I'd recommend discussing this with your veterinarian and also talking to some qualified and experienced dog obedience trainers. After a few minutes they start to growl and bark at each other which worries us. Details like beards and glasses can also unsettle a dog who is not used to them. If he goes right back at her when your release him, repeat the same thing. I feed him 2 meals a day, my husband feeds him 1 meal a day. By that point she will probably be about ready to start her obedience classes. This often results in bossy/bratty behavior which can seem to be aggressive. Continue to be consistent and patient with his puppy training, always make sure that he obeys you before he gets his treat/reward and be firm but loving. Large or guardian breeds do NOT need a more authoritarian style of training than any other breed. Also be sure to feed a premium food as it has more nutrition per cup. Also, he is not respecting you as his 'senior' or as the pack alpha, so you need to work on making sure he knows that you are above him in terms of seniority. That way he won't know which time will win him his treat and hopefully will continue to obey every time in hopes. Puppies really are just like children in that way. Puppies often tend to nip/chase children, as their high-pitched voices and quick movements trigger both their prey drive, and their play drive! Help! Unfortunately, these products will not change how your dog feels about you. You see, THEY are the … But it is important to make sure that you discourage this behavior and correct him every single time. If her behavior was like this all day I'd suggest perhaps a dog food allergy, or an over-anxious personality. Start working on teaching her how the 'pack hierarchy' works in your home. Instead take a long, walk and finish up with 5 minutes of training. After he's stopped jumping, or at least has slowed down his efforts, the person at the door should ask him to 'sit' and once his little butt is on the floor, he gets a treat and the visitor can greet him while he's sitting. If she gets a hold on my hand, she will tear into it with teeth clenched tight and start shaking her head, trying to break skin. I'd also suggest enrolling her in a basic obedience class at one of the local dog obedience schools. My significant other thinks she is a vampire!! It is up to you to teach your dog good behaviors. Puppy answering you back when being disciplined. She chews and bites anything and everything, that is common behaviour but she seems to be more intent on biting feet and toes as well as hands and fingers. Be sure that you aren't being overly 'dominant' yourself when interacting with her. When you are out with your dog, consider sharing your food with it. Biting is a big no-no, if he ever snaps or bites at you, again tell him "NO BITE" firmly, and if necessary reinforce that by wrapping your hand gently around his muzzle for a few seconds. Anyhow I collected her as he was working that day and brought her home. Only share with it the food you are sure can't cause poisoning. Also, you have a puppy of a herding breed. The best way to show your dog affection is by giving them plenty of cuddles, rubs, pats, and gentle scratches. Biting our pants legs and tugging and I guess even growling. So, if you find that they're just going at it and it's getting out of hand - step in and separate them. He does wonderful at my house (goes to the door, barks if necessary) but at my mom's house his accident prone side comes out (where he peed on the floor.) The best thing you can do is change how it feels about you. He may just be an 'alpha' personality. Try to make sure that there isn't anything that you're doing to make things worse too... For example, if you get tense or anxious as evening approaches because you are expecting her to act up, then she will feel that (dogs are very in tune with their people's emotions) but she won't know why you're anxious. I do feel like he knows I’m the leader of the pack along with the lab (not sure about my wife yet). Some dogs get over-stimulated by all this and that triggers the 'crazies'. He needs to learn to give you anything (ie 'leave it') when you ask for it. Never back off from whatever it was you were doing when he growled at you, because that will encourage him to do it more. Your puppy is behaving in a very normal way because he sees your daughter as a sibling, another puppy really, and this is his way of interacting with other puppies. Men in particular have a tendency to be scarier to dogs for a number of reasons. I've tried to show him his basket with all HIS things in it and tell him, that this is MINE and his toys are HIS, but to no avail! Use a low, firm but calm voice and slow, deliberate movements. Terriers are extremely active dogs both physically and mentally and she may need more exercise than you expect. So if you went away on vacation weeks and left your dog with your husband and someone came to stay with your husband the dog would then chose your husband to befriend and the other person would be the one he barks at. Now she is 8-9 weeks old. After a couple of days begin to drop some very tasty treats into his bowl one at a time while he's eating. I think my husband is really