aggressive puppy

[hande258]

A friend of mine despite me insisting on her going to a breeder purchased a 2 lbs female yorkie puppy at a local pet store. She has had the dog for about 3 wks and dropped her off today for me to babysit her.
Well I was shocked. I've never seen a 3 1/2 month old puppy that's aggressive. She will bare teeth and growl and bite if given the chance. She doesn't do this out of fear but when she doesn't get her way. She will play and be social but if you try to hold on to her and she wants to go somewhere she will yelp as if you're hurting her and try to bite. She will attack (yes attack) you if she sees a comb in your hand.
I talked to my friend about it when she came to pick the puppy up and she told me she hasn't been able to bathe the dog since she got it for fear of getting bitten. She took it to the groomer who almost refused to groom the dog because she bite him. Not to mention that the owner's hand has multiple scars from the puppy biting her. But she doesn't want to return the dog because she thinks she was abused.

I don't know if she's this way because of being abused or not having enough time with her mother after being weaned. I'm lost for words in my 2 years of volunteering at an animal shelter and having raised two yorkies of my own (1 of which i rescued as an unsocialized 8 month old that spent her whole life forgot in the backyard of a backyard breeder) I've never seen a puppy this young show true "dominance" aggression.
I was wondering if anyone out there has any tips or thinks this can be fixed. I can only imagine if she's this way now how she'll act when shes an adult.

Thank you

[xxmxaxrxyxx]

i am so sorry to hear that...hopefully as she grows older she will be better at it...maybe there is an underlying health issue or pain...just a thought

[chestermama]

I think a good trainer would be in order, something is going on, nip it in the bud before it gets worse

[cdawnfine]

Dogs aare pack animals looking for a leader and your friends dog has not found one and has taken that roll upon itself. Than being said the puppy has found a way to get what it wants when it wants and can you blame it they found what worked and continues to do it. It is very important to nip this in the butt right away. Obviously puppys will chew, a good trainer will help but your friend needs to ask the following question is my dog getting enough excersie and dicipline( and no I do not mean hitting your dot) a dog needs rules and boundries. 2lbs is very small a good excersice is when the dog is showing unwanted behavior towards something pick it up in one arm and put his head towards the back and but towards your front and say bad dog. It wont take very long but soon the associate the wording with not getting what they want and you do not have to pick them up any more. It is also important to teach simple commands such as sit, stay ect If the dog does not understand theese words how does it know what you are asking of it you might as well be speaking a different language, and last excersise small dogs need to walk just as much as big ones. Good Luck to your friend

[JoeyP]

This sounds very much to me like a puppy that is showing aggression out of fear
and it's not surprising that it's coming from a puppy that has been purchased through a puppy store
you don't know the history but it's very likely she was taken too early
and thrown into a situation where there are no little mates ... sterile conditions with big people always coming and gawking and grabbing at her

This is the perfect set up for this type of behavior
What a puppy like this needs is a very strong loving leader
She needs to make up some lost time in her social skills
and she needs to be shown that people will not be something to fear

With a puppy like this it's best not to use your hands to grab her esp from a standing position
it's best to call her with a treat
when you want to pick her up crouch down to do it it's less threatening that way
Try holding her and even sleeping with her if you can as much as possible to strengthen the bond
and make sure that food isn't an issue
make sure you handle her food as she eats it so no food aggression takes hold

[mell]

Originally Posted by hande258

A friend of mine despite me insisting on her going to a breeder purchased a 2 lbs female yorkie puppy at a local pet store. She has had the dog for about 3 wks and dropped her off today for me to babysit her.
Well I was shocked. I've never seen a 3 1/2 month old puppy that's aggressive. She will bare teeth and growl and bite if given the chance. She doesn't do this out of fear but when she doesn't get her way. She will play and be social but if you try to hold on to her and she wants to go somewhere she will yelp as if you're hurting her and try to bite. She will attack (yes attack) you if she sees a comb in your hand.
I talked to my friend about it when she came to pick the puppy up and she told me she hasn't been able to bathe the dog since she got it for fear of getting bitten. She took it to the groomer who almost refused to groom the dog because she bite him. Not to mention that the owner's hand has multiple scars from the puppy biting her. But she doesn't want to return the dog because she thinks she was abused.

I don't know if she's this way because of being abused or not having enough time with her mother after being weaned. I'm lost for words in my 2 years of volunteering at an animal shelter and having raised two yorkies of my own (1 of which i rescued as an unsocialized 8 month old that spent her whole life forgot in the backyard of a backyard breeder) I've never seen a puppy this young show true "dominance" aggression.
I was wondering if anyone out there has any tips or thinks this can be fixed. I can only imagine if she's this way now how she'll act when shes an adult.

Thank you

Sounds like really an aggressive pup to me. I was facing the same problem with my dog a year ago. Everything wasn't looking good for us. My dog was mean to everyone (including me and family members) it's like he does not recognize anybody. We've tried almost everything just to calm him and control his aggression. From books, classes, leash control, E-collars- none of them worked. I was almost hopeless when I strolled through the net and found this site (Dog Training As Leader | first become the leader then train as taught). I was doubtful at the first time, I have spent so much time, effort and MONEY for "guaranteed effective" products and promises. I really didn't dream of having the ideal, effective yet fun way to do dog training online. Please visit the page, you really need it. Best of luck.