Puppy Has It Out For One Person

[DANBUDDE]

Ok,where Do I Start.

My 6 Month Old Male "deuce" Seems To Have A Severe Dislike For A Girl Who Works At The Local Pet Shop. I Take Deuce Everywhere With Me And He Has Never Once Hinted Any Type Of Aggression To Anyone,except This Girl!!! It Happened When He Was 3 Months Old,growling,snapping At Her. I Come Back 1 Month Later,same Thing!!! Now There Are Other Girls Sitting Next To This Particular Girl And Deuce Has No Problem With Them Petting Him. I Come Back To The Pet Shop Today,everything Starts Out Ok,deuce Is Giving The Girl Kisses And Such.i Put Him In The Truck And She Goes To Pet Him As We're Getting Ready To Leave And He Snaps And Growls At Her. I Cant Figure It Out!! He Comes In Contact With Alot Of Different People And It Is Just This One Person Who He Seems To Have It Out For. I Joke With The Girl And Tell Her If Anyone Decides To Break Into My Home, I Hope It's Her(ha Ha). What Is Wrong Here?
Am I Doing Something Wrong Here And How Can I Correct This?

Thanks Dan

[jakesfostermom]

Were you and Duece inside the car when he did this (as she was petting him from outside?) He's awfully young to be showing this behavior and I would be concerned too - but being "inside" the car affects lots of adult dogs in this way. How have you been reacting when he does this?

[SABELLESMOM]

Take a close look. Does she perhaps hover over him as she attempts to pet him? This would be a fairly oppressive gesture to a young inexperienced dog. Many adult dogs are uncomfortable with it.

[TrishB]

Is your dog enrolled in obedience classes? This sounds as if he's unsure and going through some sort of fear reaction. Without being there, it's hard to say what triggers it - but obedience training will help. You'll have commands that he's comfortable with, which will offer support to him.

A quick "Uh AH!" and give him some commands to complete (puppy push ups are great in situations like this). He needs to know what behaviour is expected of him.

[DANBUDDE]

Deuce Was Inside The Truck And Myself And The Girl Were Standing Outside The Truck Next To Him.he Gets Anxious When I Put Him In The Truck To Begin With Because He Thinks I'm Going To Leave Him In The Truck And Go Somewhere Else.as Far As Training,i Have A Woman Come To My Home Ocne A Week To Help With The Training

[caribbeancrazy]

I also have the same problem with a friend of my husband, ever since Toby was 9 weeks old he was around him (alex the friend) and at about 3 months he came to salute me and my Toby went Crazy, now at 6 months and 10 months and almost a year he hasn't forgotten him, and there are always many other people around and once he hears his voice or his laugh his ears go strange and he starts to growl...I just don't understand how he remembers him from such a young age....maybe the voice?? I don't know...now of course Alex is terrified of him and Toby really senses that...strange......

[excellrott]

Yes, training is the first key to this problem. And then more training. It's nice to have a personal trainer, but then your dog needs to be around other dogs and other people in group classes. You probably tense up when you get around this particular person and that translates to the dog that he was right to be aggressive toward her. A good trainer can show you what to do and how to handle your dog so that YOU make the decision about who is good and who is not. Right now your dog is making that decision for you.

[pazzo]

This is just an opinion, I am sure some of the other experienced members could add to this, but I think possibly this is a learned behavior. I am guessing that the first time this happened with this girl, you may have laughed, smiled, (I am sure you were a bit shocked too) in astonishment that Deuce would do this. Deuce got an impression from you he liked, and now every time he see's this person he is repeating the behavior that got him the response, feeling,he liked, hence reinforcing the behavior.

I am not saying you intentionally gave him good vibes, but sometimes people (at first) think it's funny that a puppy displayed this type of behavior, or even you maybe were nervous and joked it off. As I said this is just a thought. In any case do not allow this behavior to continue, immediately let him know that your are displeased with his actions, nip it in the bud, or you will have serious problems as he becomes an adult. Remeber don't allow your puppy to do things you wouldn't allow him to do as a dog.