serious about getting rid of him. This is a sign of a dominant personality, and isn't terribly unusual. It can be pretty easy to get puppy aggression and dominance issues confused, especially if you're not familiar with normal 'baby dog' behavior! If he demands attention from you, i.e. Because we are reinforcing the bark by paying attention to him, mostly to try to shut him up, we make it so much worse! Your pup is already 8 months old, so it's going to be more difficult than if you'd been able to tackle it earlier on, but she is young enough that she can change this attitude given time. Dogs respect whoever is in control of the necessities of life - the resources that they need. Reactive or Surprise Barking. Is puppy barking a dominance/aggression issue? Your dog may be picking up on other, more subtle factors in her interactions with your husband, such as the way he approaches her. Puppies don't understand housebreaking the way we humans do, and as far as Duke is concerned he knows that he needs to go outdoors at home, but thinks it's okay to go indoors at your grandma's. In fact, if you use a loud, stern or harsh voice with her, or act in that way, she may misinterpret it as an aggressive behavior. My puppy is 4 months old German Shepherd cross Rottweiler and when you stroke him he sometimes growls. This is definitely a problem, but isn't unusual. He seems to be acting like a teen. George, my 9 year old German Shepherd Dog/Border Collie mix, will make a huge fuss when my wife comes home. However, they can also be stubborn and self-confident and can challenge an owner they feel to be 'weaker' than them, or not in control. The jumping on people is a problem that needs to be addressed to - but at least this is a 8lb pup and not a 80lb pup you're having to deal with! Then you may want to use a crate to confine him at least for part of the time you're there, the rest of the time watch him very closely and get him outside at the first hint that he needs to 'go'. We don't look forward to evenings anymore. She growls and snaps at guests, company in and around my home, and if I take her to the vet, groomers, anywhere where people want to touch her. If he doesn't have worms and always seems hungry, he probably is! you're going to need to work on that too. I have a 10 week old Wheaten puppy that we just got. Raising a puppy is like raising a child, and it takes lots of time, patience and consistency to teach them the correct behavior and how to fit in with their human pack. Although, some say If you love your dog, you should be there for them when they need you. Dogs use body language to communicate. Have him obey your 'sit' command before you put down his food, give him a treat and so on. So my question is “is this a dominance issue or just a puppy playing?” Can I correct this or should I just put a small fence around the tree? Some interactive toys would also be a good idea. As for the housetraining problem in your grandma's house, it's likely a combination of him smelling his own scent from previous accidents and the fact that it's a habit for him to go indoors at that house. When you comfort your dog in this situation, you are affirming that there is something to fear. Jack Russells are very typical terriers and have a LOT of energy and personality and can be stubborn, they make wonderful family pets but need consistent firm discipline and lots of exercise. This isn't something to be panicked about, but you're right in wanting to get control over this now, because it will only get more challenging as she gets older. If the dog is new to your home. According to Petmeds, you should never physically discipline your dog. There's an article here on leash training puppies which I think will help you... Also work on basic obedience commands and training at home, you can learn more about this on my, You are on the right track with the socialization, but there's a lot of different things you can also do to help him, just take it slowly and don't push him too fast. Fetch some nice food, and tempt him out. She will respond to all of that, she needs you to be her mommy and to help her settle down. When he's okay with all of that, go back to using the bowl at mealtimes, but sit beside him so that he is comfortable with you near the food bowl. There's a lot of truth in the saying 'a tired puppy is a good puppy'. we just got a new puppy he is 7 month s old and is a rott/dovermen he is a great dog and loves kids and me but wen my husband is around he barks at him..he acts scared of him really.. i do not see any like meanness to him..he is skittish around him.. i think the people who owned him before me had a man abuse him. Of course, that's simply not possible. Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Giving both dogs lots of exercise on a daily basis will also help them (particularly Molson) to use up their excess physical and mental energy. How can I stop this behaviour without laying a hand on her because I am fast running out of patience. Leather or nylon leashes can be soaked in vinegar and let dry as another option. If you are a stranger to the dog, don't go close to them or maintain eye contact with them. He's had 7 months to learn how to misbehave, and although it shouldn't take more than a couple of months for him to re-learn the correct behavior, it will take time. Check out my Introducing A New Puppy page for even more help and advice. I wish you the best of luck with this little guy. If I don't return the ball, she growls. It … However, the fact that Tiffany comes back after Molson to reprimand him when he's stepped over the line is a good thing. Dogs tend to love people who feed them. She is about 14lbs. It sounds as though Bella is a little dominant and she's at the age where she's trying to exert her authority and find out exactly how far she can go! Give them their own space. If he's possessive in this way about his toys/bones etc. I adopted a terrier puppy at 6-7 weeks of age from a shelter - she was a stray. I tell him NO and I pick him up and take him to a different spot. The most difficult problem at the moment is that whenever my partner isn't here she seems very anxious and barks a lot. I really love the dog and want to find a way to fix this problem. Raising puppies is very similar to raising children, and if you don't set the proper firm rules and guidelines early on, life can be very challenging - for everyone. However, this sort of 'humping' behavior isn't necessarily sexual in young puppies, and tends to be more of a dominant behavior. If he growls or snaps, take him by the scruff of the neck and shake him (not roughly, just enough to get his attention) while telling him "No growl" or something similar. I am home with him most of the day until I leave for work in the afternoon. My son had already greeted the puppy, but when my son went to pet the puppy again the puppy began barking at my son. Many dogs feel threatened when a person they are not comfortable with is approaching. Use a low, firm voice and slow, deliberate actions... getting loud, worried or excited will increase the emotional level of the interaction and is likely to make the barking increase (ditto your sons' crying). When you're playing and training your dog, give them 100% attention. I don't know if it's the food or if she simply feels more at ease with us now but now she goes crazy when we take her out in the yard! Meanwhile, start making him 'work' for his meals, treats, petting etc. I've been applying some of those things to her plus making her sit for her food every time and her little "Tazz" fits are becoming fewer and less dramatic. When your dog learns that the food is coming from your hand, they will like you more and want to always spend time with you. The guidelines on the food bag are just that - guidelines. My jack russell pup is 9 weeks old when he is playing with my little girls he get bouncy and starts barking and growling at her and does sort of pounces!! It's best to have a small or mid sized pup 'altered' (ie either neutered or spayed) before 6 months of age for health reasons. This sort of correction should be used any time the pup misbehaves or tries to act 'too big for his boots'. Don't EVER allow her to get away with it without being corrected, and always praise her for good and positive interactions with other people or dogs. If Molson gets too rough with Tiffany and you really feel that she's not protecting herself, get a hold of the scruff of his neck and give him a bit of a shake while telling him "NO". You may also want to consider a soft muzzle for her if she's going to be in situations where she's likely to snap or bite, until you can get her behavior modified. Celebrate his special unique qualities and continue to work with him on his social skills and training and he will grow up to be a wonderful dog I'm sure. When he isn't getting attention, he barks for it and I don't know how to stop him. he will respect her more and naturally begin to understand that he's not her equal. If he starts jumping again, repeat the process. Last Friday night he was nipping at my toes, so I took him outside, that is usually his way of letting us know he has to go. If you're loving, patient and consistent with this you should be able to overcome the problem. Any suggestions on building his confidence and encouraging a healthy relationship with family, friends, and other dogs? Also, be sure that you go through doorways first, eat first (don't feed her at the same time that you eat) and so on. He has to continue ignoring the dog for at least 4 seconds after the barking or wining has stopped.It is likely the barking will at first get worse. When the puppy is in this mood he just keeps on going for the Lab and even us sometimes. This may show up most strongly around children. I am about 99% happy with the amount he is learning and his progress, however I have two questions. I want to build his confidence, but feel like I'm about as clueless as can be. Next step is to get him to allow you to pick up his bowl, let him see you add the treats to his food, and then put the bowl back down in front of him right away. But if either of them snarl, curl their lip or put back their ears etc., this is a more serious warning than just play growling. We also have 2 Golden Retrievers (4yrs & 3yrs)who she is vicious to during play. Even if you're at home, perhaps he's not getting enough exercise during the day. Most