At the moment i am in turmoil :-( i have waited along time for my Vizsla, anyhow since 8 weeks old he has displayed aggressive behaviour to other dogs and people.
I didn't think pups this young could be aggressive? but he is.
He has snapped at three puppies at a puppy class and meant it. the trainer went to pick him up and he bit her, growling and very agitated,  :-( like throwing a paddy and lashing out..., i stayed behind afterwards to talk about his behaviour :-(, and the trainer said he was very confident and this behaviour needed to be nipped in the bud. he has tried to snap at me too a couple of times last week, and my husband yesterday walked past him when he was playing with his toy, and he growled.

Then today we went to my friends she has a Jack Russel and a collie cross, they are use to dogs staying with them. and my pup snapped at him several times, and wasn't much better with the older collie :-( the jack Russel is a 8 month entire male, and has a very stable temperament, who I've known since a young puppy, and gets on with all dogs.
My pups body language is very sure of himself, and sounds silly but doesn't act like a typical pup, if that makes any sense.
I am in the process of contacting the breeder, but feel deflated i have not treated him harsh, but have been firm but fair, with lots of praise and rewards.
I am not sure what all this means, but i am at a loss to what to do?

He is ok with my two, they are quite submissive dogs anyway, though he has growled at them both, though my male has told him off a couple of times, he doesn't seemed that bothered and will keep pushing if allowed. My girl will drop toys for him.
I never seen this before, i almost feel silly writing this, as he is a 9 week old puppy.

Any advice
Thanks

Oh dear, he's a bossy little man isn't he? Try not to worry, being a bossy pup does not mean he will be a bossy adult. :-) Some pups in a litter are complete devils and act quite aggressive in their play, usually the more dominant bitches, but the other littermates generally give them what for or learn to submit. Sometimes if there is not a lot of human interaction in a litter the pups can come out more aggressive, or more in a natural state, our socialisation as breeders generally helps to play down the inner fighting, they learn that they can't act that way with humans.

However, you sound to have a pup which is very much acting instinctively, you need to step in a little when he is going at it hammer and tongs, your other dogs will correct him as he gets older, they will allow him at present to get away with murder, he is only 9 weeks, so no heavy stuff with him, he needs to trust you, the word No! needs implementing immediately and when he does not comply he goes in time outs and you walk away and ignore him, so get going with the time outs quickly to put across to him that his behaviour is unacceptable but only when he is becoming overly rough, general puppy play does not hurt other dogs, only us, so allow some play,  until you feel it excessive.

Much more one to one, start with treats and little training already sit commands etc, nice easy stuff and call him to follow you around and play with him, the more you play tug, fetch etc the more he is distracted from turning into a tazmanian devil, and the more you can implement OW! and slowly teach him not to be so rough.

He will outgrow this stage, as long as you take over as the boss here, but don't be tempted as some may try to encourage with a bossy pup to become an aggressive influence to put him in his place, calm stern voice, praise and reward will work much better with plenty of time outs, he'll soon learn his place, just as you have with your other dogs it will work just the same. :-)

Just to add to Carringtons reply you can use baby gates very effectively to separate your older dogs so they can have some time off.  Our older dog was very tolerant of our wirehaired vizsla puppy but I felt that he should be allowed to snooze sometimes without fear of being pounced on, sat on, or chewed.  I preferred to use gates rather than doors as it meant I could still keep an eye on both.  The separation meant that I could do some 1:1 training with the puppy without fear of distraction or give him a chew toy without the worry of him taunting my older dog with it!!  The pup soon learnt that if he was too rough the object of his fun left the room...

They do grumble a bit in the early days whilst they learn the boundaries and to register a protest at your unfair rules  "So tell me again why I can't sleep on your sofa?".  The trick I found was to never confront - if he was where he wasn't supposed to be it's because I wasn't watching - easier to make interesting noises elsewhere to get him off and correct him each time he was about to creep on the furniture.  Our growling phase lasted only a few weeks - we reckoned he was a 3 times dog - once; to find out what the rule was, twice; to see if we really meant it, thrice; to see if we've forgotten our own rule!!

I'm sure your breeder will help but sleep deprivation with young puppies can always make things seem worse than they are.  If you follow Carringtons advice and you and your OH are 100% consistent then this will pass.  In the meantime if he is only 9 weeks old it's quite a big deal to visit someone elses house when he hasn't been with you too long - he may just have been feeling a bit outfaced.  Same with puppy class perhaps?

Thank you both for your advice, yes i do give one to one training, they all have there own space..... he is very bright which i know Vizslas are, and has learnt Sit, leave it, down, etc and seems to pick these things up very quickly :-)
We are very lucky at the mo as after the second night he hasn't messed in his crate, and doesn't cry when left :-)

Ok take note about visits being too much for him, only went on what the trainer said, as him being very full of him self, which he very much is, we thought it would be a good thing.

