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yorkiegirl83 · 01-30-2007, 08:40 PM

I've had Lula for about two months. She is a lhasa apso/bichon frise mix that my fiancee purchased from a kennel for me for Christmas. I was surprised that he did that because we got our first two puppies.. one from a puppy mill and one from a BYB and he knew that the next dog we got, I wanted it to be from a reputable breeder OR rescue. Anyhow, regardless I thought it was sweet of him and love her of course -- but she seems to have some issues.

She gets along fabulously with our two other dogs but she DOES play extremely rough with them at times. She nips at me and my fiancee constantly. I know that teething and mouthing is to be expected but at times it can come as a full blown attack of teeth. With my other two puppies I would say "no" in a firm voice then roll them onto their back or touch them on the neck lightly but to divert their attention as I've seen on The Dog Whisperer. This has worked with them, but not with her. She'll get agitated with me when I do it.. bare her teeth, make growling noises, and attack our hands with her teeth.

I'm starting to get really upset because I've been working so hard with her. I'll try to distract her w/a series of sits, downs, and other tricks for treats, but if I pick her up when she doesn't want to.. or try to set limits for her.. she'll have that really aggressive behavior. I'm not sure if I should even consider rehoming her. I've never thought that that would be an option for me with ANY dog. I'm willing to put in the time, the training and the energy to helping her correct problems.. I'm just not sure if this aggression at such a young age is a bad sign of things to come. I have sisters and a brother.. 12 and under.. and they have been through training classes w/me and know how to handle small dogs.. how to be gentle and behave around them. But, my youngest sister who is 10 is deathly afraid of Lula because she attacks her the minute she walks in the door.

I've heard that lhasa's are head strong and dominant in some ways, but this seems crazy for such a young pup. Any suggestions? I'm feeling really down today about this...

01-30-2007, 08:40 PM	#1
yorkiegirl83 Love My Furbabies! Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: somewhere Posts: 4,427	New Puppy Blues and Questions I've had Lula for about two months. She is a lhasa apso/bichon frise mix that my fiancee purchased from a kennel for me for Christmas. I was surprised that he did that because we got our first two puppies.. one from a puppy mill and one from a BYB and he knew that the next dog we got, I wanted it to be from a reputable breeder OR rescue. Anyhow, regardless I thought it was sweet of him and love her of course -- but she seems to have some issues. She gets along fabulously with our two other dogs but she DOES play extremely rough with them at times. She nips at me and my fiancee constantly. I know that teething and mouthing is to be expected but at times it can come as a full blown attack of teeth. With my other two puppies I would say "no" in a firm voice then roll them onto their back or touch them on the neck lightly but to divert their attention as I've seen on The Dog Whisperer. This has worked with them, but not with her. She'll get agitated with me when I do it.. bare her teeth, make growling noises, and attack our hands with her teeth. I'm starting to get really upset because I've been working so hard with her. I'll try to distract her w/a series of sits, downs, and other tricks for treats, but if I pick her up when she doesn't want to.. or try to set limits for her.. she'll have that really aggressive behavior. I'm not sure if I should even consider rehoming her. I've never thought that that would be an option for me with ANY dog. I'm willing to put in the time, the training and the energy to helping her correct problems.. I'm just not sure if this aggression at such a young age is a bad sign of things to come. I have sisters and a brother.. 12 and under.. and they have been through training classes w/me and know how to handle small dogs.. how to be gentle and behave around them. But, my youngest sister who is 10 is deathly afraid of Lula because she attacks her the minute she walks in the door. I've heard that lhasa's are head strong and dominant in some ways, but this seems crazy for such a young pup. Any suggestions? I'm feeling really down today about this...