VinniesMom
Member
Hello and thanks for your advice. We just got our CC puppy, Vinnie, 2 weeks ago when he was 8 weeks old. He was the runt of the litter, and had some health issues when we got him: a large hernia, underweight, and worms. He adjusted very well to our home and family. He is not overly aggressive or submissive. He loves to cuddle and be held. He does well with our female boxer. Overall he is very receptive to strangers. He wiggles his tail and licks them and cuddles with them. I keep him at work with me during the day and he has met many different types of people and seems to enjoy it. However, once in a while, when you correct him from tugging on your pant leg or even just pick him up if he doesn't want you to, he goes off! I mean ballistic.....he barks and snarls and gives you the evil eye. He bares his teeth and if he wasn't 10 weeks old, it would be terrifying.
When this occurs, I do not react to his behavior. I calmly tell him 'No, Vinnie be nice and when he calms I pet him, give him a treat and tell him good boy. If he doesn't calm down when I try this ( which is usually when it is someone other than me that he is mad at) I say "Shame on you, Time Out" and put him in time out for a few minutes. This seems to work well...he is a pleaser. This behavior occurs about once or twice a day. I thought it may be because he has been overstimulated, but it can occur at any time.
My question is if there is a better way to handle these outbursts. I will be enrolling him in puppy school and obedience training. I haven't so far because of his health issues. (I took him to the vet immediately for a puppy check up and vaccinations and we have seen a specialist for his hernia which is quite large).
I appreciate your help. Some of the articles you read on CC paint them as vicious and difficult to train. All of them state that the way they are trained as puppies will influence their demeanor as adult dogs. I know they are wary of strangers and are territorial. I researched the breed before committing, and we wanted a guard dog but also a family dog. But I will be honest here...I am not prepared to have a ferocious dog that attacks over the slightest thing. Our German Shepard passed away last October after 13 wonderful years with him. Vinnie is a part of our family now, and I just need to know the right way to approach this. Most articles say never use force on your dog: we would never hit or hurt him. Other articles say to love on him, which we do! (He is very much loved..am I spoiling him too much?) I am worried about these outbursts. Any advice and reassurance (please) is welcomed!
When this occurs, I do not react to his behavior. I calmly tell him 'No, Vinnie be nice and when he calms I pet him, give him a treat and tell him good boy. If he doesn't calm down when I try this ( which is usually when it is someone other than me that he is mad at) I say "Shame on you, Time Out" and put him in time out for a few minutes. This seems to work well...he is a pleaser. This behavior occurs about once or twice a day. I thought it may be because he has been overstimulated, but it can occur at any time.
My question is if there is a better way to handle these outbursts. I will be enrolling him in puppy school and obedience training. I haven't so far because of his health issues. (I took him to the vet immediately for a puppy check up and vaccinations and we have seen a specialist for his hernia which is quite large).
I appreciate your help. Some of the articles you read on CC paint them as vicious and difficult to train. All of them state that the way they are trained as puppies will influence their demeanor as adult dogs. I know they are wary of strangers and are territorial. I researched the breed before committing, and we wanted a guard dog but also a family dog. But I will be honest here...I am not prepared to have a ferocious dog that attacks over the slightest thing. Our German Shepard passed away last October after 13 wonderful years with him. Vinnie is a part of our family now, and I just need to know the right way to approach this. Most articles say never use force on your dog: we would never hit or hurt him. Other articles say to love on him, which we do! (He is very much loved..am I spoiling him too much?) I am worried about these outbursts. Any advice and reassurance (please) is welcomed!