Worried he's going to be vicious

[Baileyboy78]

My puppy isn't even 13 weeks old yet but I'm worried about his behaviour already He has always been extremely greedy. He gobbles his food and would eat till he burst if I let him. I have a tiny Shih tzu and tonight she went near him when he was eating and he went to bite her, growling etc. I took him to puppy class on Saturday and he growled at the other dogs when they got too close to him. He has also growled at my 3 year old daughter although he was tired and she may have startled him. I'm just worried he's showing signs of being a vicious dog. Is his behaviour normal for such a young puppy?

[AlanT]

My dog is very vocal, growling noises are common. For example when I put a harness on.

He has a LOT of opinion and attitude. He is a 3 year old full male.

[MIN]

the previous owners of my staffie gave her back to the breeder at 12 weeks because she was vicious . She used to attack the old dears ankles. 14 years later that staffie does not have a vicious bone in her body ( or teeth now for that matter).
  Pups like children get temperamental when tired. they need their naps just the same as infants.
my Gemma is also a growler and air snapper at other dogs.

your pup is normal, she has yet to learn the boundaries. Your job is a bit harder because you have a pup who has to learn the rights and wrongs and you have a child to doesn't understand the "warning " signs when her new play friend wants to be left alone .

[bizzylizzy]

Hi, - I don't think he's showing signs of being vicious but it does sound as if he's possibly a bit stressed. He's still very small and I wonder if he's a bit overwhelmed still. Is he getting enough rest?They still need lots of sleep at that age and an opportunity to retreat. Perhaps it might help if you give him the opportunity to eat his meal alone, where he won't be disturbed, - (maybe it was a scrabble for food against his siblings in the litter and he's learned he has to eat agressively to get his share?). Sometimes the puppy classes can be a bit of a free for all, if he's showing signs of stress, make sure he has the opportunity to withdraw if he wants to, - sometimes when a lot of puppies are all tearing around having a seemingly wonderful time, and everyone's chatting  it isn't always obvious when one is being mobbed, sometimes the groups are simply too big.
His growling and snapping is the only way he knows to tell you "hey, I'm not happy about this", give him time and space to find his feet and gain confidence and I'm pretty sure he'll be fine!

[lescef]

Hi. All the spaniels we have had have always been greedy and would probably eat until they burst if we let them!
Some dogs are prone to guarding. My two would guard their food so are fed either end of the kitchen with their backs to one another.  As soon as they have finished the bowls are removed. They are allowed to eat in peace. It would be a bit like us being interrupted when we're eating!
The trainer at your puppy class should help you with the growling at other dogs.
Small children and dogs don't always mix well. Puppies need lots of sleep and calmness. Bramble growls at my grandson and I try to get him to understand that he can't run round and shout if Bramble is out of her crate.  It's all management of situations.

[elaine.e]

Breaking it down into the three different episodes, because they may be caused by different triggers.

1. Growling at your other dog when she comes near his food is actually normal behaviour, although not appreciated by us owners! His ancestors before domestication would have needed to guard resources in order to survive. Some dogs don't seem to retain that instinct while others have it quite strongly. If he was mine I'd make sure he and your other dog are fed separately, either in different rooms or with a babygate between them. My two are quite equable and don't interfere with each other's meals but I choose to feed one in the kitchen and one in the hall so they can relax while they eat. They still bolt it down, but that's normal too.

It could be that he's had to eat quickly and competitively with his litter mates. That sometimes happens when a litter is fed from one big bowl or bowls placed close together, especially with big litters. There will always be some quick eaters who push their slower siblings off their food. Perhaps he had to bolt his food and guard it from litter mates.

2. Growling at other puppies at puppy class. Talk to your trainer about this. My guess is that he's nervous and feeling overwhelmed at class at the moment. It's not unusual. Some puppies will just hide quietly, others will warn with a growl when another puppy comes near but that doesn't signify aggression. He's just warning them that he doesn't want them nearby. Hopefully your trainer will have a strategy to gradually increase your puppy's confidence without pushing him too hard and making him more fearful. If your trainer doesn't have a good plan please find a different trainer.

3. Growling at your 3 year old child. Puppies and small children aren't always a match made in heaven. Puppies are still learning to read human body language, which takes time, and small children can be unpredictable in their actions and vocalisations, which can be unnerving to a puppy. If your puppy was tired or was startled that would make him more likely to give a warning growl. He was actually showing restraint by growling and not going straight to nipping.

