Why is my puppy doing this???

Question

My puppy can get quite aggressive when he is playing. He managed to get my childs sock off and when I tried to get it back he wouldn't let go of it. I had to retrieve it from his mouth and as I did this he bit my finger hard. He has never done this before and it seemed more agressive than normal. How do I handle this one?

Answer 1

as soon as the dog does any of this behavior grab him by the back of his neck (not just the skin) and lay him down on his side immediately and tell him NO!. this usually makes dogs more submissive to you because naturally bigger more dominant dogs do this to dogs they want to put in submission. The dog will soon realize that you are the boss and will be more willing to listen. I had a very agressive puppy and this has worked wonders with her, good luck!

Answer 2

Agressive behaviour is NOT allowed. Your puppy needs to learn this! When he is doing something that you feel is aggressive and unacceptable pick him up by the scruff os his neck and shake him - not too hard. A firm loud NO at the moment he is doing something worng is good. When you shake him he will yelp more than likly - this is not because you are hurting him - he is giving in. This is the way his mom would disipline him. If he bites you, try making a high pitched yelp - this is the way his brothers and sisters would indicate that he is getting too rough. The yelping is more effective if he is just geting a bit over-excited and forgetting his manners. If you don't allready go to one, try to find a good puppy class - the trainer will be happy to help you with any problems and this will help to socalise the puppy and give you some basic obediance.
The incident you posted about would suggest to me that he is over-excited rather than being truly aggressive, so start by trying a verbal telling off, also be aware of how excited he is getting and try to stop the play session before he gets too excited.

Answer 3

How old is your puppy? Puppies go thru different stages.

He's testing you as to see what he can get away with. You should be the 'alpha'. Show him who's boss now. If you don't.. you'll regret it in when he is a couple of years old.

This is actually the perfect time for you and your dog to take training classes together. He needs to learn commands from you. It's also a good bonding experience for the both of you without your kids.

Good luck!

Answer 4

I think to be able to give you a well informed answer I would need to know what breed, and age your puppy is, and also if he has been neutered? Dealing with puppy play-biting, or more serious aggressive behaviour, is something that can not be done lightly. I would like to offer some advise, but need more info really.

Answer 5

First: what you should do is monitor your kids behavior with the puppy. Because the dog might think that it is normal to act that way, because of what your kid might be doing.

Second: decipline the dog every time he bites even if he is just playing or it does not hurt.

Third: Be cautius about what the dog does because the dog will stay that way for a long time when he is older and will be hard to break his old habbits onve he is used to them.

Answer 6

He is trying to dominate your child. You need to be firm and say No loudly. Be very wary of the dog around you child. If the dog bites you again, squeal really loudly and really high pitched, (just like another puppy would do if it were hurt), you're dog will back off immediately and he will be in no doubt that he has hurt you.

Also, your child may be playing too roughly with the puppy making him more wild, you need to supervise their play.

Answer 7

You wil have to train him or her not to do thing''s like that; what I did and it worked?put the dog on aleed with a choker collar on teach it to do what you want for example put a treat on the floor when it goes to eat it say a deep leeeeve at the same time give a gentle pull on the leed you might have to do this a few times but you will amazed how soon it will learn and when ever you say leeeeve for anything he will do so good luke

Answer 8

he might have just been playing still, and didnt realise your finger was there. make sure you keep your voice firm when telling him to "drop" or "let go" and he'll soon understand your the boss, and he will drop what he has in his mouth. If he bites you again, just say very firmly (dont shout) no! or sometimes you can get a plastic bottle with some dried peas in it and when he does something bad, one sharp shake of the bottle and say "no" or "drop" and he will learn that the bad noise relates to something hes doing wrong and will obey it.

Answer 9

Don't ever 'play' tug with a pup. Even early they should be taught to release anything when you want it. Tug is a game of aggression so its natural that he gets riled up. There are various methods that are used look it up and stick with it. I encircle the pups muzzle with my fingers and firmly say "no", then I let go and if he goes for the sock again I remove the sock from his mouth and firmly say 'no' and repeat till he understands this holding on will halt the game and get disapproving tones of voice from me. When he gives up the sock, or drops it, Its all happy high tones and 'good puppy" They catch on quick.

Answer 10

make sure to scold him and let him know that the way he is behaving is unacceptable. When he is doing something you don't want him to do, walk up to him and in a stern manner poke him in the side or neck in a rather hard manner, (not to hard to hurt him, but so he knows you mean business) and say "chhhh" kinda like shhh... but stern and short. This will resemble what an alpha male would do and typically they will stop the habit they have formed after a few times of you doing this. Be consistent with him, and I'm sure he'll be fine.