Aggressive behavior

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

When Lucca gets something he is not supposed to have (ie a kleenex) he snarls and snaps when we try to get it away. He bit me yesterday. I have resorted to throwing a treat in the other direction so he drops the kleenex so I can get it away from him. When he get s like this he will not listen to the "drop" command. His is only 3 months. I seem to remember my golden doing this and it did get better with maturity. He starts obedience classes in January. Any other suggestions for now?

[Adina P]

I think it's okay to bribe him with a treat at this age. He's not going to be solid in any obedience commands for quite a while.

Practice the "leave it" and "drop" command a lot around the house at random times AND reward him generously when he does it. Also give him back his toy after he drops it on command.

A lot of people with puppies think their puppies are being "disobedient" (i.e "not listening") -- but at this age that's not the case at all. Puppies that are three months old have a short attention span and are not done training. Not done training is the key principle. It's not that they're being disobedient... but simply that they are NOT ready ( impossible to have enough practice and maturity at this age to be ready ) for high obedience YET. Definitely continue practice and training-- but don't expect him to be fully compliant yet.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

Thank you thank you. I knew he was too young. That's why I figured diversion at this age is better than getting bit. He's not biting me, per say he is trying to keep the forbidden object away from me. It's scary though, those teeth are sharp!!

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

I agree they think it's a game. Everything is a game. I will try this. He has responded to the treats. Will try the praising.

[Debbie and Toby]

We also have the same problem. Toby is now 9 months old and every chance he gets he grabs anything in sight (that he knows he is not suppose to have) and refuses to "drop". Toby has snarled, growled and bit us when trying to get something away from him. We have tried bribing with treats, peanut butter, cheese, etc. but he will only "drop" when he is ready to. We are afraid he will end up swallowing something harmful to him if we don't find a resolution to this problem. There have been times that we would back off because we were afraid of getting bit. He hasn't broke skin yet but has left some pretty good bruises. I am not really sure what to do about this, I would really like some suggestions because I don't want this problem to get any worse. We are open to any suggestions as this seems to be the biggest problem we have. Normally he is very loveable and cuddly, he just doesn't like things taken away from him. Let me know if you have any suggestions or ideas that work for you. I am willing to try anything to discourage this behavior.

[Debbie and Toby]

Thanks, Amanda We will definately try the "drop" and "take" more throughout each day. It has been this way since he was 8 weeks old so it is getting very tiring. I really do think that he has thought this has been a game of "chase me". We will also try to reserve a special treat just for "drop" and "take" and we will see what happens. Thanks for the suggestions.

[Carla, Lucca and Izzy]

We just started on the "drop it" part. I am hoping this will work. I'll try the "take it" too. This is interesting. I feel like I walk into a room and immediately scope it out like I would for a toddler!!!! Well.... they are!!!