Question
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We have had our Cockapoo (Tyson) since he was a 4 month old puppy and is now 4 years old. He is not spayed. We have never abused or mistreated him, we love him dearly. He has always been a very timid dog. Lately he has been showing some agression for instance he was sleeping on the bed and I told him to move over as I have done numerous times before but this time he started to growl and even when my husband came over and went to pick him up he showed teeth and growled. this behavior is very seldom but seems to be getting worst. Only has happened a handful of times but we are concerned it will get worse and why is this happening? He is very spoiled, we treat him like he was our child. Usually Tyson is very loving and is always with us. One other trait we have noted is right from day one is that he is so timid that even in taking food from us you might think that we were trying to poison him. He will smell it and slowly take it from you. And another thing he does not like anyone near his butt. We purchased him from a small pet store. Is it possible that something could have happened in the few months prior to us getting him? Our solution to his growling or aggresive behavior is to put him in a spare room for a short while. Are we doing the right thing? Please help us since we are lost and love him so much.
AnswerYou don't state where you got Tyson from, but 4 months is a little older than when puppies usually go to their new homes. It's possible that he didn't receive much socialization. This is generally what gives the puppy confidence.
I'm not sure that putting him in another room will accomplish what you want. Corrections of any kind need to be administered within several seconds of the behavior occurring, or else the dog doesn't make the connection between the behavior and the consequence.
The articles below should provide some help:
http://www.billfoundation.org/html/modifying_behavior.html
http://www.marinhumanesociety.org/behavior/Handouts/TreatsConsequences.pdf
http://www.marinhumanesociety.org/Behavior/Handouts/PEP.pdf
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/nilif.pdf
http://www.ddfl.org/behavior/educated-dog.pdf
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