I know you can't expect your 3 year old to recognise a tired or overexcited puppy, or to always behave perfectly with him, so keeping them apart when not closely supervised and when either child or puppy is overexcited or tired is a good plan. When your puppy is tired or asleep please make sure he has the chance to sleep in peace, with no disturbance. He needs up to about 20 hours sleep a day and if he doesn't get that he'll be like a tired grumpy toddler.

I really don't think you have an aggressive puppy, just one that is finding life in his new home a bit daunting at the moment. If you can help him by managing interactions with your child and other dog, not overfacing him at training classes and teaching him how to be calm and get plenty of sleep you'll help him to become more confident and less likely to react to situations

[Mudmagnets]

Good advice all round,

I feed my three separately too, or Branston would help himself to all the bowls.

It's early days yet - give him a chance to settle in to his new environment.

Have you got a crate, putting one in a quiet spot so he can have some peace whilst asleep, or/and to feed him in may help. Perhaps you could make it clear to the little human that he does not disturb puppy whilst in his crate? giving everyone a break

[Patp]

Great advice and was also going to suggest a crate, but if you have room, more of a whelping pen size with a door, that you can cover half of it with blankets.  A great place for your puppy to wind down, eat and drink without any issues and a safe place for him to go should things become excitable, especially when visitors come.

It may also be fear aggression he is displaying rather than aggression.  There is alot going on in this little ones life at the moment.

Good luck!

[AlanT]

Whatever you do do not respond to aggression by shouting, chastisement  or similar.

Just ignore it. Being ignored is boring and leads to giving up.

Praise/reward good behaviour.

[Markr64]

Carefully read all that has been written here and I feel there is nothing to add, it will be hard work but at the end of it you will have a beautiful well balanced dog who will be a joy to have around you. You have to be firm but as Alan said not aggressive as this will just lead to more aggression.

[Baileyboy78]

Thank you everyone. You've been a great help in putting my mind at ease. I do think he's so greedy because of having been fed from one bowl with his siblings. His breeder only fed the pups twice a day from 6 weeks old. They were taken from their mum at 4 weeks old due to the mum falling through decking and badly injuring her leg which had to be amputated. I saw mum and she was a lovely natured dog.

My puppy has a crate which he has just started to go in by himself and sleep. He is a lovely dog usually and I think what worries me most is him being fearful/aggressive of other dogs. The puppies at training class were all on leads. There were only 6 puppies including mine and he just froze to the spot and growled when I tried to introduce him to one of them at a time. It was the first class and the other puppies were so much more sociable. I will have a chat to the trainer on Saturday about it.

Thanks again for all the great advice

[minimoo]

great advice from Elaine as always  not much to add except they don't call them cockerdiles for nothing but they honestly grow out of it and are the best dogs ever . I would say maybe ask another pup owner if he can have an off leash meet supervised by you both where they can interact

[Londongirl]

Sounds like your pup has had a bit of a rough start, bless him. If mum wasn't around to teach them manners early in, the litter may have been a bit unruly so he's been used to watching out for himself. The advice you've been given here is excellent and I'm sure your little man will be fine.

Are you feeding him on a proper puppy schedule now? He should still be on 3/4 meals a day.

[Ambler54]

Our vets held socialisation classes for young pups...Just three sessions ......Rosie spent the first two under our legs, horrified, so We kept going back .The vets sectioned off an area and We sat in there where Rosie could watch from behind a gate, then another calm pup was introduced into our safe area and eventually Rosie would mix.But She still prefers a one to one rather than a big group. She reacted by being submissive, your little one is just barking and growling.
We were also told from early on to make the pup wait, only for a few seconds, for their food. Ie put in a bowl, take to feed area and try to get pup to sit and wait, that way you are in charge of the feeding, not the dog. And to take toys etc away whilst playing to stop resource guarding. If pup lets you have it, lots of praise and give back, even give a treat.If pup becomes aggresive, walk away and stop playing.Not sure if that works as Rosie was never aggressive or that bothered about food. I go to a local Kennel club class and our trainer is a lovely lady, the dogs all adore Her, and She is very knowledgable , Rosie loves the classes, a bit disruptive as She gets so excited, but they have been very helpful for us as first time dog owners.I know some classes can be a bit rubbish so maybe ask around. And this site is fantastic.Good luck, Your baby sounds a character already.

[AlanT]

Try to find a steady older dog to go walking with.