I have a 2 and half month old purebred golden retriever. Well up until now she has been a sweet little angel! Recently I went to pick her up from her fav spot (behind toilet) and she growled and snapped at me. It then happened again but this time she growled and I said Abby no and she barked and then went to try and bite again...it is not playful biting it is biting with intent to hurt me. She is getting over a bladder infection...could this have something to do with it? I know that in the breed standard they are to show no agression.

Seems a bit funny that her favourite spot is behind the toilet ! I would try and make sure she is not allowed to 'hide ' behind the toilet. Where is her bed ? I is it in a nice quiet spot where she can get some peace as it sounds that she maybe wanting soemwhere to have a lie down without noise and disturbance, just like when we are poorly !

If she is getting over the infection is she not fully over it ? If so then she will be feeling off colour still. If she has had it for a while then perhaps she is struggling to get over it maybe? Perhaps another visit to the vets maybe in order just to give her another checkup to make sure the antibiotics are doing their job.

Lucy

Hi

Abby seems a little young to be moving into the seniority classification period She could either be off colour are affected by the antibiotics.

However you may have a dominant pup if so look at behaviour posting by Angela Hopper I have posted a series of do's and don'ts on there.

For your info the classification periods up to four months old are as follows:

Critical periods in your puppy’s psychological growth:

0 to 7 Weeks
Neonatal, Transition, Awareness, and Canine Socialisation. Puppy is with mother and littermates. During this period, puppy learns about social interaction, play, and inhibiting aggression from mother and littermates. Puppies must stay with their mother and littermates during this critical period. Puppies learn the most important lesson in their lives--they learn to accept discipline.

7 to 14 Weeks
Human Socialisation Period. The puppy now has the brain waves of an adult dog, but his attention span is short. This period is when the most rapid learning occurs. Learning at this age is permanent so this is a perfect time to start training. Also, this is the ideal time to introduce the puppy to things that will play an important part in his life. Introduce the puppy to different people, places, animals, and sounds in a positive, non-threatening way.
8 to 10 / 11 Weeks
Fear Imprint Period. Avoid frightening the puppy during this period. Any traumatic, frightening or painful experience will have a more lasting effect on the puppy than if it occurred at any other time in its life.

13 to 16 Weeks
Seniority Classification Period or The Age of Cutting. Puppy cuts teeth and apron strings! Puppy begins testing who is going to be pack leader. You must discourage any and all biting because such biting is a sign of dominance! It is important that you are a strong and consistent leader. Formal training must begin. Such training will help you establish your leadership.

4 to 8 Months
Play Instinct Period. Flight Instinct Period. Puppy may wander and ignore you. It is very important that you keep the puppy on a leash at this time! The way that you handle the puppy at this time determines if the puppy will come to you when called. At about 4-1/2 months, the puppy loses his milk teeth and gets his adult teeth. That's when puppy begins serious chewing! A dog's teeth don't set in his jaw until between 6 and 10 months. During this time, the puppy has a physical need to exercise his mouth by chewing.

regards

Doglistener

Hi guys,

I have been reading a few books on this and find that it is odd that everyone agrees that after 7 weeks stable and gentle training is required and should be started. Why is it that we insist on homing dogs at 8 weeks.

I know with my pups who are now 7 weeks that they are now looking for interaction far more and I take turns in one to ones, putting on grooming table for a gentle brush over, letting run around with the others. I would quite happily keep them for weeks but for their benefit It makes me wonder if they are better off to their new stable homes at 7 weeks.

Pam

Edited after check KC site.

The Kennel club does not say pups should not be homed until 8 weeks.

The only time this aplies is if the breeder needs to register with his local authority for a dog breeding License (This is the law under the breeding and sale of dogs (Welfare) Act), and these are breeders that breed five or more litters of pups a year, or are deemed commercial.

Breed clubs have codes of ethics, some of which cover homing age. Mine says not before 7 weeks, and knowing the mental and physical development of my breed 7 to 8 weeks seemns about right, and ties in with worming programs, tattooing etc for me.

Deleted as duplicate post

Hi Brainless,

I thought I read it somewhere that it was the KC code of ethics and the SKC code of ethic was for them to be 8 weeks I did look though and your right it doesn't say any age. I know I have read it somewhere recently but for the life of me I can't think where.

age wise for me this is fine I am in no hurry for them to go just that most books or training advice seems to point at nearer 7 weeks. Just wondered what people thoughts.

Pam

Hi Brainless,

I went and had a little nose at the sites :-) The WHWT club doesn't show the code of ethics on it's site but the English one does and it does say not before 8 weeks.

I guess from breed to breed it is different. I find in our breed they learn so quickly. I just want to make sure I am not keeping them too long and deprive them of needed one to one time as I planned to keep all but 2 till 10 weeks. Like you say I can get them microchipped or tattooed and vaccined in the extra time.

Pam

Whilst I accept that occasionally dogs may bite because they are in pain, my dog never bit me when she had a bladder infection, and I fancy this dog was snapping because it meant to, not because it was in pain as the dog repeated it again.
Dawn.

Hi Pamela

It is now believed that the best time to take on a puppy and human socilaise it is 7 weeks, you can now get the pups vaccinated and able to socialise at 10 weeks with a new vaccination.

The sooner you can socialise the better.

Regards

Doglistener

Hi Doglistener,

Thanks, that is what I thought as read a few books recently.

I will just have to make sure I do all I can to start with gentle training till they depart. Had them all out in the car tonight in their cage for a trip to the shops ( they stayed in the car of course).

BFN Pam

Hi Maria,

I think at around 10-12 weeks they hit the little sod stage, and the no has to be a loud NO.. I think they soon get the hint. most puppies in most breeds can be a little mouthy at such a young age it is gentle but firm training that generally lays the correct path. Don't worry too much. As lucy say the puppy may be looking for a little peace. Does it have a bed or crate?

Regards

Pamela