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pat
Puppy
Joined: 19 Jun 2008
Posts: 14
Location: Illinois
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 Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 10:15 am Post subject: normal puppy behavior or aggression? |
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| I have a 12 week old female Amstaff i acquired at 6 weeks. Done very well, going to obedience class, however, in the last week she has picked up habit i am concerned about. Now, when she grabs my pants legs and I say no, she barks at me, starts go jump on me biting - not hard but you can feel the pressure thru the jeans- growls runs around me and then jumps and does the biting thing. Tried yiping, that fired her up, now i bellow and sort of move forward and she runs away from me. Trainer came to house but of course she was on her good behavior. I am not concerned about the pants legs thing, i have raised labs forever and this is my first Amstaff, but the barking/growling is unnerving. Also, sometimes, depending on her mood, if she takes the couch cushion in her mouth and you say NO she will let it go but bark at you. Is this normal? My other dogs have never done this to me. My husband is ready to send her packing if she continues . The barking and growling is not playful sounding. I've had puppies growl, but this is different. Thanks for any advice. |
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Ph1ngering
Alpha Dog
Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 826
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 12:36 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome to the site first off..
It sounds like your pup is disagreeing with you.. Throwing a lil temper tantrum just like a lil kid does when he/she is told NO. I think you are doing just fine, keep up with the firm No. Then I would distract her with something she is allow to play with and tell her good girl a ton when she is playing with some she should be..
If she keeps doing this after a month or so of trying the above things your already doing then i would add the following into it. When she doesn't like being told no and goes into the barking / growling thing I would scruff her neck and re-affirm the no. I am not talking about lifting the dog off the ground kind of scruff. Just grabbing the scruff firm and saying no.
I haven't met many very vocal labs so it may be something you have to get used to.. Our boy Junior will Whine when he's in a long stay and isn't able to in the action going on around him. He'll bark and growl when playing tug with other dogs, he'll even let out high pitched barks to try an get other dogs to play with him.
Just remember to distract them a lot at that age with toys and things they can chew on... Also that a tired pup is a pup thats not getting into things..
Thanks
--Craig |
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pat
Puppy
Joined: 19 Jun 2008
Posts: 14
Location: Illinois
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 12:55 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the advice. We had 3 incidents today where she started in on the legs, but this time the head was on the paws and the butt was in the air so I believe that is just playing. It's been 10 years since i had a puppy. There was barking but no growling. I yelled and stomped my foot and turned my back on her and she nipped my calves (jeans on!) a few times and gave it up and went to chew on her toy. I am incredibly grateful for this forum as I have been in tears of frustration and also of worry that either i have a dog with a mean temperament or that I am creating one unknowingly by my actions. I've had puppies nip and bark, but never the bark and low throaty grow. This dog is perfect with this exception. She still does the submissive urination for everyone, she rolls on her back for people and i had 4 little neighbor kids wander over this morning and she just layed down and let them pet her. She was on her back or stomach, tried to jump only a little, nipped a little but nothing anyone seemed to mind. So i am confused as i thought she was a very submissive dog. I also started to think i was doing things all wrong and ruining a great dog. She crate trained in a day, is housebroken -in the house, the dog stayed in the kitchen with no gates, nothing, without stepping foot out of it, even when i went upstairs until finally after 3 weeks we decided she earned the living room and upstairs. Although she isnt consistent i'll admit, she sits, fetches, then drops it and sits then lays down waiting for her treat. I mean, thinking that i might get rid of a dog that in so many ways is so awesome just has been making me a wreck. Just wanted you to know that this forum may help me keep this dog and mean one less dog in a shelter or in the hands of someone disreputable. Thanks so much. |
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Ph1ngering
Alpha Dog
Joined: 27 Dec 2006
Posts: 826
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:19 pm Post subject: |
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Yes puppy times can be a pain... But they go by quick so take lots of pictures and be consistent..
Make sure everyone that comes in contact with her is consistent too.. A friend that lets a pup chew on there hand isn't keeping her on track, same with it jumping or nipping.. I try to be a person of action vrs being what i call and arm chair corrector.. If your dog is doing something wrong, don't yell at her from across the room. March over and correct her, because nine out of ten times my guest wouldn't, or say they would say he's fine..
