Re: Aggressive puppy Hi Janey, So glad to hear there are no health problems. And also more stories of satanic springers! Oh, I remember the wellies in the house faze! About the touching and picking up... I didn't push it with mine. I'd brush and groom him everyday in a relaxing way, in different rooms, sometimes I'm the garden. It got him used to the contact and showed him we'd be respectful and gentle. As you said too, too much and it was sure trigger to set him off. He soon turned into a far too big lap dog didn't even mind being picked up. I wish I'd called him shadow because if he wasn't sat on me he'd be walking so close his nose was in my knee pit (pretty sure that is a scientific term). So different from the lonely puppy we had. When he did go into melt down I'd simply ignore him, even if it meant leaving the house, he wasn't a chewer so was safe to just leave at the drop of a hat. I was looking through photos of him and we've only got 2 puppy ones. I don't know if it's the lack of handy camera phones or cos he was so terrible we never felt like snapping him. Someone has already mentioned about keeping their brains busy too. It does really help. Just having a job or purpose.... Something to challenge that beautiful head. Good luck and I'd love updates on how you are getting on.
Re: Aggressive puppy Hi Sophie, Again, thanks for the reassurance. Things are improving thankfully. Now I've worked out what's going on it seems more possible to deal with. Not too much picking up - as you say she'll soon be way too big anyway. Lots of fusses and cuddles on the floor though with no problems. And keeping things as calm as possible. Like you when she goes really hyper I just leave her to it in a safe environment. And brain work - yes, that's in there as well. Lots of short training sessions. Doing really well on recall round the house. Sitting nicely and starting on the lie down. So hopefully I won't have any more panics about having a Devil Dog and can get on with training and enjoying her. Most of the time she is an absolute delight. This site really is so helpful. It's just good to know that others have had similar issues and have come out the other end! I'll keep you informed.
Re: Aggressive puppy Hi Janey, my mum had an absolutely manic border collie puppy, who hated being stroked or picked up, and would snap and growl. She didn't seem to care about human contact at all, and would run away, as a 10 week old puppy! I was really worried how my elderly parents were going to cope with her... But time and patience paid off (with lots of exercise and games to get her to use her brain), and she became a delightful dog! I won't say she's the calmest dog in the world - she's a bright, energetic collie who really ought to be out doing sheep herding - but she has become very affectionate and obedient, and is a wonderful companion to Mum. So hang in there!
Re: Aggressive puppy Janey, so glad to hear a more upbeat reply I'm sure with a lot of hard work on both your parts you'll have a super friend soon enough. I love springers... So much fun and energy, like furry little clowns, but you can see when they look at you there is so much more behind those pretty eyes. My vet actually recommended a rabbit skin dummy to play with outside. Having no previous gundog knowledge or experience I was reluctant but we kept it simple and very informal but it made walks have a real purpose for him and a lot less worrisome for me. He never took to puppies but could happily play nicely with any dog (especially other gun dogs, anyone else notice that?). Good luck, keep it calm(ish... I know, kinda impossible with a springer) and most of all enjoy it, it will all the more rewarding when you can finally sit down, sigh and think you've cracked it
Re: Aggressive puppy Oops - sorry, that photo was way too big and I didn't actually mean to post it but then couldn't unpost it! I just wanted to check in and say that things were going not too badly on the "devil dog" front. She still does it occasionally when she is crazy excited and wanting to be back at whatever she was doing. But we are persevering and trying to keep things as calm as possible. She's finished her vaccinations now so we are able to go for a play on the beach twice a day which is giving her a bit of exercise and hopefully keeping her a bit more occupied. Again thanks for the support and encouragement. I'll keep everyone informed on progress! The pics (hopefully) show her at 8 and 12 weeks when she is in angelic mode!
Re: Aggressive puppy Janey, she is gorgeous. So glad to hear things aren't too bad either. You'll get get there, I'm sure of it and can take a deep breath and enjoy the fabulous dog you'll have raised.
