ashan Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 My 5 month old puppy started puppy preschool 2 weeks ago. For the first week he was fine (although ran away from other puppies) but this week he started snarling at them when they came over. He would not leave my side either. I am worried as they are much younger and smaller than him. I dont know whether to pull him out or leave him in. Any advice would be great. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmolo Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 What did the instructor say? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peibe Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 Your puppy is fearful of other pups, he is also in a fear period of his life What breed is he? How long have you had him? Does he play with other dogs? I would be talking to a Dog Behaviourist about his snarling, by taking him to puppy preschool when he is so fearful could make him worse and dog aggressive Where about are you situated? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashan Posted July 5, 2007 Author Share Posted July 5, 2007 The instructor said he was just protecting me and my son and because he wouldn't move from our side she said she would take him next week and keep him on a leash. He is a border collie x kelpie. We have only had him 4 weeks and got him from powerlegs and rozzie on here. He is a great little dog at home. There are some tiny pups there though and that is what is causing the concern. Dont want him to go them Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashan Posted July 5, 2007 Author Share Posted July 5, 2007 Sorry forgot this question. Where are you ?? I am in Bathurst NSW Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peibe Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 He is very scared and you do not want him to become too fearful of other dogs. If he was my dog I would not be taking my son if possible, give him less to protect if that is what he is doing Was the instructor a behaviourist or a Vet Nurse running a puppy preschool in the Vet Surgery? Anyone in Bathurst know a good behaviourist? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashan Posted July 5, 2007 Author Share Posted July 5, 2007 It was a vet nurse in a surgery as I didn't know where else to take him. Haven't had a dog for 10 years Anyone in Bathurst know a good behaviourist? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peibe Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 I have found Vet Nurses running Puppy Preschools to be a problem, they mean well but do not have the experience to cope with any problems and what she suggested to me about taking him with her will only make the problem worse not better. I took one of mine to a puppy preschool like yours, it was only when I looked into it further for my next dog I realised that not all Vet Nurses have any real training in dog behaviour just experience from working at the vets For most puppies where you are taking your boy is OK, but I think he needs extra help that only someone with Dog Training can provide Do you have a Dog-Tech out your way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paganman Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 From what Ive read and learned on this forum and thats a hell of a lot, dogs dont protect people unless they are trained to do so, in other words protection trained. When a dog behaves like this it is actually protecting itself. Also most of the experts on this forum advise that you dont take pups to schools run by vet nurses cause vet nurses are nurses and usually know next to nothing about dog behaviour, a lot of puppy schools are set up by vets to make extra money and theyre run by vet nurses cause they wont pay the money for a dog behavorist or trainer. Seeing as your dog is a rescue maybe it missed out on socialisation up to 16 weeks which is the crucial period and thats part of the problem. Maybe best not to take the dog back cause the nurse doesnt seem to know much about dogs and what makes them tick. Im only an amatuer in this sort of stuff so please correct me if Im wrong, people like TonyMc and Erny and Poodlefan are the real experts on this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peibe Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 If he came from Rozzie paganman he would not have missed out on anything lol, he would be a well socialised little tacker I agree with you about the protection to some degree, but not in a pup his age Send a PM to erny, she is always more than willing to help I too am no expert, I have just had alot of troubled foster dogs LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paganman Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 Oh ok Peibe I didnt realise that, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MonElite Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 The instructor said he was just protecting me and my son and because he wouldn't move from our side she said she would take him next week and keep him on a leash. Gowd - a young puppy protecting you and your son. Id change the classes - its obvius these people dont know what they are talking about. The puppy is most likely affraid and protecting itself from strange dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashan Posted July 5, 2007 Author Share Posted July 5, 2007 thanks for the help and info. There is another obedience school here and I will look into it. I wont take him back to that one. And yes he is (was) an extremely well rounded and welll cared for pup. Rozzie does do a wonderful job doesn't she (wish I could afford his brother). I need to wait til he is 6 months to take him to the other but it isn't too far away. He is just such a wonderful little man at home and it was strange the way he acted. Thanks again for the info I will let you know how he goes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashan Posted July 5, 2007 Author Share Posted July 5, 2007 How can I contact these members??? Don't know how to PM sorry Im only an amatuer in this sort of stuff so please correct me if Im wrong, people like TonyMc and Erny and Poodlefan are the real experts on this forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peibe Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 If you look at the top right hand side of the DOL page you will see something that says MY CONTROLS, if you click on that you will be about to see your controls and a thing that will say send new message I hope this helps LOL Goodluck with your boy, he sounds lovely Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ashan Posted July 5, 2007 Author Share Posted July 5, 2007 thanks peibe I will try that and see. Thanks for your help Goodluck with your boy, he sounds lovely :D He is Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joelle Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 (edited) Hi, I am nowhere near expert level, but I can offer personal experience We too, did puppy preschool and Ellie was cool the first couple of weeks then snarled and snapped her way through the next couple SHe had also been snarling at my 4 yr old son and we were VERY worried. Luckily we had a good trainer (She worked for us anyhow ) who thought Ellie was simply being dominant. Ellie was given time out every time she snarled at school (at dogs) or home (at 4yr old). She was given no attention. i.e reassurance, or negative consequences, just time out ) When she returned to class, or room, she had settled down. We had to continue this every time she snarled. This appeared to work for her, she now appears fine with other dogs and LOVES children i.e no aggression at 6 months old. If your dog does think he is protecting the child (which I doubt, at that age), try getting child to help feed and train, this will help dog realise that child doesnt need protecting as he is above the dog in the pack.' Just our experience that worked for us, may or may not work for you but no harm in sharing experiences :D Hope this makes sense Edited July 5, 2007 by joelle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirty Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 There should be an obedience school or trainer that you can go to before 6 months. Our local club accepts puppies from 12 weeks I believe. And the classes are much better run than the vet nurse ones. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joelle Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 There should be an obedience school or trainer that you can go to before 6 months. Our local club accepts puppies from 12 weeks I believe. And the classes are much better run than the vet nurse ones. Good luck! I agree, Ellie and I are now doing the canine good companion training where most of the dogs are over 6 months, but there are a couple of young ones i.e. 12 weeks Good luck and happy hunting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bloss344 Posted July 5, 2007 Share Posted July 5, 2007 I agree with what the others have said. This pup is fearful and reacting in a way it feels is appropriate, regardless of the fact the other puppies are smaller and younger. It feels the need to nip in the bud any perceived potential threat. Fearful dogs can be very unpredictable. Getting some sort of help early from a behaviourist is the way to go, it won't get better on it's own. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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