10 week old puppy growling, snarling??

[Julie]

Hi! We got our precious puppy on September 30 at 8 weeks old. She is adorable and came from a breeder I really think is good. The breeder's puppy's are GANA registered. I also checked with previous owners.
Well, our puppy was growling and snarling within the first few days of bringing her home. Otherwise very sweet and playful.

I thought this was slightly concerning and that she was just playing. Well tonight she got extremely aggressive with me when I went to pick her up while she was chewing on her bone on her bed.

I am now very concerned for my children and worried that she will become more aggressive as she grows. I didn't think this was normal for a 10 week old puppy?

I feel like an emotional mess right now. Any advice would be welcome!!!! VIDEO ATTACHED. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnvSOIw9GB8

[Sue]

Hi, so in the video it looks like she did not like being picked up and that is what prompted the growling. You then repeated the same action attempting to yield a different result.... Puppies are babies and will tell you pretty directly what they like and what they do not like. My guess is your puppy does not like to be picked up that way ( from behind and under her tummy with no support). I would try to approach her from the front, let her smell you and then gently pick her up. I would also take away any distractions ( bones, chew toys, food that she may want to get to).....Doodles can be quite stubborn in the beginning but she needs to know who is the leader and what is acceptable vs what is not. Also, are you crate training her? Do you have a pen to put her in for some time outs? Has she seen a vet and had a thorough check up for any tummy issues that may be bothering her....keep us posted and it is very very tough in the beginning but it does get better...

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I have to agree with Sue's response. From the video clip, it doesn't appear that your puppy growled in response to her bone being taken away, but rather was distressed from the way you picked her up. Also, it looks like someone threw something at her from the front at about the same time that you attempted to lift her from behind. Maybe she was frightened? Could it be that your children have been picking her up incorrectly, and now your puppy is afraid of being hurt? For the time being, and until you can ascertain whether or not your puppy is in pain upon being lifted in that fashion, I would instruct your kids to NOT pick her up and to stop tossing toys her way. Perhaps a checkup by your vet is in order. If she is indeed healthy, then find a great trainer, and begin the process of helping her learn how to be a well-behaved and wonderful pup.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

I am agreeing.  If the puppy was busy with that bone and did not know you were coming she reacted. Starting puppy training is important for her as well as all involved with her care.  You need to know how to handle her and what makes her react, she needs to know who is the pack leader.  It is hard to fall in love with and enjoy a dog that runs the house.

[Julie]

Hi!
Thanks! Yes we have been crate training her. She has been tethered to me on a leash while out of the crate so it is very unlikely that she was hurt. I was also wondering if her tummy was hurting but we have been to the vet. She growled at the vet this way as well last week.

I am confused because the growling seems to be unpredictable to me. She is sweet and cuddly the will turn on the growling. It does seem to be mostly when being held or repositioned.

Maybe I can post another video in different circumstances. We Have never Had this happen before and only want the best for the puppy.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I agree with the others about your pup reacting to being picked up. Also I think pups feel more secure if you hold one hand under their hind legs as well as under their font legs.

[Julie]

Hi!

Thanks! Yes I agree that she does not seem to have guarding issues. It seems more in response to being picked up. But, I have picked her up the same way many times and she is fine--- then she was in my lap and I repositioned get slightly and it set her off. I am confused because it does not seem to be consistent -

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Maybe let sleeping dogs lie!  LOL  I would probably not keep trying to take videos of the behavior.  The first video made me a little uncomfortable because whoever was holding the puppy had to keep doing it over and over in order to even get the video.  The first time one of my growled at me, I gently but quickly picked him up and put him in the crate.  You need to say nothing - they quickly learn that the behavior is not a good one.  Remember time outs are not forever, only a few minutes especially when they are puppies.  Sue gave you great advice.  IMO - puppies are not aggressive.  That is how they are communicating.  Have you checked out Doggie Dan the online trainer - on this site under Vendors.  I wish every new puppy owner could adhere to his program and  they did, the result would be an off the charts great family pet!  Good luck to you and your darling little puppy.

[BG and Gavin]

I like that you are doing the tethering, I think this is a great idea. Gosh it really does look like a pain issue. If it is behavioural I agree with the time out idea.

[mary]

I can relate. I recently posted a thread on here under heartbroken. We ended up giving our 16 week old puppy to a lady with no kids due to him gorowling then biting my husband and son. It's been almost 2 weeks and Im still mourning and missing him. My husband was not going to allow a dog that could bite our kids, grandkids or neighborhood kids. I did receive some good advice from folks on here. I have been watching and reading Cesar Milan. Looking into Doggie Dan.

We made mistakes with our puppy. I allowed(not knowing) our boys to wrestle , play tug a war, let puppy mouth on them or their clothes. I thought it was normal play, but I read the puppy probably saw my boys as other puppies. 

It does appear that your pup was reacting to the way you picked him up. Does he do that in other situations?  

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Whoa, I can see where you would be very uncomfortable with that behavior- It makes me cringe just watching it!  

My first thought is that maybe her belly or something else on her body hurts and is aggravated by being picked up. But, then I see that you have had her to the vet to be checked out.

I agree with what the others have said- don't pick her up that way for a while. However, if you find that she is responding wtih that growling and snarling even when she is not being lifted, I would enlist the help of a trainer ASAP. She seems to be exhibing more than just "normal puppy" behavior.

[Eleanor]

Oh my Gosh, that video is so disturbing to watch.  I have had dogs my entire life and I have never seen anything like that from such a young puppy.  Have you contacted the breeder to show them that video?  I know it probably would be hard to return her but I would be so very concerned keeping a dog with those issues around my children.  Remember, she is not going to be little forever.  I am so very sorry, I kind of know what your are going through.  We purchased our dog, Faye when she was 3 mos old from a reputable pet store.  We had her for only a few days when she snarled and snapped at my husband then myself.  I was horrified and considered bringing her to the doodle rescue since the pet store would not work with me.  But my case was different, because they sold me a sick dog that had been on medicine for 10 days for an infection.  However, prior to selling her they never did a follow up check up.  The few days we had her home she was running a 104 fever and that made her very irritable.  Thank goodness, we discovered this fever on her first vet visit.  We were able to get her on medications and follow up visits and she has been fine since.  The vet attributed her snarling to the raging fever in her.  So, I do understand your concern,  I had similar concerns about having this puppy/dog around my grand kids.  All is fine now, never another episode and she is 10 months and 60 lbs now. .    Hope you can figure it out before you all become too attached to her.  Good luck.