Puppies aggression , First night back at home - Page 1

Well, I am finally here, back in the house. There was a delay in moving back in due to a suspected propane leak, the tank apparently was much lower than the propane company thought it should have been and turned the propane off at the tank until they could get a tech out here to test it. He came out this past wed and it checked out fine. Apparently when they were cleaning the house, they had it on high all night to help vaporize. Anyways, I am home and face the monumental task of sorting thru things and getting them put to rights. I cannot find the paperwork on the pups anywhere tho. I have talked with the clean up crew several times and they do not remember having to discard any type of paperwork. I have the registration papers, vaccination records and microchip tag all together in a bundle, with info for each pup separated with the other info attached. I have dug thru the bags several times and have not found it yet. I will start methodically going thru each bag thoroughly as soon as I get my stuff moved from the trailer to here and start getting things put away. About the puppy aggression, Mischa, the pup that I am keeping, is showing alot of what I would call "Protection" tendcies. For example, When at the trailer I had a visitor, he was expected so when he knocked I told him to come in. He came thru the door and Mischa immediately started barking and went to him, ears and tail up and would not let him move from the doorway. She sounded vicious, teeth bared and I really thought there was a chance she was going to bite him. I called her and she came and sat beside me but if he made a move to walk to another part of the trailer, the kitchen or restroom, she barked and went to him again aggressively altho she recalled immediately. This is not the first time, She has displayed this in a couple of different situations, at the shop, strangers coming thru the gate or the door, and this has just started the last week and a half or so. She always comes when I call her and after I introduce the person to her she settles unless the person moves fast or goes where she doesnt think he should. I need to get a handle on this now, I know I definately need to get her obediance under better control and more firmly ingrained. She is smart and learns fast, she knows that she has to sit and wait before getting into or out of the van or going thru a doorway, getting fed etc. I plan on keeping her with me at all times so that I am better able to socialize her and get her accostomed to new situations. When she is startled by something she is quick to recover and go investigate, sometimes she will come to me and sit and watch whatever it was that was strange, maybe for reassurance. Any suggestions? I do not want her to turn out like her daddy, mistrustful of everyone. How do I handle the situation when it occurs, like with the stranger in the trailer? Should I scold her? I dont think so, should I praise her for doing what she should? I did praise her. I dont want to screw up with her. Her dob is August 16th so she is just a little over 4 months. I hope everyone has an awesome holiday :) Therese

Finally back home! I hope you get it all worked out with your puppy. Have a great holiday!!

Hi Therese, It's really great to hear you are back in your home. Hopefully things will start to get back to normal for you soon. With your 4 month old pup, I am thinking it might be fear based aggression because of her over reaction and because of her sire. Maybe some of it is her age and some of it is all the upheavel in her little life so far. I for sure would not praise her or reasure her (because to a dog reasurance is the same as praise for the behaviour displayed). She really isn't doing what she should. A confident dog, even a puppy should be aloof, & aware, but not barking, growling, teeth baring, etc. just because she doesn't know the person, especially because the person is not behaving in any way threatening. Have you been able to get her out into social situations much yet? How is she towards strangers on neutral territory?