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Pupforum presents your training questions answered by professional dog trainers.
Lynne has been training dogs since 1985. She has worked as head trainer for two facilities, a studio trainer (print ads, commercials and television) and as a continuing ed and certification rep for what was then the largest dog training company in the US. Lynne is a member of the IACP and keeps her training techniques current by attending various seminars and reading books. She currently competes in the sport of schutzhund, has a registered therapy dog, and has started her young Papillion in agility. Lynne owns and runs Blazing Trails K9 Academy in Santa Clarita/Antelope valley California.
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[Edit]
6/27/2006
I have a unknown breed pup of about 8 weeks. He's
very cute but uncontrollable at times...he gets very
angry when he can't have his way when we're out
walking so he then begins to attack me. He shakes
his head from side to side and bites me. I do
discipline, but it's my first puppy, and I'm not
very sure of the best ways to handle him. I am very
concerned because starting next week I have to leave
him with someone while I work. (YoSoyRivera, New York )
I'm glad you're taking the time to try to find a
solution to your puppies issues. Unfortunately, you're
best bet with a puppy like this is to contact a
professional in your area who is qualified in
evaluating dogs. Since I can't see the puppy, I can't
tell whether or not he's just throwing a tissy fit, or
if he's truly showing some budding aggression issues.
There could even be some medical issues involved.
At
this young age, you're best off having someone come
out to evaluate the dog. If there ARE some real
aggression issues, there could be a problem. Puppies
of this age do not generally show true aggression
unless there are some real problems with the dogs
temperment.
At 8 weeks of age there's not much disciplining you
should be doing. Think of him like a 4 month old baby.
You wouldn't spank a young baby who keeps grabbing for
your earrings
. Instead you would prevent the problem
from happening on the first place, and then divert his
attention to something more appropriate. Raising a
puppy isn't much different. Pups don't get "angry".
They may have a poor temperment, there may be
something medical going on, or they may be acting out
of confusion, but they don't really act out of
"anger". It's one of the great things about dogs!
That being said, if the puppy has never learned what
exactly you want from him, and then you discipline him
for not acting the way you want, he is probably
growing confused. At 8 weeks of age he may have never
learned how to walk on a leash before. He grows
confused or upset by having something strange around
his neck, and then you discipline him for it.
Instead,
teach him what you want him to do. Try using food or
toys to keep him interested in following you. Let him
spend a few days wearing his collar and dragging his
leash around. Allow him to take some time to get used
to it. Spend the majority of your time at this age
just bonding with the puppy and preventing problems
from happening. You can use a crate, a leash, and a
tether to help with this.
If the dog really is biting
out of aggression, then like I said, you're best bet
is to get a professional out there NOW to evaluate
what is really going on with this puppy.
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