please help with my puppy!

[jfig06]

I have a 4 month old weimaraner/terrier puppy and he's driving me crazy! One minute he's perfectly fine, calm, a good puppy, the next minute he's jumping on my lap growling and barking at me. His tail is wagging but he's baring his teeth. Then, he gives up, walks away, and gnaws on his toys. We walk him at least 2 hours a day (sometimes about an hour and a half) and he's not normally locked up. What do I do? It really does scare me when he snaps at me like that, and I try to keep the whole calm assertive attitude, but when he catches me off guard by barking, well, it scares me. Please help!

[Dorothy39]

humm, This sounds like a problem for The Dog Whisperer.

His behavior has somehow been learned. Dogs are pack animals and recognize an Alpha of their pack. :confused:

Somehow, unintentionally, something is occuring , or, a memory is being triggered from an earlier experience. Your puppy might be reacting out of boredom, fear or, willfully demanding your attention. :confused:

I have no answer, sorry. :(

[jfig06]

lol how do i contact this dog whisperer? i've read "cesar's way" but it's not helping!

[Dorothy39]

Hello. I am here with my mother in law... Dorthy39.... I just got a chihuahua... I could not figure out what she was doing>... she would be fine one second then whine like she was dying the next... I think a lot of it is she wants to either go outside or mainly wants attention... Trust me this works ... from my knowledge she is the newcomer and is trying to fit in... she feels she should be the center of attention... I am not saying that you don't give her enough attention. but When I got my chihuahua i thought i gave her the world. I was wrong... She is basically a new born.. now, I don't have children but after my chihuahua I am not sure If I can handle all that crying and waking me up...but after I realized all she wanted was to cuddle once in a while or just sit on my lap really she was fine and by the way, I definantly want children. you will be okay really, and you will realize you are the WHISPERER, just wait and watch you will find out. ;)

[Dorothy39]

Okay,

Caesar Millan is the person I was talking about.The Dog Whisperer.

I sure do wish I were more qualified to answer this question. :(

This is really Dorothy39 typing now. :D

My gut feeling is that your puppy might, I said MIGHT, be rehearsing an earlier experience, whereas, when he/she :confused: preforms a remembered reward , a walk ? a game? search yourself here. See what I mean, maybe this little pup is just responding to an earlier experience , whereas, he becomes bored with an activity, and needs stimulation, & you are the source of his release.

Get what I'm driving at?


I wish I could help you with this problem , keep me posted, let me know what you think , ok?

[shihtzulover850]

i was confused for a second as to who was typing what! lol I think she is right about the dog whisperer. There are lots of other people here who can answer your question though.

[conans_in_heaven]

When she does that take control, let her know your the boss! Heres what you can do. (My vet told me this when my dog snaped at my other dog) ;) Ok push her so she is laying on her side. Then put your hand on her neck holding it down. (Not to tight..but firmly. This will not choke her.) Hold her neck down untill she stops. While doing this, tell her "Bad girl! I'm the boss!". In a nice firm voice. When she calms down tell her "Good Girl!", and Release her neck! Good luck! ;) It stopped my dog, and i hope it does the same for you! ;)

[BOBS DAD]

You definitely should not let your puppy continue with that behavior, but it is going to be hard for you. Hard... because basically, you have admitted that it "scares" you. This is too bad, because your puppy can sense your fear. YES... he sure can, and it only reinforces his behavior because realizes he is boss!!!

It is the Terrier bully in him that is driving this behavior. I agree with the pinning him down and holding him by the neck (juggler if you were another dog). Holding him like this until he submits is like telling him, "I could kill you if I wanted". When he submits and lies still he is saying, "OK... I get it, you are the top dog".

Try not to be afraid. Say things like, "NO", "NO" and snatch him up, pinning him down or holding his mouth closed with both hands. If he continues, put him in his crate or pen him off to himself. Keep reinforcing your dominance.

Good luck!!!

[binka_nugget]

It may be because of dominance issues.. or maybe it's just being a bratty puppy. Either way, NILIF should be used. NILIF (nothing in life is free) will allow the puppy to realize that everything good comes from the alpha.. you. All meals, all tummy rubs, all pats on the head, all treats, etc have to be earned (sit, down, etc).

On top of NILIF, let the puppy know that it is not an acceptable behavior. A quick, firm "No!" and placing the puppy back on the floor should solve the problem.

If the puppy continues to climb back on your lap and bark/growl at you, put it in it's crate, another room, anywhere that'll seperate the puppy from its "pack".

Good luck! :)

[Dorothy39]

Wow, I really enjoyed reading the responses about this Terrier Pup. All of you offered great advice. I tend to agree with the firm "no" when the puppy snaps, holding the dog firmly and addressing the issue as "the Alpha "

You guys are absolutley right!!!!!! :D