Help needed with stroppy puppy!

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Mad Chick
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Help needed with stroppy puppy!

Post by Mad Chick »

Eddie is coming along brilliantly and is such a friendly and happy little chap...

until someone walks past our house and he turns into a growling and barking devil dog }hairout{

If we meet a stranger (with or without a dog) while we are out Eddie is a perfect gentleman, he will wag his tail and happily greet new people and dogs - the same if someone new comes into our house, no sign of aggression at all.

But if we're indoors and anyone walks past our house (although we're in a quiet cul de sac there is a public footpath through to the woods so there's a lot of pedestrians and dog walkers going past), he growls and barks. In some ways I can see this would have its advantages and we'd always know if someone was outside but he's even growling at our neighbours when they're on their own drives! I got out of my car last night and was carrying Eddie when a man and his huge dog walked past - Eddie was barking and growling like a mad thing and it must have sounded so aggressive.

I really don't want Eddie to be thought of as a nasty little yappy dog.

What should I do? )hlp>
Lucy x


Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut - Ernest Hemingway
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wendy
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Re: Help needed with stroppy puppy!

Post by wendy »

Can he see out of the window to see people walking past ?
If so remove what he can climb on or don't allow him up there. Prevention is easier than cure.

You may have answered yourself here.

"If we meet a stranger (with or without a dog) while we are out Eddie is a perfect gentleman, he will wag his tail and happily greet new people and dogs - the same if someone new comes into our house, no sign of aggression at all."

" I got out of my car last night and was carrying Eddie when a man and his huge dog walked past - Eddie was barking and growling like a mad thing and it must have sounded so aggressive."

Carrying him may make him feel invincible, or even a little worried as he cannot get away. Stop carrying him.
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Mad Chick
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Re: Help needed with stroppy puppy!

Post by Mad Chick »

Thanks Wendy.

I do tend to carry him between car and house, not sure why... I will knock that habit on the head )t'

When indoors, he doesn't get up on the sofa by the window as that is where the cat sleeps and he's scared of the cat. He just has to hear someone outside to set him off.
Lucy x


Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut - Ernest Hemingway
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wendy
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Re: Help needed with stroppy puppy!

Post by wendy »

Tell him to be quiet, after a couple of barks. He is allowed to bark, that's what dogs do. but they must learn when it is enough. Then give him something to do, ie go get your toy etc.
Have you started your puppy classes ?. They may be able to help you better with him in front of them
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If you can't be a good example........
you will just have to be a horrible warning
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Meanqueen
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Re: Help needed with stroppy puppy!

Post by Meanqueen »

Hello. I don't think a puppy knows the meaning of the word stroppy, he is doing what he thinks is normal. Does he need more socialising? I see a small dog while out walking with my old boy, this one goes absolutely ballistic so we know we need to keep a distance. Just lately the snappy dog has calmed down a bit, and after a few introductions we can now come together and sniff noses, the dogs not me, ha ha. Getting to this stage has taken almost a year, the owners have persevered with it and take him out every day, looks like they are making some progress. Good luck with Eddie.
Ilona
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