Quick Question about Food Aggression in young puppy.

[catiboo]

I finally got the german shepherd I have been wanting. She was good with the other puppies, good with me, raised around small dogs, she was sweet as can be. Well I brought her home and she discovered my poodle mix's pig ear. She started chewing on it when the other dog came up to her, she lunged at him snarling. I was shocked. Is this a behavior I can fix or should I call her breeder in the morning and ask for a refund? I just want to know before I make any drastic moves.

[catiboo]

And she is 8 weeks old if that makes any difference.

[Harley0312]

I think at 8 weeks old you have plenty of time to correct alot of things, yuo have to be stern with GSDs other wise they will have some issues and will not listen.

[catiboo]

I understand that. I was just kind of shocked that she was already acting that aggressive. If it's fixable, I'm willing to take the time with her to make sure she'll be okay. I called her breeder and she said it may just be the newness of it?

[doggiedad]

part of me says you should give your pup back to the breeder
because going by your statement is this something i can fix
or call the breeder indicates to me you know nothing about
dogs. the other part of me says keep the pup and learn
as you go. you can train and socialize your pup to be any kind
of dog you want. i think your Poodle is going to keep your pup
in it's place.

Originally Posted by catiboo

I finally got the german shepherd I have been wanting. She was good with the other puppies, good with me, raised around small dogs, she was sweet as can be. Well I brought her home and she discovered my poodle mix's pig ear. She started chewing on it when the other dog came up to her, she lunged at him snarling. I was shocked.

>>>>>Is this a behavior I can fix or should I call her breeder in the morning and ask for a refund?<<<<<

I just want to know before I make any drastic moves.

[Kittilicious]

part of me says you should give your pup back to the breeder
because going by your statement is this something i can fix
or call the breeder

I gotta agree with doggiedad. It really shocked me that you were willing to call the breeder and ask for a refund after one incident of an 8 week old puppy. Each day there is going to be something that you have to "fix", as in correct, redirect, teach. Every single day. She's going to get bigger, she'll find her "boy girl bark". Just because she got along with the other puppies doesn't mean this isn't going to be a daily struggle of helping her grow into a wonderful, well behaved dog. She can't do it on her own.

[catiboo]

I asked because I don't want a dog that has aggression issues if I can't fix it. As I've never owned a dog that has been aggressive, it's not something I've come across. I don't like how you are assuming that I don't know anything, as you don't know me. I asked to find out from people who know the breed better then I do. I can't have a large aggressive dog and being as she's this young, I wasn't expecting her reaction.
Thank you for your reply anyway.

[doggiedad]

asking should you return your 8 week old pup makes me question
what you know about dogs. don't worry, you'll find all the help
you need on the forum.

Originally Posted by catiboo

I don't like how you are assuming that I don't know anything, as you don't know me.

[catiboo]

I've been told bad breeding can cause aggression. I bought her from a reputable breeder in my area but I was concerned since I've never seen an 8 week old puppy lunge at another dog with teeth barred. It was a shock, I was concerned, I asked to be sure there wasn't something wrong before i just assumed it was fine and could be fixed. As for the refund part, I don't want to spend as much as i have on this puppy, only to find out she has aggression issues I won't be able to fix.

[doggiedad]

enroll in a puppy class.