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missPenny · 12-20-2005, 01:17 PM

Penny will be 2 years old on 12/29. 75% of the time she is a sweetheart who lives to please mom and dad. 24% of the time she is a complete adolescent who refuses to do as told. 1% of the time, she is an agressive little butt.

These times usually occur when there is a toy or bone involved and she feels threatened. She will get so worked up that she will refuse to turn over the toy, and we have to take it from her. Note, we only do so after she displays the aggressive behavior - growling, snapping, etc. at the cat, another dog, us, etc. We want her to understand that this behavior is unacceptable. When she gets like this, I am afraid to take whatever it is away from her because I'm afraid she will bite me. She's never done more than snap at us, but you can tell she's p.o.'d.

My question is, how do we deal with her when she's showing aggression? What is the proper way to nip this in the butt? So far, we've been taking the toy or bone away, putting it up, and putting her in time out. It doesn't seem to be working, though.

In any other situation, usually a stern word and a tap on the nose is enough to curb any bad behavior. She's so set on pleasing us that this usually works, but not in this case.

Thoughts? Tips?

12-20-2005, 01:17 PM	#1
missPenny & Riley-bear, too! Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 1,259	Handling aggression Penny will be 2 years old on 12/29. 75% of the time she is a sweetheart who lives to please mom and dad. 24% of the time she is a complete adolescent who refuses to do as told. 1% of the time, she is an agressive little butt. These times usually occur when there is a toy or bone involved and she feels threatened. She will get so worked up that she will refuse to turn over the toy, and we have to take it from her. Note, we only do so after she displays the aggressive behavior - growling, snapping, etc. at the cat, another dog, us, etc. We want her to understand that this behavior is unacceptable. When she gets like this, I am afraid to take whatever it is away from her because I'm afraid she will bite me. She's never done more than snap at us, but you can tell she's p.o.'d. My question is, how do we deal with her when she's showing aggression? What is the proper way to nip this in the butt? So far, we've been taking the toy or bone away, putting it up, and putting her in time out. It doesn't seem to be working, though. In any other situation, usually a stern word and a tap on the nose is enough to curb any bad behavior. She's so set on pleasing us that this usually works, but not in this case. Thoughts? Tips? __________________ My goal in life is to be the kind of person my dogs think I am. Mommy to Penny and Riley.