Temper tantrums

[JKing901]

I recently purchased a little girl rotti. She is only 8 weeks old but show some seriously aggressive behavior. I have read other threads like this but what i am experiencing seems a bit different. First off, i haven't seen any complaints of this nature about such a young pup. When she throws her tantrums she not only bites and growls (not in a playful way she does that too and there is a clear difference) but also flails like crazy. She does at random and even though she is young it seems very angry and aggressive. I don't know what to do about this everything i try seems to fail. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[sweetlee]

What are you doing when she does this? Are you trying to pick her up? Putting away a toy?
Stopping her from chewing on the furniture?
If so, she probably is throwing a tantrum, she doesn't like being told what to do. They aren't much different than two year old kids if you think about it.
You will find plenty of people who say their baby is acting aggressive at this age.
When she does this, tell her "ah ah" in a loud yet firm voice, (no screaming) and be ready to treat her immediately for stopping it. You can use either a food treat or a favorite toy to reward her. I haven't raised a puppy for a long time. I miss that sweet puppy breath, but I certainly don't miss the destructive and trying side of them.
If you watch puppies play together, they are aggressive with each other, they are trying to establish pecking order.
How long have you had her? Possibly she was taken from her litter too early. In the past two weeks, they would have been learning from mom that this is NOT gonna cut it.
She just needs to learn who is boss, and that you won't back down and that these little fits won't earn her anything, but good behavior certainly gets you far.

[Diva Satanica]

My Brinks had issues with being picked up, from the day I brought him home. He would behave in a similar fashion to what you're describing. I worked with him daily, practicing picking him up and rewarding him when he didn't have a negative reaction to it.
I finally found a hold that he prefers (one arm between the front legs and the other arm "hooked" under his back end). Point being, I worked with him to help him understand that it was not a bad thing and that it was something he had to learn to tolerate.

[aldelgreco]

Originally Posted by JKing901

I recently purchased a little girl rotti. She is only 8 weeks old but show some seriously aggressive behavior. I have read other threads like this but what i am experiencing seems a bit different. First off, i haven't seen any complaints of this nature about such a young pup. When she throws her tantrums she not only bites and growls (not in a playful way she does that too and there is a clear difference) but also flails like crazy. She does at random and even though she is young it seems very angry and aggressive. I don't know what to do about this everything i try seems to fail. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

If everything you try seems to fail, then try something else.
I'm sorry, but you purchased a little miniature baby version of an animal that will one day have the capacity to protect you and for family for years to come with a powerful body and the most powerful jaws in any domesticated breed bar none. Their little spats of "Teething" aren't exactly fun...neither are the tantrums that are just indicative of their stubborn and independent nature that will pay you HUGE dividends as a part of her character as an adult. Those behaviors and those indicators of affect just don't make the same sense right now because she is a little baby.
To be honest, I am not sure a 8 week-old baby puppy is capable (cognitively) of asserting aggression. They can pick up secondary and tertiary precursors, but actual "Aggression" does not come at that age.
Trust me, if 8 weeks is tough for you, wait until 4 months when they have that same crazy-azz look in their eyes, darting around the yard like some kind of wild 50-pound devil baby. I can't even imagine 8-18 months, but I don't think mine is going to exactly be an angel every minute of that time either.
You bought the dog. The dog is not aggressive. It is a bratty little baby just like all the rest of us have/had. Just do the right thing and continue with the training and let her know what behaviors will and will not be accepted under your rule. She will be fine.

Here is something helpful: a sense of humor. she is testing things out right now, and if you think about it as "goofy" as opposed to aggressive, and laugh about it, you would be amazed how much more enjoyment you will get out of your puppy.

see my signature.

[AngelBunny]

Where did you get your puppy?

One of the [many] reasons to buy a puppy from a COE, responsible, bona fide breeder is for a resource for the life of your dog. RDN is a wonderful resource, but your primary resource should be the breeder of your puppy.

What does your breeder have to say about your lament? What suggestions did he or she make??

[JKing901]

she throws her fits randomly whether i'm trying to move her food, play with her, or pick her up when she doesn't want to be picked up. i've raised a very well behaved wolf hybrid and am stumped on how to discipline my rottie. i got her 2 and a half weeks ago from who seemed to be a very irresponsible breeder. his answer to her age was "about six weeks" he couldn't say exactly. so her age is technically unknown. she seemed younger than 6 weeks when we picked her up but is definitely showing signs of aggression which i have read usually comes later.

[AngelBunny]

Sigh. The producer of your puppy will never be a resource. You think she's 8 weeks old and you got her 2-1/2 weeks ago. Doing the math, you could've gotten her as young as 5 weeks old.

Please eliminate the word "discipline" from your vocabulary when speaking about her. She can't be disciplined because she doesn't know she's doing wrong--she doesn't know any better.

I have no experience dealing with such a young puppy who exhibits behavior as you describe, so all I can suggest is not picking her up, redirecting her when she bites (as in give her something she can bite), and try to set her up for success.

I am sure more knowledgeable RDNers will weigh in.

[TrinaJ]

That is such a young age to be getting a puppy (Breeders fault, more than likely BYB no COE breeder unfortunately), they learn while nursing what is acceptable and what is not by their mum and siblings. She was taken away from her mum and siblings too soon.