dogs hate this. "Inviting a dog to approach and then waiting for the response is best." On the third week, go a little closer to the stimulus but not close enough that the dog reacts aggressively, then praise and reward. Question: Shiloh is a six-month-old terrier mix female from the rescue shelter that we brought home February 2. Many dogs feel threatened when a person they are not comfortable with is approaching. There's one other point I'd like to mention because your pup is part Rottweiler. It starts out innocent, but if she feels they are "winning" at their game, she attacks them. Show your dog how to behave. There are many ways you can stop your dog from barking or growling at you. Same for any games, and don't play 'tug of war' or any game that involves rough-housing. or something. Check out my, I'd recommend using an enzymatic cleaner to really get rid of any lingering odors (see my, And begin working on basic obedience, you can find out how to do this on my, Once you get this under control somewhat, you need to begin to increase her socialization. Refilling the bowl in your dog's absence and leaving the food for them to eat won't change anything. While your dog is in training, show it that there is no reason to be afraid of your husband, and eventually, your dog … I'm really scared what she will be like as an adult if she is this aggressive as a puppy. You are going to be 'cruel to be kind' because otherwise this little boy risks losing the only home and family he knows and loves, and that would be terrible for him (and unnecessary). She refuses to move when I pull on the leash and will instead try to start a tugging war. There are many people seen who… Also, evening can often be a tense, hectic time in many busy households. A puppy growling or nipping can be worrying if you're not sure what's normal behavior. Check out my Puppy Socialization page for lots of ideas. This is often a singular bark, but it can be followed by more barking. I wouldn't worry too much about these 'puppy crazies' and don't think you need to be concerned about dominance either at this point. The socialization experience is an added plus for your pup, and you will learn how to overcome any problems with one-on-one instruction from a qualified dog trainer. It will help you to learn how to understand and control your puppy, increase the bond and respect between you, and give her valuable socialization. Don't be harsh with her, but don't be too soothing either, a firm "NO" is necessary each and every time. Generally I allow running around for a while, but the nipping and biting is a no-no. He does not do it to my husband, only me. She is loving with my family and our other two dogs. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases. Regular socialization helps to prevent this sort of issue and builds confidence in a puppy. Don't wait until they misbehave to correct it. If you can get some friends to 'visit' you so that you can practice this more often, so much the better. As far as possible I would try to eliminate the potential for damage. So, needless to say we comforted our little guy reassuring him the puppy was not going to attack him, etc., but we made the rule the puppy can not be unattended around our son, or vice versa. WE Have a 7 month old Male Yorkie who was fixed 7 days ago. Just about all canine worms to begin with, and an untreated worm problem can lead to a pup who seems ravenously hungry all the time. Once your pup is fully vaccinated I'd also recommend enrolling him at a local Dog Obedience School. I have a 8 month old maltipoo spayed female. There are lots of tips and advice on puppy care and training on my website and I'd recommend that you read as much of it as you can so that you are more familiar with the needs of your pup. I feed him 2 meals a day, my husband … If your dog is barking at you, stay calm and don't hit them, run away, or scream. Of course, that doesn't mean that it's okay for him to attack your tree, or your other dog, or you! Don't allow her to 'get her own way' using this kind of behavior EVER. The question is, should the puppy have been corrected and how? My son will pet the puppy, talk to him, then it's pretty much over. I keep telling him Riley is still a puppy and it's our fault that he does the things he does.. That we allow him and enable him to be a bad pup, but for the life of me, I don't know how to correct all this bad behavior. I'd recommend teaching her the 'sit' command, and make this puppy 'earn' everything, from meals to walks, to treats and toys. My grandparents bought him and decided to give him to me as a gift, unfortunately while he was with them he had the opportunity to pee on the floor. Duke seems to be a very odd/shy puppy. Sometimes these moments of puppy craziness are worse in pups who are not able to be active during the day, and their energy just builds up. Tries humping everyone, especially the two older dogs. Hitting them will only make the problem worse and fear you more, seeing you as an enemy and not their loving doggy parent. They can also end up in shelters or die because of their abusive relationships. Never punish your dog for not responding to your training. It seems to be a developmental thing