puppy attitude

[lieud]

I know there have been lots of threads on puppies growling, being protective etc. However, I'm still confused on how to deal with it. my puppy is four months old and very sweet, but sometimes he can be protective about food, sometimes if he gets into something and we try to move him he growls and barks quite viciously at us. We dont take anything away from him without giving him a treat and Im just concerned...im not sure what the next steps are. He is the star of his puppy K class and knows lots of tricks...he just has a total attitude when you try and prevent him from doing something he wants to do. ANy suggestions? Thanks

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by lieud

I know there have been lots of threads on puppies growling, being protective etc. However, I'm still confused on how to deal with it. my puppy is four months old and very sweet, but sometimes he can be protective about food, sometimes if he gets into something and we try to move him he growls and barks quite viciously at us. We dont take anything away from him without giving him a treat and Im just concerned...im not sure what the next steps are. He is the star of his puppy K class and knows lots of tricks...he just has a total attitude when you try and prevent him from doing something he wants to do. ANy suggestions? Thanks

Ask your instructor how to deal with his bouts of resource guarding. He/she should be able to demonstrate the proper way to correct and redirect him to suitable behavior.

[groupieindenial]

Show the pup only good things happen when ppl are near his bowl. Drop/toss treats near or in his bowl. Distance is relative, so don't get too close that the pup has growled before you toss the treat.

When he has a toy, play the trade game. Use a treat, and swap (its kinda bribing at this point). ALWAYS GIVE THE TOY BACK. Eventually you progress onto higher value items, like a bone for a toy, or a fresh bone for an old bone. A peice of meat (hotdog) for the bone etc... Always give the item back in which you asked for. This builds trust, and shows that you don't WANT the item, but its an OB thing.

It'll take a long time, but this is what you want to be consistent on, and by the time your puppy is an adolescent, maybe sooner, hopefull you would have molded this behaviour into something manageable.

[Macaroni]

Hi lieud,

I have rescued many dogs and had to deal with this issue before. What I have done is controlled the food. If I would were you I would try feeding your pup out of you hand for his meals. If he doesn't want it, then he doesn't eat. Don't worry he'll be fine if he misses a meal. See how that works for awhile, then when youare confident that he knows you are the boss and control of when and what he eats, I would take his bone or toy from him. Praise him and give it right back to him. Do this a couple times a day and pretty soon he will get the picture. He is still young. Good luck!

[hokisteph5]

Originally Posted by Macaroni

I would take his bone or toy from him. Praise him and give it right back to him. Do this a couple times a day and pretty soon he will get the picture. He is still young. Good luck!

Just wanted to add one thing. If you add a command like "give" when you're taking the bone or toy, you can then say "take" when you hand it back to them. Basically you're teaching the dog that there's no need to be protective of their food, toys, etc. because if they give up something they're going to get something equally good from you. At least that's the way I understand this technique.

[Kenya4evr]

Hello All,

OK - I am a ROTTI LOVER - but I also love just about any large to giant dog with a calm temperament. SOOO I adopted a mastiff mix (neutered) puppy - he is almost 5 mos. old. I then adopted a 2yr old very calm/submissive female - she is a JOY. The puppy is a complete maniac - we are working on obedience - but until he calms down he is a complete clown. He tries to mount her, he hangs on her ears and nips on her legs. She has started baring her teeth and nipping him back - she hasn't hurt him but she WILL body slam him and HE shakes it off and comes right back for more - unless I tell them to knock it off - which she will do immediately but HE takes physical intervention before he will stop. Also, he is a barker - which this is my first experience with. I crate - and whenever he cannot see me (includiing when I am IN the house) he will start to bark - I am in an apt. so this is becoming a real nuisance. Yes, I do walk/exercise him and we do play. In his training we have only gotten as far as trying to master walking nicely on leash w/o pulling and sit/down.

Suggestions? I need help because if I cannot get this barking under control I will have to give him up. I would hate to do that because he is going to be a big beautiful intelligent boy.

[Kenya4evr]

Food protective - I HAVE conquered this in my puppy. He's a quick learner - and once he discovered that if he growled I took the food away - HE STOPPED THAT straight away! Also, I make him sit calmly before giving him his food - and sometimes I even make him down - before giving it to him -

but when it is not a food related issues he will bark his displeasure when I tell him to stop - I then have to stand over him and back him up before he submits - am I doing this the correct way - it really ticks me off when he barks his displeasure at me.

[John T]

Hello all. This is my first posting so if I'm in the wrong place, let me know and I'll try to correct it next time. Here's my situation: Our new dog, Leo, is a 12 week old Rottie. Just this week, he displayed a new behaviour and I'm trying to figure out if it's just playing or showing a bit of temper. What he's doing is growling/barking and showing a bit of teeth. This usually occurs in the midst of a playful romp. Judging by his body language, I think it is simply a new manner of playing, however, I do not want it to get out of hand. I think it could also be a little test period he's going through in regard to his interaction with our family. Does anyone have any suggestions on how this behaviour should be handled? Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

[poohbearsmom]

Originally Posted by Kenya4evr

Food protective - I HAVE conquered this in my puppy. He's a quick learner - and once he discovered that if he growled I took the food away - HE STOPPED THAT straight away! Also, I make him sit calmly before giving him his food - and sometimes I even make him down - before giving it to him -

but when it is not a food related issues he will bark his displeasure when I tell him to stop - I then have to stand over him and back him up before he submits - am I doing this the correct way - it really ticks me off when he barks his displeasure at me.

PLEASE find yourself some help locally. This boy needs to be in OB now. Taking food away is not a way to solve the real issue at hand, and don't fool yourself that you have.

You have a back talker, soon to be gigantic back talker. You need to get respect instilled in him immediately. If you even inadvertantly give in to him, his behaviors will magnify. Seek the professional help of a qualified trainer who is familiar with mastiff/molosser dogs.