PLEASE help. Aggressive pup

[Harper's mom]

Hi there!
I got my beautiful 9 week old F1 baby girl over the holidays from a very reputable breeder.  She is a sweet girl, but has displayed some very aggressive behaviour on three occasions. I brought her to my school to see the kids and she growled/snarled.. at them. I have had dogs in the past and knew immediately that it was an aggressive behaviour, and not "puppy" growling. I had her in my car one day. She was on my lap and repeated this snarling and biting. Yesterday, she gave me a very low growl when I went near her bully stick. Today I brought her to the vet for her shots, and she became aggressive with him, the trainer at the vet, and then growled at the receptionist when she said "hello" to her and came up to us. The vet and the trainer both held her in a position until she became submissive, but she would repeat the behaviour the next time they picked her up. I cannot believe this is my baby... I just don't know if I can fix this or not.. Has anyone had this problem with such a young pup, and were they able to stop the behaviours? I will do whatever it takes, if I can be sure that she will not become an aggressive dog towards others later on. I am just beside myself.. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

What did the vet have to say and the trainer at the vet?  I'm not sure if 9 weeks is too young for their to be a thyroid issue (which some have found to be the problem with aggressive behavior) or not.  What did the breeder express as the personality for the puppy when you picked her up (or what type personality had you asked for?).  Also, has anyone been doing any rough play like pulling and tugging a toy to make her pull and growl? We were told that we should never play in that manner with our girls as it could lead them to be aggressive!  Beyond that, I'm at a loss.  I feel so bad for you though because you were expecting this cute little kissey puppy and have cujo ..... hopefully someone will chime in here with some good advice!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I would call the breeder and tell her what is happening.  Reputable breeders offer a life time of support for their adoptive families.  She should be able to tell you what is going on and what to do about it. I would start with her.

[Harper's mom]

The vet and trainer were concerned. They told me that I would have a lot of work with her if I decided to keep her. Puppy classes start on monday and the trainer said that she would have private classes with me if the behaviours contiinued. I am heartbroken. I just love her and want her to be a good dog. No one has rough played with her at all. I made sure to bring her with me when I go somewhere and introduce her to new things/people..  I will be calling the breeder to speak with her, but the last thing I want to do is send her back..  I just can't believe a 9 week old pup would act like that :( She has been very lovable in the house.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

Question...Did the vet happen to check her eyes?......I ask because a puppy that is sight-impaired for some medical reason such as entropian for example, ( not that uncommon with these dogs and easily corrected with surgery,) could also account for her behavior.

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

If your breeder is indeed reputable, you owe it the pup to call the breeder ASAP and make them aware of the situation. Any reputable breeder would want to be informed of situations such as this when it come to pups that they have produced and any reputable breeder would be more than willing to provide you with information and suggestions with how to deal with the behavior of what could be a puppy with a very strong personality. There may also be underlying medical issues not obvious to you (besides low thyroid function) that could be causing her to behave this way. She could be in pain for some reason and not making it obvious to you simply because she has a stoic constitution but fear of further pain could be causing her to be reactive with humans. I would call the breeder immediately.

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

If your puppy is 9 weeks old and you got her over the holidays - how old was she when you brought her home?  Today is the 15th so she might have been 7 weeks (New Years) or Christmas would be 6 weeks.  This is important, there have been many discussions here about taking a pup from the mom too soon.  This is who they learn appropriate behaviors from so if taken too soon, those lesson aren't learned and now the puppy does not know the proper why to react.  You say your breeder is reputable ( and I am no expert) but I don't know of a good breeder who would send home a puppy that early.  Also to take a puppy that young in to a school full of children would in my humble opinion be too much for them to handle at such an early age.  I'm not trying to put you on the defensive but these are important things to know.  I'm saying a prayer and Rooney is crossing his paws that you find the help you need.

