Advice Please

[karen135]

we have just got a 8 week old bull mastiff x pit bull the only thing concerning me with her is that she will go under the bed or the sofa try to get her out she will show her teeth growl and go to bite we also have another dog which is a cross of 2 yrs old she is very good with her but the pup is starting to snap at her too can anyone recomend anyways to get this under control now before it gets a problem as we alsohave a 1 and 2 year old as well. she is starting puppy classes out our local vets on tuesday so hopeing this will help

so any advice would be greatfull

karen

[Livi]

How are you trying to get her out ?

I would just call her out, use a treat if you have to, but don't crawl under there and try to pull her out.

She might be a bit scared or tired and is going under there to feel safe and have a rest, just leave her be if you can.

With that breeding she wont be able to fit under the sofa for long anyway

[karen135]

How are you trying to get her out ?

I would just call her out, use a treat if you have to, but don't crawl under there and try to pull her out.

She might be a bit scared or tired and is going under there to feel safe and have a rest, just leave her be if you can.

With that breeding she wont be able to fit under the sofa for long anyway

hi thanks for your reply i tend to call her out or encourager her out but normaly leave her under there if she falls asleep.

just need to watch how she is with our ther dog now as idont think she is too impressed about growling and snapping at her

she did like to sit on the kids little arm chairs but started to not allow the kids on them so she is now got down when she goes on them.

[Muttaburra]

The pup is 8 weeks old?

There is a lot to learn for you and I think you already have a problem.

Firstly I would recommend you get a crate of appropriate size. Then find a place in the house where the pup will not be disturbed and can be quiet and relaxed. Make this the place where the pup sleeps.

Do not give the pup the run of the entire house, the pup is already attaching itself to under your bed, it is better to stop it going there in the first place by closing the door or putting barriers to stop it getting under there. Let the dog attach to it's own crate and bed only.

This is just the beginning, please get as much advice as you can. Is the growling and snapping play? Is she wagging her tail with the other dog, doing play bows? or does she seem afraid and lashing out in fear?

Also check into the training section of the forum, someone may be able to direct you to a trainer up your way.

[sas]

Your puppy could be doing this for many reasons such as:

1) It's under something so it feels threatened when you try and get her out......try introducing puppy to a crate as an alternative method.

2) Puppy wasn't socialised with humans much when still with the litter.

3) Poor temperment (poor breeding)

I would reccomend you speak with a behaviourist to suss it out whilst pup is still young.

[karen135]

Your puppy could be doing this for many reasons such as:

1) It's under something so it feels threatened when you try and get her out......try introducing puppy to a crate as an alternative method.

2) Puppy wasn't socialised with humans much when still with the litter.

3) Poor temperment (poor breeding)

I would reccomend you speak with a behaviourist to suss it out whilst pup is still young.

hi yes the pup is 8 weeks she has only been able to get in the bedroom once but seems to be always trying to go under the sofa

her behaviour with our other some timesis playing as she bounces around and wages her tail but there are times shen it is not and she growls and jumps at her face

or like 10 minutes ago were i was stroking our elder dog she came along and started to jump at the chair so i put her down and said no praised when she stayed down etc but she than turned and started growling and snapping at me and trying to bite my hands when i tried to put her back down off the sofa so am now begining to think bad breeding but the lady had lots of people around and the dog was with them alot she also had 2 kids i wonder if they did something?

she starts ppuppy classes tuesday will mention it see what they say also see if they get towitness it.

thanks again for your help

karen

[Livi]

Good Luck with puppy school.

Without seeing the behaviour it is hard to tell if the dog is aggressive or just playing and needs to learn some manners... I'm no expert anyway but do you understand dogs body language ? Does her stance etc appear confident, playful, nervous, scared, aggressive ??

Whatever the case you have a pup there that is going to grow into a big strong dog so you need to get all the training and advice you can now while she is little.

Is your older dog a large breed too ?

I noticed you were looking at rescue dogs, did you get the pup from rescue ?

[karen135]

Good Luck with puppy school.

Without seeing the behaviour it is hard to tell if the dog is aggressive or just playing and needs to learn some manners... I'm no expert anyway but do you understand dogs body language ? Does her stance etc appear confident, playful, nervous, scared, aggressive ??

Whatever the case you have a pup there that is going to grow into a big strong dog so you need to get all the training and advice you can now while she is little.

Is your older dog a large breed too ?

I noticed you were looking at rescue dogs, did you get the pup from rescue ?

her body language verys when she is jumping around playing she is happy and confident but whenn she is going to go for you she can be layying down or on her back legs cos she doesnt like to be stopped doing what she wants to do

our older dog is ment to be a ridgeback x she is a rescue dog about 2 yrs old the pup is not a rescue the pups mum was still quiet young herself only just over a yr she had alot of fleas when we got her but they are all gone now.

karen

[Muttaburra]

Definitely fast track the training since there is a noticible deficit in socialisation.

There are more effective methods to control your pup other than pushing away, physically lifting up to move etc, doing these things will often be seen as a challenge or play or even a threat, and the dog in turn will think that pushing and grabbing are the ways to get others to do what it wants.

To keep a pup in line, it is better to use rewards. The sit command is good. Once the dog is sitting (gets a reward/treat) from there you can redirect it. If the pup is really wayward, then it is better to keep it on the lead at all times, especially in the confined area of the house. Using distractions is also good, getting the pup to chew on chew toys rather that people and dogs. Make the pup sit before you feed it, put the older dog's food bowl down first.

Most puppies will mouth, bite, growl, yap cheekily and loudly when being corrected. They will act out mock fights that can be very convincing, with full on sound effects.

Puppies should only have limited walking (to do with bone growth etc), but you could take the pup out in the backyard, as part of a routine and give it a soccer ball, or something sturdy to play with, and tire the pup out a bit each day.

As mentioned before don't allow the pup to get in places where it will have the advantage, like under the couch or bed, a crate with a blanket over it will soon have if feeling just as secure.