Hello all.
I have been fostering a puppy since 4 weeks of age, since he had to be bottle fed and all of that. We are fostering him, because his mother had a bad temper and tried to kill her puppies. She and her pups were dropped off at the local humane society and our vet asked us if we'd want to foster a puppy. I woke up with him every night, every 3-4 hours and bottle feed him.
Then of course we switched to his dry food, mixed in with his formula, put into a blender. Then we gradually switched him over to all dry food.
Now, he's Mr. Independent, exploring everything and not wanting any human assistance. Lately, his new thing is showing teeth, growling really loudly and BITING if you do something he does not like. Last night, I took away a piece of rawhide that was too small for him, so he wouldn't choke. At first he guarded the rawhide, then I told him to drop it, a term I use for all of my dogs, when I want what they've got. It works for the others, of course not the puppy yet. He wouldn't drop it, then I told him that that was NO in a very firm voice. That seemed to only anger him more. Instead of biting at my hands and wrists now, he bit my chest and put a hole in my shirt and made me bleed. I then told him that was no and put him in his crate.
This morning, he was on my bed and started to bite on my leg, I told him that was no, so he started growling at me when I removed him from my leg. He then bit me on my hand, drawing blood. He wouldn't stop growling, showing teeth and biting. This time I tried giving him a toy, which worked. But if I try to take the toy/rawhide away, all hell breaks loose.
I don't think the problem is that he doesn't have enough toys. He's got plenty, well over 40. He also has 4 other dogs to play with.
(I forgot to write it, but we decided to keep him. The day came when we had to give him back and we just couldn't do it. Also, he will be 8 weeks this Saturday.)
I don't know if this is a problem that will go away overtime or does he need thorough teaching? This could dangerous, later, when he becomes an adult and pulls this attitude on the Alpha dog here.
Also, just some random information... when we put him in his crate, he's got toys, rawhides, food and water, as well as fresh blankets and a "potty place." He's doing well with his potty training, as we take him outside everytime he wakes up. We have toys that make noises, rather than squeek, such as a squirrel making squirrel noises. He absolutely HATES these and will growl at them and attack them. I don't know if that will be a problem, turning into something bigger, later in life.
Anyway, I'll stop writing now. I'll thank everyone ahead of time for your responses.
Attached is a picture of him. He's my cute little boy.
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