Puppy getting very aggressive, what to do?

Question

I have a 11 week old Maltese, I've only had him for about 3 weeks now and every day he seems to get more and more aggressive. Whenever I try to play with him or even just pick up something off the floor he will bite my hands or my ankles (it's not nipping it's hard biting) and growl. I've been trying saying a firm "No" to him and then leaving the room for awhile but it hasn't been working, when I come back he does the same thing. I've also tried saying “No” and then handing him a toy to bite instead but he just goes right after my hands and ankles again.

Also I've been trying to paper train him and everything was going good for awhile but now he just wants to rip up the paper and go on the floor. Once again I’m telling him “No” but he doesn’t seem to get it.
He has plenty of toys to play with and gets lots of attention, any idea's of how to end this behavior before he gets older and even more out of hand?

Answer 1

Please invest in obdience training they have classes at petsmart. Just go in and observe some of their classes before taking one . I think you and the dog will be much happier if you learn about these things together. Good luck and I hope I helped.

Answer 2

He's basically a toddler and these little dogs have a lot of personality and bursts of energy. He doesn't realize the difference between biting and nipping and he's probably starting to teeth which could be making him bite harder. Crate train -- I can't say it enough. When he nips too hard place him in the crate immediately with a toy for a "time out" - never punishment. Just keep giving him the toy (I'm fond of the hard nylabones, my little guy "kills" a wolf size one faster than the big dog, it really works, he'll chew like a madman for a 1/2 hour at a time - it's in these little dogs nature to growl and snarl with toys and play with you, but biting won't be acceptable. He is old enough to walk on a harness (not a choke collar - their windpipes are too fragile) and I don't think I saw anything about exercise in your post. They do need to burn off energy as the Mighty Dog ad implies. It calms them down extremely.

Answer 3

Did anyone even notice the dogs age? The puppy is still learning how to act with people. She is testing you, what you let her get away with and what she can't. When she bites or any other unwanted behaviour completely ignore her, walk away if you must, even put her in a room and close the door (a room that will be boring for her, no toys, food, people ect. Like a bathroom. Then after a few minutes or after she stops barking, bring her out and play with her, if she continues to bite ect repeat the process. If she sleeps in a crate, don't use the crate as a punishment.

Answer 4

Act like the bit hurts by yelling ouch and then refuse to give your dog attention. Dogs are very social creatures and if you act as though you do not like a behavior, then many times they will stop that behavior,

You might want to try to crate train your dog instead of paper training. Place your dog in the crate(kennel) while you are out for a few hours, Then when you come home, immediately take your dog outside, Once he has done his business, give him praise and pet him for a job well done, Eventually he will learn to go outside instead of inside the house.

Answer 5

He's young so you can train him.Take a spray bottle and spray him in the face when he bites you.While spraying say NO! loudly.He is small, he's just strutting him stuff at you.The old Alpha Male thing.Put him in a crate to train him and let him out to potty,then when potty is done right reward him with a treat.Do you use those puppy pads for him?Don't give him too large of a area to tear up.Hope this helps, he sounds like a cutey....

Answer 6

Please DON'T go to Petsmart!!! Have you every asked them what experience they have at training dogs? NONE!! You need to look for a local Obedience training club and sign up for lessons with them. They are the people who are serious about training and know what they are doing.
You need to take ALL food away from your puppy and start hand feeding EVERY piece of kibble one piece at a time. If puppy won't take it from your hand put it away and try 1/2 an hour later. He will eat when he gets hungry. If he does anything aggressive while taking the food put the food away and wait for 5 minutes. He will eventually come around & realize you are the provider. Good luck with your puppy and don't give up on him

Answer 7

You need a private lesson from a professional dog trainer. A trained expert needs to evaluate this dog before the propper training recommendations can be made. You might be doing (or not doing) one little thing that would solve your problems... but a problem like this, left unchecked, can lead to a lifetime of miserable pet ownership. Good luck.

Answer 8

Doggy discipline 101.

YOU Have to be the ALPHA around him. Saying "No" is crap and a sign of weakness around dogs.

Get down on his level (all fours) and next time bit his ear nice and hard so he yelps. Corner him and make him lay down submissively. This will help with a LOT of your problems.

Definitely take him for obedience training where YOU do the training with a professional at your side. You (and all others in your household) must be higher on the doggie leadership ladder than your pooch. Otherwise, problems will continue.

Answer 9

if you used to play rough with him he finds it as a game a way to play with you, if not then mabye he is trying to test you by seeing where you put the limit, what you should try doing is if he bites you wrap your hand around his mouth and hold it down tight. this way he knows that it isnt right to bite you or try lightly hitting his mouth down and say no bad dog. you need to show your dog that its wrong to bite and you wont tolerate it. its like a baby, if you spoil the baby when its young, when it grows up its going to be wild when it grows up and be a spoiled brat.

Answer 10

Wrap your hand around his muzzle (holding his mouth shut) ,say no firmly,and push it to the floor for several seconds each time he does it and don't play rough with him.Reward him with praise or treats when he is good.