and is their way of 'letting off steam' and reducing the level of excess energy they contain. A barking puppy can drive owners and neighbors crazy. Don't yell, or smack at her when she starts acting up as this only increases the emotional level of the situation and will ramp up her tension and excitability. The fact that she's not food aggressive is a plus though. If he is barking at your husband, your husband yelling at him will not help or eliminate his behavior. This will make her more unsettled. My girlfriend and I moved in together recently, and just a few weeks ago we adopted our second puppy, Molson. If you touch the bowl he would rather tear your hand off for lack of better term. Here's how...... You will need to attach a long training leash (See this website page for some samples of long training leashes. He must be putting off a submissive attitude because the other dogs tend to want to bully him around. If your dog is aggressive toward your husband but not you, he may require more socialization time with men. YOU need to be that pack leader. The main question I would have is whether she is reacting this way due to a guarding or 'aggressive' reaction, or out of fear. We recently rescued a 3yr old poodle mix female from a "puppy mill" situation. She doesn't start obedience training until next month and I can't even take her for a walk with the leash issue. She needs to know in no uncertain terms that this is not okay. Then you can move on to following her around the yard, and eventually encouraging her to let you be the 'leader'. However, you're right when you say that it's more the fault of you and your husband, than it is the puppys'! If you're always at home, but your dog is still barking at you, that could be a sign that they don't have a loving connection with you that they may have with another member of the family. If he doesn't need to go out and it's not time for puppy supper, at 4 months old he may be starting to explore where he fits into the pecking order. Make sure she has plenty of sturdy chew toys as chewing is another way that dogs use up their excess energy. Your dog may bark when you're approaching them because they fear you. Hopefully you already correct her firmly (verbally) whenever she growls or snaps at anyone. Amy L. ( 2015-08-31 14:15:29 -0600 ) edit My dog just started doing this 6 months in to my now husband and I living together. Analyze why your puppy is barking at you. (my husband insists on spite) When people come in the house, he jumps on them like he's a madman. Most men are taller, stockier, and have deeper voices than women; some also have beards or other types of facial hair that look odd to dogs. You should avoid standing too close to the dog until it gets comfortable with you. Pinning her down or using the 'alpha roll' is likely to be unsuccessful as it simply increases the emotional level of the behavior and encourages her to continue. Chewing is one of the ways that dogs release stress and it can actually help calm them down! We've had her two weeks now and she has taken an extreme dislike to her leash. I brought my Pembroke Welsh Corgi home one week ago and when we first got her she was soooo calm. I'd also recommend enrolling him in a basic obedience class at a local dog obedience school. So calm that the vet suggested blood tests and recommended me changing her diet so she would some more energy. According to Mother Nature Network, dogs often look for human comfort by jumping on their lap or clinging on their legs when they are frightened. For now I would stick to taking her outside in the yard on her leash, it's normal for a puppy to resist the leash at first but if you are persistent and patient she will learn to accept it. At these times it would be good to keep a favorite chew toy in your pocket and offer him that as he runs past you to distract him from your pant legs. We feed him small meals 3 times a day and he has now started inhaling it if you touch him while he's eating. etc. He also chews on everyone's shoes. Any suggestions for cleanups and how to stop this behavior for good? This is one of the problem behavior discussed in more detail there. Walking your dog is the best you can do to develop that close bond with each other. Molson's genetic make up probably has something to do with his play style as Pitbulls and most bully breeds tend to 'play rough' even in fun, German Shepherds are very active and can be dominant and Huskies are independent, strong willed dogs. My 15 wk old boxer just started humping legs. She isn't afraid of them at all. During this stage they display the same behaviors as human teenagers... testing limits, resisting authority, talking back, mood swings and so on. For really stubborn chewers, or for the times when your pup is hanging on your shoe laces, a small water spray bottle can be very effective. There are many things that can make your dog bark at you or bite you and not your husband or any other family member. Use left/right arrows to navigate the slideshow or swipe left/right if using a mobile device. This is why they're often not recommended as the ideal choice for first time dog owners (among others). 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