Lucy is acting aggressive today

[Dawn]

Today has been a stressful day with our 5 month old puppy.    After school she got into some chocolate covered peanuts.  I called the vet and he said just to watch her and make sure she doesn't become lethargic or get diarrhea.    So far she hasn't shown any signs of either.  She has however been very hyper and somewhat aggressive.  She was jumpin up on me and I was telling her to sit and she refused to follow the command.  She became defensive and came towards me growling.   We had to leave for an hour so I put her in her crate.  When we came back we took her outside to play catch and she was doing fine but then she bit at my leg.  She hasn't done this for a long time.  She's just acting really naughty and not listening. 

We have tried yelping when she nips at us and she just looks at us like we're crazy.  Today was different than her normal nipping, it was more aggressive.  My biggest concern with getting a dog was that she would bite someone.  I am so worried about this.   

So far she has been a great dog.  We completed the basic puppy training course and we're now in the intermediate.  She is certainly smart and learning a lot.  I need some advice on how to handle this kind of situation before it gets worse.

Of course we are leaving for vacation tomorrow and have someone coming over to stay with the dog.  I'm worried how she will behave.

 

Thanks.

dawn

[Linda and "Toby"]

Hi Dawn! I had a similar problem when Toby was young. Here's a reply that I wrote in a thread called "Resource Guarding": http://www.doodlekisses.com/group/doodlewhisperers/forum/topics/res... Toby is now 3 1/2 and he is the sweetest dog we've ever had. He has never shown signs of aggression since we dealt with it when he was young. If he did, however, I would repeat the following steps and I have no doubt the issue would be nipped in the bud, so to speak. :) 

***

Our Toby began showing signs of aggression around the same age and I had the same concerns. Our daughter and two young grandchildren were staying with us at the time and I worried about the same thing. He is now 2 yrs old and the sweetest, smartest dog we have ever had. (My husband and I have had six dogs in our 29 years of marriage.)

I've seen quite a few threads on DK about this problem. If it's not addressed/resolved at this age, it will remain a problem when he gets big. Having had a 150 lb Akita mix that had aggression issues, I took a slightly different approach to correcting this problem than most of the others here. It worked beautifully.

When Toby had a sock or something else he shouldn't have in his mouth and I tried to take it away - or if he was sleeping and I needed to move him - he became extremely aggressive. He would growl and bare his teeth and snap, snap, snap. It was alarming to see this normally sweet, docile dog displaying this behavior to my daughter and I - yet never with my husband. He was trying to establish his position of dominance in our pack. Recalling what my trainer for Kuma taught me, Gina and I began to use this tactic: At the first sign of growling or showing his teeth, we would immediately flip him on his side, hold him down firmly in a submissive position and said "NO GROWLING... NO BITING" as we growled at him - like an alpha dog would do. He was forced to accept that he was NOT the leader in our "pack." It took patience and about 3 months of working with him on it. Now, at 2 years old, he is the most lovable and loyal dog we have EVER had. (He knows that the kids are above him in the pack as well, and he is perfectly content with that.)

I wish you all the luck in the world with getting this under control!!!

[Dawn]

Thank you!   We have a dog sitter for the next week so the timing isn't great.  I'm a little nervous about how she will act when we get back.    I will work hard with her when I return.

 

Thanks again.

dawn

[Lynne of Fountain Falls]

I have been reading a lot about a more gentle approach to dog training.  I must say that you need to use common sense and a good combination of discipline and gentleness.  I would never allow my dog to get away with growling or biting at me for any reason.(being hurt or injured of course would be the exception)  Dogs cant distinguish between an able adult and an elderly person that may bump into them with a walker.  My much loved, pampered, and yes, sometimes spoiled dogs know that peoples rights to safety and respect can not be breeched. That being said, your dog needs to know that you are in charge and growling or biting at you is strictly prohibited.  Get in contact with your trainer and learn how to eliminate this behavior.  At this age, it is not that hard to do.  But dont let it go on.  good luck.