Re: Aggressive puppy And just when I thought things were improving . . . We had a really horrid experience again today. I was playing with Hettie on the beach when a young dog appeared out of nowhere. Its owners were miles away! It was a bit bigger than her and quite a bit heavier. They started to play - nicely at first. Hettie was quite submissive and it seemed to be going ok. Then the other dog rolled her over and I got the feeling that things were going to get out of hand. I picked her up and it happened again. She started biting and snarling at snapped at my hands quite badly and managed to draw blood. Then within 10 seconds she was sweetness and light again. I'm so upset about this as I thought things were getting better. Just feeling a bit sad and worried again. :-[
Re: Aggressive puppy Sorry I didn't see this until now. And I'm sorry you feel down about what happened. See, from what you said I'd say that was a good experience. You still have the confidence to take her out in public so that's good in itself, you saw the situation could turn and took control. Personally I'd take points off the other dogs owners for letting their dog approach, off lead, a dog they had no idea of any possible reactions. And you said your springer had calmed in 10 seconds, form what I remember about ours that is very very good. Is there anyway you could have removed her without picking her up, since that seemed to be the trigger? Don't be afraid to tell other people's dogs off while you calm your own. Especially if they are miles away and have no control over the situation. A quick "get out of it" or maybe even "sit" never hurts. You are on top of the situation so should feel proud, you went to beach and had a mostly problematic free time. Well done I say!!
Re: Aggressive puppy I wouldn't pick her up, I think that makes her very vulnerable and she may misinterpret your action, hence the biting. Tell the other dog to go away and walk off quickly in the opposite direction. I can honestly say, up to this moment (!!!) I have never come across a really aggressive dog, dogs sort themselves out very quickly if left alone.
Re: Aggressive puppy There is nothing worse when your dog bites you, it just destroys all your confidence and trust in him. I know, because we went through this a bit when we first took on Simba as a nearly 1 yr old rescue. There were a couple triggers in his case but the worst was if we tried to take away something he had, ie resource guarding. I eventually overcame it by using the clicker and rewarding as I carefully moved my hand closer and closer to him when he had something, starting with not very exciting things (a piece of paper) to more valuable items (a toy, or most exciting, something he had found himself). Not sure if you could translate this to your situation, basically you would have to start by click and treat when she shows no aggression when you pick her up to gradually upping the excitement level and treating for good behaviour. However I would definitely wear gloves! This is something to take very slowly and carefully, not something you can overcome in a day or two. Don't know if that is helpful or not but I do send you lots of sympathy, I know how distressing this can be. :-\
Re: Aggressive puppy Oh Janey,I'm sorry you've been bitten...that would really scare me as I'm sure it has you but you sound very level about it all things considered,I can tell you are really worried.I can't give you much advice,Dexter is our first dog but even amongst dog friends I've made I haven't got anything to draw on to help you.I just wanted to send you a bit of moral support.....some of the lovely members on here have had dogs all their lives so there is a lot of experience to share....wishing you the best of luck Angela x
Re: Aggressive puppy I agree with Stacia - it does seem to be that picking her up when she is worried or hyped up leads to her snapping and biting, so I would avoid doing that in stressful situations. You can start getting her used to being picked up (because at some point, even when grown up), you will need to be able to carry her. So I think I would start that very, very gently - when she is very calm and lying down, by first just putting a hand under her and gently lifting for about 1 inch, then putting your hand back down again, talking to her in a calm voice. Slowly increase the amount of lifting you do. It clearly is something that just sets her off, so for now, until she has more control over herself, I would avoid lifting her while she is agitated.
Re: Aggressive puppy Hello again everyone - sorry I haven't checked in for a day or two. Since the last totally horrid experience things are on the up again. I think she was probably excited and scared all at the same time. I agree Stacia, I shouldn't have picked her up, I realise that but i was really worried that she was going to get hurt and at this age I'd rather get a bit of a bite from her than let her be badly hurt. We've been out and met several other dogs since this incident and she has been absolutely fine. But they have been older dogs - the two occasions when things have gone pear-shaped have both been with firstly an older puppy and secondly a juvenile. Having spoken to other people as well it appears that it could be that that's the problem. No boundaries and not knowing the right signals etc. This fits with her being ok with older dogs. so several lessons learnt there. I feel really bad for letting her be in a situation that she couldn't deal with - but onwards and upwards! Lisa and Dexter - it wasn't nice but it hasn't destroyed my confidence in her - she's a baby and it was probably my fault for not reading the situation properly. And Karen - yes, worried and hyped up totally sums it up. Normally she is totally fine about being picked up. we have lots of snuggly, in my arms cuddles so I agree, its not fair to her to try and pick her in the wrong situation. Sophie Bum - you always make me feel better! Thank you. I'll keep you informed - everything else is going pretty well so hopefully . . .