Best option for you to do is redirect, redirect and redirect. Find a squeeky toy and everytime she goes to bite you squeek the toy and give it to her. The squeek will gain her attention and the biting will stop immediately then reward her with the toy.

No discipline is needed, she is doing what is normal, they have razor sharp teeth and know how to use them. Dont yell (you will scare her) as she doesn't know what she's doing is not acceptable

Have you booked her into puppy kinder yet? This would also be something to look into, she needs socialisation with other puppies, they will tell her NO if she wants to bite, she will soon learn that biting is not fun, no one wants to play when you bite.

Good luck, this is but one of many different stages of a rottweiler, they are different to ANY other dog you've ever owned before and they are not for some people.

Keep reading the threads in puppy development and you will see you are not alone and there is wonderful advise amongst those threads.

Let us know how the little one is going!

Trina

Dont give up, we ALL go through this stage with these black and tan babies,

[mikimm]

It might be helpful if you had a well mannered older dog (2 or 3 yrs older) to help the puppy learn some manners in some supervised play situations. I know with my most difficult rescue dogs, having a more steady dog in the pack was my best ally in rehabilitating the new dog into civilized behavior. Do you have a willing friend or a canine behaviorist to help you?

[JKing901]

Originally Posted by mikimm

It might be helpful if you had a well mannered older dog (2 or 3 yrs older) to help the puppy learn some manners in some supervised play situations. I know with my most difficult rescue dogs, having a more steady dog in the pack was my best ally in rehabilitating the new dog into civilized behavior. Do you have a willing friend or a canine behaviorist to help you?

I have a well behaved 2.5 year old wolfdog, and you are exactly right she is learning alot from him. He is why i am no stranger to strong willed dogs, and i think i would be really worried if not for my experience with him.

[JKing901]

Originally Posted by AngelBunny

Sigh. The producer of your puppy will never be a resource. You think she's 8 weeks old and you got her 2-1/2 weeks ago. Doing the math, you could've gotten her as young as 5 weeks old.

Please eliminate the word "discipline" from your vocabulary when speaking about her. She can't be disciplined because she doesn't know she's doing wrong--she doesn't know any better.

I have no experience dealing with such a young puppy who exhibits behavior as you describe, so all I can suggest is not picking her up, redirecting her when she bites (as in give her something she can bite), and try to set her up for success.

I am sure more knowledgeable RDNers will weigh in.

No the breeder will definetly not be of any help. He threw about every red flag a breeder can throw. It was obvious that his dogs hated him. He had to keep the father put up at all times because "he isn't very social" and he had the mother separated from the pups and she looked like she had had way to many litters. Also when attempted to get the mother to interact with the pups she was not interested and he started swatting her with his hat (needless to say i was furious and simpathetic by this point). However the sadest part of the experience was he had two injured pups. One had his one of his feet cut off, and another had an eye that was so gunked up that it would not open. I knew when i purchased this dog that she would be a handfull because of her rough begining, but i could not have ever left her there. The final red flag was that this *&%^$$& didn't even want to know my name. Most breeders i have delt with want a lot of information to insure the safety of the animal... he wanted nothing but the money.

So my question is who do i contact to report him i looked into the aspca but the don't have juridiction in Mississippi if anyone knows who to call please help me put a stop to this.

[aldelgreco]

Originally Posted by JKing901

No the breeder will definetly not be of any help. He threw about every red flag a breeder can throw. It was obvious that his dogs hated him. He had to keep the father put up at all times because "he isn't very social" and he had the mother separated from the pups and she looked like she had had way to many litters. Also when attempted to get the mother to interact with the pups she was not interested and he started swatting her with his hat (needless to say i was furious and simpathetic by this point). However the sadest part of the experience was he had two injured pups. One had his one of his feet cut off, and another had an eye that was so gunked up that it would not open. I knew when i purchased this dog that she would be a handfull because of her rough begining, but i could not have ever left her there. The final red flag was that this *&%^$$& didn't even want to know my name. Most breeders i have delt with want a lot of information to insure the safety of the animal... he wanted nothing but the money.

So my question is who do i contact to report him i looked into the aspca but the don't have juridiction in Mississippi if anyone knows who to call please help me put a stop to this.

Jesus christ man. Puppies with feet cut off? Forget ASPCA call the cops.

[AngelBunny]

Stomach turning.

Call the police.

[BarryD]

Originally Posted by TrinaJ

That is such a young age to be getting a puppy (Breeders fault, more than likely BYB no COE breeder unfortunately), they learn while nursing what is acceptable and what is not by their mum and siblings. She was taken away from her mum and siblings too soon.

I'm going through the same situation. Our pup was taken from it's mother only 12 hours after being born!! The "Owner" brought the litter of 10 pups into the dog's trust and basically told them either they take them, or he'll go drown them. He kept one of them, and the vet kept another, but I'm disgusted, not only at this owner, but at the way he took the pups away from their mother, denying them their first few weeks with their mothers milk.

We got her at 6 weeks old, then she got kennel cough, which led to pneumonia, She was at the vets for a week and pulled through, and is very lively now!! She does have het tantrums, but I've taken the advice from her and realise it's all about distracting...

[aldelgreco]

Yo JKing- Did you call the cops yet?
gotta bump the thread.
Just do your part man. that breeder is an evil SOB. Make sure no more innocent puppy's lives get ruined before they get a chance.