socilization problem?

[kelbel1]

Hi everyone! I've recently posted that my baby girl Trinity (9weeks now) is very aggressive. Im happy to report that she is doing much better with that now--at home that is! I am curious if maybe she is too young to start socializing with other dogs in my family. First we took her for a little playdate to her mommys house. Her mom Shauna and her brother Syrus were there,and she wouldn't leave them alone. They were doing everything they could to avoid her because she was so mean to them. So we went home. We thought it might be a fun idea to get trin and my brothers boxer baby Rex (6 mos.) together to play. Rex was really excited about the idea, and wanted to play with her. He was very gentle, but she was ferocious. It was scary. Growling, biting and attacking was what she did most of the time, but other times they would sniff and give each other kisses. It was weird. I kept thinking that maybe she was just scared of him because he is much bigger than her, so we packed up and went home. Could it also have been the fact that we were not at our own house and she felt intimidated? I know puppies need socialization starting at a young age. She loves car rides, and people and her sister Gracie (Shih Tzu) and her brother Rocco (cat) and even strange people, but not other dogs. Is she maybe too young? Anyway any advice would help. I appreciate it.

Trinity and Kelly:confused:

 

[kelbel1]

Okay, I posted before I read the other threads. There is some info already posted in the behavioral forum about out particular situation. That helps alot. We will definantly seek help from a professional, but there is still one question unanswered. Is it possible for her to be just too young to start socialization? How young is too young? I am hoping that she will calm down with more interaction, but I want to make sure that Im not pushing anything on her either. I just want her to grow up to be that sweet boxer that I've heard tale about! .

Thanks Again!!!

 

[Krikkit]

Puppies come with a licence to be totally obnoxious. Other dogs know this. The licence expires at around 3 to 4 months of age - then watch out Trinity

Other dogs are generally good judges of canine character - if they did not actually try to kill Trinity for being a prat then she is probably okay, just working her puppy freedom for all it is worth. It sound heartening that all they did was try to avoid her - perfectly normal really.

If she is feeling overwhelmed then she may react by fighting - dogs have a 'fight or flight' instinct and do one or the other. If she can not flee she may fight. Do not put her in situations that may cause either reaction.

To be honest, I think that 9 weeks is a little young to be marking out Trinity as aggressive. Take her to a good puppy pre-school so she can interact in a controlled situation. See if you can find a decent trainer with good, stable, puppy friendly older dogs she can interact with.

It would really be worth purchasing the book "After You Get Your Puppy" by Ian Dunbar - http://www.dogwise.com/ItemDetails.cfm?ID=DTB721

Here is also a good article on puppies:

Countdown to a Crackerjack Canine Companion
http://www.clickersolutions.com/articles/2001/deadlines.htm

If you feel, that at 9 weeks of age, she is truly aggressive, then go to a behaviourist ASAP. Make sure it is someone who knows what they are doing. If Trinity is truly aggressive at such a young age then some major decisions need to be made about her future. A behaviourist (working with a vet) can help you. It is highly unlikey that a seriously aggressive puppy can be made into a safe, dependable pet. This type of thing is very rare, thankfully.

 

[adobeboxers]

kelbel1-
when you say that you think trinity is agressive at 9 weeks, what do you mean? I too have a 9 week old puppy who is very stubborn/indepedent/dominant/agressive?? I have been told that it is too early to call him aggressive or maybe even dominant but I was wondering what you see and maybe it is similar to what I see?

This is just an example...when titus gets playing he will, for example, get ahold of my arm/shirt, bite, shake his head, growl and sometimes bite hard. He doesn't listen to no or ouch...when I get him to let go he just launches himself at my face or starts barking. If I stand up to ignore him he goes after my pants (tearing a few). I have to shut him in another room or get on the couch to get him to calm down.

What are you seeing?

 

[kelbel1]

It is about the same thing, but to other dogs mainly, and she has calmed down alot on the homefront. I don't know what to call it besides "aggressive" because that is what it seems like. She doesn't want to play-it's like she is in attack mode. It is actually scary. But I am happy to report that we started puppy pre-school lastnight and I am so excited. The trainer is 99% positive that we can teach her to settle down. Not that I doubted it, but her actions are very scary. She was "aggressive"to us at first, but within the last few weeks she has gotten used to playing with us, my 6 yr. old daughter, Gracie and Rocco. Playdates with other dogs are scary though. I definantly think puppy preschool and obedience classes are the way to go though, no matter how rotten or sweet our babies can be!! Thanks KRIKIT.