Genre: Forum

Hello All, I'm looking for some serious advice and guidance. I have a 4 month old Puppy GSD cross Malamute (three quarters GSD ). I've had her for just under two months. I'm an experienced dog owner having proudly owned a GSD cross called Jed for 10 years and more recently two English Bulldogs. I thought I had witnessed it all with that mixture, however I was wrong !! Lola was a very nervous pup, so much so that I got in a dog trainer for help. He was a great help to me. But now Lola has become quite confident bordering 'arsey' and seems to look on me and my family members as staff ! She prone to tantrums, which sound and look horrendous. She becomes quite aggressive and bounces around the living room barking and snapping (yet her tail is often wagging ?) I know it's a dominance thing, trying to become alpha bitch, but I really don't know how to handle her in these episodes. Her tantrums are very frustrating as I don't know what triggers them often. How should I deal with her ??????? I'd appreciate any help and pearls of wisdom, I'm getting quite desperate. Thank you in anticipation, Tray She prone to tantrums, which sound and look horrendous. She becomes quite aggressive and bounces around the living room barking and snapping (yet her tail is often wagging ?) I know it's a dominance thing, trying to become alpha bitch, but I really don't know how to handle her in these episodes. Her tantrums are very frustrating as I don't know what triggers them often. How should I deal with her ??????? I'd appreciate any help and pearls of wisdom, I'm getting quite desperate. Thank you in anticipation, Tray Hi, welcome to the forum. Firstly forget about her trying to become Alpha bitch - dogs really don't think like that, she is not plotting to take over leadership of the household. Sounds to me like she is trying to get you to play and is getting over excited/frustrated when she is not getting a reaction. When you say she becomes quite aggressive what do you mean? Is she trying to nip you? I would either turn my back on her and totally ignore her, or completely walk out of the room and only return when she has become quiet. The 'game' would end immediately. Pups usually have a 'puppy license' up until the age of around 16 weeks, this is where adult dogs will let them get away with anything. After 16 weeks they start to learn that they have to follow certain 'rules' in life and gradually they are taught to calm down. Some pups have a 'mad' period just before they crash out to sleep - it is what they would do when they are with the rest of the litter (play hard and sleep hard!). I would have to agree, she's not trying to take over your house hold and be top dog, you have to remember she is a baby, like all babies she will experience her world though her mouth, I know those pearly whites are sharp and hurt like hell, but she is simply checking out her new world, I also understand she has to learn. You have been given some great advice so far and really I can add nothing more, walk away from her, stop play until she settles, lots of praise when she is playing nicely, she will learn, if I keep my teeth to myself they will play and I get lots of cuddles. Dont worry, this time passes, looking forward to seeing some pictures. __________________ Sarah "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself." Firstly forget about her trying to become Alpha bitch - dogs really don't think like that, she is not plotting to take over leadership of the household. Sounds to me like she is trying to get you to play and is getting over excited/frustrated when she is not getting a reaction. When you say she becomes quite aggressive what do you mean? Is she trying to nip you? I would either turn my back on her and totally ignore her, or completely walk out of the room and only return when she has become quiet. The 'game' would end immediately. Pups usually have a 'puppy license' up until the age of around 16 weeks, this is where adult dogs will let them get away with anything. After 16 weeks they start to learn that they have to follow certain 'rules' in life and gradually they are taught to calm down. Some pups have a 'mad' period just before they crash out to sleep - it is what they would do when they are with the rest of the litter (play hard and sleep hard!). Firstly forget about her trying to become Alpha bitch - dogs really don't think like that, she is not plotting to take over leadership of the household. Sounds to me like she is trying to get you to play and is getting over excited/frustrated when she is not getting a reaction. When you say she becomes quite aggressive what do you mean? Is she trying to nip you? I would either turn my back on her and totally ignore her, or completely walk out of the room and only return when she has become quiet. The 'game' would end immediately. Pups usually have a 'puppy license' up until the age of around 16 weeks, this is where adult dogs will let them get away with anything. After 16 weeks they start to learn that they have to follow certain 'rules' in life and gradually they are taught to calm down. Some pups have a 'mad' period just before they crash out to sleep - it is what they would do when they are with the rest of the litter (play hard and sleep hard!). Thank you all so much for your quite responses and most excellent advice. Lola was a very nervous puppy when we got her home and it took us a month to get her to trust that nothing horrible was going to happen her when strangers etc came into the house. Now she's feeling her feet she has become boisterous and jumps up on friends etc when they come into the house. We're using the ignore the baby technique to overcome anti social behaviour but she is clinging onto the habit. Her play does become very rough and boisterous and does nip. She's started 'chopsing' and nipping at the air if she doesn't get her own way. I'm not sure is this is a baby's tantrum or the first signs of aggression. I know that being a baby she will push all my buttons to see what she can or can't get away with, but the bouncey tantrums are concerning me. They usually occur after she tries to engage me in boisterous play (nibbling involved) I try to tell her sternly no, and walk away and that is when she amps it up. Is this still her playing ?? To counter this I put her lead on her, make her get off the sofa and I make her sit on the floor until she's calmer. Often she lulls me into a false sense of security and kicks back off again. I admit I try to stay calm but I do get frustrated and end up raising my voice. Do you think she is just a gianormous baby that doesn't know her own strength etc. Even though I've always had dogs, she is out on her own !!!! I've never met a baby like her ! Thank you all so much for taking the time to respond, Tray