8wk old pom

Question
my pom is 8wks he is very smart but he gets very agressive when he doesnt get his way .if i dont put him down he bites my fingers,face what ever he can get ahold on . how do i stop this behavior. i also have a 3 year old shar pei that he has bonded with and wants to play that is when he gets really agressive if i dont let him . he also bites my big dog and why he tolerates him i dont know

Answer
Hi Tina,

I hate to tell you this, but this aggressive behavior is probably due to poor breeding.  I've had many questions about this type of problem.  I am forwarding a previous response I wrote--hope it helps:

Yikes! Sounds like you've got your hands full!  First of all, I'd like to mention that pet stores, as well as many backyard breeders are notorious for breeding and selling puppies with behavioral (aggressiveness, hyperactivity,
etc.) and/or health problems.  Also, puppies kept at a pet store are sometimes very difficult to housetrain.  I have received lots of questions from people who have dogs that have problems due to poor breeding and/or socialization.
I realize that you didn't know this, but I want to put this out there in case someone else gets to read it. I don't want anyone to have to go through what you are going through or have they hearts broken because they have a sick puppy.

These sites have interesting info on breeding:
http://yourpurebredpuppy.com/buying/common/breeders.html
http://wonderpuppy.net/breeding.htm

Hopefully, she is just not recognizing you as the alpha dog instead of the alternative--behavioral problems from poor breeding.  It doesn't sound like normal pom behavior.  Poms are not near this aggressive.  By the
way, you are rewarding her when you give her a toy after she bites you.

Here's what I recommend:  You must show the puppy that you are the boss!  The puppy receives nothing without obeying a
command first.  This includes:  food, attention, treats, toys, etc.  In other words, make her sit, lay down, speak, etc.  Do not allow her to sleep in your bed.  (Put her in a crate near your bed.)  Do not allow her on the furniture or the bed.  Higher physically means higher socially
to a dog.  Do not hold her over your head.  Do not lay on the floor and allow her to lay on you.  No dominant positions until she is completely retrained. No tug of war games.  She owns no toys--the toys are yours and you allow her to play with them.  Let her play with the toy for awhile and then take it away.  If she acts aggressive with a toy, take it away immediately.  Do not be mean to her,
be sweet but firm.  If she growls or bites grab her by the scruff of the neck, shake and scold her in a low-toned, threatening voice, then look her in the eyes until she
looks away.  Looking a dog in the eyes is dominant behavior.  Look her in the eyes often until she looks away.  The first one to look away is the least dominant.  Don't allow her to get close to your face until
trained not to bite.  I think you have a good chance of retraining her if you'll be consistant and firm.}

Spaying/neutering make dogs less aggressive.  I recommend taking her to a puppy or dog training class.  It would help a lot.

If you are still experiencing problems I suggest you contact a dog trainer/behaviorist.

Please keep me posted.  Don't give up and stay consistant and be persistant.  You can do it!

Best Regards,
Carrie
PLEASE SPAY AND NEUTER YOUR PETS.