We are 100% percent committed, and have started as we mean to go on, not aloud upstairs, sofas, walking away when demanding attention etc etc......
Will see how we get on.
Thank you for advice all taken on board :-)

Hi Dexter,

It's unwise to label a pup at such an early age but it could be that your little lad is simply cut out to be more a leader than a follower and, if this is the case, and that is a big if, then consistent and clear boundaries without being confrontational, is the way to go.

Everyone else here has given excellent advice and it is more than likely that this is just an early puppy phase that will pass. However, in the unlikely event that he does turn out to be a real tough guy, then don't be tempted to really put him in his place by physical means. I flag that because your puppy trainer has commented on him being "full of himself" and I would hate you to be given bad advice
in terms of correction. Keep everything upbeat, be confident and clear with him and yes, use timeouts/ignoring. It sounds like he is quick and clever and so you are going to have to be thinking ahead. As much as possible instill him with the idea that doing things your way rewards him. Do lots of short play sessions but don't let him get overexcited and always make sure you are in control of the games. I would also urge you to get him used to being handled as in inspected. Do it gently and make it enjoyable but gradually get him used to ears, teeth, eyes, paws and tail/testicles being handled. I only say this because if he is more dominant material, it's good to get him to accept and enjoy handling  on your terms early.

Have spoke to the breeder, and was told to be more dominant like ceasar milan!! i feel very let down by the back up and basically been told it's my fault, but hey ho :-( i thought we got on well.

> Have spoke to the breeder, and was told to be more dominant like ceasar milan!! i feel very let down by the back up and basically been told it's my fault,

Oh dear that's unfortunate and of course it's not your fault.  Chin up babe :)

You'll just have to outwit your little toad and anticipate his moments!  If he ever growls again whilst in possession of a toy I'd take it away, by stealth or by swap obviously. My pup had toys that used to completely over excite him so these had to go back in the box for another day!  I'd also limit his time with his toys or he'd get a bit obsessive about them - like the kids with computer games, all wide eyed and staring!!  I found that if I got his box of toys off the shelf he'd go for a look and I could squirrel the 'hyper toy' away.  Opening the dishwasher was also a great distraction to allow toy kidnapping...

Clever little beasties tho aren't they?!! :)

Oh my goodness, and you've only had the pup for a week!

We'll guide you through if that is all she can offer. :-)

Hayley I've just noticed you are in Somerset too.  I can highly recommend a training class nr Weston Super Mare if that's any good to you.  Sarah is an APD trainer and vet nurse with a very gentle approach.  She does a wide range of classes from Puppy Foundation through to Gold Good Citizens.  She also runs socialisation classes with well trained adult dogs who can help teach young dogs how to interract.  I can't see any circumstances in which she would try to pick a puppy up during class so you may find her style will suit your young man.  My chap looooves her!

I can post it on here or you can PM me if you prefer :)

>He is ok with my two, they are quite submissive dogs anyway, though he has growled at them both, though my >male has told him off a couple of times, he doesn't seemed that bothered and will keep pushing if allowed. My girl >will drop toys for him.

Nine week old pups will growl in play :-) and can sound quite aggressive while playing with other dogs.  This DOES NOT mean he is going to grow up to be aggressive ;) ;)  

He does sound very confident, but remember this is a 9 week old puppy, don't try to come down on him hard he really doesn't need it ;)  Time-outs are great for over excited or tired pups who are getting really bitey and OTT ;)  - and he will do because he's just a baby and doesn't know when to stop ;)

It sounds as if you have lost some confidence, don't worry the people on here will help you get it back ;)

Thank you all soooo much for your really helpful advice, your right i have lost some confidence :-(.

I just want to get it right, everything that you  have all said is all right, i am not into dominating dogs, haven't done it to my two so won't do it to our new boy, time outs are the way to go and a firm NO  :-)

I am a bit annoyed with breeders comments, but a lost cause there now i think :-( i'm still learning!!

Thanks for your support
Hayley

Hi dogs a babe, will pm regarding classes.

Thank you :-)

It may help at this stage if you have some kind of routine for your pup.

At this age I used to get up, toilet pup, play with pup for half an hour or so, toilet pup, play some more/training time 15 mins or so, feed pup, toilet again then quiet time or sleep until lunch time when the routine starts again :-) 

As pup got older play time would get longer and sleep time a little less ;) (play time included the other dogs, sleep time did not ;) )

With a routine you can see when pup is getting tired and avoid those times when the bitey monster comes out ;)

On days when pup went to training class, I'd make sure pup had some sleep time before going and keep some food back for training treats ;)

At this age 'swapping' for a toy or prized possession teaches the pup that giving something up leads to something nice ;)

Dexter completely agree with Dill about the routine. You need lots of controlled play to build a bond and thus his trust ad respect. Just always have in the back of your mind the message you give him in any game. Ensure he gives you toys back one way or another (use a swap or distraction, not duress or confrontation). Also start thinking about his bite inhibition. Any nippy stuff and the game stops immediately and you turn away. As you know, all puppies nip and play bite but you should work on this right away.

