agressive behavior in 6 wk puppy

:confused: We just got a blue heeler/sheltie mix puppy from a shelter. Abby is only 6 wks old. Took her to the vet as we found out that the shelter had a problem with kennel cough. It appears that the pup may have it and is on medicine and being isolated from the other animals. (maybe too late).

Today, I was playing with her and she started growling, which I realize puppies do. However, when I picked her up she started snarling and baring teeth. I told her no, then started petting her. She turned her head and tried to bite me. Is this normal behavior for a puppy. What can we do to nip this behavior in the bud? Not sure how to handle this.

She appears to be really smart. We are cage training her. Tried to get her to sit today for puppy chow food (treats) and she actually did it a couple of times w/out too many prompts.

She had just started to interact with our 2 yr lab when we had to isolate her. Our older dogs ignore her. And the cats avoid her.

She was so timid I felt she may have been younger than 6 wks. She weighs 2.1 lbs and the vet said she is about 6-7 wks old. Her coloring is blue heeler.

Any ideas on eliminating this behavior would be greatly appreciated. We took the lab to puppy training classes and have been trying some of those lessons on Abby. But this bearing of teeth was never a problem.

Thanks

WOW, that is a really young puppy!! I'm surprised they let it go so soon...Was the mother in the shelter also?
I have read that sometimes if the mother dogs are bred too early or too often, they tend to be aggressive towards the puppies, in effect teaching them this behavior is appropriate as they grow up. It happens often with puppy mill and pet store animals as they are often overbreed for a profit :(

It sound like your pup just needs a little more time to grow up and some good role models. I wouldn't even try training at this point but rather treat the pup age appropriately...and show it affection and love. Don't handle her too much, keep her in a comfy box, let her grow up a little bit more and still be a puppy before you attempt any serious training.
Also, you said she growled and bared her teeth when you handled her? Perhaps she is in pain...? I do not know if kennel cough causes pain but perhaps a fever? I know that when I don't feel well, I certainly don't want to be touched. But you said she was at the vet...hmmmm. I would just let her be a puppy for a few more weeks and try to show her love and affection at all times, no training, no reprimands...at least until she gets a little bit older.

Since you said you just got her, the problem may go away by itself after a little time in your household. In the mean time this is what I would don't give attention for bad behavior, if she growls or shows her teeth then say no and remove yourself. Walk away from her, turn away from her, if you are sitting on the floor near her then get up. Be sure it's swift, say no and you are gone. She will figure out that showing teeth and growling makes you go away and she won't want that and hopefully will stop.

Good luck.

6 weeks is definitely too early to be taken from the litter. You need to realize that in proper situations, the pups remain together idealy until they are 8 weeks. Some breeders let them leave at 7 weeks which in my opinion is because it gets to be too much work for them.

So much happens between the 6th and 8th week as far as learning pack socialization skills that can not be taught any where else. It is just such a critical time during puppy development. Unfortuantely, your pup missed out on it. Don't be too alarmed though because you have the ability to help the little sweetheart recover from what it missed with it's littermates.

Positive dog training in a nut shell is always reward wanted behavior and redirect or ignore unwanted behavior. In your situation the first thing to do is determine if the dog is in pain. Once your vet gives your pup a clean bill of health and the growling continues, then you need to start shaping a more desirable behavior.

Never use harsh or negative verbal commands. Simple No's without being mean will become valuable if you start off right. Exhuberant Yes's when you get the right behavior are music to a dogs ears and what they will try to achieve. The key is being consistent and diligent in your efforts to train the pup.

In other words... if the dog does what you want you have to let him know. Treats, praise, belly rubs and kisses! Unwanted behavior is a NO with no treats, praise, belly rubs or kisses. If the behavior persists, then the dog is put back in it's crate and ignored for a short time. Then you start again rewarding wanted behavior and redirecting or ignoring unwanted behavior.

Please keep in mind that another critical time in your puppies development is going to occur between 11 and 15 weeks. It is called the "fear" period. This is the age when most phobias are formed or excelerated in puppies. This is when noise phobias, seperation anxiety and other problems begin to take shape.

During this time, don't shelter your dog from noises but introduce them in a safe way to the dog. Reward the dogs willingness to successfully investigate different noises. Bang on pots, slam doors, make running the vacumn a game, play music louder than normal and in the great chance you get a thunder storm, ignore it by playing a favorite game with the pup. Never coddle your pup or sooth it when a storm comes or the pup will realize this is not normal and will be afraid. Basically, do whatever you need to do!

For seperation anxiety, don't leave the dog crated for unusually long hours. A pup needs someone to relieve him atleast every two hours. After a successful potty outside, then a period of play. It doesn't have to any longer than 10 or 15 minutes but you can't just let the pup out to potty and then put him back in the crate. How you handle this "fear" period is more critical now than worrying about the pup leaving the litter too soon. You are the pups world now and you need to provide a safe, loving and happy environment. Don't be discouraged. This pup is still new too the world and has every opportunity to be the greatest pup you've ever known! All it takes is LOVE and COMMITTMENT!

Once the pup has all shots, enroll in puppy kindergarten classes followed by POSITIVE obedience classes. I stress positive classes because any class that teaches negative reinforcements will be counter to the outcome you want with your pup. Steer clear if they want you to bring the dog to class on a choke collar instead of a flat buckle with lots of treats in your pocket.

Best of Luck to you and your new little sweetheart!