Help w/ puppy biting.....

Question
Hi again..............Thanks for your reply. You know this is the best puppy except for the problem of the feet thing w/ my 2 girls. She does lay in all our arms w/ her belly up....she does lay on her back for all of us and we rub her. She lays while I brush her from 30 min. to 45 min. every day. She will let the girls do anything to her..........BUT I have one problem we need to over come and that is the growling at feet and wanting to attack them...........Anymore suggestions....??????

Thanks Bunches............Gail
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Followup To

Question -
Hi Labman.......

I have a 3 month old maltese/yorkie who weighs 1 lb. 13 oz.. I am having a problem w/ the puppy (Cuddles) and my 9 & 10 yr old girls. When I leave the girls alone w/ her she seems to go after their feet and will not let them walk and growls at them running back and forth in front of them.......Please help me learn how to correct this. If I come around she sits down and does not do it, so it is hard for me to correct it. ......HELP!

Thanks..............Gail

Answer -
Too bad it is too late in the year for the 10 year old to take it to 4-H obedience class.  The key to most behavior problems is approaching things using the dog's natural instincts.  Dogs see all the people and dogs in the household as a pack with each having their own rank in the pack and a top dog.  Life is much easier if the 2 legged pack members outrank the 4 legged ones.  You can learn to play the role of top dog by reading some books or going to a good obedience class. A good obedience class or book is about you being top dog, not about rewarding standard commands with a treat. Start at http://www.dogsbestfriend.com/

Here are some more things to help:

''Elevation for small puppies:  Sit on the floor and gently put your hands around your pup's middle, below his front legs, and lift him up.  He is facing you.  Hold him for 15 seconds.  Repeat until he no longer struggles.  If he is past 10-12 weeks, lift his front feet off the ground, but don't pick him up.  

Cradling for small puppies:  Hold your puppy gently on his back, as you would cradle a small baby.  If he struggles, hold him firmly until he quiets for 10-15 seconds.  With larger pups, you can do this as your sit on the floor, with your pup between your legs.

Quiet lying down:  Place your pup on the floor on his side, with all 4 legs pointing away from you.  Use your hands on his neck/shoulder area and middle, to hold him in this position.  When he is quiet, praise him.  Lengthen the time that you keep him quietly in this position.  When he accepts this position well, handle his paws and muzzle, while keeping him quiet.''

The quotes mean this isn't my original work.  It is copied from my Puppy Raising Manual.  I have long used these or minor variations of them, and they are very effective.  You may want to give him a belly rub while he is on his back too.  Helps bonding.  There is a big difference between him rolling over and demanding a belly rub, and you choosing a time to roll him over and rub his belly.  The latter cements your place as pack leader.  

The girls need to practice them as well as you.  At 3 months, you need to keep sessions short, only a few minutes.  The puppy must learn you and the girls outrank it and it must not try to control them.  

Thank you for adopting that puppy.  So many dogs are slaughtered for lack of homes.  Post back with anyother questions.

Answer
I am not sure you completely understood the importance of you and the girls deciding when she is rolled on her back.  You might also work at correcting her when she growls or bites.  Try a quick ''Ut, ut, ut!''.  Perhaps offer her a toy then.  If you have to, try the ''Ut, ut, ut!'' right in her face with her rolled on her back.