Good luck.
Dana

[DANBUDDE]

Thanks Dana,

I Cant Remember What Happened The First Time,but Since He Was Only 12 Weeks, I Probably Did Just Laugh It Off.and Yes, I Was Shocked And Now I'm A Little Nervous Whenever We Go Into The Store,maybe He Can Sense That Or He Can Sense The Girl's Nervousness.thanks For The Imput

[AngelBunny]

DANBUDDE:

Please, for the sake of more easily being able to read your postings, do not cap the first letter of every word.

Thank you.

[smileygirl]

Hi Dan
You bet Duece remembers! My now three year old female was playing in the backyard (before it was fenced..house in law suit..long story..fenced now) and I encouraged all the neighborhood(especially the kids) to come and meet her when I brought her home at 8 weeks old. Anyway, one of the little boys in the neighborhood was playing and picked up a stick and acted like he was going to hit her...and at 8 weeks she didn't react too strongly(and I saw him and stopped him before any contact with her) however I know everytime that little boy is near my house even playing on the street. She reacts and not with the normal wiggle and excitement but deep low growly sound (no teeth or snarling) I think she remembers or senses he wanted to hurt her or someone else. Like the others have said outside training and exposure to everyone and everthing is the most important thing anyone can tell you. Good Luck!...Tina

[Gunsey'sMom]

I agree with Pazzo . It may be something inadvertantly learned. Your dog is learning all the time, whether you are teaching or not . I also learned this the hard way -after Gunner developed undesirable behavior. You need to think about what is a reward for your pup-Attention-physical contact can be rewards. You also need to correct ant unacceptable , or undesirable behaviors-do not let anything slide,be consistant and persistant. Read the Puppy 101 sticky it was very helpful to me.

Another possibility in this situation may be that he felt trapped-maybe the girl stared at him in the eyes,he took it as a challenge or a threat and he had nochoice of flight, so he snapped.I am not saying this is what happened but maybe it is a possibility.

Good Luck w/your Puppy!

[DANBUDDE]

I'm hoping that this does not happen again but what would you recommend for an immediate correction if it does? Speak in a low tone and say "no" or would you take another route? Would i want to grab him and look him in the eyes and show him that this wont be tolerated? It really took me by suprise because he's been nothing but wonderful with everyone else.Now that he's getting bigger,I'm getting anxious.

[Gunsey'sMom]

Yes immediate correction. Try keeping him on leash if he does not respond to a "no". I have gunner on a prong collar o gunner w/leash while in the house sometimes so I have quick access to a way to coorrect him. Keep in mind though, you never wnat to leave it on while your dog is unsupervised or in his kennel because the leash or collar could get caught on something and hurt him. I am going to buy a two foot lead so there is less chance of it getting tangled up, but I can still grab it to correct if necassary. Read the Puppy 101 Sticky too, also read other behavior stickies , they helped me a lot! let me know how you are doing too! Always nice to hear -even if it is a month from now!

[Gunsey'sMom]

Also immediately correct lesser bad behaviors too. If bad behavior slips through the cracks, he may think that he is in control, not you. Always let him know that you are in control by your good leadership and confidence. Don't be anxious, just practice simple odediance excericises for short periods of time and leave the exercise while he is doing well- not when he is tired or frustrated (and you are tired and frustrated). If you keep practicing good obedience, it will also demonstrate good leadership. Have fun with your puppy too, incorporate obediance into fetch games-have him sit before you throw- him fetching is his reward. After you master one thing move onto another. I have Gunner stop playing with his new favorite toy- his exercise ball- so I can pick it up- I have him sit and stay and then give it back. Or if I am in the yard with him, sometimes I give him a cardboard box -which he loves- I have him sit and stay. I will put it on the ground until I tell him to get it. If he breaks his stay, I will pick it up, and we start over. These are just a few, but you can be creative. These are all things that don't take long, but you and your dog will enjoy. Good Luck ! Hope to Hear from You!