JamieHalverson
Well-Known Member
Lillie is now 9 weeks old, we got her at 7 1/2 weeks. She is in puppy K and I plan to continue with classes through who knows, hoping to title her in either obed or rally and some other sport. She comes from a very reputable breeder, who has fabulous dogs. I started teaching sits and downs, walking nicely, etc. with in a few days of bringing her home. We "ah ah" if she bites while playing and then offer her a toy. All is going very well, she is smart, playful and very sweet.. EXCEPT when you remover her from something she wants or wants to be doing!
We try not to physically remove her, rather call her or entice her with a toy, but there are times due to safety or frankly, to make it outside in time, that you just have to physically put your hands on a puppy and move her or pick her up. She really, really hates this. She will open mouth growl/snarl and continue to do so until you let go. Or she gives up.
I'm hoping that continuing with general training will help her grow out of this, and also just matter of factly dealing with her tantrums, like not giving in and quietly without fan fare or correction for growling, doing what needs to be done, with a kind of "hey chill out it's not a big deal and you're not in charge anyway" attitude, will help as well.
Our trainer taught us to hold the dog with it's back against your chest, a hand holding it on it's chest and apply comfortable pressure so you are basically "hugging" the puppy until it calms down and realizes that sometimes, it just doesn't have a choice but to be still, and you are in charge. I haven't made up my mind what I think about this, yet. The trainer suggested that if you don't do it now, you may have problems in the future when you have to restrain your dog for the vet, or whatever else may happen in life. Not sure if this will also help the above situation or if it's a good idea at all.
I have NOT had a bullmastiff puppy previously, I have owned Rottweilers and now an Am/Staff Mastiff X, who is easy as pie
Is this pretty typical behavior and just a need to learn manners? I was expecting stubborn and headstrong, I was not expecting vicious growling
We try not to physically remove her, rather call her or entice her with a toy, but there are times due to safety or frankly, to make it outside in time, that you just have to physically put your hands on a puppy and move her or pick her up. She really, really hates this. She will open mouth growl/snarl and continue to do so until you let go. Or she gives up.
I'm hoping that continuing with general training will help her grow out of this, and also just matter of factly dealing with her tantrums, like not giving in and quietly without fan fare or correction for growling, doing what needs to be done, with a kind of "hey chill out it's not a big deal and you're not in charge anyway" attitude, will help as well.
Our trainer taught us to hold the dog with it's back against your chest, a hand holding it on it's chest and apply comfortable pressure so you are basically "hugging" the puppy until it calms down and realizes that sometimes, it just doesn't have a choice but to be still, and you are in charge. I haven't made up my mind what I think about this, yet. The trainer suggested that if you don't do it now, you may have problems in the future when you have to restrain your dog for the vet, or whatever else may happen in life. Not sure if this will also help the above situation or if it's a good idea at all.
I have NOT had a bullmastiff puppy previously, I have owned Rottweilers and now an Am/Staff Mastiff X, who is easy as pie
Is this pretty typical behavior and just a need to learn manners? I was expecting stubborn and headstrong, I was not expecting vicious growling
