Angry/Scared/Frustrated

[Phoebe's Mom]

Phoebe is now 7.5 months old and tonight after a difficult walk with her pulling and jumping (despite the harness), she started growling at me and jumped grabbing my wrist in her mouth. I gave her leash a sharp tug and told her 'no bite' and then she started to jump at the leash and she caught my other wrist--all while growling right at me. She has done this with my son in a more playful manner but she has always considered him her 'littermate' and we are working on that. She growled at me as a little puppy but in play--tonight she really seemed 'annoyed' and it scared me. Again I say, she is well exercised and played with often throughout the day and today was no different. She is taken on long walks and generally, she is wonderful and a love. Am I still stuck in the teen years with her testing my authority and wanting to be in control? Your advice is always welcome and needed!

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

I would say it sounds like Phoebe is testing you. You can't treat any form of aggression with aggression. As soon as she would growl at you it would be best to say "NO growl" and turn away..ignore her. If she turns with you and growls again..keep repeating this and ignoring her till she stops. She will catch on that if she growls and jumps she won't get attention, it may take a few tries and repeats but it will work. I also would not encourage this type of play because she may now think it's ok to do all the time. Phoebe should not be looking at your son as a littermate, that makes her equal to him and tries to put her above him. You need to retrain Phoebe and your son, so your son is not a littermate. Best of luck...

[Jacquie Yorke (DRC)]

You should never discourage a dog from growling.....Growling, when not expressed in play, is a warning...If you condition a dog to not growl they will bypass the warning all together and go right to biting.......

[Kathy]

My dog Cheech just started the same thing! He was playing one minute and too rough and I gave him a correction and he started growling at me ,not in playful way either,his mouth was closed he raised his lips to show his teeth almost like smiling, and it made me very nervous! I called the trainer and he said when that happens to put him down on his side and hold him there till he stops that he needs to know who alfa is. Cheech is just going on 9 months,I cant believe how bad he has become in the last month .They call this the teenage time! I sure hope this all passes.Good luck with Phoebe.They need to know whos boss! Kathy

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Hi Kathy,
When you put your dog into what they use to call a submissive down they have now found that it actually teaches the dog more aggression. By moving out of that situation by turning away, it's taking the attention off the dog, not giving in to what it wants. If you turn body a 1/2 turn away from the dog when they growl or jump, your dog is learning to submit to you, not you to them. You become alpha by ignoring and making them submit to you in a less agressive way. I'm not saying puppy growling or playing or barking is not acceptable, but when it becomes aggression that is different. "NO" dog should ever think of a person as it's littermate. They love their littermates because of the constant challenge and pack standing, you don't need the challenge, you become that dogs pack for him to respect and follow. Example...if your child wanted a piece of candy while you were shopping would they not have to wait on certain reason not to have it, (wait to pay, wait because it's almost meal time, wait till you leave the store), well all of a sudden Junior is having a fit, do you give them the candy to shut them up and teach them it's ok to do this everytime your shopping, why do it with your dog?

[Phoebe's Mom]

I completely agree with you about turning away from Phoebe and not giving her the attention that she so desires by jumping--just as I would not allow my children to have something to merely 'keep them quiet' if they wanted it. My problem is with the application of this rule. When we turn our backs on Phoebe, she continues to jump up on our backs or she swings around to the front to 'grab' our attention. I have tried to ignore this by looking up or away and not giving any attention positive or negative--boy, am I having trouble with this! She just keeps on jumping. Sometimes I have the time to 'wait it out' but, more oft than not, I need to nip the action in the bud as I am busy with something else. Any suggestions or Phoebe really like the child who needs to try something 20 times before he admits he likes it! I have a few of those, too!!!

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Sorry but I think Phoebe has you wrapped around her finger and knows it. It sounds like she will be the child who will test your wits ( maybe for forever, maybe not). But you really have to be consistant with it and not give in. I know it sucks when you have to do something else and you really don't have the time, but it's the only way they learn. You also said you have a problem with the application of the rule, as soon as she turns into your eye site and jumps at you, you need to turn and ignore her. Don't say a word to her. If she tuns into your eye site and sits or stands and does not jump, that is being submissive to what you want. Than I would tell her good girl and give her a treat ...attention...just need to remember as soon as the jumping starts..all deals are off..and ignore her.

[Phoebe's Mom]

Thanks for your prompt response and the good advice. I suppose i am a work in progress with my puppy as well. I do much better with the children!

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

You are doing fine, don't ever think of yourself as a failure when it comes to training. We all make mistakes it's how we learn from them. Just keep working with Phoebe and you will have one great doodle. Are you doing any kind of training outside with socialization and class obedience, you might want to check into some classes with Phoebe also. Best of luck and let us know how Phoebe is doing...

[Chris & Boys]

Lisa, you have to give her a firm UH-UH! when she is jumping, but don't make eye contact.....that is what worked for the boys. then once she stops jumping give her the sit or down command and praise, then work on a few commands to distract her and refocus her. Let me know how it goes.

[Holly St Pierre]

My doodle started barking & biting at me at 7 months, but he has never shown teeth in an aggressive way. I would definately contact a trainer now to ensure your doodle knows it is unacceptable. They are so smart, if you let them get away with something, they don't forget it. The teen months are tough. Gunner will be a year old in a few weeks. His testing is getting less & less, so I am hoping to be on the downhill slide.

[Phoebe's Mom]

Thanks for the advice but, more importantly, thanks for letting me see that I am not alone with a crazed doodle. I think the teen years (months) are going to be rough ones!

[Lindsey, Lee, Whopper and Simba]

I haven't had to deal with this issue specifically but if a major issue with this is during walks, maybe try giving Phoebe a job on walks. Have her carry a stick in her mouth or something along those lines that she likes. Now she's focused on carrying something and with that in her mouth, she couldn't bite the leash or you.