Please give me some advice! I got an 8 week old pom pup a week ago and she has started to snap and growl at my kids and I. She does this when we try to pickher up when she is playing with a toy, sleeping or trying to take something out of her mouth that she shouldnt have. I have tried to sternly tell her no, "scruffing" her until her cying and attack mode is over butno luck! I dont wnat to get rid of her after only 1 week but this cannot go on especially since she is only 8 weeks- whats next? Please help me. I have a 3 year old golden who has never done this so I don't know what to do. thanks.
Sorry to read about your problems. 8 weeks is a good time to start with the very basics of obedience training. However, your training periods should be short or brief. I would think that you have brought the pup to a vet for a physical and have determined that there are no injuries? I would think that you and the family are not picking the pup up by it's front legs? I would think that you are picking the pup up from it's belly? You will need some to display dominance over the pup. You will need to lay the pup down, preferably on it's back and rub it's tummy. While rubbing tummy you are trying to calm the pup. Once pup is calm let your hand gently rub it's neck, jaw, face. You should attempt this 3 times a day at least. If Pup goes to bite and you can not stop it you can try to grab the mouth and hold it shut. Holding the mouth shut should be for a short time and repeated as necessary. As soon as the pup stops the biting action praise the pup. You must show the pup what you like and what is bad. I recommend that you and your family not flick your fingers in front of the pup's face as if to play. The pup will not understand and keep biting fingers. Give the pup plenty of toys. Try the gently tug of war play. When you and your family play with pup try to not have people growl at dog or make similar gutteral noise. Pup will micmic those same sounds. It is important that you be able to calm your pup and to place it laying down, you will need to eventually use your finger to inspect it's mouth. Why? Sore teeth can cause a dog to have a bad temper. Injuries can cause a dog to have a bad temper. Also remember, poms are different then goldens!
Thanks so much for the advice! I did have her checked by a vet and everything was good. Because she is so little I did lay down rules for picking her up but I did see my 12 year old picking her up under the arms and quickly put a stop to it. I hope that once she sees that we are good to her that she will settle down. I will definitely try the tactics you suggested and will call a trainer if she doesnt stop or gets worse. Do you think that I should try to get her out around more people to get her better socialized or let her be for a while with just us first to get her confortable. She even growls at me if I try to pick her up or take something away that she wants(usually a piece of poop-yuck!). I can't tell you guys how much I really appreciate all the help!!!
At 9 weeks housebreaking is also basic obedience training before taking the pup to class. Try to put pup on feeding schedule and after pup finishes eating (plus 5 mins), have pup go outside for poop. As you can guess, that would eliminate 2 problems. If you have to grab pups snout to stop biting do not make a people growl. Remember the grabbing of the snout is the correction. See, if you can after grabbing the snout pet the pup on top of the head. At 8-9 weeks, keep pup with family is what I suggest. Give the pup a chance to know her pack. Remember, you will have to correct the pup or dog one more time then the dog or pup is willing to misbehave. I hear poms are good protectors.
She was given to us for my 7 year old daughter. She has juvenle rhuematoid arthritis and the therapist said that maybe a small dog to hold and pet would help her with her finger joints as well as sitting in her lap would keep her hip joints warm and fluid. Thats why we need her to be sweet. We have waited almost a year to get her-we waited until my daughter was well enough- so she is going to be well loved. We just need her to be well behaved! Thanks for the info. I so appreciate being able to talk to kind people who are willing to help instead of tell me what a mistake I made and to get rid of her! Take care.
I remember a story told to me about a pom. The pom was very protective of my sister. When my sister was down for a nap the pom would not let anybody near my sister, not even my mother! So, you may have gotten your girl a protector. A pup, any pup likes to move around a lot, very playful things. The nice thing with the pom is that this size dog might be able to play with your girl on the bed. Where as a big dog well, small bed...you know...
Definitely! You should see my 86 lb golden get up there with her! Its quite a site. I called a trainer today. They wanted 550.00 for training for pup-yikes!!! They suggested I try some puppy classes first since I almost died when I heard the price. I'm sure that your sister loved her pom very much. They look so cute with their little noses and sweet eyes. Thanks so much for all of your help!
Going to puppy class? I recommend that your puppy be house broken before attending class. That is a standard requirement. I recommend that you have a flat collar and a 6 foot long leash as part of your standard equipment. Attending group classes might be more economically friendly due to being a group. Sometimes you can find classes at adult night schools but this is becoming rare. Stick with the obedience classes because in return you will receive the best companion.
