My westie puppy is 6 1/2 months old and over the past few weeks his baby teeth have been dropping out, which obviously is very uncomfortable for him. He seems very agitated at the moment and when someone (except me who feeds, grooms him etc) he goes for them. He keeps biting and is very protective if he has a toy near him in case someone takes it off him. He is fine with visitors that come to the house.

Do you think it's the stage he is at in his life?

Advice please!!!

Hi Laura ,i have a westie x Lhasa apso ,but she seems to be acting pretty much the same as your pup Lola is 10 months old and is very protective with me she can get a bit snappy when playing ,but as soon as she is scolded for nipping she stops ,i think it must be part of growing up ,she is a very territorial pup at home but a bit more unsure when out walking , like your pup though she is wonderful with visitors and other dogs ,i think often it is pecking order in the house ,and for them to get up it as far as they can !! i am sure you will get far more experienced help here than i have been able to offer ,so good luck i shall keep my eye open for your post Good luck Bye Sue & Lola xx

This transitional phase from puppy to adult is hard, just as being a teenager is hard for us humans :( Try an watch how the people he goes for are behaving from his point of view - are they approaching him holding eye contact, or to remove him from a resource he treasures? Is there any benefit for him to release it to them? Visitors often have an easier time because the dog doesn't know them, and don't know how they are going to react.

I'd suggest you try and get hold of a book by John Fisher called Think Dog, and/or pne by Peter Neville called Dog Behaviour Explained.

HTH