior, there might also be other specific things that need to be addressed, like resource guarding, possessiveness of you, or a lack of socialization or impulse control, ect...You would need to work with someone experienced in this area for a more comprehensive protocol, that includes things I might be missing based on my limited information and interaction with you. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Rogelio, This sounds like something where pup's body language needs to be observed, to tell if this is true aggression or mouthing due to over-excitement. Playing rough with another puppy could be bringing out mouthing and pup may think the napkin is a fun thing to attack. I recommend working on the Leave It command. Start with treats like the method mentions, moving onto clothing like the method also mentions, but then also include practice with napkins once pup is good with treats and clothes. Leave It method https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bite You may also find teaching Place and Out helping. Out means leave the area, and when you need to clean up a mess, you could send pup to Place or out of the room while you do so, to avoid the temptation of biting the napkin to begin with. Out is also a good command to give pup when they are really wound up and need to calm down. Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Thresholds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-w28C2g68M Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden