Help needed, 9 week old female OES showing aggression
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| She's 9 weeks old and not feeling well-- she's going to exhibit a certain amount of crankiness! I think it sounds as if your vet jumped to some pretty quick conclusions when a sick puppy growled while being poked at. To tell your wife that you should return her to the breeder sounds like he's blowing things way out of proportion.
What you've described sounds like normal OES puppy behavior. They're notorious nippers and have to be taught early not to be bite. They're a herding breed and they instinctually want to herd things by nipping and pushing-- in your case, your kids are the sheep! I'm sure others will chime in with more advice but do a few searches through the behavior and getting a puppy sections too. I'm sure you'll find all the help you'll need to raise your pup into a fine upstanding citizen! Good luck! |
| The first thing that came to my mind...did the vet say to return the pup to the breeder truly because of aggression or for the uterine infection? It does concern me that she is only 9 wks and already has a uterine infection, but I'm not a doctor. That doesn't sound right to me and could definitely be causing her to be uncomfortable and irritable. I'm sure it's painful. Definitely call the breeder and talk to him/her about the infection and any behavior issues that have arisen. I'm sure many others will chime in. Keep us posted. |
| 10 weeks is way too young for a puppy to be agressive. Agression is "learned behavior", although temperament and environemnt may impact its development.
It sounds to me like she may be in pain. Maybe the infection is also in her ears. A puppy will growl in play or grumble if she wants to express herself in another way thatn barking if she is content. Growling is her way of communicating to you. She is trying to tell you something, and if it is to leave her alone, then you need to do some detective work to find out why. I assume she is always handled in a gentle manner, so she should enjoy being touched and massaged, when not restrained. Sounds weird to me. |
| Welcome to the forum....
I agree with what others have said, sounds like the vet is jumping the gun. I have also never heard of a puppy with a uterine infection. Are you sure it wasn't urinary infection? What is she being given for the infection? |
| First off, Thank You for all the replies, my wife and myself are really grateful for all the reassurance and guidance. The prescription is Clavamox 125mg, twice daily every 12 hours. The diagnosis was for vaginal infection, (I did talk to the Vet also after posting and she just wanted to make sure that no issues await us down the road and to take this seriously)The Vet also stated this could be a urinary track infection also. We have been Ref. to a behavioral specialist to evaluate. But I am more inclined to believe this was a sick puppy very scared of a shot and reacted due to being so young and not having the desire not to bite trained. Any more words of wisdom and guidance would be greatly appreciated. I will also keep all apace of how Molly is progressing in her family skills. |
| Best wishes for Molly, I hope you can work out the problems.
She is on the right medication too, hoping things will calm down there also and when she is better maybe her temprement will change too, such a young girl to be having those problems. |
| It concerns me that a good vet would urge to return your puppy to the breeder, what exactly is this based on? What does she call aggressive? This is a puppy in a new home, is ill, and has to deal with a cat and 2 kids, all pretty stressful. True, they are nippers but bringing in a behaviorist seems drastic. She needs to be socialized after she feels better and needs time to adjust to all the new things in her life. as for the growling, you probably scared her if she was sleeping. I don't think you're doing anything wrong with her, you just need to be patient and work with her. |
| Hi,
Remember when your kids were babies and pulled hair? Did you ever have someone hold your baby in their arms and then return them with the comments "Your baby is so aggressive!". Probably not. 
I agree with the others and am suprised the vet would make such a comment at this stage of the pups life. I have seen far too many dogs deemed aggressive when it was due to some medical issue. You mention the pup growled while being touched while snoozing..this is normal..a growl is a way of a dog communicating his/her displeasure. I used to do be under contract for the Educational Humane Society and often would repeat to kids..never touch a sleeping dog. Nipping too is part of normal pup behavior..yikes those sharp little puppy teeth hurt! A yip from you or the kids, firm NO and immediately a replacement as it's not enough to show what you don't want, but what behavior is acceptable in return. Always have a chew toy handy to place in her mouth when she's nipping, then lots of praise when she does it. She will in turn realize hands are off limits, chew toys are good. Remember she's teething at this age. I live with three dogs and 4 cats. Merlin was teased by one of the cats as a pup and now it's payback. They chase each other around..don't worry that too sounds as if it will work out. Please let us know what the breeder says as I think they should hold some responsibility towards the medical cost. Hope you can work it out with this pup and stick with her! I'll hold you guys in my thoughts Marianne and the boys |
| Just wondering at what age you got her...if you've had her for 2 weeks, and she is 9 weeks...then she left the litter at 7 weeks. For dogs the reccommended age to leave the litter is 8 weeks or a bit later.
Yes they are weaned by 6 weeks etc, but it's the social behaviour they learn from siblings. Like how to bit softly in play, cause another pup will not tolerate rough behaviour, nor will the mom. if she has a vaginal infection, did she also have an ear infection. If her head hurts, and an ear infection was not the reason. Then I too would assume the dog was startled. Make noise before waking up a dog from sleeping. Otherwise you have some work ahead of you. take a puppy class, the trainers will be able to help. Buy some books or borrow, on dog behaviour...such as Dog Whisperer. It will help to learn the why they behave a certain way. Good luck. |
| Sorry to hear that Molly is not feeling well. I agree with the others. It is too early to label her as aggressive. Even if she weren't sick I would encourage you to work it out with her. She will learn her place in her new "pack".
As far as the cat chasing goes, it has been my experience that a cat that runs just encourages the chase. Having a cat that just falls will make it easier to train Molly not to chase. Good luck we are all pulling for you. Paula and Bailey Boy |
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