She will out grow most of it.. As it was explained to me when i was going through the same stuff. They explore the world with there mouths so they will get into things..
I think your doing all the right things, just keep it up. A firm no and distract her on to one of her toys she can play with.. My cousin T has a bulldog pup she is going through the exact same thing with the pants chewing and growl/barking. Except he does it to strangers and visiters too.. But he is getting better week by week..
Hang in there, things get easier.. Gotta love the puppy.. Our boy junior is at the stage where he is testing the pack order right now. He is really trying to see what he can get away with lately.. being a lil  |
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shadyblueamstaffs
Alpha Dog
Joined: 15 Dec 2007
Posts: 1078
Location: Missouri USA
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 1:59 pm Post subject: |
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12 weeks is about when they start teething, this makes them go from sweet and innocent to little devils. Give your pup lots of toys, lots of good stuff to chew on, do alot of playing like the fetch frisbee anything to keep your pup exhausted, always remember an exhausted puppy is a GOOD puppy!!!
My dogs are very vocal, so it's something I'm use to, I say the grumbling noises are their way of talking. But if you don't like it, yell ah ah ah real loud, if they quit give them lots of praise, this works for biting, mouting, jumping and a few other bad habits as well. |
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cyprus
Puppy
Joined: 16 Jun 2008
Posts: 46
Location: Roseburg, OR
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:16 pm Post subject: |
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| thts just awesome |
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pat
Puppy
Joined: 19 Jun 2008
Posts: 14
Location: Illinois
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 2:44 pm Post subject: |
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| You all are a great help and encouragement. I can't thank you enough, especially for the prompt replies. You have been a tremendous help already so i know i will be asking for your advice so I can keep this dog. |
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Amanda Reichelt
Scouts
Joined: 12 May 2008
Posts: 451
Location: Colville, WA (USA)
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 4:14 pm Post subject: |
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Personally, I never ever let one of my pups get away with putting their mouth (even if it DOES NOT hurt) on a human (including their clothing or ANY part of them). I agree with trying the high pitched OUCH! when the puppy nips or mouths you, but if she does not respond to that right away and leave you alone (which some don't give a *beep* that you voiced your pain), then it is time to skip that and move to grabbing her scruff, lift her up to you, give her a little shake (I am not saying shake her till her neck breaks, but enough to get a little yelp out of her) and give her a very firm NO!. Scruff her up the MOMENT she makes contact with you/clothing and her mouth. If she continues to go after your pants, then you didn't do it hard enough and the message was not clear to her. You have to be firm with this sort of behavior or she may grow up and keep doing it (which will REALLY hurt then...). Yes, this breed can be stubborn, and she will likely test you a few more times, but if you honestly stay firm with her, she'll get the idea and give it up.
Also, any friends or people who play with your pup must not allow the behavior either. They don't need to correct her for it, you can step in and correct her. But don't let her get away with mouthing one person and not another. She should not have her mouth on anyone, anytime, period. |
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shadyblueamstaffs
Alpha Dog
Joined: 15 Dec 2007
Posts: 1078
Location: Missouri USA
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 4:26 pm Post subject: |
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See I think some mouthing is ok, some to an extent is actually good, if you let them mouth a little you can correct them with the AH AH AH, this teaches them a pressure barrier. They learn what is unacceptable.
I was reading a good article on puppy biting and teaching puppies acceptable pressures, I will look for it and post it as soon as I find it.
Amanda I think it might have been a link from your site, if you know what article I am talking about, maybe you can post a link. |
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Meadowbrooks
Alpha Dog
Joined: 12 Dec 2007
Posts: 1405
Location: va
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| Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2008 6:02 pm Post subject: |
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| I don't mind some nipping while I am playing with them and to show them what is allowed and what is not but all those things you stated it alittle to much and I wouldn't allow it at all... I agree with Amanda with this one.. You better start getting firm with the pup now.. JMO |
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