Question
Sophie
My husband and I recently adopted a puppy. She is a 12 week old chow/golden retriever/akita mix. When we adopted her she was very calm and fine with all people that approached her. We have had her for a week now and she has changed a lot. She has bonded very strongly with me, and is starting to bond with my husband, but would rather be around me. We have been trying to socialize her with other people, but she will have none of it. I bring her to work with me every day (9am-5pm). I have one other coworker in the office with me and the puppy will not go anywhere near her. Anytime my coworker try's to approach her the puppy runs away, hides, barks and growls, and not a cute little puppy growl, a deep mean growl. She has started doing this to almost all strangers who approach her. She does not like to be touched by strangers unless I pick her up, and I have to grab her because she runs away from everyone except for my husband and I. I know a major characteristic in chows is aggression, however I have a 4 year old male chow who has never shown aggression. He was an easy puppy who loved all people, dogs, children, you name it he loved them, and he still does. I don't know what to do about this puppy's aggression. She is going to be receiving her final shots in the next few days and then we plan on placing her in puppy training classes. Do you have any suggestions as to what I can do to stop her aggression and shyness of people. So far she has been great with other dogs, but I don't want her aggression to turn on dogs as well as people. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to fix this growing problem. My husband and I plan on having children in the next couple years and I would hate for her to do anything to harm them, or anyone's children for that matter. Thank you so much for your help!!
AnswerWhat a cute baby! Thanks for attaching a picture so I can see the "Problem Child" =0)
First of all, you're doing a great job not giving up socializing her. However, you may make this a bit harder on yourself than you have to.
Usually any new dog/puppy is doing well when they first arrive at their new home, I call it the "Honeymoon Phase", meaning the dog's getting used to the new settings, environment, people, other pets, simulations, routine etc.
Depending on the animal, some show changes within a week, some take a month (Usual ball-park timing is about 2 weeks).
Akitas and Chows are aloof, territorial breeds and may show such at early age. I usually point out that this behavior may been already in place before you got the baby. Did you get her from a rescue or a private owner? You may get back in touch with the rescue and ask for their experience with her, even ask for a recommendation for a behavioral dog trainer.
If from a private party, did you see parent dogs? Often genetics do play a role but even that can be manipulated strongly by not giving up and too continue social interactions and of course, training.
She may experience what's called a fear period. Best is to simply NOT put her in a situation which can cause stress, meaning your co-workers may just hold off approaching her for now.
Often you hear "Let her get over it" which isn't the ideal solution as it can cause more anxieties, fear = aggressive behavior.
Social interaction can mean desensitizing, meaning you keep taking her to work without her being under so much "Must approach and be social" pressure attached.
Feeding the issue: Common made mistakes (Not an owner's fault!) like forcing the puppy to meet someone by picking her up or chasing her down.
Calm and leveled is the solution:
ALWAYS have her on a leash! Never say: "It's OK" when she shows off behavior, the tone of your voice makes her believe there IS something NOT ok. Lifting her up signals her there's danger at her level (And you may create the ultimate jumping dog who will paw, scratch and panicked trying to climb on you later on, or worse may start nipping at people while you're holding her, even re-directing it and 'accidently' nailing you in the face) and she's going to grow into a large dog, so there's no more picking up in the first place.
Make sure to bring a crate with you to work so she can go in it, feel safe, relax, be assured nobody can inappropriate approach her. It's her sanctuary where she can watch what's going on around her while being composed and stress free.
Keep her at all times on the leash! That way she can't run off, you can instantly make a connection with her, telling her "No bark", "Good girl" and making her aware of that she's on the leash, that you're leading her, that you, her leader is right here, giving her the confidence she needs.
Once she's 4 month old, fully vaccinated and for sure healthy, enroll her in a GROUP obedience class where she and you form a team, where she's learning to focus, where she will work and concentrate on the performance, etc.
Your husband should also be there, both of you working with the dog by taking turns. That way she'll bond stronger with your husband, too.
You can teach her already sit, come and wait at this age. Use sit to earn being pet or paid attention to, to put the leash on her, for getting a treat, a toy, a pat on the head, her food.
Wait is used so you can put the food dish down without her knocking it out of your hand.
Come's important so she learns that there's nothing negative ever coming her way when she's called by you, teaching her she can trust you 100% -- which ultimately helps her when you aid her during a social moment with a person/animal, etc.
Does she have a favorite toy? If you believe she's truly ready to meet someone, give that toy to the person of your choice (Like the co-worker) without her knowing you brought the toy to work. Let the co-worker "Play with it", have her make squeak or whatever noise it may produce, have her pay a lot of attention to it and then, without doing anything else, offer it to your puppy - BUT not by approaching the puppy -- the puppy must approach her!!
While this happens you keep coaching her: "Goooood girl, go see *Put name of person here*, good job"!
You may also allow that the lady offers/gives your puppy little pieces of dog treats, as it often shows there's something true about the phrase: "Love goes threw the stomach".
I hope this helped a little bit, I'm looking forward receiving a response from you,
DogNanny 911
White German Shepherd Aggression
Question
Chloe
A little background on my dog Chl
head collar on dogs
Question
head collar on dogs
hello madam, may i know wh
Young Moodle Trouble
Question
Moodle, male, 10 - 11
I have a two question.
Dog tackling
Question
My dog
I would like to know a technique or a t
