[BostonRott]

Ok, here are my thoughts, and as we all know, I'm not a warm-fuzzy, sugar-coated person.

A) In *my* experience with well-bred, working line dogs, this is NOT normal. If I had a puppy pulling this crap, it would have gone back to the breeder for temperament problems.

B) I know this is not uncommon in "poorly" bred dogs. I'm not saying the dog is a piece of crap, I'm saying he's probably got poor genes for temperament and you're going to have your work cut out for you.

C) I think the puppy class will be excellent. That said, he is too young to have finished his vaccines and have them be truly effective.

Going on the assumption that he is poorly bred, and mom may not have been up to date on all of her vaccines, he may well have received little immunity from mom while nursing. In a puppy from a well-vetted dam, with a good immune system, vaccines are completely ineffective until at least 10 weeks of age. Prior to that, when the vaccine is given, the maternal antibodies (from mom) fight off teh vaccine and the puppy's body never has a chance to form it's own antibodies. This is why reserach indicates the first vaccine should be given between 10 and 12wks of age, and then #2 is given 4 weeks later. At this point, the vast majority of puppies have immunity, unless they have a faulty immune system.

So.....with regards to the puppy class: most places clean their floors with disinfectants at least once per day. The other puppies in your class are probably well vaccinated and protected. Therefore, the chances of your puppy being exposed to anything in class are minimal. IF another puppy poops on the floor, get your puppy immediately and be sure to stay away from that area. This again will minimize chances of infection.

As to the growling, I would take this puppy firmly by it's collar, and CALMLY hold it with tension, and tell the puppy in a CALM low voice "No!" If you yell, or get excited, your tone of voice will go up, and high tones of voice indicate approval from you, as well as "a game."

I would also start puppy boot camp. Cut up some hot dog slices into tiny bits (each nickel sized slice, cut into 4 quarters). Start teaching sit and down and using a lot of food reward. Teach the puppy from a young age that obeying you is fun, and you will also start building his respect in you.

NEVER call the puppy to you for punishment, pills, nail trimming or anything else viewed as unpleasant. Keep "come" a VERY positive thing. If something bad must happen, YOU go to the puppy.

I do agree with your vet, the growling is not good. To me, it indicates bad temperament. You are going to have to work extra hard with this puppy to make sure that he is a good citizen in the canine world. You should stay in training classes with him on a VERY regular basis through his first year.

Also, no getting on the bed or the furniture.