Puppy - aggressive and dominant phases

[EvieS]

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I have a cross pug x poodle x Russell who is 16 weeks old (4months), we have only had him for 6 weeks and he has recently started going for walks after his final jab clearance last week. Since this we have noticed a change in his behaviour, most of the time he is lovely and cuddly and perfect! However, particularly after walks when he gets hyper, he quickly becomes aggressive and chews everything - as a puppy who is teething we expect this, however he is worryingly chewing us - members of the family also. He snaps and growls then bites us during his manic phase and we don’t know what to do as we are worried he will hurt somebody one day. We have tried multiple methods to reduce this and to teach him it is wrong but nothing seems to work in the long term! The periods he is like this normally last between 30-60 minutes maximum. Does anybody have any advice that can help? Is it just teething? Hes became good and commands such as SIT and he knows what stop means however he ignores all commands and takes control when he is biting. (Video attached is a short insight into what he is like - as mentioned he tries to do the same with us including our hands and faces)

 

[JudyN]

This sound pretty normal to me, but I can't see the video - could you check this please?

Oh, and welcome!

 

[JoanneF]

Hi. Please be reassured, your puppy isn't being aggressive and he certainly isn't being dominant - the dog/human dominance theory has been thoroughly debunked as incorrect. What you are seeing is completely normal puppy behaviour. Evening in particular is a favourite time for the zoomies! Puppies explore with their mouths and this is an extension of the rough play he would have engaged in with his siblings. But now he is with his human family, he has to learn bite inhibition.

There are several things you can do to address it. Some people suggest giving a yelp, but that carries the risk of ramping up his excitement. Some people find having a toy to put in his mouth helps; it works for some but not all. My preference is to just walk straight out of the room when he mouths. He will learn that teeth on skin equals end of fun. But -

We have tried multiple methods to reduce this and to teach him it is wrong but nothing seems to work in the long term

- this may be the issue. You need to find one thing, two at the MOST and stick to it, and everyone in the family needs to be consistent. So first contact of teeth, try a toy; second contact walk out leaving him wondering what the heck just happened. Or miss out the toy and just walk out. As long as everyone in the family does the same thing, every time, he will get the message.

It also will get better when his adult teeth come through.

 

[leashedForLife]

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there are few better-regarded resources for PUPPY rearing advice than the 2 free books, here -
Free downloads

they explain in detail the process of teaching a soft mouth, plus socialization [which isn't meeting everyone, but meeting a wide & deep sample of humans of every age, sex, shape, diet, skin color, able / disabled, with & w/o accessories such as mobility aids & reflective sunglasses, *WHILE* making sure that each such encounter is a happy one for the dog!...], habituation [soc'n is to other living beings; habituation is happy brief exposures to the nonliving, such as stimuli, settings, & events], & basic manners.
Dr Dunbar will never suggest confrontation, intimidation, or physical punishment; training is simply goof-proofing the pup's environs, & rewarding behaviors we want more of.

- terry

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