Our puppy has been coming along fairly well. Yesterday though she showed my wife a sudden and fairly aggressive attitude. She bit (Not nipped) her feet and jumped up and bit above her kneecap, barked continuously for a very long time, and growled menacingly. The bites were not awful but there were red marks and maybe a slight drop of blood or two. My wife is now scared and in tears that this little creature she loved and adored suddenly is being mean and may bite her again. Up until yesterday, I was the one who was nipped and barked at some though not nearly as much as the bark yesterday. My wife was rarely nipped and if so, it was very lightly. Me on the other hand, simple petting would turn her head and out the teeth would come. I guessed the dog took to her more and viewed her as Alpha so left her alone. Is this normal puppy behavior to become aggressive suddenly? Was it an action someone did that reinforced very rough play maybe?? Any ideas??? Comments??? Once the dog is wound up and barking and acting aggressive, how to diffuse the situation? If we cannot diffuse this, and it continues, its been made clear to me the dog cannot stay. I really really do not want this to happen.
Re: Sudden aggressive behavior Hi Dan I'm sorry your having puppy problems. It is normal behaviour for puppies to bite and bark. It's quite often excitement or for attention. I'm sure someone will come along who can give better advice than me but if you go on the main website www.thelabraorsite.com you will find an article 'How to stop your Labrador puppy biting' I hope that helps. There's no magic wand I'm afraid it takes patience and perseverance but she will stop. Good luck PS. It's not aggression. She hasn't suddenly taken a dislike to your wife she's just trying things out to see what works. The best thing to do although very hard is ignore it and if she gets out of hand time out somewhere on her own where she can't get upto mischief.
Re: Sudden aggressive behavior Dan, this is completely normal. It will take a few weeks, but believe me it will stop. Your puppy is doing what all puppies do - wanting to play with your wife, and if you see a bunch of puppies together you would be amazed how rough they are with each other! The growling is completely normal too. Please look under the puppy section - you will see so many threads about this very subject. Please don't be concerned that your puppy is aggressive, she is not. When she barks, growls or bites, then just say 'no' firmly, and turn your back on her for a few moments. If she gets into a frenzy (which can happen through excitement or over-tiredness), it may be best to pop her in her crate for a while or in another room until she calms down. My puppy was just the same; I was horrified and worried, but it calmed right down by the time she was about 16 weeks old. It doesn't stop overnight, but standing up and ignoring her when she nips or growls will mean she quickly understands that you don't like it, and more importantly, that she gets ignored when she does it. Please reassure your wife that this is absolutely normal puppy behaviour, and NOT a sign of aggression. Keep calm, hang in there, your little pup will turn into a loving and gentle dog soon, I promise you.
Re: Sudden aggressive behavior I agree with the above. It is not aggression at all and she is not being mean - she is simply being a puppy Tatze seemed like a deranged crocodile to us at times - she is the softest softie now. Here is Pippa's excellent article on the subject - http://www.thelabradorsite.com/how-to-cope-with-an-overexcited-labrador-puppy/
Re: Sudden aggressive behavior Just agreeing with everyone else. We had this too. Please, please tell your wife it doesn't mean the puppy dislikes her, in fact quite the opposite - she's just trying things out to see what will get her beloved's attention best! Do the difficult-but-effective bit of calmly ignoring as much as possible - no reactions except walking away - not even eye contact. The message will get through quite quickly. (I was amazed to find how important the 'eye contact' thing is....they really, really notice and respond to it.) I used to mutter 'no, that is boring behaviour, I don't want to know you if you do that' under my breath to remind myself of the impression I was trying to convey to the little monster. (Often while having to dislodge puppy teeth from trouser leg first, grrrr...) Let us know how you get on!
Re: Sudden aggressive behavior Everyone is right. This is just a puppy being a puppy. I couldn't believe that those calm gentle Labradors that I had so long admired were such nasty little beasts. Molly is seven months now, until a few weeks ago I couldn't even stroke her because every time I got within range she would nibble me and it hurt! This is how they learn bite inhibition. I thought that was a load rubbish, but now I can see it is the absolute truth. Molly can chomp her way through an inch thick wooden branch now, but my hands are unmarked now. The only time her mouth touches my skin is when I allow her to lick my fingers after I have stuffed her Kong. It really isn't a pleasant time, but it will pass. I honestly don't think that there is anything us humans can do about it. She still has fits of the sillies at seven months when when she dances around me snapping at the air, but, I notice she never, evermakes contact with me which she would if she meant it. I found (and still do) a crate invaluable at this stage. I'd plant her in it for a time out for both of us. It is not so easy now that she is 40 lbs of wriggling protesting muscle but I still manage it. Wether you give the dog a lecture on its failings is up to you, personally I found that telling it what a rotten little ingrate it was made ME feel much better
Re: Sudden aggressive behavior [quote author=Mollly link=topic=5961.msg77165#msg77165 date=1400072384] I found (and still do) a crate invaluable at this stage. I'd plant her in it for a time out for both of us. It is not so easy now that she is 40 lbs of wriggling protesting muscle but I still manage it. [/quote] Train your dog to go in the crate willingly. I did this by giving Tatze a tripe stick - super smelly, super tasty - every time I popped her in there. Now 'on your bed' is an eagerly awaited command!