I also wanted to ask what you are feeding him on? It's just worth checking if this could be influencing his behaviour at all?

I think the advice to behave like Caesar Milan is appalling. Exactly which bits one might ask? It's not even that I don't agree with many of Milan's methods, it's just such vague advice. Totally unhelpful and not what one would expect from a decent breeder.

Have you read a book called the "Perfect Puppy" by Gwen Bailey? It might be worth a quick read.

See how you get on for the next few days. Above all you must stay calm and unphased and in control in your pups eyes. I think Dogs a Babe's offer of the training class is really good and that should give you some more support.

Remember we get the tough guys on board by outwitting them, showing our mental superiority; not by physical domination.

Good luck and look forward to hearing how you get on.

> Remember we get the tough guys on board by outwitting them, showing our mental superiority; not by physical domination.
>

Couldn't agree more :)

IMO if you are rough with a dog, the dog learns to be rough with you. Pups need to test out thier world and find out what the rules are, if they are handled roughly/bullied/alpha rolled, they soon learn that they need to behave this way too. Calm, patient consistency with 'time out's' to allow pup to calm down/show it that certain behvaiour results in segregation, along with reward based training is definately the right way to go :)
My pup was a complete biting machine, he would growl in play with my other dog like he wanted to kill him, I thought he would never learn when 'enough is enough',  but he did :)

Just realised no-one had posted the link for THE BITE STOPS HERE so.....
here it is :-)

http://www.jersey.net/~mountaindog/berner1/bitestop.htm

Dunbar really knows what he's talking about and this article has helped no-end of people to teach their pups not to bite and to be safe around people and children in a very gentle and kind way :-D   Can't praise him highly enough ;)

> I also wanted to ask what you are feeding him on? 

We are feeding him pro plan Athletic puppy, what the breeder gave us, he seems to be doing well on it? Will definitely purchase book, thanks.

We have started a proper routine today, so we will see how we get on :-). He did have a hissy fit this morning, when i stop played. but kept calm and just removed him on a time out :-) but other than that, not doing too bad.

I have had a e-mail from breeder this morning, on where I'm going wrong, which i am choosing to ignore :-)

Thanks Dill, great article :-)
Hayley

Dexter,

Just as a matter of interest, broadly, what does the breeder advise?

Diet can have a huge impact on behaviour. I would advise talking to some other breeders in your breed just to see what they feed their pups on. Purina is not a brand I would personally go for but I am not familiar with this product and would hesitate to comment. Others on the forum may know about it. Some ingredients can make a pup very fizzy and hyper. Rather like human toddlers, one pup's meat can be another's poison.

However, from the little you say, it sounds like the breeder views your pup's behaviour as rather typical for his line? So diet may be a red herring.

I feel much more confident, have been implementing your advice. and we are getting into routine, which seems to be helping. I'm calling the shots and channeling his busy brain into more rewarding things :-).

Will update how he gets on :-)

Hi dexter,

Now its the New Year just wonderd how you and the young man were getting on?

> However, you sound to have a pup which is very much acting instinctively

I agree with this :-), he did seem to be acting like this.

Hi was going to post a update On our little man :-), Well he is much better, no more a growly ratty pup :-), we upped our input, and set a routine and boundaries and seems to be doing very well,  he is a very confident boy :-) so will have to keep on top of it, but he is just a normal bouncy into everything pup.
He did growl at my husband a couple of weeks ago when he walked past him eating, so now my hubby is much more involved in meal times etc.... and this seem to have worked well, and not a mumble since.

He has been mixing well with other dogs of shapes and sizes, kiddies, sights and sounds etc .....so really pleased so far, and we are enjoying him before the "kevin" stage lol :-).

Thank you all of you for giving me some great advice, and giving me a kick up the backside :-) i appear to had my lost way for a second and panicked, thanks :-)
Off to ringcraft very soon, will let you know how he gets on :-)

Wow, it sounds like you have done really well with him :)

dexter,

Good news. So pleased things seem to be working out.

The bright, sparky pups that seem to have more drive can be more of a handful, rather like the bright naughty kid in class that pushes teacher to the limit. The good news is that provided you put in the extra work consistently and calmly this type of dog can often make the most rewarding pet. But he will push you all the way and please do be prepared for that.

As well as ringcraft I would keep on with an obedience class and aim to get all the good citizens awards under your belt. Just make sure that your obedience person is experienced, well qualified and one whose advice you feel confident about. One way to help the pup along is to use his natural intelligence and channel it, getting him to work well for you will help earn and maintain his respect for you and keep him on side.

It is too early to say if your pup falls in this category but Dr Peter Neville, amongst others, makes the point that dogs cut out to be leaders will always require more work and a different approach to the average pack member.

>> As well as ringcraft I would keep on with an obedience class and aim to get all the good citizens awards under your belt

We are doing these too :-)
Will bear all this in mind, i do think this pup will keep me on my toes that's for sure, will let you know how we are getting on.

Thanks
Hayley