Hi, Our pup is now just over 5 months old, he has a great temprement and loves the company of people. He is a beagle and a typical one at that. We have had no problems apart from the usual ones ie mouthing etc but these are getting less by the day. The other day he stole a glove of a radiator and my wife went to get it back, he growled at her as if to warn her but she didnt give in, she stuck to her guns and the dog looked at her and gave her the glove and was fine after that. Last nignt he was asleep on the couch, i woke him up to get him to his bed and he wouldnt move, i went to move him and he growled the same way he glowled at my wife so i grabed him not hurting and put him in his cage for the night. this morning when i went to get him he was fine. Is he trying his luck with us to see if he can dominate us or is there something wrong with him. His pedigree is excelent and both parents have great attitudes. Yesterday he was out for a walk with my brother in law and his 5 year old staffie and said he had a great time. He is brilliant with people but this concerned me, he is very healthy and isnt off his food or water. am i just being paranoid.

David.

Hi David,
He sounds very normal to me - he's just trying his luck, by the sound of it. You're responding the right way, not making a big deal of it, but not backing down. Quiet, calm insistence and I'm sure he'll get over it. (You should hear my son moan when I want him to move - typical teenager!)

David my 3yo JRxPBGV is exactly the same, he grumbles at times when he wants his own way, but never ever actually tries to bite. I've had him since he was a pup and he has never been allowed to get away with it, we don't tell him, just make him move, give things up etc., I look on it as just a protest. He loves people, other dogs, disappears in seconds if we are out and there are pheasants or rabbits about, suffers selective deafness but is fun to have around. Just carry on the way you are & I reckon you have nothing to worry about. Ingrid

Hi David
We used to have a west highland white terrier when I was a child..he was a little monkey as a puppy, I remember one night he was on the bed with my mum and wouldn't let my dad in to bed, he stood up and growled ever time dad tried to pull the covers back..we all laughed and dad just picked him up and plonked him on the floor..just trying it on..as they do.I wouldn't worry just make sure you don't let him get away with it. :)
Tracey

Be careful when the pup nicks things - as all pups do :p - not to challenge him in an aggressive way, because he will then feel what hehas is very important and may well get grotty over it. The best way I feel is to train him to "Give"with toys and all sorts - gloves, shoes, socks, whatever. The biggest mistake i made with my Terv was to insist she gave back a sock, we stupidly chased her (well she was very quick) and insisted and we got the sock back (and have a very funny photo of a very grumpy pup holding her treasure !!!) but our attitude made her mad keen on socks, she had to have socks!!! They were importatn and everybody drops everything for a sock! :p

I knew not to do it but was just too busy one day to follow my own rules, which are to just train a "Give", with all items possible. The easiest way is to swap an item for food (tempting food) and praise. If a pup just doesn't give up, i ignore totally and even go out the room and that usually works a treat, as much of the time, if the owner wasn't there, the pup maynot be so interested.

Ensure pup has lots of own chews etc in case that was his motivation, something to chew.

Also, ensure the pup knows what your command for off the sofa means - don't use Down whatever you do. He is already lying down - just on the sofa, and so that command maywell confuse him. I use Off and set up training sessioons where i reward with toys, play and treats if pup complies. Or use a lead and gently pull off adn then reward if pup has no idea.

Once you are certain he knows wht you want but just decides not to comply, then tip up the sofa (best way) as he HAS to getoff. Or use a lead and calmly pull off. Also smarten up his attitude a bit roudn the house, so ask him for a Sit or whatever (presuning he know it) before he has a walk or dinner, or goes outside.

Lindsay

Hi , we have a gs pointer coming up to 9mths. we made the typical mistake of letting puppy dicate i.e letting him sleep on the settee, eating b4 us jumping on the bed etc, now he is 9mths and a handful , he used to growl/snarl if he didnt get his own way. He wouldnt bite me but i wanted to get him out of this just in case! otherwise he is a lovely dog - so i got him a soft mussle and put it on only if he starts mouthing or barks for attention - touch wood it seems to be working - he now knows if he steals food, barks challengly or unacceptable behaviour he gets the mussle on for either a couple of minutes or longer and it has seemed to do the trick. Its not cruel he can still breathe ok and have a drink. dont let your dog get in the habit of growling as some people accept this as aggressive behaviour and want the dog put down regardless.
Good luck
Michelle (and Flynn)