Help - Starting to Display Aggressive Behavior

[Hazerauburn]

My rottie Lucy is 4 1/2 months old. The last few days she has been jumping on the couch and when I reach down to get her off - she growls or tries to bite me. Additionally, when I reach down to pick her up (she is only 16.8 lbs) she will sometimes try to bite me. What should I do? She is dominant with all toys when other dogs are around. Thanks.

[CHIdog1]

Have you started her in any obedieance training? You should be practicing with her everyday different commands. Try "off" or "leave it" and give her a treat for listening. remember Nothing In Life is Free (NILF). Do a search on it!

[TONKAGIRL]

She may not be comfortable being picked up. You kind of have to choose your battles.
Does she full on growl and then bite when your pushing her off the couch? Is she
trying to get you to play with her? Its very rare to meet a 4 month old puppy that
is aggressive and intentionally trying to bite you. Normally its just them soliciting play.
do you have a collar on her?

[brunie's mom]

Originally Posted by Hazerauburn

My rottie Lucy is 4 1/2 months old. The last few days she has been jumping on the couch and when I reach down to get her off - she growls or tries to bite me. Additionally, when I reach down to pick her up (she is only 16.8 lbs) she will sometimes try to bite me. What should I do? She is dominant with all toys when other dogs are around. Thanks.

Oh my, is there a health problem with your puppy that she is so small?? She should be around 40-45 lbs at this age.
She should be in obedience classes, they will teach you how to teach her.
Keep a leash on her when she is in the house and being supervised...this way you can grab the leash and pull her off of the sofa. She should not be picked up at this age...the leash and treats are your best friend right now. You can lure her with a treat or a toy.

Sound like you need help with your pup if she is dominant with her toys and other dogs at this age already.

Gina

[bliss7373]

Hazerauburn,

Lucy sounds like a spicy little puppy! I wouldn't classify this as aggressive behavior....just bratty puppy behavior.

I would second the advice/questions: Is Lucy in training classes now? Are you practicing NILIF? If the answer to either of those questions is no, you have some catch-up work to do.

With a strong-willed puppy, you need to set a firm and clear foundation. That is not to say that you need to be harsh with Lucy - to the contrary. But you do need to establish yourself as a benevolent leader now to avoid problems in the future.

First, when it comes to the furniture, Lucy should not be allowed on the furniture at all. She hasn't earned that privilege. I would have her dragging a light leash around the house...or even have her leashed to you. Try to catch her BEFORE she jumps on the furniture - say "Lucy, off!" in a pleasant but firm tone. As she turns her head towards you - anything away from the furniture- praise and treat, then redirect her to a toy. Use the leash to prevent the jumping up. If she protests and acts bratty, I'd tell her to knock it off and use the leash to get her off the couch. Again, there is no need to be rough...but she needs to learn that acting like a brat will not cause her to get her way.

Second, I don't see much need to pick up a 4 month old puppy. Most stronger-willed puppies will protest this as they get older. She has 4 good legs, I'd let her use them. Practice handling and restraining her on the ground (for vet visits) using treats and praise to get her accustomed to it.

Best of luck!

[Hazerauburn]

Thanks for all of the replies so far, I really appreciate it. Lucy does know the "off" command and I use it regularly, she responds most of the time, if she doesn't respond, that is when I try to get her off the couch with my hands.

I do not allow her on the furniture, but unfortunately we are at my Sister's house a lot and her dog is. So now we are trying to keep both dogs off. I do praise her when she gets "off" or doesn't get on the furniture. We have also been working on "leave it."

I am trying to practice NILIF. I have her registered for an introductory puppy training class, but it is a generic puppy class through the community center. The trainer of the class has a very well behaved Rottie. I have had to wait on classes because of her health issues - she just finished her shots. I have only had her a month. I would like to find a one on one trainer.

Last night I went to get her out of her pen - because she normally sleeps in her kennel at night. She snapped/growled at me again - so I just left her to sleep in her pen for the night. It is not a full growl/full bite - but it is not a playful growl/snap either.

She was the runt of the litter and has had some health problems, so she is just starting to gain weight. She was a rescue from the Humane Society - owner surrendered.

I am concerned because she is around other dogs and children and I don't want her to develop any aggressive tendencies. When I say she is dominant with toys - both dogs always try to play with the same toy regardless if there are two or not - she will almost always try to get the toy the other dog is playing with.

I am also disappointed because I have been really trying to do the right things with her, she is very friendly with everyone wagging her tail, submissive, etc. But she really doesn't seem very excited to see or be with me.