I have posted previously that I had a litter of 14 puppies and they are now nearly 7 weeks.

Can anyone give me advice if they have experienced the problem I now have. 13 of the puppies are I suppose what you would describe as averagely normal.
One of the smaller puppies is giving me concern as when you pick her up she growls. Now I have had growlers before which has led to no problem and some een say it is excitement. This puppy is going one step further and looks almost nasty and is treating the puppies in the litter the same.
When I have the puppy in my arms after say 30 seconds or so she will go quieter and even lick my face.
I have tried giving her more attention but she still seems the same. Is there any hope for her?

She quite likes to be on her own and she likes to play with toys but it is a worry. Mum has great temperament but for a few weeks now she has been a bit scared of the number of puppies. She has tried to go in if she sees a few pups on their own but when they all pile over she jumps out straight away.

Diane

My first thought is her hearing and sight OK?

Is she aware you are there before you pick her up or are you just picking her up with no warning?

Did she start off being bullied by the others and is now trying to get the upper hand before anyone else does.

Hopefully someone who has had more litters than me andlarge ones will be able to help

I always find the smaller ones are a bit 'scrappy'.  Seems like they need to get in there first as they get pushed around and if they make all the noises, they get left alone.  I would stick her in with mum for a while every day on her own and see if mum is worried about her behaviour.  My girl pushed and pushed the grumpy pup till she broke her temper and then gave her a telling about the noise.  She thought a bit more about who she was grumping at after that!!
This girl was in a litter of 11 large breed pups but I have also had it in a average medium gundog litter.

I think Mum is too scared now. I have done that and I have also tried putting her with the other bigger dogs to sort her out.

Last time I picked her up and she did it I growled big time at her and when I got really close she squeaked. Think I might try that again as that is what the litter mates and Mum might do if she tries it on.
I have a 13 week old pup from a litter of 2, same (terrier) breed.. I have tried them with her but when she playfully barks and follows some of them turn on her. I am really worried about general temperament. I would not normally put them with the older dogs other than Mum but apart from normal sorting themselves out in the litter, temperaments have been good.
Am I worrying too much. They seem to be a bit more violent with each other than they might normally and then there is this one with the problem.
They have been handled since birth as we had to help with rearing them. They have seen the big dogs running around since about 3 weeks when Mum was happy with that.
Diane

I always find the smaller ones are a bit 'scrappy'

Me too. My smallest dog, all 2 kgs of her (she's grown, used to be 1.8 LOL) has always been the bossiest. She learnt to not growl at people (used to) but goodness, she will even beat a Malinois up! She HAS to due to being so much smaller than the rest, she'd forever get pushed out of the way and be bullied otherwise so she decided to be the bully instead and they all have the greatest respect for her.

i dont think i would be too worried to be honest, i have had a few 'fiesty' puppies, have just made sure they go to knowledgable homes with plenty of experience and who will be firm but fair as they teach him/her the rules of the house!

Never yet had any problem with any grumpy puppies when they were adults, all have been superb family members with lovely temperaments. Just keep handling her and tell her a firm 'no' when she growls at you, this phase will normally pass once they get into their new home with one on one training and bonding.

Enjoy your very large bundle :)

If your really worried then hold that pup back until close to the end so that you can see how it is with fewer competitors.

Im a little uncomfy with the advice to effectively punish/admonish a tiny puppy for growling - you dont want them to stop growling you want them to stop being uncomfortable or unhappy with being handled.

Surely it would make more sense to pair every bit of handling with a reward (lick of meat paste or cheese spread) so that handling is something to look forwards to?

I don't think anyone advised cruel punishments at all.  This little pup is raising her status and all that's been recommended is to take her back a peg or two.  She is showing a dislike to being lifted and handled which means a dislike of being out-of-control.  She wants to be the boss and decide where and when she goes.  All that's happening would be to show her that someone else is in charge and she can't just go where and when she wants.  I would use your advice with the treats to make the handling a bit easier on her.
I too would make sure this pup went to a knowledgable home as she is just too clever for her own good!!

I have just read this thread and I admit I too was shocked people were advocating such treatment for such a young puppy. It is a sure fire way to ensure the puppy becomes unhappy about being held or picked up and will only make the situation worse. At this age puppies  need to be accustomed to gentle handling. I think it is very unlikely that the pup is vicious more likely that it is just unsure about being handled so telling it off for growling will only make the situation worse.

Thank you very much for all your help.
Have had some breed experts around to-day to help me choose my 2 puppies and discussed with them. All of them said they had similar puppies and no later problem. I have had lots of people handling this weekend and she has behaved variably even with me.
I am going for the make friends approach but I was advised to act like big dog too for best effect.
I will monitor very carefully.
Diane

>Im a little uncomfy with the advice to effectively punish/admonish a tiny puppy for growling - you dont want them to stop growling you want them to stop being uncomfortable or unhappy with being handled.

I 100% agree.