Aggressive Behaviour?

[Leonardosgirl]

Hello everyone,

I've been on this site reading through the messages for a while now and so far haven't had a problem pressing enough to need to post myself, until today...
I've had my seven month old blue-roan show, Flora, since she was eight weeks old and she's always had the sweetest, most tolerant temperament.  This has been important because I have three children, the youngest of whom is only twenty months old.  The last few days though, and today in particular, Flora has been behaving unusually.  The old play-biting, which had disappeared, seems to be back with a vengeance.  She's goes for my hands every time I try to stroke her and today she really hurt me, biting  me in quite a determined way.  Later on, she actually jumped up and nipped me on the leg to get my attention.  She's the first dog I've ever had (although my folks always had dogs) and I've worked really hard training her and spending loads of time socialising her and playing with her, so I'm hoping that there's another reason for her behaviour other than bad temper.  Could she be teething again, is she just stroppy because she's getting ready to come into season, or is this just normal puppy behaviour? Any help would be appreciated. 
Thanks in advance,
Jayne

[black taz]

She could be coming into season, about the right age, but if it is out of character i would be tempted by a visit to the vet, esp if she is biting when you go to touch her.

[Uli]

In Germany we call this age the 'spooky period' 

[Leonardosgirl]

Hi, thank you. 

Perhaps I am over-reacting and making it sound worse than it is, it wouldn't be the first time! Perhaps it would be more accurate to say she mouths rather than bites.  She doesn't growl and then go for me or anything as bad as that.  Like I said, it's like she's an eight week old pup again and thinks i'm one of her litter mates. 

Spooky?  Interesting phrase!

[Bluebell]

Could be coming into season, it could also be secondary teething - when the adult molars embed  all combined with the enthusiasm and exuberancen of an adolescent cocker
I would return to basics with her, just as you did when she was a little puppy - I am sure she will soon get the message

[Leonardosgirl]

Thanks,
I really appreciate that.  Feel a little reassured.  She seemed to know she'd hurt me actually, and looked rather sheepish.  Then again, hard to tell as she wears that expression a lot!!

[Bluebell]

Thanks,
I really appreciate that.  Feel a little reassured.  She seemed to know she'd hurt me actually, and looked rather sheepish.  Then again, hard to tell as she wears that expression a lot!!

Oh yes, they know just how to tug our heart strings with that practised sorrowful look !

[bobcat]

Hi she could just be testing you to be top dog. My girl is very keen on being the boss. Establish that you are the leader, calm assertive energy   as the dog wisperer says. Have you got Natinal geographic channel or look on his web page Cesar Milan

[Ebbysmum]

Hi she could just be testing you to be top dog. My girl is very keen on being the boss. Establish that you are the leader, calm assertive energy   as the dog wisperer says. Have you got Natinal geographic channel or look on his web page Cesar Milan

 Noooo

please don't follow Cesar Milan's advice. If you want to know why do a quick search on him in this forum. I'm sure she will grow out of it, again! Ours did, as mentioned probably secondary teething or coming into season/

[Uli]

Hi she could just be testing you to be top dog. My girl is very keen on being the boss. Establish that you are the leader, calm assertive energy   as the dog wisperer says. Have you got Natinal geographic channel or look on his web page Cesar Milan

This sounds like the old myth of dominance and pack-theory...

[Bluebell]

With apologies to Bobcat, I can only strongly echo the sentiments of Ebbysmum and Uli !
Your little girl is NOT trying to dominate you  she is just being a puppy 

[bobcat]

it is not a agressive meothod it is the behavior they use it is not cruel or agressive i am very much in favor of this and horse wisperer also whose methds i have  sucsesfully used.  She is young I would look at personal advice for her age my little bitch is increadly bossy
 

[Ninasmum]

It does sound like she is just going through another puppy phase that will hopefully pass over the next few weeks. 
As others have said it could be her second stage of teething that is causing the biting. 
If her behaviour escalates it would be an idea to get the vet to check her over. 

I would def. not recommend any of Cesar Milan's methods 

[Danni and Freya]

Would also like to echo the other posters concerns re: Cesar Millan. The guys an unqualified pretty face using completely discreditted and often cruel methods. Steer well clear

[tallulah0710]

it is not a agressive meothod it is the behavior they use it is not cruel or agressive i am very much in favor of this and horse wisperer also whose methds i have  sucsesfully used.  She is young I would look at personal advice for her age my little bitch is increadly bossy
 

I'm sorry but I do find his methods 'aggressive' stringing dogs up by their lead and collar until they are nearly passing out, putting shock collars on dogs, alpha rolling dogs, kicking dogs, jabbing dogs. Nah I'd rather not be top dog if that's how you get there!!

Puppy's do go through a second teething stage so it may be that's why she's biting or like others have said maybe she's becoming a grown up and about to have her season.