A dog bit me & my pup....?!

[Smitherman]

I was walking my 11 week old German Sheperd puppy today & a male dog came to us. Well I went to tell it to go & it grabbed my pants leg attempting to bite me & my GSD immediately stood up growling and barking. The dog ran a few yards and my pup tried her best to get to the dog. Was she being protective? Is it to young for that?

[selzer]

Yes, an 11 week old GSD puppy is really too young to be protective of you. Did the dog actually bite you? I mean did it break the skin?

I am wondering if the dog was actually attempting to play or if your dog was trying to get to the dog to play with it. When GSD puppies play there is often a lot of vocalization including growling and barking. I would be very concerned to see aggression, true aggression in a puppy this age. But a puppy that is fearful will bark and possibly growl as well. Was it totally lunging or did it back up at all and play bow.

Grabbing the pant leg is something that puppies do. A LOT! They will grab onto them and pull and growl, it is like playing tug. Or it is playing tug. It is possible that your puppy was not fearful of a dog acting this way because he has seen the pull the pant leg thing before.

I really think she is too young to actually be protective.

I am thinking if the dog wanted to bite you, it would have gotten you through the pant leg.

It is very odd for a strange dog to try and play with you though. Did you call Animal Control. That is really weird.

[Smitherman]

Yes animal control was called. She may have been playing because she does that to my other dog but it just seemed weird. A GSD isnt protective until atleast 8 months of age. She is a jealous dog, that is possible? But it just happened all so fast.

[KSoloniewicz]

What a scary thing! I had a random dog run up to my boy and I last week and I didn't know he was there until Sarge started barking and growling and his hair was standing up. He's 5 months old and VERY protective, but once we realized the dog was friendly all was well. 11 weeks does seem young, but you never know I guess with instinct. Either way, she scared him off!

[OffgridAlex]

I think your pup probably wanted to play with the other dog.

[Jag]

Another example of why I carry a stick. This dog could have ended up not just fooling around. Being prepared for dogs off lead and strays is best for your well being and your pup's.

[Finnick<3]

When Jasmine, my rottie, was about 5 months old we were charged by three 50+ lb dogs that (I found out later) had been terrorizing the neighborhood most of the day. I was so lucky my dog listened to my stay command as I stepped in front of her and walked around her while stomping my feet and screaming go home at the offending dogs.

I'm with Jag. Carry a stick. Don't ask or expect your dog, especially a pup, to defend you or itself.