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.

[Harper's mom]

I feel so much better knowing that I am not the only one who has experienced this puppy behaviour! I will start puppy classes tomorrow. I have been reading previous posts and realize that she might also be overtired. She sleeps all night, but rarely sleeps during the day. I don't think she knows how to calm herself down. I will schedule nap times in during the day to see if it helps. I tried not to put her in her crate when we were home during the day, but now realize that she might need rests in it. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this forum and your support. I think that she was overly stressed at the vet and I took it as a pup who would be so aggressive. Much of what I see I read about in your posts, and am so relieved (although I am sorry that you went through it :) ). Now I can take a deep breath, and enjoy my day with Ella. xo

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

The tired thing is a very good point. I can always tell when Fudge is tired because she starts to get very bratty. I have a hard time taking her to daycare because she just won't stop and comes home almost sick. Vern can lay down anywhere for a breather, but Fudge just won't. I actually take her back to our bed and make her take a nap and she will lay in there for a couple of hours by herself and is always better after resting. I sound like I am nuts or nutty about my dogs, huh?? Lots of people crate their dogs for rest periods, so it is whatever works for you!

[Diane and Bailey]

I also have a young puppy (11 weeks.)  She takes two naps during the day, each for about 1.5 hours.  I think you might be on to something that your puppy might be overtired.

 

[Harper's mom]

Hi again! Well I was more assertive with Ella today, put her in her crate for 2 naps, and she was a very sweet, loving dog!!! She started chasing me and biting at me about 20 minutes ago (playful) and I crossed my arms, looked away and she continued on to play with her kong! WOW! Thank you SO much for your suggestions. I am crossing my fingers that maybe she realized yesterday that I was the boss and that she could be the pup! I feel so relieved and hope that with my guidance, she will overcome the aggression she showed and just be my baby!!!! I am thinking that maybe I will wait until April for the puppy training and let her feel safe in her new home first. I have a few friends with adult doodles, and will set up play dates with them instead for now... I don't want her to get in that defensive mindset again so soon. Have a great night!!

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

That is too long to wait!  The window of opportunity is already starting to close by April she will be 6 months old and that window will be closed and you will only teach her to cope with stress and fear.

 

 

[Kris & Brinkley]

I didn't read all these comments but there is a lot of great advise.

My boy (12wks)gets aggressively when he is tired much like a tired toddler.

We do a few things we time out in my arms in a very balanced in my lap thing until he relaxes.

I am finding it is a balance between reminding them WHO is the pack leader & lover 2nd, I know it is hard but making sure you invest in the next 6 months totally laying that I'm your leader first thinking will really be the trick to a happy relationship.

Have toys that you hand her when she is biting on you after you give her a negative noise like Chh!! or AAAAh -kong pacifiers with PB is the best thing ever when at the vets or in grooming.

As far as the back roll till they submit- every dog is diff & you may have to try as well as holding her on her side head down while you calmly talk to her will make her learn to trust you even when she is in a scary position.

Fear is a big key to why she is having such young Bad behavior, gentle introductions to EVERYTHING & EVERYONE is key to overcoming fears. Keep toys & treats with you 24/7.

& BTW don't pet her to calm her it teaches her that you are rewarding her for her fear...soft talk & gentle chhs then reward confident gentle behavior.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

Sounds like a classic reaction to FEAR- your puppy is very young and was removed from the litter younger than she should have been and needs to gain confidence.  Socialization is very important but it more important to understand you puppy's threshold and body language. All puppies are different just like people and you have to be able to know when it is time to back off or allow your pup space and not to flood her and over do it with her.  Flooding is very dangerous and causes fear and most puppies who were removed from their litter early do not know how to communicate and deal with that fear.  The window of opportunity usually closes between 12 and 16 weeks with puppies.  I recommend joining a puppy play group or to go to daycare so that your puppy can watch and learn from his peers. Seeing how other dogs react will help your puppy learn how he should deal with things around him.  He will gain confidence through training as well but learning his body language is so important to your puppy's emotional growth.

[Martha & Cooper]

Hi there and congratulations on your beautiful puppy.  It looks like you are getting some wonderful advice on your handling your situation, but one thing I haven't seen mentioned or maybe I missed it was the fact that some Veterinarians, mine included, recommend that you wait until your puppy is completely immunized before you start puppy classes or take your puppy out in public.   It is for their safety.   In fact, they didn't even want me to put my puppy down when I would bring him in for the shots and they keep an immaculate office.  They recommended waiting 10 days after his last shots, then starting the classes and the trainer we went to had the same policy.

[Kris & Brinkley]

Excellent Notion & catch Martha. Shots are super important.

[Harper's mom]

Hi again! One of the reasons I decided to wait for puppy classes was because she won't get her last set of shots until February. I will look around to see if there is another puppy class after that!
I have pretty good news though. I have taken all of your advice and been consistent with Ella. She is doing MUCH better. She is learning that I am the alpha and not her. She will even stop biting me when I make the Aahh sound!! It is amazing that within a few days of the vet and me showing her that I was the boss how quickly she submitted to me and almost seemed happier!! She has given me a little growl twice, but I lift her up and look directly at her and she looks away and calms down. She also gets short naps in her crate which seem to help alot!! I even brought her back in the car (where she became aggressive before) JUST for a little ride, not taking her out of the car, and she was better. She gave me a little growl when I started to drive and I gave her the AAhh and she stopped!!!  A friend of mine owns a very nice doodle who is used to being around puppies. She is going to bring her over to play with Ella. My other friend also just got a pup and they will play together as soon as Ella has her last set of shots. My girl is turning into a loving, STABLE pup!! I am crossing my fingers that she continues. Thank you SO much for all of your suggestions. They really helped me to see that I was the one who needed to be in charge that she could be the loving girl that I knew was in there!! I guess the biggest test will be when I bring her to the vet for her next shots. I am a bit nervous about that, but hopefully she will do well.

[Noble Vestal Labradoodles]

There are many professionals who are in the dark about puppy development and the critical need for early socialization.  You can cure many things that your puppy could contract including parvo but you can not cure social retardation!  More dogs die in shelters every year because they were not properly socialized and trained at an early age and families gave up on them or they ended up as fear biters!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Amen!!! You can't imagine how many doodles are being rehomed or in shelters for bad behaviors around children. Those families obviously are not members here in DK or as willing to work with their doodles - whether a puppy or adult behavior that is cause for concern.

 

Kudos to you for reaching out for help and using the advice to see what works with Ella.