Re: Sudden aggressive behavior I get the fact puppies bite, they bark, they growl, etc. But... this behavior was never displayed to my wife, only me. Then suddenly, she got it and even worse. That is the part I dont get. I guess its normal and maybe the puppy was feeling frisky, or trying to test boundaries or something. I hope this passes. She barked for something like 45 minutes nearly constantly. Just barking, snarling some. Just seemed bizarre and still does. In the later evening last night, I picked up puppy and carried her to my wife who didnt want to pet her or be around her. Very sad. Puppy was calmed though at least I guess. Puppy is doing fairly well other than this. She did pee on me last night. When my wife came home from work, puppy was on my lap in a chair. She got up and turned around to greet her. I stood up later and commented on why there was a wet spot on my shirt. Had to be pee from excitement I think. SHe has never done this either. Thanks for the feedback.
Re: Sudden aggressive behavior this all sounds like your wife has become very important to your pup - the weeing and biting all smack of excitement and trying to engage with her as others have said she will get through it you just need to show her how you need her to behave (easier said than done I know )
Re: Sudden aggressive behavior Yes it is normal; yes it will pass. What was she doing during the 45 minutes of barking? Did you put her in her crate, or in another room to calm her down? I think you need to separate her when she gets too hyped up. Please do remember your pup is a tiny baby. Your wife is understandably upset, but I think once she understands what is happening and how to react, that she will realize that this is not aggression aimed at her. Glad to hear the puppy is doing well otherwise. Maybe the pee really was excitement - your puppy was so pleased to see your wife she couldn't contain herself. Oh dear. Well, her little bladder will grow stronger as she gets older as well. Did Pippa's book 'The Happy Puppy Handbook' arrive yet? I think you will find it very useful.
Re: Sudden aggressive behavior Your wife should pay the pup attention when she is being calm and ignore her when being rough so puppy learns the only way to get attention is to be calm. A puppy being completely calm is perhaps not possible so attention for acceptable excitement but any rough stuff fold arms and turn your back. Unfortunately if your wife decides to stop interacting with the pup this could escalate the excitement as puppy will be desperate for her attention. I know it's hard to believe but try and explain to your wife they are love bites not aggressive bites. Good luck.
Re: Sudden aggressive behavior All sound advice - can I ask how old is the pup before I add in my pennies worth?
Re: Sudden aggressive behavior All sounds very familiar . I have a 10 week old pup. Between 8 and 9 weeks old she was a "furry crocodile", biting, nipping, frenzied behaviour, I really began to wonder what I had taken on! As a first time puppy owner I found this behaviour quite a shock and upsetting. It was all aimed at me, not my husband or kids. Thankfully all the advice I received by forum members said, "don't panic, this is normal"! And they were right ;D. Maisie is now 10 weeks and is beginning to calm down. We only have a few mad moments during the day now and I think it's mainly when she is over excited or tired. I still get nipped, barked, snapped at, but not as hard or frenzied, and I can walk past her without getting my ankles attacked : !! Stick with it, things will get better.
Re: Sudden aggressive behavior Pup is 9 1/5 weeks. Pippas book did not arrive yet for some reason. Long haul across the pond I guess. Any day should show up. SHe was barking outside for a while, wife was trying to walk her and calm her. This when she started getting aggressive. Brought her inside, tried petting, rubbing belly which she loves, nipped/bit wifes hand, left in kitchen by herself for a while. This is the room for her and its blocked off. She is used to being in there off leash and out of cage. Still barking. Put in cage for a short stint, kept barking. Took back outside, kept barking. I think she got sore throat and stopped finally. Not sure what stopped her. We were mildly wondering if she was sick, or had dog virus or something. The wetting herself - I had taken her out and she did her business less than an hour before she wet. I didnt even know until maybe 20 minutes after. YUCK!!!! Thanks for replies.
Re: Sudden aggressive behavior Sympathy from here! Please don't despair... it will get better and you won't even remember the bad bits. Honestly. Rosie
Re: Sudden aggressive behavior Yep - all previous advice is spot on, at this age it's not aggression.
Re: Sudden aggressive behavior Seems like a normal puppy to me. She is just trying to find her boundries, the biting and nipping is normal you will just have to persevere. Allow her to mouth your hand but if she bites hard yelp like a puppy stand up and walk away, go back to her after 30 secs and try again and repeat if she bites. The reason is that she needs to learn bite inhibition, you don't an older dog to bite hard. My pup is 6 months now and still mouths but does not hurt. How much excercise is she getting? Are you trying to train her, she needs mental stimulation. Just simple stuff like sit and come. Make her sit for her meals. When she barks do not stare at her, walk away. She is trying to get attention from your wife, she needs to help train her.
Re: Sudden aggressive behavior Hi Dan..I understand completely. Edsel is almost 12 weeks and has around 2-3 psychotic episodes a day. Just very excited at playing and such. If I am in the floor with him, I simply get up on the sofa or chair and ignore him. If he continues to try to nip or bark, I simply push him away gently without speaking or making eye contact. Usually he settles down in a few minutes or goes on to find a toy to play with. I have found with him that telling him No seems to work him up more and ignoring is best. I have had to put him in his crate for a few moments on occasion just to unwind. I find it usually happens in the morning after sleeping all night and in the afternoon when I think he's tired and tired of me working. Good luck and hope your wife will be able to understand he's not mean, just being a pesty pup and will outgrow it. Lori
Re: Sudden aggressive behavior Completely normal, when our choccie lab was young he would always target me ;-( and never my partner, We went through a phase where I would be in tears most evenings tbh, I thought he was being aggressive as he would literally jump up and bark/growl and bite me, it was awful but I was quickly reassured that this was normal puppy behavious. Its strange but he's 10 months old and it all seems like a distant memory, it will stop and it is very natural!!!!