[Harper's mom]

Hi again.. I got her when she was 7 weeks old. My stepdaughter and stepson were driving home from school and I thought that it would be better to have the pup drive with them rather than put her through the plane ride a week later. I am questioning now bringing her to school, but I was only in my class with her for about 10 minutes, not around all of the kids. My class all sat at the carpet while I showed them the pup. I am really  hoping that her behaviours were due to her being nervous, both at the school and at the vet.

[Linda and Murphy]

I got Murphy at 6 weeks and he is fine.  Just info...not a recommendation. (I spent the Christmas holidays dealing with my son's 10 week old Weimaraner pup.)

Hope everything works out.

[Melissa & Porter]

I kinda thought that about a school visit at 9 weeks too.  My dog, when he was 14 weeks, barfed with nerves when he met a bunch of kids...on his own turf, too.  I know there is this window of socialization, but it does not have to be intense.  Meeting a veeeery mellow dog with perfect health and up-to-date shots is a nice socialization opportunity.  Spending time with your family AND in the crate will give your puppy a feeling of control over her environment that meeting strangers does not.  My feeling is that if the situation is too scary I felt I had to carry the puppy, then it probably was too scary period.  Of course my puppy was 25 lbs and 14 weeks when I got him ;-)

I do think you are doing the right thing in aiming for socialization.  And I think the opposite--hiding the puppy from the world--IS a bad idea.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I definitely agree with talking with your breeder.  I'd want to know a few things...

• How did he/she assess this dogs temperament when viewing her with the rest of the litter?
• Was she with the Mom right up until you brought her home?  How was the Mom with the puppies...nurturing?
• How large was this litter?  Any issues or concerns with "siblings"?

I have a hard time thinking of a nine week old puppy as being truly aggressive.  What is her behavior like other than these three instances.  Is she "full of herself" and confident or more withdrawn and fearful?  I think once you get a good handle on personality/temperament it should be fairly easy to craft a training plan.  First of all, she definitely needs to understand that you are her leader and that you are making the "rules", but you are also the one who will keep her safe.  I'd start right away making her "earn" everything.  I'd teach her to sit for all food and water.  I'd withhold any treats that she doesn't earn....through really simple exercises.  She's struggling with impulse control right now (because she's still a baby), so whenever I observed her responding appropriately I'd reward and celebrate.  She needs to learn to respect and trust you, and I believe she definitely will as long as you're clear about your expectations and consistent with your responses.  I'll be honest, I have a little bit of a problem with forcing a puppy this age into a submissive position.  If she's reacting out of fear or confusion, I'm not sure this will do any good and could even escalate the reaction.  Others will probably disagree, but this is my opinion.  I really hope that you will think carefully before making a decision to give her back to the breeder.  She's going through the transition from everything she knew to your home now, and I think it would be difficult for her to go back.  And if she does, do you know what the breeder would do with her?  I'd really want to know that as well before making any decisions.  I have two Doodles....one was easy, and one is more of a challenge.  My "tough guy" was also very reactive as a puppy, but he has made huge progress.  Now he would never, ever consider being aggressive with me.  We've built a bond and I'm helping him to learn how he should be behaving through training....and he's just wonderful.  I really believe the same can happen with your puppy with time, work and lots of love.  I wish you the best of luck....and please know that there's a whole community here to help and support you. 

[Harper's mom]

Thank you all so much for your responses. I am so glad to have found this forum. I totally agree with you Jane.. I Have been making her sit for supper, treats, to come on the couch with me... I am also unsure about the submissive position. It seemed to scare her more than anything else.  I will never send her back to the breeder. I will do anything it takes to help her. One more question though.. Should I be bringing her to puppy classes at 9 weeks, or should I wait until the next session in April. I don't want to stress her out any more than I might have already :(  Thanks again...

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I am probably in the minority and no dog trainer, but I would hate to see any puppy put into a submissive position. Just my opinion. I am so sorry you are having trouble with your puppy and hope it all gets resolved. Personally, I think puppy class would be good for your pup and a good start. Good luck!!