[groupieindenial]

I just took my pup to the vet last night, and he did the same thing. Mind you he is only 8 weeks, and I have not given him any bones yet, but the vet gave him a Dentabone, and he growled when I went to pet him. Now I think the whole experience in the waiting area before hand had him scared. They got backed up, and I had to wait for quite a while. He only has his first shots, and other dogs were in the room, I had to keep him on my lap the whole time. Then a dog came out from the exam room, and was yelpin, barking really loud (wanted to play with Vegas), and it scared him, cuz there was so much echo, and the Malimutes that were in there with us earlier were whining to play with him too. SO bearing that in mind, by the time we got to the examining part, he was already a little freaked out. He'd only growl when touched, so I continued to pet him, and when he growled I said "NO" and after a few minutes, he stopped growling. I handled the bone while he was chewing, actually holding it for him to make it easier, and not fall off the examining table. I'd take it, smell it (I was wondering why he thought the Dentabone was soo good, doesn't smell like much), and then give it back. THe vet told me what I was doing was exactly right, and did warn not to mess with his food too much though, cuz it can be irritating and cause problems. Not all the time, but sometimes while he's eating, especially if he's laying down I touch his paws, spread his webbing. My breeder told me to get him used to having his paws touched so I can later clip his nails without problem. So anyways, he's never done this until yesterday, and I want to know when is it too much pestering him? Cuz I know he needs to learn this now while he's really young. I do believe as he gets older, I have to leave him with his bones to enjoy, but I do want the control to be able to take anything from him without him growling, or snapping at me.