Thursday, March 11, 2010

Aggressive Behavior or Puppy Play?

We have a 4 month old male golden retriever puppy that we love to death, even though we quickly learned that having a puppy requires a LOT of patience. He just finished up his last round of vaccinations, and we know it's important to socialize him with other dogs, so we invited a friend with a 3 year old Corgi mix over to play. Our dog started sniffing her and nipping at her right away, which we both felt was just typical puppy play. She would correct him with a hard nip to the ear when she had had enough of his nipping - he yelped both of the times she did it - and after it happened to him a few times, he started showing more teeth and nipping/biting near her face and eyes. Is he just being a typical puppy trying to be the alpha with a smaller dog, or is he being overly aggressive and should we get involved? He did have some problems with nipping at us when we first got him, but we worked with him to overcome that and now he mouths or chews gently on us 99.99% of the time.

Aggressive Behavior or Puppy Play?
Use the Cesar Milan method to socialize them, so that YOU end up the pack leader, not one of them.
Reply:It sounds like you have established your rank to be above his and that is a great start! Puppy classes are so beneficial to socializing your puppy. Sign up for one soon, the trainer will be able to help you to correct this behavior. Since there will be lots of puppies there, he will be corrected each and every time he displays this behavior and will quickly learn to socialize with other dogs. Golden retrievers are easy to train and are quick learners. Good luck and enjoy your puppy!
Reply:I dont think you have anything to worry about, puppy can play rough sometimes, and your friends dog might not have been as playful as your pup wanted. there a lot like kids, if they dont get the attention theywant they get fussy, he'll grow out of it. and at four months this is the best time to start training him and get his attention where it should be, on toys and chewies and not people. his mind right now is a magnet for learning! good luck!!
Reply:It depends on how the other dog reacts. If your puppy starts growling or snarling that's defintly not puppy play but little nips are ok. He is just trying to place authority, he will soon learn his place w/ the corgi if you keep arranging play dates.
Reply:I would say it is puppy play. Just like a child when scolded they will test their boundaries. I do not think he was being aggressive at all. I agree with the other person try to keep the puppy play dates. It a great way to socialize him. if he was being aggressive he would have actually tried to bring the Corgi down. Don't worry you will learn the difference in his behavior as he gets older. Golden's don't have to much meanness in them.



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