aggression + 7 months old

Anyaledoux@hotmail.com · 01-20-2012, 11:43 PM

Our fun, silly pup has started showing his teeth with his gums at us. He doesn't go on the couch or bed. We walk down stairs before him. We practice NILIF. I don't understand it. Why this sudden anger? He is usually so much fun. He is enrolled in classes, gets plenty of exercise and is loved but this week he has done this to my husband and then to my daughter. Please help. Is this normal?

sashadog · 01-21-2012, 12:49 AM

Some dogs will submissively grin when they're nervous or trying to appease you. It can look pretty intimidating if you don't know what you're looking at. Is there any growling, snapping, "hard" eye-contact, or is he literally just showing you his teeth?

lorihd@comcast.net · 01-21-2012, 12:56 AM

well hello, my 7 mo puppy is loving adorable etc. she is still a landshark so i asked my trainer what to do, well i now firmly hold her collar and i get in her face and tell her very sternly no bite! well she shows me all those pearly whites, kinda looks like a vicious attack dog, no growling though, good luck

Anyaledoux@hotmail.com · 01-21-2012, 01:03 AM

He's showing his teeth and gums like an agressive dog getting ready to attack.

sashadog · 01-21-2012, 01:09 AM

I believe you but is he showing any other signs of aggression? Teeth can be a scary thing but there is more to dog communication than teeth alone...

Lucy Dog · 01-21-2012, 01:12 AM

First - no this is not normal.

Can you explain the exact scenarios where he's done this?

Where did you get him from and at what age?

RocketDog · 01-21-2012, 01:13 AM

Without the hard state or growling, it could very definitely be a submissive gesture. It's even called a "submissive grin". What is the context of these occurances?

Konotashi · 01-21-2012, 07:04 AM

Is there growling, stiffness, lowered head, eye contact, or anything else that accompanies the teeth baring?

**MaggieRoseLee** · 01-21-2012, 09:40 AM

Chances of this being aggression at 7 months isn't high. I'm with the others that it's probably something else.

Are you working on alot of Engagement - Key to Training <--- click that

It's a huge help with all training and being able to read your pup better.

What is your breeder recommending or suggesting?

Do you clicker train? Good way to get on a bit better footing also and removes any growling/teeth. Intro to Clicker Training (perfect for puppies!) <--click that

Anyaledoux@hotmail.com · 01-21-2012, 10:56 AM

I think he is getting ready to attack. He showed his teeth and bit my husband at bath time last week. We got him at 8 weeks from a reputable german shepherd breeder from proven, stable dogs. There is eye contact. He doesn't want to do what we are asking like "go outside". I have spent lots of time with him training the Michael Ellis type system. He's great otherwise but this is intolerable. Many thanks

01-20-2012, 11:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
Anyaledoux@hotmail.com Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 59	aggression + 7 months old Our fun, silly pup has started showing his teeth with his gums at us. He doesn't go on the couch or bed. We walk down stairs before him. We practice NILIF. I don't understand it. Why this sudden anger? He is usually so much fun. He is enrolled in classes, gets plenty of exercise and is loved but this week he has done this to my husband and then to my daughter. Please help. Is this normal? Last edited by MaggieRoseLee; 01-22-2012 at 07:59 AM.

01-21-2012, 01:12 AM	#6 (permalink)
Lucy Dog Crowned Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Connecticut Posts: 5,180	First - no this is not normal. Can you explain the exact scenarios where he's done this? Where did you get him from and at what age? __________________ Paul

01-21-2012, 07:04 AM	#8 (permalink)
Konotashi Knighted Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 3,380	Is there growling, stiffness, lowered head, eye contact, or anything else that accompanies the teeth baring? __________________ Ozzy - Chocolate Pom "In a perfect world, every dog would have a home and every home would have a dog." My Photography

01-21-2012, 09:40 AM	#9 (permalink)
MaggieRoseLee The Agility Rocks! Moderator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Bushkill, PA (The Poconos!) Posts: 22,206	Chances of this being aggression at 7 months isn't high. I'm with the others that it's probably something else. Are you working on alot of Engagement - Key to Training <--- click that It's a huge help with all training and being able to read your pup better. What is your breeder recommending or suggesting? Do you clicker train? Good way to get on a bit better footing also and removes any growling/teeth. Intro to Clicker Training (perfect for puppies!) <--click that __________________ MACH2 Bretta Lee Wildhaus CGC TC TQX Glory B Wildhaus NA, NJ, NF + LOL (still) "*Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde*

01-21-2012, 12:49 AM	#2 (permalink)
sashadog Master Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 570	Some dogs will submissively grin when they're nervous or trying to appease you. It can look pretty intimidating if you don't know what you're looking at. Is there any growling, snapping, "hard" eye-contact, or is he literally just showing you his teeth?

01-21-2012, 12:56 AM	#3 (permalink)
lorihd@comcast.net Elite Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: hillsborough nj Posts: 1,155	well hello, my 7 mo puppy is loving adorable etc. she is still a landshark so i asked my trainer what to do, well i now firmly hold her collar and i get in her face and tell her very sternly no bite! well she shows me all those pearly whites, kinda looks like a vicious attack dog, no growling though, good luck

01-21-2012, 01:03 AM	#4 (permalink)
Anyaledoux@hotmail.com Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 59	He's showing his teeth and gums like an agressive dog getting ready to attack.

01-21-2012, 01:09 AM	#5 (permalink)
sashadog Master Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Fort Collins, CO Posts: 570	I believe you but is he showing any other signs of aggression? Teeth can be a scary thing but there is more to dog communication than teeth alone...

01-21-2012, 01:13 AM	#7 (permalink)
RocketDog Elite Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Eastern Washington Posts: 1,267	Without the hard state or growling, it could very definitely be a submissive gesture. It's even called a "submissive grin". What is the context of these occurances?

01-21-2012, 10:56 AM	#10 (permalink)
Anyaledoux@hotmail.com Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 59	I think he is getting ready to attack. He showed his teeth and bit my husband at bath time last week. We got him at 8 weeks from a reputable german shepherd breeder from proven, stable dogs. There is eye contact. He doesn't want to do what we are asking like "go outside". I have spent lots of time with him training the Michael Ellis type system. He's great otherwise but this is intolerable. Many thanks

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